CHAPTER XXXIX.
Scanty Fare During the Winter .-- A Poor Hunting Ground .-- The Return of the Fishing Season .-- The Uthlecan or Smelt .-- Its Qualities .-- Vast Shoals of it .-- Sturgeon .-- Indian Modes of Taking It .-- The Salmon--Different Species .-- Nature of the Country About the Coast .-- Forests and Forest Trees .-- A Remarkable Flowering Vine .-- Animals .-- Birds .-- Reptiles-- Climate West of the Mountains--Mildness of the Temperature .-- Soil of the Coast and the Interior.
THE winter passed away tranquilly at Astoria.

The apprehensions of hostility from the natives had subsided; indeed, as the season advanced, the Indians for the most part had disappeared from the neighborhood, and abandoned the sea-coast, so that, for want of their aid, the colonists had at times suffered considerably for want of provisions.

The hunters belonging to the establishment made frequent and wide excursions, but with very moderate success.

There were some deer and a few bears to be found in the vicinity, and elk in great numbers; the country, however, was so rough, and the woods so close and entangled that it was almost impossible to beat up the game.

The prevalent rains of winter, also, rendered it difficult for the hunter to keep his arms in order.