The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-05-22

to do was to build ''fort" or store-house,
while waiting for the arrival Of an overland
expedition As soon as matters were got
little TO rights, parties were sent out to ex-
plore the country, with a view to form small
posts, where the officers Of the company
micht reside and trade with the Indians. At
one OF these stations our author was placed
and Of his adventures there, or in making
excursions in its neighbhrhood, as well as Of
his observations on the Oakinacken Indians,
he gives an account drawn fresh from the
originals. The general doings at Fort .Asto-
ria, and Of the larger exploring enterprises,
so long as he was present, may also be con-
sidered original; together with his sketches
OF the characters Of the principal partners,
and his critical estimate oil the causes that
brought about the company's failure. Ac-
counts Of Oregon expeditions, undertaken in
other directions than the course followed by
MIR. Ross himself, and the two overland
journeys from st. Louis out and home, are
from the information Of others, and mostly
brief. Except for the sake Of completeness,
the overland journeys might have been
omitted, after the full accounts in astoria.
Mr.. Ross has not much literary skill and,
when removed from the regular trading OF
travelling business, he has not so much readi-
ness and daring as one looks for in fur
company's adventurer. Neither has he q
very comprehensive mind, or judgment to
be depended upon. These traits, though
they do not impart value, give species Of
character to the book. His anxieties lest
the Indians should rob or attack the party
when evidently no idea Of mischief was in
their heads, his accounts Of Astor's misman-
agement, his complaint Of the mischiefs aris-
| ing from the shippers being made independ-
ent Of the partners, and several passages
where personal feeling predominates, have a
racy character, which forms amusing reading.
To those who gave any attention TO the Ore
Con question, or are familiar with Astoria,
Mr.. Ross volume will be curious from the
light it is continually throwing upon both
subjects. To those who are not, It viii be
interesting for its sketches Of the Indians,
its narratives Of adventure, and its pictures
Of life among the lur-traders. The follow
ing is sample Of what may occur to them
in ride home from friendly visit
In the evening Of the 18th, not far from
home, as we were ascending very steep
hill, al the top Of which is a vast plain, and
my man had to walk, leaving our horses to
shit for themselves, and climb up as they
could; and so steep and intricate were the
windings, that had 10 throw of my coat,
which, together with my gun, | laid on one
of the pack-horses. The moment we reach
ed the top, and before we could gather our
horses and look about US, we were overtaken
! by tremendous cold snow-storm the sun
became instantly obscured, and the wind
blew hurricane. We were taken by sur
prise. Immediately called out to the men
to shift for themselves, and let the horses do
the same. Just at this moment accident
ally came into contact with one Of the loaded
horses, for such was the darkness that we
could not see three feet ahead but, unfortu-
nately il was not the horse on which had
laid my coat and gun. Immediately cut
the tyings, threw of the load, and mounting
on the pack-saddle, rode off at full speed
through the deep snow, in hopes Of reaching
a well-known place OF shelter not far of but
N the darkness and confusion missed the
place, and at last got SO benumbed with cold
that ! could ride no further; and besides, my
horse was almost exhausted In this plight
| oi:mounted and took to walking, in order
to warm myself. But no place Of shelter
was to be found. Night came on; the storm
increased in violence; my horse gave up,
and ] myself was so exhausted, wandering
through the deep snow, that could 20 no
further. Here halted, unable to decide
what to do My situation appeared desper-
ate without my coat, without my gun,
without even fre-steel. In sucha situation
mus; perish. At last ! resolved on digging
a hole in the snow but in trying to do 50 /
was several times in danger Of being suffo-
Gated with the drift and eddy. In this d.
emma ! unsaddled my horse, which stood
motionless as statue in the snow. put the
saddle under me, and the saddle-cloth, about
the size Of handkerchief, round my should
ers, then squatted down in the dismal hole,
more likely to prove my grave than shelter
On entering the hole, said to myself,
keep awake and live; sleep, and die" ]
had not been long, however, in this dismal
burrow, before the cold, notwithstanding nv
utmost exertions to keep my feet warm, gain
ed so fast upon me that was obliged to take
of my shoes, then pull my trousers, by lit
tie and little, over my feet, till at last had
the waistband round my toes; and all would
not do. Twas now reduced to the last shift,
and tried to keep my feet warm at the risk
Of freezing my body. At last had scarcely
strength to move a limb; the cold was gain
ing fast upon me; and the inclination to
sleep almost overcame me. In this condi-
ton passed the night; nor did the morning
promise me much relief; yet thought il offer
ed me glimpse Of hope, and that hope in
duced me TO endeayor 10 break out Of nv
snowy prison. tried, but in vain, to put
on my frozen shoes / tried again and again
before ! could succeed ] then dug my sad
die out Of the snow, and after repeated eff
forts, reached the horse and put the saddle
on; but could not myself get into the saddle.
Ten O'Clock next day came before there was