WALLAWALLA. 



411 



bers, fishing, and it is not uncommon for them to take twenty to 

 twenty-five salmon in an hour. When the river is at its greatest 

 height, the water in the canals is about three feet below the top of 

 the bank. 



The Dalles is one of the most remarkable places upon the Columbia. 

 The river is here compressed into a narrow channel, three hundred feet 

 wide, and half a mile long ; the walls are perpendicular, flat on the 

 top, and composed of basalt ; the river forms an elbow, being situated 

 in an amphitheatre, extending several miles to the northwest, and 

 closed in by a high basaltic wall. From appearances, one is led 

 to conclude that in former times the river made a straight course 

 over the whole; but, having the channel deeper, is now confined 

 within the present limits. Mr. Drayton, on inquiry of an old Indian, 

 through Mr. Ogden, learned that he believed that in the time of his 

 forefathers they went up straight in their canoes. In order to illus- 

 trate this pass, Mr. Drayton made a careful diagram of it, which is 

 represented in the wood-cut. 



Besides the main channel, a, there are four or five other small 

 canals, through which the water passes when the river is high : these 

 are but a few feet across. The river falls about fifty feet in the dis- 

 tance of two miles, and the greatest rise between high and low water 

 mark, is sixty-two feet. This great rise is caused by the accumulation 

 of water in the river above, which is dammed by this narrow pass, 

 and is constantly increasing, until it backs the waters, and overflows 

 many low grounds and islands above. The tremendous roar arising 

 from the rushing of the river through this outlet, with the many 

 whirlpools and eddies which it causes, may be more readily imagined 

 than described. 



The boat was repaired by the afternoon, and an express was 

 despatched up the river to Wallawalla, in order to prepare the post 

 for the reception of the brigade, and inform the gentleman who had 

 charge of it that he would be required to move to the north with the 



