Fork). This they would follow to a point below, where an Indian road, the Lolo Trail, was said to cross the Bitter Root Mountains to the mouth of the north branch of the Clearwater. For nearly a month they threaded dark forests, over steep hills, rocks, and fallen trees; made their way along dangerous cliffs; crossed raging torrents, whose icy waters chilled both men and animals. Sometimes they encountered storms of sleet and snow, again the weather was very hot and oppressive." Most of the men became sick, and all were much reduced in strength. Food was so scanty that they were compelled to kill and eat some of the travel-worn horses.
Navigating the Columbia to the sea; under the shadow of Mt. Hood. At the place where the north fork of the Clearwater joins the river of that name, the party prepared five canoes, and on the morning of the 7th of October entered upon the last stage of their eventful journey. The difficulties of travel were nearly over, for the boats glided swiftly down the current, and ten days brought them to the confluence of the Lewis and Columbia. Here they were greeted by a procession of two hundred Indians, marching in their honour to the music of primitive drums. In two weeks they passed the Great Falls (Celilo), Long Narrows (Dalles), and Cascades, reaching on the 2nd of November the tide-water section of the river. Then, on the 7th of November, they heard the breakers roar, and soon saw, spreading and rolling before them, the waves
