348 C O L U HI B I A RIVER. 



around them. I was told that this is not only done at the time of 

 their burial, but frequently for several months after. All the sepul- 

 chres of this description that I saw were going to decay. 



All the Indians have a great regard for these places of interment, 

 and consider them as being sacred. 



Shortly after we passed this point, we met a canoe, and one of 

 our Indians was informed that his child was dead. We made a 

 stop soon after, and I observed that the man scarified himself on the 

 leg in several places, until he bled profusely ; this done, he lighted 

 his pipe, and seemed to smoke for consolation. He kept himself 

 for that evening apart from the rest, who continued their merriment, 

 and paid no regard whatever to his movements. To judge from his 

 expression of countenance, I should say he was much grieved ; but 

 the next day he was as merry as any of the others. After being a 

 week with these natives, I never saw any flagging in their spirits, for 

 with this exception, all were gay and lively at their work. They are 

 not strong, and have an effeminate look, of which their manners also 

 partake. 



The scenery before reaching the lower mouth of the Willamette, is 

 diversified with high and low land, which, together with three lofty 

 snowy peaks, afford many fine views. The country begins to open 

 here, and is much better adapted to agriculture than that lower 

 down. 



At Warrior Point we entered the Callepuya, for the purpose of 

 avoiding the current of the river. At this time of the year this 

 branch forms an extensive range of lakes, which reaches to within a 

 mile of Vancouver. The river was now high enough to make it 

 convenient for us to take this route. Shortly after entering the 

 Callepuya, we were obliged to encamp, which we did in rather an 

 inauspicious-looking place ; but the bank had not yet absorbed suflS- 

 cient moisture to make it even wet or damp. Mr. Drayton having 

 shot a pigeon, we had something for supper, otlierwise we should 

 have gone without, for we thought when we left Astoria, we should 

 reach Vancouver many hours before we actually did. On the ap- 

 proach to Vancouver, we passed one of the dairies, and some rich 

 meadow land, on which were grazing herds of fine cattle. We after- 

 wards saw some flocks of sheep of the best English and Spanish breeds. 



It becoming necessary to make a short portage within a mile of 

 Vancouver, we concluded to walk thither by the road. In this 



