a tall, commanding looking man, walking hastily about, apparently in anxious search after some object. By this time the thoughts and reflections of our party, respecting the company, were sufficiently melancholy. The last named gentleman, suddenly observing them, abruptly changed his course, and advancing to the doctor, held out his hand, saying, “my name is Fisher," upon which he extended his, and “mine is White." "Surely, not Dr. White, of Oregon ?" "The

same, sir." 66 Why, sir, I know you well by report, I feel myself well acquainted with you; come to the camp, sir; come to the camp ;" and nothing loth he did go to the camp, where he found a company of intelligent New England people, who had formerly emigrated to Iowa, aud were now on their way to Oregon. They were more eager for news than any he had before met, and also for reading matter, for they had devoured every thing in their possession, even to their old almanacs. He was literally forced to give them an Oregon lecture, so he harangued to them, some sitting upon wagon tongues, some on the ground, and others bringing out their old fashioned eastern chairs.

While this was going forward, some of the ladies prepared for the party, under Mr. Fisher's tent, a delicious repast of choice bread, crackers, tea, dried beef, butter, and maple molasses. While partaking of these, a large number stood round the travellers, asking questions as eagerly as they ate. On enquiring why they were so far behind the general party, one of the ladies replied, "why, I guess it is because we lie by on the Sabbath." A smile passed round the circle, and an elderly maiden remarked, "Oh, sir, that is not the only reason; our company are very philosophical; they are not disposed to let little drawbacks trouble them; neither

do they wish to wear themselves out by extraordinary exertions, such as rising too early in the morning, and dashing away over the plains, like eager seekers after filthy lucre." A laugh followed, and the doctor's enquiries were at an end.

After dinner, strolling about, he passed a group of young ladies busily chattering, and one of them, rather blushingly, asked, "Sir, do you carry letters to the United States?" "Yes, certainly, I have a pack animal with me especially for that purpose." There was a titter among her companions, and one spoke, "there, Lucy, you see the gentleman is willing to carry it. I told you so." Another, “Yes, to be sure. And now I reckon you Iwould like to have us get a pen and paper for you, wouldn't you?" With a halfprovoked air she bade them "hush," and left them. He watched her proceedings, and soon saw her seated upon the houns of a wagon, her paper spread upon her lap, her cheek pressed upon her hand, lost to outward objects, and inditing her sweetest matter. When she brought, and half bashfully, presented the letter, requesting the doctor to send it to its address, he replied, laughingly, "you may be certain, I will do so; if all the rest fail, this shall go safely." She retreated amid the suppressed giggle of her roguish mates. He saw the letter was directed to a gen

tleman.

The party were much pleased with Mr. Fisher, and one of them presented him a fine horse, which he gratefully accepted, and they separated.

After traversing the sand plains to within half a mile of fort Hall, Dr. White and his companions indulged in a thorough washing, in which their clothes came in for a

share, and all being in a fresher condition, presented themselves at the fort. They remained with Mr. Grant several days, the reason of which was, that the horse bearing the mails, and other valuables, took fright, and ran away, and about three days passed before they recovered him.

CHAPTER XXV.

Showers-Soda Springs-Dr. Burke-Pleasant interview-Green river -Great change-New route-Sterile and forbidding country—Summit level-Uncomfortable night-Contrast-Divide—“ Home, sweet home"-A trail-Sabbath travelling-Weather-Dreary pass-Animals-Bear-Sweetwater valley-Independence rock-Solitary walk -Halt-Ravine-Snow-Red bluff-Camp on the Platte-Buffalo —Needless fears—Humbug—Three grizzly bears—Signs of Indians -Nondescript-Indian and family-Signs of danger-Herd of horBes-Attempt to escape observation-Failure-An old man-Kind reception-Handsome offer-An American-Feasting-SmokingReasonable request-Encampment-Two Frenchmen-Good meal -Warm spring-Fort Laranny-Mr. Tappan-Fligibility for a military post.

THE first night after leaving fort Hall they had a shower of rain, the only one between the Dalles of the Columbia and the United States, a period of ninety days. Their second encampment from this place was at the soda spring. Every thing bore much the same aspect, as four years previously, excepting the unpleasant change caused by emigrants having cut away so much timber, lessening the wild beauty, and grateful shade of a spot, destined, ere long, to become a rendezvous for the world.

On the 27th, they met Dr. Burke, who was engaged in collecting botanical and mineralogical specimens for the English government. He related many anecdotes of his travels in Africa, and the interview was both pleasing and instructive. They had the pleasure of his company to a din

ner, which Brown and Chapman exerted their skill to ren der palatable, presenting him with bread, butter, and potatoes, which he had not tasted for months.

They reached Green river the 9th of October. Here a great change had taken place; the numerous expeditions having so destroyed the timber as to leave the doctor in doubt whether it really was Green river. It was also quite different from what it had been when he first visited it. But their doubts were resolved by finding an old piece of wagonboard, with a name written upon it, in pencil,

rived at this point, Green river,

1844."

we ar

They now attempted a route, to them, entirely new, between Green river and the Rocky Mountains. It was an arid and forbidding region, uttely destitute of vegetation, and of every living thing, the lizard excepted. They pushed on for forty miles, without a drop of water, or discovering a single article fit for food; at the end of which they stopped and took a slight lunch, feeling more uncomfortable for their jaded horses, than pleasure in their own hasty allowance. As they approached the summit level between Green and Sandy rivers, the weather became very chilly; the winds, blowing from the snowy tops of the mountains, were searching and severe. As evening came on, the party became drowsy from cold and weariness, and were hardly able to reach a suitable place for rest, which, however, they did reach between ten and eleven o'clock at night. As they were in a dangerous part of the country, they dared not build a fire, but spread their blankets upon the wet ground, and threw themselves upon them, reflecting how different was their prospect for spending the night, from those of travellers in the states, contrasting their uncomfortable, and