On 30 October Bolduc reached St. Francis Xavier, the church still under construction. He found many Cowlitz still infidels, who do not want to give up their superstitions at all to submit to the yoke of the gospel. Despite this a former slave freed by Modeste Demers gave valuable service as a translator, and many Cowlitzes requested baptisms when near death. He witnessed an eruption of Mount St. Helens on 5 December. Bolduc was eager to explore the northern Puget Sound, along with Vancouver Island, to locate the site of a permanent missionary station. He joined James Douglas and a detachment of HBC employees at Fort Nisqually on 10 March 1843. Douglas was leading the party to Vancouver Island to establish Fort Victoria. Departing on the Beaver on the 13th, the party reached Whidbey Island the next day. A temporary chapel was constructed out of sailing canvas and pine by several HBC employees. Bolduc estimated that a gathering of 1,200 Klallams, Cowichans and Songhees was convened on the 19th, a Sunday, to hear his sermon.