, 1853-07-02

Of wood, but thsrowl lck are Of bnch. The
peculiarly in the construction oi these boats
Is, that they are only rlvctcd at each end
with strong rivet, and being we'll gummrd,
they have 40 occasion for mailing. They
a swcr, and indeed ar, admirably adaplrd
to, all the purposes for which they are in
tended arc so light as 10 easily transporte
over III, portaces by their crews, and in
case of accIdcnt are easily repaired.
The goods Embarked for the supply Of
the northern posts are all done up carclu,ly
IN bales Of nin.ty pounds each, and consist
Of groceries, clothing, -four, powder, bull
&c. It may readily be imagined that the
different packages vary very materially in
size, from few inches square TO two feet.
This equal division of the weight is neccs-
sary, IN cons qurnce Of the numerous port
ages they have to make, as well as conveu-
lent in forming packs for horses, which they
take at Okanagan for journey to Thomp-
son river, which takes twenty days to ac-
complish.
Mr.. Ogdcn is generally six months of
every year travelling to and from his post
on the south end Of SIuarps Lake, called
Fort st. James, in latitude 81 deg. n. He
leaves il earl in the spring, and returns in
the fall Of each year. Before he departs,
he fits out his summer trappers, and on his
return those for the winters campain. He
brings down with him the produce Of a years
hunting. This post is the most profitable
Of all the sections west of the mountains.-
The average cost Of beavcr-skin is about
twenty FIVE cents, and when it reaches Van
couvcr it has enhanced in price 10 two dol
lars and fifty cents. The amount of lurs
brought down by Mr.. Ogden yearly will net
in London 100000, fact which will give
some idea of the value of this trade.
In setting out on his journey, Mr. Ogdcn's
practice, as well as that of all the Compa-
ny's parties, is to 20 only a few miles the
first day, in order that they may discover if
any thing has been neglected, and be able
to return for it. For this reason their first
encampment was at the saw-mill Their
brigade consisted of nine boats, rowcd by
sixty voyageurs, eight of whom had their
Indian wives with them. Besides these were
Mr. and Mrs. NJ Kinley, Mr.. Ogdcn's SON
in-law,) who was TO take charge of the
Walla-walla Fort, and Mr.. Cameron, also
oflha Company, who was on hisway 10 Mr..
Blacks station. The boats take each sixty
packages, excepting the trader, which is
Mr. Ogden's own boat, and carries only
forty. The boatmen are Canadians, except
ing about one fourth, who are Iroquois In,
dians, all strong, active, and handy men,
They aie provided only with a square sail,
as the wind blows generally either directly
up or down the river.
On the 27th June, they were of at early
dawn, took their b: caklast at Prairie du Tho,
and reached the Company's fishery, at the
Cascades, at 6 p. NJ, where they encamped.
This is the head of ship navigation, where
the river takes a turn norlhward, and for
upwards Of two miles is comparatively mar
row-four hundred and fifty yards wide. 1t
falls in this distance about forty feet, and
the whole body Of water drives through this
narrow channel with great impetuosity,
forming high waves and fearful Whirlpools,
too dangerous to BE- encountered by any boat,
When the river is low, these rapids are
sometimes passed by skillful boatmen, but
there has been many lives lost in the at
tempt.
The country bordering on the river is
low until the Cascades are approached, with
the exception ofsevcral basaltc bluffs. Some
of them are two hundred feet high, pointed
like turreted castles.
An old Indian, called Slyboots, made his
call upon Mr.. Ogden for his annual present,
consisting OF some tobacco and a shirt. This
present is made is consequence Of his cnce
having preserved Mr.. Ogden's party from
an attack, by giving information that it was
it take place. BY this timely notice Mr..
Ogden was enabled to guard himself and
party, by taking refuge upon a small island
Just above the Cascades.
The Columbia, al this part, passes through
the Cascade range Of mountains, between
high and rocky banks. The geological charac-
ter Of this ange is basaltic lava, basallc con-
glomcrale, and sandstone. Large quantities
of petrif,d wood are to be found in the
neighborhood. Mr. Dayton obtained SPcci-
mems Of It'll of these
The river thus far, is navgated by seek
ing out the eddics. The great difficulty is
found in doubling the points, which are al
times impossible, except by tracking anc
polling. The oars are used after the French
or Spanish fashion, adding the whole weight
of the body to the strength of arm.
To be CoHtinUed)
The lri>hman who wrote 10 his friend
informing him of the devoted attention o
bis Young wife during his sickness, couldn'