Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1861-10-05

rapids extending some 800 feet. at the
head of which is lodge and strong
weir for taking salmon. AT the foot OF
the rapids the two chiefs went ashore
tn walk. while | with the two remain
ing Indians with difficulty forced the
boat up the rapids to the weir, where
one of these chaps very quietly made an
opening large enough for our boat to
pass through. a proceeding which had
white man done, would have very
Justly excited the Indignation of the
owners. one of whom. the occupant of
the lodge. did begin to demonstrate, but
word from old Howeyatl quicted
him. The chiefs again got into the
boat and we proceeded up stream three
fourths of mile, when we stopped ut
the mouth of q little brook and all went
ashore to walk, as the current here was
two strong for us to row the boat any
further although canoes go miles be-
yond. The Indians requested me to
drink some of the water of this brook,
which | did and found it remarkably
cool and refreshing. and totally unlike
the river water, which is also very pure
After securing the boat, we started off
on foot, walking along the river bank
for a quarter OF Il mile, when we came
to another fish weir and an Indian lodge
Here we struck off into'a trail which
led to the
CAMMAss PRAIRIE.
which lies in IL northcrly direction,
through a bottom of alder, willow and
vine maple. Wepassed several patches
of potatoes planted by the Indians, and
all fenced in. After walking through Il
bottom for half Il mile, over very good
but circuitous trail, we came to creek
nearly dry at this season, but evidently
II large watcr-course during trcshets.
We crossed this by means of Il fallen
tree, constructed by the Indians into a
rude bridge, and then passed up to Il
bench of land some ten feet higher
than the alder bottom. This | found
to be fine level piece Of land, which
was covered with II heavy growth of
hemlock. l did not notice II single
tree on this bottom of any other de-
scription. l judge from the length
of time it took to pass through this for
est of hcmlock that it was ~ miles,
but whether that distance was in the
direction of the width or breadth of the
belt Of timber had no means Of deter
mining as the whole trail was over very
level ground, evidently not ovcrtlowcd
during winter. 1t was covered with Il
thick underground of shrub berry, such
as salmon-berry, huekle-berry, snow
berry, etc, which prevented my seeing
anything not on the immediate trail.
After passing through the hem!ock for
est, we came to the foot of sharp hill
100 feet high. On ascending this, |
found the beautiful prairie stretched
out before me, level with the top of the
ascent, covered with ferns higher than
my head, and extending in northeast
erly direction five miles or more il,
len 9Th and from half to three -fourths
of mile wide. b. yond this prairie is
a level forest, and beyond that the noun
tains and hills that make the southern
boundary Of the Straits of Fuca. The
whole portion of the Territory south of
the snowy mountains of the Olympic
range, is one vast rolling country down
to the valley of the Chehalis, contain.
ing some of the very best lands for agri.
culture. numbering, or permanent settle
mcnt, to he found west of the Cascade
range. We walked by trail through,
the ferns to the centre of the prairie.
where the ground rises with gentle
elevation. From this spot, | could dis.
tincily trace the different peaks and
hill, from Elwha down. The snow
covered peak back of Elwia bore by
compass T.. by y. The distance from
Qui!lchuyt to Pi-ht or Pillar Point on
Fuca Straits is from 30 10 81 miles.
/ The Indians travel this distance in Que
day during the long summer days.
They told me that there was but one
portage between the Pisht aud Quillc-
hnyt rivers. and that was over a pretty
sharp hill. l did not, however. have
time to examine the trail myself. but
from the general aspect of the country
viewed from the prairie where / stood,
judged it to be both practicable and
easy to open communication between
Pisht and Quillchuyt. The country is
well adapted for grazing aud cultiva-
ton, and whenever a supply Of settlers
shall come to this Territory looking for
permanent homes. this section must
prove attractive. l lave named the
Prairie Laighton's Prairie. in compli-
ment to my friend Joseph L. Laighton,
ESQ.,, late Treasurer of Jefferson county.
W. I. The supply of hemlock bark
that can be obtained in this vicinity is