179*- derived from the flood tide, thé ebb had flackened for about two hours,
. . - > but no current upwards during that time was perceptible.
The next morning, (oftober 29) they again proceeded up the river,
and had a diftant view of mount St. Helens, lying n. 42 e . In founding
acrofs the river, whofe width was here about a quarter o f a mile, from
3 to. 12 fathoms water was found. Owing to the rapidity o f the ftream
againft them they were under the neceffity o f flopping to dine at not
more than four or five miles from their retting place-; here it was low
water at noon; and though the water of the river evidently rofe afterwards,
yet the ftream continued to run rapidly down. The greateft perpendicular
rife and fall appeared to be about 3 feet. In this fituation
the latitude was obferved to be 45* 41', longitude 2370 20'; when
mount St. Helens was feen lying from hence n. 38 e., our diftance from
point Warrior being about 8 miles;
In their way hither they had pafled two Indian villages on the weft fide
of the river, and had been joined byan hundred and fifty of the natives in
twenty-five canoes. T o avoid any futprize they dined in their boats ; this
precaution was however unneceffary, for on fome trivial prefents being
made, a trade immediately commenced, in which the Indians conduced
themfelves with the utmoft decorum. No attempts were made to pafs
the line drawn on the beach, excepting by two who appeared to be
the principal chiefs, and who were permitted to join the party. Thefe
feemed to be very well difpofed, and inclined to communicate every information
; but, unfortunately for our gentlemen, a total ignorance of
the Indians’ language precluded their profiting by thefe friendly inten,
tions.
A t one o’clock they quitted their dinner ftation, and after rowing
about five miles, ftill in the direftion o f the river s. 5 e., they pafled
on the weftern fide a fmall river leading to the fouth-weftward; and
half a mile further on the fame fhore came to a larger one, that took a
more foutherly courfe. In the entrance of the latter, about a quarter of
a mile in width, are two fmall woody iflets ; the foundings acrofs it from
2 to 5 fathoms. The adjacent country, extending from its banks, pre-
fented a moft beautiful appearance. This river Mr. Broughton diftin-
guilhed by the name of R iv er Mannings. Its fouthern point of en-
0 trance
trance fituated in latitude 45° 39', longitude 237° 21’, commanded a moft 1 792.
delightful profpeft of the furrounding region, and obtained the name .Decmiber;.
o f B elle V ue P oint ; from whence the branch o f the river, at leaft
that which was fo confidered, took a direftion about s. 57 e ., for a
league and a half. A very diftant high fnowy mountain now appeared
rifing beautifully confpicuous in the midft of an extenfive traft o f low,
or moderately elevated, land, lying s. 67 e„ and feemed to announce
a termination to the river. From Belle Vue point they proceeded in the
above direftion, palling a {mail wooded ifland, about three miles in extent,
fituated in the middle of the ftream. Their route was between
this ifland and the fouthern fhore, which is low ; the foundings between
its north-weft point and the main land were 3 fathoms, increafing to 4,
5, and 6, off its fouth-eaft point; from whence the river took its courfe
s. 75 e. This obtained the name of Menz ie s ’ I sland ; near the eaft
end o f which is a fmall fandy woody ifland that was covered with wild
geefe. From Belle Vue point, a fmall ftream of flood had attended them
to this ftation; but here a rapid downward current was met, though it
was by no means high water.
A t the feveral creeks and branches they had pafled they loft fucceflively
moft of their Indian companions, excepting one elderly chief, who, in the
moft civil and friendly manner had accompanied them from the firft, and
had a village ftill further up the river. Having received many prefents
he had become much attached to the party, and, to manifeft his gratitude,
he now went forward to provide them with lodgings, and whatever
acceptable refrefliments his village might afford. About feven in
the evening they reached his habitation, where he much wifhed them
to remain; but preferring a more fecluded retting place, they re-
forted to a {hallow creek a mile further up the river, and about eight
miles from Belle Vue point, where they pafled the night. Here it was
low water about two, and'high water at half part five o’clock the next
morning. At feven they again departed, but were obliged to retire fome
diftance to clear a {hoal fpit that lies off this creek; after this they
proceeded to the northern fliore. This fhore was well wooded, com-
pofed of ftony beaches, and the foundings were regular from 2 to 7
fathoms.