While the book has necessarily been based largely on other books, it may be said that the author has derived his chief inspiration from his own observations along the shores of the River and amid the mountains of Oregon and Washington, where his life has mainly been spent, and from familiar conversations in the cabins of pioneers, or at camp-fires of hunters, or around Indian tepees, or in the pilot-houses of steamboats. In such ways and places one can best catch the spirit of the River and its history. The author gladly takes this opportunity of making his grateful acknowledgments to Prof. F. G. Young, of Oregon University, for his kindness in reading the manuscript and in making suggestions which his full knowledge and ripe judgment render especially valuable. He wishes also to express his warmest thanks to Mr. Harvey W. Scott, editor of the _Oregonian_, for invaluable counsel. Similar gratitude is due to Prof. Henry Landes of Washington University for important assistance in regard to some of the scientific features of the first chapter. W. D. L. WHITMAN COLLEGE, WALLA WALLA, WASH., 1909. CONTENTS PAGE PART I.--THE HISTORY CHAPTER I THE LAND WHERE THE RIVER FLOWS 3 CHAPTER II TALES OF THE FIRST WHITE MEN ALONG THE COAST 33 CHAPTER III HOW ALL NATIONS SOUGHT THE RIVER FROM THE SEA AND HOW THEY FOUND IT 43 CHAPTER IV FIRST STEPS ACROSS THE WILDERNESS IN SEARCH OF THE RIVER 69 CHAPTER V THE FUR-TRADERS, THEIR BATEAUX, AND THEIR STATIONS 98 CHAPTER VI THE COMING OF THE MISSIONARIES TO THE TRIBES OF THE RIVER 136 CHAPTER VII THE ERA OF THE PIONEERS, THEIR OX-TEAMS, AND THEIR FLATBOATS 159 CHAPTER VIII CONFLICT OF NATIONS FOR POSSESSION OF THE RIVER 179 CHAPTER IX THE TIMES OF TOMAHAWK AND FIREBRAND 202 CHAPTER X WHEN THE "FIRE-CANOES" TOOK THE PLACE OF THE LOG-CANOES 234 CHAPTER XI ERA OF THE MINER, THE COWBOY, THE FARMER, THE BOOMER, AND THE RAILROAD-BUILDER 249 CHAPTER XII THE PRESENT AGE OF EXPANSION AND WORLD COMMERCE 265 PART II.--A JOURNEY DOWN THE RIVER CHAPTER I IN THE HEART OF THE CANADIAN ROCKIES 273 CHAPTER II THE LAKES FROM THE ARROW LAKES TO CHELAN 290 CHAPTER III IN THE LAND OF WHEAT-FIELD, ORCHARD, AND GARDEN 313 CHAPTER IV WHERE RIVER AND MOUNTAIN MEET, AND THE TRACES OF THE BRIDGE OF THE GODS 332 CHAPTER V A SIDE TRIP TO SOME OF THE GREAT SNOW-PEAKS 352