to Snake River, they then decided to abandon their horses and take to canoes. This was an unfortunate error, for the stream soon, contrary to appearances, proved itself a true mountain torrent, threatening destruction to both men and boats. They therefore left it (at the Cauldron Linn) and set out on foot, after breaking the company into smaller parties to make it easier to find game. The sufferings of these men, in their weary wanderings over the Snake River desert, are more easily imagined than described, although Mr. Irving, in his classic history of the Astoria enterprise, has succeeded in giving us some very vivid pictures. Hunt, with a section of the party, reached the Grand Ronde valley at the close of the year, and on the 15th of February arrived at Astoria. Some had already reached the fort; others straggled in from time to time, till nearly all were safe.
Ship Beaver arrives, May 10, 181 2. Soon after this overland party reached the lower Columbia, Mr. Astor's ship, the Beaver, sent from New York in the fall of 181 1, anchored (May 10, 1812) in the Columbia River with a cargo similar in all respects to that carried by the Tonquin the year before. The Astorians were greatly rejoiced. At last they had abundant supplies, new reinforcements of men, and every encouragement to carry the trade far up the rivers toward the sources of the Columbia. It began to look as if Astor's project might be grandly successful after all, despite the calamities which attended its beginnings.
The Northwesters lose the race; David Thomp 74 -^
