COLUMBIA RIVER. 131 



shipman Colvocoressis, Mr. Brackenriclge, Sergeant Stearns, privates 

 Rodgers and Dinsman, John Brooks (seaman), Thomas Ford and 

 Henry Waltham (ordinary seamen), with a half-breed boy, named 

 Joe, who was to act as their interpreter. 



They left Nisqually on the 19th of July, and proceeded towards 

 one of the southwest arms of Puget Sound (of which we had but a 

 few days before finished the survey) in two canoes, that had been 

 purchased. They were sorry craft, but better could not be procured, 

 and Mr. Eld was not disposed to delay on account of imaginary 

 difficulties. His instructions will be found in Appendix XIV., 

 Vol. IV. 



I had told him he might be absent for forty days on his own 

 resources, as I calculated he would, by the assistance of the Indians, 

 be able to obtain both fish and game. I also enjoined upon him great 

 attention to economy in the use of his provisions. 



On the same evening, he arrived within a short distance of the 

 portage ; and the next morning Mr. Colvocoressis went, with the 

 sergeant and boy, to an old squaw chief, who had promised, at Nis- 

 qually, to be their guide to the Sachap river, and to furnish horses 

 and men to cross the portage. They returned at an early hour, 

 without either horses or Indians, but with a promise that they were 

 to be furnished the next day. The next morning they found that 

 the chief had arrived, with five horses and a number of Indians, and 

 was ready to transport the baggage. Some time, however, elapsed 

 before an arrangement could be made for the large canoe, which was 

 thought to be too heavy to transport ; but this was finally settled by 

 the same personage offering another in lieu of it, which, though of 

 smaller dimensions, was accepted. Ten Indians were furnished to 

 transport it and the rest of the articles, and they were soon in a 

 condition to move. This despatch was principally owing to the 

 directions and management of this squaw chief, who seemed to 

 exercise more authority than any that had been met with ; indeed, 

 her whole character and conduct placed her much above those 

 around her. Her horses were remarkably fine animals ; her dress 

 was neat, and her whole establishment bore the indications of Indian 

 opulence. Although her husband was present, he seemed under 

 such good discipline, as to warrant the belief that the wife was the 

 ruling power or, to express it in more homely language, "wore the 

 breeches." 



The portage was easily accomplished : it passes through a forest of 



