There was an enthusiasm for missions in the churches of Boston then, and he began to dream of Oregon and the mysterious empire of the great Northwest, as pictured by the old schoolmaster, Kelley; just at this time came Dr.Whitman to the East, half frozen from his long ride, and asked to lead an emigration to Walla Walla, to save the Northern empire to the territory of the States.

He heard the doctor's thrilling story of how he had unfurled the flag over the open Bible on the crags that looked down on the valleys of the Oregon, and his resolution was made.

He did not follow Dr.Whitman on the first expedition of colonists, but joined him a year or two afterward.

He built him a log-cabin on the Columbia, and gave his whole soul to teaching, missionary work among the Indians, and to bringing emigrants from the East.
The country thrilled him--its magnificent scenery, the grandeur of the Columbia, the vastness of the territory, and the fertility of the soil.
Here were mountains grander than Olympus, and harbors and water-courses as wonderful as the AEgean.

He was almost afraid to map the truth in his extensive correspondence with the East, lest it should seem so incredible as to defeat his purpose.
[Illustration: _The North Puyallup Glacier, Mount Tacoma._] When the log school-house was building, Mr.Mann had gone to the old Chief of the Cascades and had invited him to send his Indian boy to the school.