FROM NISQUALLY TO COLUMBIA RIVER. 245 



we found that we were only six miles from where we entered 

 the river. 



At an early hour the following day we were again under- 

 way. The drift-wood was still very plentiful, so much so, 

 that in one place the stream was completely choked up by it, 

 and we were compelled to land and carry our canoes around 

 the place. On re-embarking, we used poles in lieu of paddles, 

 and found it a more successful mode of navigating the river. 

 About sunset we reached -the town belonging to the Sachal 

 tribe of Indians, and we concluded to stop and spend the night 

 with them. 



After supper, Mr. Eld proceeded to visit the chief of the 

 town. He received him kindly, and gave him considerable in- 

 formation respecting his own people and other Indian tribes. 

 Mr. E. was desirous that he should accompany us down the 

 river, but he declined, giving, as a reason, that we should soon 

 meet the Chenooks who were a " bad people," and he was 

 afraid to go among them. According to the chief's account, 

 the Sachals are not more than forty in number, and live chiefly 

 on the camass root and salmon, which fish they capture in 

 great quantities in the rivers Sachal and Chickelees. They 

 have tents similar to those of the Indians in Puget Sound, but 

 they appeared more cleanly and industrious than the tribes of 

 that region. 



The country about this town afforded good pasturage, and 

 we observed numbers of horses grazing. At sunrise we re- 

 sumed our course. The river now had more breadth, and the 

 country on each side became quite interesting ; it presented 

 an undulating surface, and was well wooded. In the afternoon 

 we were compelled to make two long portages, in order to pass 

 portions of the river which were filled with rapids and bars. 

 In making these portages we observed several deserted huts. 



