WALLAWALLA. 431 



they swept with increasing velocity, still struggling to avoid the now 

 evident fate that awaited them : a few more turns, each more rapid 

 than the last, until they reached the centre, when, in an instant, the 

 boat with all her crew disappeared. So short had been the struggle, 

 that it was with difficulty Mr. Ogden could realize that all had 

 perished. Only one body out of the ten was afterwards found at the 

 bottom of the Dalles, torn and mangled by the strife it had gone 

 through. 



Mr. Drayton found that as many as half of the Indians had left 

 their fishing. He noticed here, in attempting to make a bargain for 

 canoes to take him as far as the Cascades, the same habit of extortion 

 that was before evinced. In all cases it seems to be a part of the 

 Indian character to take advantage of distresses and wants. He was 

 finally obliged to give four times as much as it ought to have cost 

 to execute the work ; and after the bargain was made, they in- 

 formed him they must be paid before they launched the canoe ; and 

 when that was done, a fathom of tobacco must be given to each of 

 them for launching her. This demand was not complied with, and 

 the goods that had been paid were now seized and taken away again. 

 Mr. Drayton then proceeded to the mission, where Mr. Lee kindly 

 ofiered his canoe. This was accordingly put on an ox-cart, — for it is 

 necessary to keep it near his house to prevent its being stolen, — and 

 carried to the water. When they reached the river, the two canoes 

 above spoken of were seen near the landing-place, and the owners 

 offered them for a much less price, and without any " potlatch." Their 

 offer was then accepted, when he embarked, and proceeded down the 

 river about twelve miles, where they encamped. 



At daylight the next morning there was not an Indian to be found, 

 and two of the best paddles were gone, as well as the men's sal- 

 mon. On a search being made, the fish were found hidden in the 

 bushes. After leaving the shore, they were called to by the Indian, 

 and on returning to him, the only excuse he offered was, that he had 

 been asleep, and had but just awoke : he, however, ran off into the 

 bush again. After they joined the other canoe, the old Indian in it 

 said that the one who had run away had endeavoured to persuade 

 him to steal Mr. Drayton's things ; and when they landed at night 

 the plan was to take the canoe and all off, when he was on shore : 

 this was prevented by their carefully putting all the things into the 

 tent. 



