But, although their surroundings were not of a sort to make one very jolly, when Christmas came they observed the day as well as they could.  Here is what the journal says of the holiday:—­

“We were awaked at daylight by a discharge of firearms, which was followed by a song from the men, as a compliment to us on the return of Christmas, which we have always been accustomed to observe as a day of rejoicing.  After breakfast we divided our remaining stock of tobacco, which amounted to twelve carrots (hands), into two parts; one of which we distributed among such of the party as make use of it, making a present of a handkerchief to the others.  The remainder of the day was passed in good spirits, though there was nothing in our situation to excite much gayety.  The rain confined us to the house, and our only luxuries in honor of the season were some poor elk, so much spoiled that we ate it through sheer necessity, a few roots, and some spoiled pounded fish.

“The next day brought a continuation of rain, accompanied with thunder, and a high wind from the southeast.  We were therefore obliged to still remain in our huts, and endeavored to dry our wet articles before the fire.  The fleas, which annoyed us near the portage of the Great Falls, have taken such possession of our clothes that we are obliged to have a regular search every day through our blankets as a necessary preliminary to sleeping at night.  These animals, indeed, are so numerous that they are almost a calamity to the Indians of this country.  When they have once obtained the mastery of any house it is impossible to expel them, and the Indians have frequently different houses, to which they resort occasionally when the fleas have rendered their permanent residence intolerable; yet, in spite of these precautions, every Indian is constantly attended by multitudes of them, and no one comes into our house without leaving behind him swarms of these tormenting insects.”

Although the condition of the exploring party was low, the men did not require very much to put them in good spirits.  The important and happy event of finishing their fort and the noting of good weather are thus set forth in the journal under date of December 30:—­

“Toward evening the hunters brought in four elk (which Drewyer had killed), and after a long course of abstinence and miserable diet, we had a most sumptuous supper of elk’s tongues and marrow.  Besides this agreeable repast, the state of the weather was quite exhilarating.  It had rained during the night, but in the morning, though the high wind continued, we enjoyed the fairest and most pleasant weather since our arrival; the sun having shone at intervals, and there being only three showers in the course of the day.  By sunset we had completed the fortification, and now announced to the Indians that every day at that hour the gates would be closed, and they must leave the fort and not enter it till sunrise.  The Wahkiacums who remained with us, and who were very forward in their deportment, complied very reluctantly with this order; but, being excluded from our houses, formed a camp near us. . . .