We might suppose that when they actually embarked upon the waters of the famous stream, variously known as "The River of the North" and "The Oregon," the explorers would be touched with a little of the enthusiasm with which they straddled the headwaters of the Missouri and gazed upon the snow-covered peaks of the Rocky Mountains.

But no such kindling of the imagination seems to have been noted in their journal.

In this commonplace way, according to their own account, Captain Clark entered upon the mighty Columbia:-- "In the course of the day (October 17, 1805), Captain Clark, in a small canoe with two men, ascended the Columbia.

At the distance of five miles he passed an island in the middle of the river, at the head of which was a small but not dangerous rapid.

On the left bank, opposite to this island, was a fishing-place consisting of three mat houses.