ACKOSS THE KOCKY MOUNTAINS, ETC. 159 



Indian canoes in passing down, seem literally to fy along its 

 surface. The road to-day has been rugged to the very last 

 degree. We have passed over continuous masses of sharp rock 

 for hours together, sometimes picking our way along the very 

 edge of the river, several hundred feet above it ; again, gaining 

 the back land, by passing through any casual chasm or opening 

 in the rocks, where we were compelled to dismount, and lead our 

 horses. 



This evening, we are surrounded by a large company of 

 Chinook Indians, of both sexes, whose temporary wigwams arc 

 on the bank of the river. Many of the squaws have young 

 children served up in the usual Indian fashion, wrapped in a skin, 

 and tied firmly to a board, so that nothing but the head of the 

 little individual is seen. 



These Indians are very peaceable and friendly. They have no 

 weapons except bows, and these are used more for amusement and 

 exercise, than as a means of procuring them sustenance, their 

 sole dependence being fish and beaver, with perhaps a few hares 

 and grouse, which are taken in traps. We traded with these peo- 

 ple for a ^ew fish and beaver skins, and some roots, and before we 

 retired for the night, arranged the men in a circle, and gave 

 them a smoke in token of our friendship. 



lOth. — This afternoon we reached the Dalles. The entire 

 water of the river here flows through channels of about fifteen 

 feet in width, and between high, perpendicular rocks ; there are 

 several of these channels at distances of from half a mile to 

 one mile apart, and the water foams and boils through them like 

 an enormous cauldron. 



On the opposite side of the river there is a large Indian village, 

 belonging to a chief named Tilki, and containing probably five 

 hundred wigwams. As we approached, the natives swarmed like 

 bees to the shore, launched their canoes, and joined us in a few 



