Of these blue beads we had but few, and therefore reserved them for more necessitous circumstances." The officers of the expedition had hoped and expected to find here some of the trading ships that were occasionally sent along the coast to barter with the natives; but none were to be found.

They were soon to prepare for winter-quarters, and they still hoped that a trader might appear in the spring before they set out on their homeward journey across the continent.

Very much they needed trinkets to deal with the natives in exchange for, the needful articles of food on the route.

But (we may as well say here) no such relief ever appeared.

It is strange that President Jefferson, in the midst of his very minute orders and preparations for the benefit of the explorers, did not think of sending a relief ship to meet the party at the mouth of the Columbia.