WILLAMETTE VALLEY. 397 



have performed deeds in the hour of danger and difficulty, worthy 

 of being recorded. They understand the characters of Indians well. 



About ten o'clock, we were all summoned to the great dining-hall 

 by Dr. M'Laughlin, to take the parting cup customary in this coun- 

 try. When all were assembled, wine was poured out, and we drank 

 to each other's welfare, prosperity, &c. This was truly a cup of 

 good-fellowship and kind feeling. This hanging to old Scotch cus- 

 toms in the way it was done here is pleasant, and carries with it 

 pleasing recollections, especially when there is that warmth of feeling 

 with it that there was on this occasion. After this was over, we 

 formed quite a cavalcade to the river-side, which was now swollen to 

 the top of its banks, and rushing by with irresistible force. 



On reachinor the river, we found one of Mr. Ogden's boats manned 

 by fourteen voyageurs, all gaily dressed in their ribands and plumes ; 

 the former tied in large bunches, of divers colours, with numerous 

 ends floating in tlie breeze. The boat was somewhat of the model of 

 our whale-boats, only much larger, and of the kind built expressly to 

 accommodate the trade : they are provided yearly at Okonagan, and 

 are constructed in a few days : they are clinker-built, and all the tim- 

 bers are flat. These boats are so light that they are easily carried 

 across the portages. They use the gum of the pine to cover them 

 instead of pitch. 



After having a hearty shake of the hand, Captain Varney, Mr. 

 Ogden, and myself, embarked. The signal being given, we shoved 

 oflT, and the voyageurs at once struck up one of their boat-songs. 

 After paddling up the stream for some distance, we made a graceful 

 sweep to reach the centre, and passed by the spectators with great 

 animation. The boat and voyageurs seemed a fit object to grace the 

 wide-flowing river. On we merrily went, while each voyageur in 

 succession took up the song, and all joined in the chorus. In two 

 hours and a half we reached the mouth of the Cowlitz, a distance of 

 thirty-five miles. 



In the Cowlitz we found a strong current to contend against, and 

 by nightfall had only proceeded twelve miles further. As we en- 

 camped, the weather changed, and rain began to fall, which lasted till 

 next morning. 



I had much amusement in watching the voyageurs, who are as 

 peculiar in their way as sailors. I was struck with their studious 

 politeness and attention to each other, and their constant cheerful- 

 ness. 



VOL. IV. 100 



