On Tuesday morning at 11 o'clock, we left Astoria on our return. Although we had strong tide and heavy wind against us, we made good progress, and arrived at a point a few miles below the entrance of the Cowlitz, where we stopped for the night, and took on all the wood that could be procured at this place. Next morning we proceeded up to the mouth of the Cowlitz river, where we were detained some hours in procuring wood. While wooding-up—some of the party went on shore, and set about turning over stones, breaking them, and digging up the dirt—when lo! very large specimens of gold, from 1½ lbs.down to a buck-shot, were exhibited to the gaze of the party on board. Col. Richmond was apparently the lucky holder of the "big lump." Some, for a time, gave credit to the idea that gold had actually been found there; but it was more generally believed to be a good natured hoax—as it really was—the gold having been held in the hand while digging, and besmeared with dirt so as to have the appearance of being found on the spot. It was finally concluded by all hands to be a fair offset to Gold Bluff and Klamath diggings; and thus ended a very good joke which furnished amusement while stopping to wood up.
From this place we made a quick passage to Fort Vancouver, where we arrived near dark, and stayed there over night. In the evening most of the party attended a ball given by the officers of the army which we heard spoken of in high terms by those who were in attendance. We left this place early on the morning of the 30th,—stopping at Portland to take on freight and passengers. On coming up with the Bark Louisiana, two miles above Portland, she took her in tow and brought her up to Milwaukie, with ease, against a stiff current.
Of the speed of the boat—when timed at different points, she made good time. She made fourteen miles an hour up the Columbia against a strong current on one occasion. We understand that the proprietor is so well pleased with the
