, 1853-06-18

eeeded with apparent willingness, until they
came opposite their own village, where they
landed, and refused TO 20 any further. They,
however, offered him small canoe, 10 take
him across the river, and the Indian 10 whom
The muskct belonged, f,rried him across
In the evening, the Indians returned 10 ask
for the muskct, but it was refused until they
should return the ak that had been lcll in
canoe, and agree to abide by the bargain
they had made 10 render them assistance.
The next day the AK was restored, and the
nusket given up. After this, more friend
" disposition was cvinccd, as MIR. Ed sup
poses from the fact Of their having learnt
tom Nisqually who - wore.
From the lst to the 9th Of August, the
party effected little, and their supply of pro-
visions was becoming very low. On the lat
ter da! they sifted their camp, about five
miles ttwards the capcs, to a small patch Of
meadow land, near one of the small streams
which empty into the harbor.
After remaining here a few days, they
selected aTother spot, at the South Head !;
and on the 10th, the Indians failing to per-
form their engagements, they moved their
'artioles themselves to their new encamp-
ment. They had now very nearly exhaust
ed their provi'ions, and living on the dead
fish they picked upon the beach IA sort Of
hake) and soms berries. From continual
wet, with hard work, as well as scanty and
bad food, they al became very feeble and sick,
and able 10 do but little work. On the 18th,
Lieutenant De Haven, whom had sent over,
arrived, and relieved them and on his re-
turn TO Bakers Bay, twenty days provisions
we're sent with party of Kanakas, under
the guidance Of Boileau, Canadian.
This supply reached them on the 18th
August, from which time they proceeded
rapidly with the survey, when the weather
would permit. Previous 10 the arrival
Lieutenant De Haven, Mr., Ed and his par
tg had parted with their own clothing and
blankets, for the purpose of efecting the
purchase of large canoe 10 carry on their
work. The Indians refused 10 deliver it,
except for actual pay for they had not yet
learned to value the small pieces Of paper,
or orders on tide Company's store, so much
priced in the country, and which are there
usually preferred 10 the articles themselves.
The threat TO stop trading for powder, Mr..
Ed found was q strong inducement to &C
complish any object with the Indians, for
they prize this and tobacco beyond any 9TH
er articles, always excepting rum.
Mr.. Ed, in one instance, treated one Of
the Indians to pipe and tobacco, which
affected him so much that they thought he
was going into fit, and created considera-
BILE alarm. This effect arises from their
mode of usrG the pipe, for they invariably
swallow the smoke, and retain the greatest
part of il in the stomach and lungs.
On the 24lh, the survey was finished, and
they prepared for their departure. The tract Of
land bordering on the Chickeelcs, below the
mouth of the Sachal, and around Gray's
Harbor, is a poor description for cultivation.
The spruce forest extends down 10 the wa
ter's edge, except in a few places around
the harbor, where there are patches of salt
marsh, which produce coarse grasses and
cat's-tail (Typha). Tho salt creeks into
which the tide flows are generally very tor
tuous and the meadows are occasionally
overnowed at spring tides. The only piece
Of land that appeared suitable for cultivation,
was Immediately within the South Head !;
but this is of small extent. The Coast, as
far as Cape Shoalwater, is no more than a
smooth sandy beach, which rises in gentle
activity 10 line of low sand hills.
Mr.. Breckenridge describes the coast veg
citation as consisting of Oberonia, Niottia,
Ambrosia, two species of Aster, several Gra
minee, an Armenia, with a number Of saline
plants the Gaultheria is found in great
abundance, bearing a palatable berry, of
which the party had occasion to make use.
For further information respecting the plants
of this section, ! must refer to the Botanical
Report.
Gray's Harbor seems to offer but few IA
cilities for commercial purposes. The en-
trance is narrow, the width being from one
half to two-thirds OF mile, with dangerous
breakers on both sides. The depth Of the
water is from five 10 seven faIhoms. The
space, after entering, is extensive, but the
greater part Of ii is filed up with mnd-nats,
which are bare at low water, and confne
the harbor suitable for the anchorage Of YES
scls to very small limits.
(TO bs Couiiuuci\ \