244 NARKATIVE OF A JOURNEY 



frequently wading to their breasts in the water, to get near the 

 boats. Their constant cry is pi-pi, pi-pi, (tobacco, tobacco,) 

 and they bring a great variety of matters to trade for this de- 

 sirable article ; fish, living birds of various kinds, young wolves, 

 foxes, minks, &c. 



On the evenin<T of the 6th, we arrived at Walla-walla or Nez 

 Perces fort, where I was kindly received by Mr. Pambrun, the 

 superintendent. 



The next day the brigade left us for the interior, and I 

 shouldered my gun for an excursion through the neighborhood. 

 On the west side of the little Walla-walla river, I saw, during a 

 walk of two miles, at least thirty rattlesnakes, and killed five 

 that would not get out of my way. They all seemed willing to 

 dispute the ground with me, shaking their rattles, coiling and 

 darting at me with great fury. I returned to the fort in the 

 afternoon with twenty-two sharp-tailed grouse, (Tetrao phasi- 

 anellus,) the product of my day's shooting. 



2bth. — I mounted my horse this morning for a journey to the 

 Blue mountains. I am accompanied by a young half breed 

 named Babtiste Dorion,* who acts as guide, groom, interpreter, 

 &c., and I have a pack horse to carry my little nicTc-nacheries. 

 We shaped our course about N. E. over the sandy prairie, and in 

 the evening encamped on the Morro river, having made about 

 thirty miles. On our way, we met two Walla-walla Indians 

 driving down a large band of horses. They inform us that the 

 Snakes have crossed the mountain to commence their annual 

 thieving of horses, and they are taking them away to have them 

 secure. I shall need to keep a good look out to my own small 

 caravan, or I shall be under the necessity of turning pedestrian. 



* This is the son of old Pierre Dorion, who makes such a consjiicuous figure in 

 Irving's " Astoria." 



