Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 11.djvu/224

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210
T. C. Elliott

poor horses quench their thirst. Pines and hemlocks are the only trees. Numbers of bear tracks seen. This is the season bears seek winter lodgings and are fat. Our hunters came in without success.

Thursday, 17 Nov.

Reached a river at sunset. It must discharge in the Clammitte Country or near the River of the Falls.

Friday, 18 Nov.

Reached the River of the Falls so desired by us all. Thank God! The road to the Clammitte we all know[1]. 7 white tailed deer brought in.

November 25th, Friday.

We had a view of the Umqua Mts. to-day, no snow on them.

Sunday, 27th Nov.

We are to leave the River of the Falls and cross over to the waters of the Clammitte. One horse killed for food to-day. My provisions are nearly exhausted. The waters of the Clammitte do not discharge in the Columbia and must discharge in some river to the ocean. It is from this river I have hopes of beaver.

Wednesday, 30th Nov.

Course south to Clammitt River[2] 25 miles from River of the Falls. Mr. McKay proceeded ahead to an Indian village distant 3 miles. It was composed of 20 tents built on the water surrounded by water approachable only by canoes, the tents built of large logs shaped like block houses the foundation stone or gravel made solid by piles sunk 6 ft. deep. Their tents are constantly guarded. They regretted we had opened a communication from the mountains. They said "The Nez Perces have made different attempts to reach our village but could not succeed. Even last summer we discovered a war


  1. Route known to Mr. McKay who accompanied Mr. McDonald the previous year.
  2. Probably the present Williamson river. In December, 1843, John C. Fremont crossed from head of Des Chutes river to Klamath Lake in two days. Compare with his journals.