416 WALLAWALLA. 



a fine breeze, which carried them briskly onwards. About eight 

 miles above their encampment they came to the Hieroglyphic Rocks. 

 These are about twenty feet high, and on them are supposed to be 

 recorded the deeds of some former tribe. They passed so quickly 

 that Mr. Drayton could make only two hasty sketches of them ; and 

 it is to be regretted that they were not sufficiently perfect to allow 

 of their being given in this place. 



After passing John Day's river, the country becomes much lower 

 and more arid, and the current comparatively less. The weather 

 was exceedingly hot, and the drifting sands were in greater quantities 

 than before, so much so that whole islands were passed entirely com- 

 posed of the sand. They now arrived at the long reach, just below 

 Grand Island ; the country becoming sandy and so flat as to give a 

 view of the Grand Rapid Hills. It has the appearance of having been, 

 at no very remote period, the bed of an extensive lake. Here the voya- 

 geurs began to be relieved from their toil at the pole, which they 

 exchanged for the tow-line and oar, and the Indians departed the 

 moment their services were no longer wanted. The distance made 

 this day was fifty-seven miles, for which they were indebted to the 

 breeze. The day before, they made only sixteen miles. 



While passing close along the banks, they met with numerous 

 pin-tailed grouse, so tame as to allow the boats to approach within a 

 few feet of them before they would fly. 



At their encampment, Mr. Drayton found a large burying-place, 

 from which he was desirous of getting a skull ; but, to the surprise of 

 the party, several Indians made their appearance and prevented it. 

 The corpses were placed above ground, in their clothing, and then 

 sewed up in a skin or blanket; and the personal property of each 

 deceased individual was placed near the body : over all were laid a 

 few boards, of native construction, placed as a kind of shed to protect 

 them from the weather. 



All along this river, from the Dalles up, there is not a piece of 

 wood growing, and except occasionally a drift log, there is nothing 

 larger than a splinter to be found. All the wood used for cooking 

 is bought from the Indians, who will follow the brigade for many 

 miles with a long pole or piece of a log, which they sell for a small 

 piece of tobacco. The Indians also brought for sale several hares, 

 which were large and of extremely fine flavour. 



The country continues to be, as far as can be seen on every side, 

 a barren and sterile waste, covered with a white sand mixed with 

 rounded and washed pebbles. All that it produces is a little grass, 



