Page:Route Across the Rocky Mountains with a Description of Oregon and California.djvu/35

CHAPTER TWO

THE JOURNEY OUT, WITH ITS INCIDENTS.

Trading House of Vasques and Bridger—Attacked by the Sioux—Soda Springs—Deep Chasm and the Crater of an extinct Volcano–Fort Hall–Snake or Lewis River, Falls, &c., -Snow Storm, and difficulty of starting fire–Indians along Snake River—Numerous evidences of great Volcanic action in past times–Fort Boise – Hills of Marble – Grande Round — Blue Mountains, &c., -Whitman's Mission, on the Walawala – Fort Walawala-Columbia River, Falls, &c., -Cascade Mountains—Wascopin Methodist Mission–Indian Burying place–Fort Vancouver—Arrival at Oregon City, &c.

Having crossed the two Sandys, (branches of Green River,) on the 10th of August we crossed the main stream, a large and beautiful River; the water of which, unlike that on the opposite Aside of the Mountains, is very clear. Having crossed several of the tributaries of Green River, on the 13th we arrived at the Trading House of Messrs. Vasques & Bridger. It had been attacked, during their absence, by a band of Sioux; by whom the horse guard, and two Snake Indians, had been killed, and a number of horses driven off.

We remained here three days, and then went on to the Utah Mountains, at the head of Bear River, to hunt Elk; as our stock of provisions was nearly exhausted. We made our camp at the foot of the Mountain, where we remained ten days; during which time, the Utah Indians came to us, to trade horses, skins, &c. We met with but little success in hunting, and on the 28th started down the River.

On the 1st of September, it rained, was quite cold, and the hills were covered with snow. This day, we struck the trail of the Oregon Company, and during the nights we had heavy frosts. The valley of the River, is from one to eight miles wide. A large portion of it has a good soil, and is covered with an excellent grass. Flax grows spontaneously in this valley, and in considerable quantities. The hills on either side, rise very high, and are rugged and barren; and there are only a few Cotton Wood trees scattered along the River. These streams abound with a fine Fish, called the

29