412 WALL A WALL A. 



brigade. The officers of the Company have but little time allowed 

 them to attend to their comforts : so completely are they under the 

 control of accident, that they are liable to be called upon at any 

 moment. Their rights, however, are looked to as much as possible, 

 and the great principle adopted as the incentive to action, is the 

 advancement they may obtain by their own merit, through which 

 alone they can get forward. In consequence of adhering to this prin- 

 ciple, the Hudson Bay Company are always well served. The 

 discipline that is preserved is the very best, and sits lightly upon 

 all. Those who do not meet with advancement have some great 

 fault in a trader's eyes. The enterprise and energy required to 

 serve tliis Company well is of no ordinary kind, and few men exhibit 

 more of both these qualities than those I met with in its employ. 



On the morning of the 4th July, they began to pass the portage, 

 which is a mile in length. It is very rugged, and the weather being 

 exceedingly warm, many of the Indians were employed to transport 

 articles on their horses, of which they have a large number. It 

 required seventy men to transport the boats, which w^ere carried over 

 bottom upwards, the gunwale resting on the men's shoulders. By 

 night all was safely transported, the boats newly gummed, and the 

 encampment formed on a sandy beach. The sand, in consequence of 

 the high wind, was blown about in great quantities, and every body 

 and thing was literally covered with it. 



From the high hills on the southern bank of the river, there is an 

 extensive view of the country to the south. The distant part of this 

 prospect was made up of rolling, barren, and arid hills. These hills, 

 as well as the country nearer at hand, were covered wdth a natural 

 hay or bunch-grass, which affords very nutritious food for cattle. 



The missionaries have been stationed at the Dalles since 1838. 

 The primary object of this mission is, in the first place, to give the 

 Gospel to the Indians, and next to teach them such arts of civiliza- 

 tion as shall enable them to improve their condition, and by degrees 

 to become an enlightened community. There are many difficulties 

 that the missionary has to contend with, in first coming among these 

 people, none of which are greater than the want of knowledge of their 

 true character. The missionaries, after a full opportunity of knowing 

 these Indians, consider covetousness as their prevailing sin, which is 

 exhibited in lying, dishonest traffic, gambling, and horse-racing. Of 

 the latter they are extremely fond, and are continually desirous of 

 engaging in it. This sport frequently produces contentions, which 



