PUGET SOUND AND OKONAGAN. 445 



obtain their food most easily. This tribe, as is the case with most 

 of those in the territory, speak a pecuHar language among them- 

 selves, but in communication with others they use the Chinook lan- 

 guage. 



As the spring is opening, small parties of these Indians may be 

 frequently seen on their way with their goods and chattels tied on 

 their horse's back, or in small canoes, to the different cammass and 

 fishino- grounds. 



During the salmon-fisheiy, vast shoals of young herring are seen, 

 which the Indians take with a kind 

 of rake attached to the paddle. The 

 herring are used for bait for the 

 salmon. Their hooks are made in 

 an ingenious manner of the yew 



tree, and are strong and capable of "^ --M ai^^^ y 

 catching the large fish. They are fish-hooks. 



chiefly employed in trailing for fish. 



A species of rock cod is also abundant, some of which exceed fifty 

 pounds in weight. Flounders are also to be had in great quan- 

 tities. 



I have before stated that Lieutenant Johnson's party was ready for 

 departure on the 19th May; that it consisted of Lieutenant Johnson, 

 Messrs. Pickering, Waldron, and Brackenridge, a sergeant of ma- 

 rines, and a servant. I must do justice to the exertions of this officer 

 in getting ready for his journey, which he accomplished in less time 

 than I anticipated, as the delays incident to setting out on a novel 

 expedition, and one believed by most persons to be scarcely practicable 

 in the summer season, are great and tantalizing. In making prepa- 

 rations for such a journey, the Indians were to be bargained with, 

 and, as I have before had occasion to remark, are enough to tire the 

 patience of Job himself First, the Indian himself is to be sought out ; 

 then the horse is to be tried ; next the price is to be discussed, then the 

 mode of payment, and finally the potlatch : each and all are matters 

 of grave consideration and delay, during which the Indians make a 

 business of watching every circumstance of which they can take 

 advantage. No one can be sure of closing his bargain, until the terms 

 are duly arranged, the potlatch given, and the horse delivered. 

 After obtaining horses. Lieutenant Johnson had the saddles, alforcas, 

 saddle-cloths, saddle-trees or pack-saddles, &c., with a variety of 

 lashings, to prepare. For many of these we were indebted to the 



VOL. IV. 1 13 



