, 1853-07-23


90, ten led 10 rcpreSs all other thoughts
This anxiety was not only felt by myself
bat tn, officers and crew partook Of it in a
great degree. II was impossible to conjec-
turc her fate, yet her continued absence and
detention beyond the time of her artlcipa-
tel arrival, naturally excited many fears
and surmises, which, as the time passed on,
mad each one more certain that some dis
aster had lcEllrn them.
Two brass howitzers were also carried to
the prairie to fire the usual salutes. When
the procession reached Fort Nisqualy, thev
stopped, gave three cheers, and waited, sail
or like, until il was returned. This was
done ly only a few voices, circumstance
which did not fail to produce many jokes
amohgthc seamen. On reaching the ground,
various games occupied the crew, while the
officers also amused themselves in like man.
ner. At the usual hour, dinner was piped,
when all repaired to partako Of the barbe-
cue. By this time, the Indians had gather
ed from all quarters, and were silently look
ing on at the novel sight, and wistfully re-
garding the feast which they saw going on
before them. At this time the salute was
fired, when one Of the men, by the name of
Whitehorn, had his arm most dreadfuly
lacerated Gom the sudden explosion of the
gun. This accident put a momcntary stop
to the hilarity of the occasion. DR.. Fox,
who was on the ground, thought that am
putation Of the arm above the elbow would
be necessary, but il was deemed better to
delay it for time. The wound was dress
ed as well as it could be, and a litter was
made, on which he was at once sent, under
charge Of his messmates, to the ship. Men
ol-war's men are somcwhit familiar with
such scenes, and, although this accident
threw temporary gloom over the party, the
impression did not last long, and the amuse-
mrnts Of the morning were now exchanged
for the excitement of horse racing, sieeds
having been hired for the purpose from the
Indians. This sport is always a ayorite
with sailors on shore, and in pursuit of it
they had not few tumLles, but fortunately
none were seriously hunt. At sunset they
all returned on board, in the same good or
der they had landed.
All the officers, together with Mr.. Ander-
son, Captain M'Nicl, and DR.. Richmond,
dined with me at the observatory, and we
were in hopes Of having the company of Dr.
Mclaughlin; but, owing to his having lost
his way, he did not arrive until the follow
ing morning. He was gladly welcomed,
and it gave Us all great pleasure to acknowl-
edge the attentions that had been heaped
upon us by his order, and the kindness of
the officers Of the fort.
lie paid me visit on board, ami felt
greatly pleased with the ship, which was
the first man-of-war he had ever been on
board of. On his leaving the vessel, the
yards were manned, and three hearty cheers
given him by the crew, who were aware of
his kindness in ordering them a supply of
fresh provisions. He dinod with us, and
the next morning returned to the Cowlitz
Farm, on his way back to Vancouver.
After The rcjoicings were ended, the sur
veying party was again despatched to com
plcte the survey Of Puget Sound.
The height Of Mount Rainier was obtain
ed by measuring a base line on the prairies.
in which operation was assisted by Lieu,
tenant Case, and the triangulation gave for
its height, twelve thousand three hundred
and thirty feet.
While engaged in these duties, noticed
from point Of the prairie, the white cones
of both Mount st. Helen's and Mount Hood
very distinctly. These mountains all re-
scmble each other closely, and appear in
some points of view as perfect cones
They give great interest and grandeur 10 the
scenery. Mount Rainier is at all times a
very striking Object from the prairies about
Nisqually, rising as it does almost imper-
ceptlbly from the plain, with a gradual
slope, until the Snow-linc is reached, when
the ascent becomes more precipitous.
The ascent Of these mountains has never
been effected, but it was my intention TO at
tempt it, if my other duties had permitted,
as was very anxious to get a view of their
terminal craters The absence of the Pea
cock, however, and the great amount of
wo.k necessarily devoIying on the rest of
the squadron, made il impossible for me to
und 2rtakr this additional labor.
Around Nisqually there are many beaul.
ful rides, and if there were any vehicles,
they would be equally favorable as drives
for the country admits of carriage being
driven in almost any direction, within many
miles of the fort.
The Company have as yet few fields en-
closed, nor is it necessary that they should
have, so long as the cattle are watched and
penned in at night. The practice of pen
ming is adopted, not only TO protect the ami
mails from the wolves, but to save the ma
nure and apply it 10 useful purpose.
These pens are about half an acre in size,
and are enclosed with our Virginia fence,
made OF pine rails. They are moved once
a week, which, in the course of the year,
gives fertilizing effect TO large piece Of
ground and all those portions of it that
have been poor and barren are thus brought
rcadlIv, and al lilNo eXncn.e OF lahnr. nndor