, 1853-06-18
Extracts from Wilkes Exploring
Expedition.
I GCOnlinued.l

On their route they passed three small
praires, one which was about ten acres in
extent, and on ;he northwest side Of lake :
The lake, BLACK Lake, called Sachal by the
Indians, was examined, and found TO be one
and half miles in length, and three-fourths
Of mile in breadth. II is surrounded on
all sides by willow and alders tho soil
about it was light brown sandy loan the
forest extends down to the water, which is
ofa dark brown color, as iftinged with veg
elable matter this, however, was not the
case, for in taking the water up in q 6 lass,
il was found pure and crystal-like.
A line Of sOundings was taking across the
lake, by which five and q quarter fathoms
was found 10 be the greatest depth. II was
said to abound in fish, but they did not sue
ceed in taking any. In the lake were guam
titirS Of yellow lilies (Nuphar lutea) pond
weed tPOIamogctonl of two species, and a
water-lily (Nymphaa.)
Mr. Ed was told that there was another
lake to the northeast, and set out with Mr..
COlvocopssis, to visit it. The supposed
lake was reached after walk of five miles
Oter the same kind of country, and proved
10 be.only pond, about two hundred yards
in diameter, quite shallow, and covered, like
the former, with waierlilies.
After their return they broke up the en-
eampment, and embarking in their canoes
on Lake Sachal, passed to its southern end,
where they entered the river of the same
name. This appeared at first almost i'm
Psssable, for il was for four miles almost
ehoked up with SparganiumS, Nuphars, &C.,
50 that it was difficult 10 pass even with
the small canoe Its breadth was from
twenty TO sixty feet, and it was from three
10 twelve feet deep. Tho turns are some
times so short, that the large canoe would
be in contact with the thickets on the banks
at both ends, and it required much force 10
drag her along, by pulling by the branches,
and caused great labor in cutting their way.
They also unfortunately lost their hatchet,
which afterwards proved a serious mishap.
They were Obliged to continue their
course down the river until nine O'Clock at
night, before they could find any place TO
encamp, on account of the bog and jungle.
Al that hour they came to small green
spot, occupied Oy party OF Indians. Mr..
Ed obtained some attitudes ofthe north star
for latitude and the next day, being COM
pelled 10 make a portage of two miles to
avoid an impossible part Of the river, he en-
PlOyed himself, during the time it was max
mg,.in getting full set Of equal attitudes.
By 6 P. NJ. they had carried every thing
acrOss and embarked but the river was full
d sand bars, shallow rapids, and sunken
snags, which often compelled them to drag
the canoe over by main force. The land on
bOlh sides Of the river is fiat, marhsy, and
well wooded. Among the trees were many
ash. They stopped for the night at an In.
dan camp. Mr.. Ed eneavored to induce
the old chief 10 accompany him down tht
nver; but he declined, assigning as a rea.
son that he was afraid of the Chinooks. Hi
eoasted that he was chief of the Sachal tribe
oul as the party had met with but two OIL
Three other Indians during the route, they
were at loss 10 know where the tribe re.
sided.
On the 24lh, they again embarked on tho
river, anil hal ano,hrr fhi.uing day; but