146 
COLUMBIA RIVER. 
exhibitions, which are represented by those who have witnessed them 
as affording them much entertainment, and a pastime in which they 
very frequently indulge ; many of these masks are represented with the 
spoon-lip. As this ornament belongs to the female sex, they also 
MASKS OF THE NORTHWEST INDIANS. 
engage in the diversion. Some of the masks are sufficiently hideous, 
while others are carved with skill: they use the soft pine for this pur¬ 
pose. The wood is variously stained with red, black, and yellow 
marks. The two of these represented in the engraving will give a 
good idea of those that are the best executed. The pipes, saucers, 
&c., are usually carved from clay. 
The survey we finished by the morning of the 10th October, when 
we again reached Baker’s Bay, and being determined to lose no time, 
we made the attempt to pass the bar: though we succeeded in doing 
so, I am satisfied it was at great risk; for, as I have been told is fre¬ 
quently the case, the wind failed us just at the most critical point, 
and rendered it doubtful if we should pass. Our situation was dange¬ 
rous, and a vessel of any other class must have been wrecked. For 
at least twenty minutes I was in doubt whether we could effect our 
object; but by the use of sweeps we accomplished it, principally 
through the exertions of the extra men, belonging to the surveying 
boats, whom we had on board. 
The Oregon was the only vessel in sight; and when I boarded her, 
I learned that they had not seen the Porpoise for three days. The 
next day she hove in sight, and the arrangements were soon completed. 
