174 NARRATIVi: or A JOURNEY 



to be serviceable ; others arc at some seasons inundated, which is 

 an insurmountable objection. 



We embarked early the next morning, and at 11 o'clock 

 arrived at the falls, after encountering some difficulties from 

 rapids, through which we had to warp our boat. There are here 

 three falls on a line of rocks extending across the river, which 

 forms the bed of the upper channel. The water is precipitated 

 through deep abrazed gorges, and falls perhaps forty feet at an 

 angle of about twenty degrees. It was a beautiful sight when 

 viewed from a distance, but it became grand and almost sublime as 

 we approached it nearer. I mounted the rocks and stood over 

 the highest fall, and although the roar of the cataract was almost 

 deafening, and the rays of the bright sun reflected from the white 

 a glittering foam threatened to deprive me of sight, yet I became 

 so absoi'bed in the contemplation of the scene, and the reflections 

 which were involuntarily excited, as to forget every thing else for 

 the time, and was only aroused by Captain W. tapping me on 

 the shoulder, and telling me that every thing was arranged for 

 our return. While I visited the falls, the captain and his men 

 had found what they sought for ; and the object of our voyage 

 being accomplished, we got on board immediately and shaped 

 our course down the river with a fair wind, and the current in 

 favor. 



About two miles bel^w the cataract is a small village of 

 Klikatat Indians. Their situation does not appear different from 

 what we have been accustomed to see in the neighborhood of the 

 fort. They live in the same sort of miserable loose hovels, and 

 are the same wretched, squalid looking people. Although 

 enjoying far more advantages, and having in a much greater 

 degree the means of rendering themselves comfortable, yet their 

 mode of living, their garments, their wigwams, and every thing 

 connected with them, is not much better than the Snakes and 



