WALLAWALLA. 389 



this is a rocky region, there are vast quantities of fine sand deposited 

 every where, which is brought down the river. On this the encamp- 

 ments are necessarily made ; and the sand is exceedingly dry and hot, 

 which renders the camping disagreeable. There are few places more 

 uncomfortable ; for a basaltic wall rises nine hundred or a thousand 

 feet within two hundred yards of the camp, which reflects the sun's 

 rays down upon the beach of white sand, rendering the atmosphere 

 almost insupportable. To give some idea of the heat, Mr. Drayton 

 found it uncomfortably hot to sit down upon the rocks an hour after 

 the sun had set. 



One of their amusements at the time of encamping was a rattle- 

 snake hunt, in which several large ones were killed. 



The brigade, as usual, set out early, and with the sun there arose 

 a fine breeze, which carried them briskly onwards. About eight miles 

 above their encampment they came to the Hieroglyphic Rocks. These 

 are about twenty feet high, and on them are supposed to be recorded 

 the deeds of some former tribe. They passed so quickly that Mr. 

 Drayton could make only two hasty sketches of them ; and it is to be 

 regretted that they were not sufficiently perfect to allow of their being 

 given in this place. 



After passing John Day's river, the country becomes much lower 

 and more arid, and the current comparatively less. The weather was 

 exceedingly hot, and the drifting sands were in greater quantities than 

 before, so much so that whole islands were passed entirely composed 

 of the sand. They now arrived at the long reach, just below Grand 

 Island ; the country becoming sandy and so flat as to give a view of 

 the Grand Rapid Hills. It has the appearance of having been, at no 

 very remote period, the bed of an extensive lake. Here the voyageurs 

 began to be relieved from their toil at the pole, which they exchanged 

 for the tow-line and oar, and the Indians departed the moment their 

 services were no longer wanted. The distance made this day was 

 fifty-seven miles, for which they were indebted to the breeze. The 

 day before, they made only sixteen miles. 



While passing close along the banks, they met with numerous pin- 

 tailed grouse, so tame as to allow the boats to approach within a few 

 feet of them before they would fly. 



At their encampment, Mr. Drayton found a large burying-place, 

 from which he was desirous of getting a skull ; but, to the surprise of 

 the party, several Indians made their appearance and prevented it. 

 The corpses were placed above ground, in their clothing, and then 

 sewed up in a skin or blanket; and the personal property of each 

 deceased individual was placed near the body : over all were laid a 

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