142 NAUR ATI VE OF A JOURNEY 



1 have not observed that the Indians often attempt fishing in 

 the " big river," where it is wide and deep ; they generally pre- 

 fer the slues, creeks, &c. Across these, a net of closely woven 

 willows is stretched, placed vertically, and extending from the 

 bottom to several feet above the surface. A number of Indians 

 enter the water about a hundred yards above the net, and, 

 walking closely, drive the fish in a body against the wicker 

 work. Here they frequentl)^ become entangled, and are always 

 checked ; the spear is then used dexterously, and .they are 

 thrown out, one by one, upon the shore. With industry, a vast 

 number of salmon might be taken in this manner; but tlie In- 

 dians are generally so indolent and careless of the future, that it 

 is rare to find an individual with provision enough to supply his 

 lodge for a week. 



25th. — Early in the day the country assumed a more hilly as- 

 pect. The rich plains were gone. Instead of a dense growth 

 of willow and the balsam poplar, low bushes of wormwood, 

 &c., predominated, intermixed with the tall, rank prairie 

 grass. 



Towards noon, we fell in with about ten lodges of Indians, 

 (Snakes and Bannecks,) from whom we purchased eighty sal- 

 mon. This has put us in excellent spirits. We feared that we 

 had lost sight of the natives, and as we had not reserved half the 

 requisite quantity of provisions for our support to the Columbia, 

 (most of our stock having been given to Richardson's trapping 

 party,) the prospect of several days abstinence seemed very 

 clear before us. 



In the afternoon, we deviated a little from our general course, 

 to cut off a bend in the river, and crossed a short, high hill, a part 

 of an extensive range which we have seen for two days ahead, 

 and which we suppose to be in the vicinity of Powder river, and 



