From the year 1808

Sunday, May 29
Cold morning. We were under way at 4. Went a shore upon an island, and secured [i.e. cached] a bale of salmon for our return.

A little lower [down] the river contracts into a narrow space [the Cottonwood Canyon], and passes violently between high rocks. The canoes, however, being lightened, were run down. Here we put three bales of salmon into cache, and carried the rest [over a portage] through a very rugged country. It was late before we had cleared [this obstacle]. We called this place descharge [décharge] de la Montagne.

Continuing with a strong current in our favour, we passed a small river [the Cottonwood] on our left. Its banks are high, composed of clay and sand; and there is a house near the entrance. Soon after [we] came to another River [the Quesnel]; and we encamped at sun-set.

This afternoon [we] observed several houses of the Nasquitins [Nazkotens]. [They] had a very fine prospect consisting of extensive plains, and behind hills rising upon hills. The trees in this quarter are pine, cypress, birch, hemlock, cedar, juniper &c. At night flashes of lightning were to be seen, [and] loud peals of thunder to be heard accompanied with heavy rain.

Monday, May 30
We embarked at 5 A.M. Experienced a strong current. The country all along is charming, & apparently well inhabited; having seen a large number of houses. At 6 we put to shore at a large house; found a cache of fish. After taking a few salmons and leaving the value we secured the rest for the owners. Observed some vestiges of horses at this place. A little below we put a shore again, and left a bale of salmon in cache.

page 84, “The Letters and Journals of Simon Fraser 1806-1808.” W. Kaye Lamb, Ed.
Text reprinted with permission from Dundurn Press Ltd. Copyright 2007