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Sure enough, there in a corner of the stockade stood five battered old wagons left by the venturesome party last year. Along with them were ploughs and other implements that could not be packed on horses. At this apparent proof the men looked solemn. The women began to cry.
"Both the Snake and the Columbia are deep, swift rivers," continued Captain Grant; "no company has ever attempted their passage but with a loss of life. Besides, several Indian tribes in the middle regions have combined to prevent your passage. Why, the Willamette is a thousand miles from here. The distance is so great that winter will overtake you before you reach the Cascades. I am astonished that you ever scaled the Rockies, but the Blue Mountains are much more formidable. From here to the Blue Mountains the plain is a cut-rock desert without water. The Snake River runs at the bottom of a deep canyon if you have read Irving's ' Astoria ' you remember how Hunt's party wandered along the brink, and yet almost died of thirst because they could not reach the water. There is absolutely no food to be had unless you eat gophers and ground-hogs you will die of famine. I would n't undertake it; the short cut to California is much safer."
Groups stood here and there, talking in great excitement, when Dr. Whitman returned from his conversation with the Cayuses.
"What! Can't get the wagons through! "exclaimed Dr. Whitman. "That's all bosh. My wagon went through three years ago, and where one went a hundred can. Bring the wagons by all means. You'll need them. There 's a great demand. What can farmers do without wagons? and most of you are farmers. Her
