’Twas done to show that God is just, and true to all intent,—
That man a lesson here might learn, and thus to him repent.
Nine miles from Deshutes, over the rocky bluffs, brought us to another resting-place, on an arm of Deshutes, flowing from the mountains, in the direction of Mount Hood. Five miles from Deshutes, was a spring, where emigrants sometimes camp, but at this time the Indian ponies had eaten off all the grass. We therefore passd on to our present camp.
1751½
3d—12½ miles to camp, on a small tributary of Deshutes, at Barlow’s gate—all but the gate, though he was found sitting there at the receipt of custom, allowing each emigrant wagon to pass his road through the Cascade mountains, at the moderately healthy sum of five dollars each, which the Government of Oregon had authorized him to receive. But, as miserable a road as it was, thanks be to Mr. Barlow for his energetic movement in opening a way through so rough a district as the Cascade mountains.
Several small streams were passd to-day, though no camps could well be made on them, for want of grass, except the first, which had a very little.
1764
4th—Staid at the same place.
5th—Over the rocky hills, 12 miles to camp, on a muddy arm of Deshutes, flowing from Mount Hood. Ten and a half miles to the arm, 1½ up the same to camp. No grass for our stock.
6th—3 miles up Deshutes valley, to Palmer’s cabin. In consequence of having lost some of our cattle in the thick and almost impenetrable forest, our day’s drive was short. A little below Palmer’s cabin, are signs of very rich bog iron ore. I afterwards found other places of iron ore along the road, by which I was satisfied that the Cascades abound in iron.