THE INTERIOR OF OREGON. 497 



than the English hare, had larger ears and limbs, and are of a lighter 

 colour. They do not burrow, as has generally been supposed, but 

 form a shallow seat or nest under the wormwood-bushes. 



While they stayed at Wallawalla, Dr. Whitman came down to 

 visit them, and kindly offered his services. 



The diversity of languages heard during this jaunt, was very re- 

 markable. The dialect seemed to change with almost every party 

 of Indians they met with, and it was frequently necessary for words 

 to pass through three or four different interpreters, before they could 

 be comprehended, and an answer obtained. It was thought, at times, 

 that every family must have a language of its own. It is difficult 

 to account for this state of things. The tribes on the west of the 

 mountains have been, for the most part, at peace with each other, 

 and have had much intercourse, for the purpose of trading their 

 fish and other articles ; yet but few can understand their imme- 

 diate neighbours. 



One cause of this discrepancy may arise from the length of the 

 Indian words, which are always abbreviated in talking. According 

 to Dr. Whitman, the Indians of one tribe very soon pick up the lan- 

 guage of another. He also stated that the Nez Perce dialect is fast 

 gaining upon that of Wallawalla; and he thinks that the rising 

 generation are inclined to a more general language. 



On the 4th of July, they left the fort and crossed the river. The 

 Columbia is here an imposing stream, and its waters flow in a rapid 

 and powerful current. Mr. M'Lean's kindness and attention were 

 similar to that already met with, and he provided them with the 

 necessary horses, provisions, &c. 



On the maps of the Oregon Territory, opposite Wallawalla, a 

 volcanic mountain has been exhibited ; but none exists here, nor on 

 inquiry could any information be obtained of any such object in the 

 country around. 



The party now pursued the route up the river, and in two hours 

 reached the Yakima, up whose valley they passed, encamping after 

 making twenty-five miles. The country was rolling, and might be 

 termed sandy and barren. 



Mount St. Helen's, with its snow-capped top, was seen at a great 

 distance to the west. 



On the 5th, they continued their route, and at midday were over- 

 taken by an Indian, with a note informing them of the arrival of 

 Mr. Drayton at Wallawalla with the brigade. This was quick tra- 



voL. IV. 125 



