418 



W A L L A W A L L A. 



Fort Wallawalla is about two hundred feet square, and is built of 

 pickets, with a gallery or staging on the inside, whence the pickets 

 may be looked over. It has two bastions, one on the southwest and 

 the other on the northeast. On the inside are several buildings, con- 

 structed of logs and mud ; one of these is the Indian store : the whole 

 is covered with sand and dust, which is blown about in vast quan- 

 tities. The climate is hot; and every thing about the fort seemed 

 so dry, that it appeared as if a single spark would ignite the whole 

 and reduce it to ashes. 



The party iinder Lieutenant Johnson had passed by about a week 

 previously, on their return to Nisqually. 



At all the principal stopping-places, one or two old Indians would 

 present themselves to Mr. Ogden, to demand their annual present for 

 services rendered him and the Company. 



Many years back, Mr. Ogden, while on his route, was attacked at 

 the place where the fort stands, by the Wallawalla tribe ; and was 

 oblio-ed to take refuge on the island near the fort, where he made a 

 stand and completely routed the Indians.- This occurrence took place 

 twenty-three years before, and was the cause of this post being occu- 

 pied ; since which time, no attack has been made. 



This will o-ive some idea of the dangers the officers and men of the 

 Hudson Bay Company have to encounter; and although it is now 

 safe on the Columbia river, yet there are many parts where they are 

 still subject to these attacks : the voyageurs have a lot of toil and 

 deprivation, yet few men are to be found so cheerful. 



Mr. Ogden informed me, that the most experienced voyageur is 

 taken as a pilot for the brigade, and he is the bowman of the leading 

 boat; which is looked upon as a station of great trust and honour. 

 Each boat has also its bowman, who is considered the first officer and 

 responsible man ; the safety of the boat, in descending rapids particu- 

 larly, depends upon him and the padroon, who steers the boat. They 

 both use long and large blade-paddles; and it is surprising how much 

 power the two can exert over the direction of the boat. These men, 

 from long training, become very expert, and acquire a coolness and 

 disregard of danger that claim admiration, and astonishes those who 

 are unused to such scenes. 



To all appearance, there is seldom to be found a more laborious 

 set of men ; nor one so willing, particularly when their remuneration 

 of no more than seventeen pounds sterling a year, and the fare they 

 receive, are considered. The latter would be considered with us 



