The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-06-02

able, and we can see the immense
waves go rolling over the surf. The
Pilot boat comes along side, we take
on two pilots, and here the cheering
information "The bar is pretty rough
this morning, better be careful"
The captain and other officers take
their places, the passengers are
ordered back, the signal gun loaded,
the anchors cleared ready to drop,
a sailor on each side filings the lead
and sings out the result.
Now we are amidst the breakers,
and it is with difficulty that even the
old tars can keep their feet. The
mighty swells raise us high in the air,
and then suddenly We drop into the
trough of the sea, with a motion that
takes ones breath. Now huge wave
meets US half broadsides, and the
spray is dashed high over the hurri-
cane deck, while the timbers creak,
and the good ship trembles all over
like thing of life.
Finally the last buoy is passed, and
a sigh of relief is given, as it is an
nounced that all danger is over. In
an hour we are at the dock of Astoria,
and fairly within the "Great River of
the North"
10 river far flowing, how broad thou art growing
And THE. the sentinel head-landS wait srimly for
While Euroclydon urges, the wide swelling
surges,
And the white crested waves gallop in from the
sea-"
Visions of the old North American
fur company are called up by the
name of John ]. Astor, suggested by
this busy little town nestled among
the evergreen spruces, and sheltered
by surrounding hills. Here can be
seen several large canning establish
ments for packing the famous Colum-
bia river salmon. There are many
more of these canneries along the
shores as we proceed, and faint
idea can be formed of the extent of
this branch of industry. The water
is of a dark greenish- blue, the cur
rent considerable, the banks high
and precipitous, and covered with
pine or spruce.
About noon we came in sight of
Mt. St. Helen, then of Mt. Rayner,
and finally of Mt. Hood. At the
mouth of the Willamet all three
grand, stately, snow capped peaks
are visable.
Portland is II2 miles from the
Ocean, and is busy place of perhaps
$4,000 population. 1t is the dis
tributing point for all of Oregon,
Eastern Washington and Northern
Idaho. 1t contains some fine build
ings, both public and private.
Here we take wheel river
steamer belonging to the greatest
monopoly in North America the
"Oregon Railway and Navigation
Co." At the Cascades we are trans
fered by rail, distance of six miles,
and take another steamer for the
upper river. The government has
tried faithfully to construct locks in
order that boats might be taken
through these cascades, but as yet
unsuccessfully. The water is how
ever very beautiful sight to gaze
upon, as it foams among the rocks.
Large numbers of Cinnamon are
at work along the south bank, con-
structing the Northern Pacific rail
road. The obstacles to be overcome
are not second to those of either of
the other rans-continental lines;
one stands appalled, at the very con-
ception of enterprises of such mag
nitude, much more at the actual ex-
ecution of those plans.
From the upper Cascade to the
Dalles, is found some Of the finest
scenery in the United States. The
river winds through the Cascade
mountains, from whose sides fall
innumerable small cascades, which
glisten in the sunshine with silyery
brightness. In some of these the fall
is very great, and the stream is lost
in spray and mist. AT times the