FROM NISQUALLY TO COLUMBIA RIVER. 249 



there, that night at least, had it not been for the Chief Woman 

 I have before so often mentioned. Knowing all the while 

 which way we were bound, she had for some days past been 

 looking out for us, and now that she beheld us in this pitiable 

 situation, she hastened to our assistance. " I come," said 

 she, " expressly to convey you to the opposite shore, where 

 you will find a suitable place for encampment, and also be less 

 exposed to the wind." We, of course, accepted the offer, 

 and I at once transferred all my things to her canoe, and Mr. 

 Eld did the same with a portion of his baggage ; with this 

 reinforcement, and partly by keeping before the sea, we made 

 very good weather, and at last reached the opposite shore, 

 where we found quite a large encampment of Chickelee 

 Indians. 



So soon as the tents were erected, Mr. Eld and myself 

 went among the Indians, for the express purpose of nego- 

 tiating for a canoe, to take the party around to the Columbia 

 River. After going about some time, I found an Indian, who 

 said that he had a large canoe, which he would sell me, and 

 take his pay at Fort George, as he wanted to be paid in blan- 

 kets, an article which we had not with us. I went with him 

 to examine it ; it was sufficiently capacious, and nearly new, 

 and I told him that he might consider the bargain closed, and 

 I proceeded to give directions about having the canoe launched. 

 It had hardly reached the water, however, when he told the 

 interpreter to say that he was not satisfied with my terms, 

 and the canoe could not be taken away unless I would pay for 

 it on the spot. The reason why I could not pay down, was 

 again stated to him, but to no purpose ; and as Mr. Eld had 

 been equally unsuccessful in his negotiations, we concluded to 

 let the matter drop for that day, and return to our encamp- 

 ment. No one who has not had dealings with these people, 



