The latter possessed a great number of horses, and Mr.Stuart had purchased several of these animals at a low price.

Ascending the river they had come to a pretty stream, which the natives called _Okenakan_.

Mr.Stuart had resolved to establish his post on the bank of this river, and having erected a log-house, he thought best to send back the above named persons, retaining with him, for the winter, only Messrs.

Ross and de Montigny, and two men.[K] [Footnote K: One of these men bad been left with him by Mr.Thompson, in exchange for a Sandwich-islander whom that gentleman proposed to take to Canada, and thence to England.] Meanwhile, the season being come when the Indians quit the seashore and the banks of the Columbia, to retire into the woods and establish their winter quarters along the small streams and rivers, we began to find ourselves short of provisions, having received no supplies from them for some time.

It was therefore determined that Mr.R.Stuart should set out in the schooner with Mr.Mumford, for the threefold purpose, of obtaining all the provisions they could, cutting oaken staves for the use of the cooper, and trading with the Indians up the river.