CHAPTER XXII.
DOWN THE SOUND.
We start down the Sound on an elegant steamer, called the Olympia, very early in the morning, in order to avail ourselves of the tide. It is too early to allow us to study the views which daylight affords; but wo feel assured that blue water, wooded headlands, and fair skies make up the panorama, and that the picture will be continued indefinitely throughout the day. Steilacoom is the first place of any importance we come to, and is really in a most beautiful location; being situated at the south end of the "Narrows," on a high, gravelly prairie, diversified with groves of fine timber, and gemmed here and there with small, clear lakes, bordered by a scattering growth of round-topped oak-trees. The scenery is unusually fine about Steilacoom, four snow-peaks being in view—Rainier, St. Helen, Adams, and Hood. It is said the finest view of Rainier to be obtained anywhere on the Sound, is to be had at this point. The Olympian Range across the Sound, is another fine feature of the landscape; while the Sound itself, together with the forests and valleys in sight from here, furnish a middle ground of great beauty.
The harbor at this place is a fine one, with plenty of water, and good anchorage. Steilacoom Creek furnishes a water-power which runs a flouring-mill and woolen mill, with plenty to spare for other manufacturing
