156 NARRATIVE OF A JOURNEY 



wallas. They live along the bank of the river, in shantys or 

 wigwams of drift wood, covered with buffalo or deer skins. 

 They are a miserable, squalid looking people, are constantly 

 lolling around and in the fort, and annoy visitors by the impor- 

 tunate manner in which they endeavor to force them into some 

 petty trade for a pipe, a hare, or a grouse. All the industrious 

 and enterprising men of this tribe are away trading salmon, 

 kamas root, &c. to the mountain companies. 



Notwithstanding the truly wretched plight in which these poor 

 people live, and the privations which they must necessarily have 

 to suffer, they are said to be remarkably honest and upright in 

 their dealings, and generally correct in their moral deportment. 

 Although they doubtless have the acquisitive qualities so 

 characteristic of the race, they are rarely known to violate the 

 principles of common honesty. A man may leave his tent 

 unguarded, and richly stored with every thing which ordinarily 

 excites the cupidity of the Indian, yet, on returning after a long 

 absence, he may find all safe. What a commentary is this on 

 the habits and conduct of our Christian communities ! 



The river is here about three-fourths of a mile in width, — a 

 clear, deep, and rapid stream, the current being generally from 

 three to four miles an hour. It is the noblest looking river I 

 have seen since leaving our Delaware. The banks are in many 

 places high and rocky, occasionally interrupted by broad, level 

 sandy beaches. The only vegetation along the margin, is the 

 wormwood, and other low, arid plants, but some of the bottoms 

 are covered with heavy, rank grass, affording excellent pasture 

 for horses. 



5th. — This morning we commenced our march down the Colum- 

 bia. We have no provision with us except flour and horse tallow, but 

 we have little doubt of meeting Indians daily, with whom we can 

 trade for fish. Our road will now be a rather monotonous one 



