WALLAWALLA. 397 



deserts existing in Upper California. This wind, or simoon, during 

 the summer, is held in great dread in this part of the country, for it is 

 of a burning character that is quite overpowering. It generally comes 

 from the southwest. In consequence of this feature of the climate, 

 there is very little vegetation near the fort, not only on account of the 

 heat and dryness, but owing to the vast clouds of drifting sand, which 

 are frequently so great as to darken the sky. In summer it blows here 

 constantly, and at night the wind generally amounts to a gale. Mr. 

 Drayton represents his situation in the northeast bastion of the fort as 

 quite uncomfortable, from the fear of its being blown down. 



The Indian mode of taking salmon was witnessed at this place. It 

 consists in the erection of a fish-weir of basket-work, supported by 

 poles. This is placed across the stream, in the form of an acute angle. 

 This barrier dams the water sufficiently to create a little fall. The 

 salmon swim up the river at night, and when they reach the barrier, 

 they jump over the low side, which is down stream, but are unable to 

 leap the higher one. A little before daylight, the Indians spread their 

 nets, carefully avoiding to disturb the fish about the weir, and take all 

 those that have been ensnared. These usually amount to about 

 twenty-five. 



Small parties of the Cay use, Walla wallas, and Nez Perces, were 

 now returning from the Grande Ronde. They occupied about thirty 

 lodges, made of poles, mats, and skins, bought from the Shoshones. 

 The wood-cut of these Indians' lodges will be found at the end of the 

 chapter. 



During the week, the Columbia had fallen ten feet. It is here one 

 thousand yards wide, and the altitude of Fort Wallawalla above the 

 sea is twelve hundred and eighty-six feet. 



The proximity of these Indians afforded Mr. Drayton an oppor- 

 tunity of observing them, and having an Indian boy with him, who 

 understood both their language and English, he had no difficulty in 

 communicating with them. 



The chief of the Wallawallas, who is called Puipui-Marmax (Yel- 

 low-Bird) and the Nez Perce chief Touwatui, (or Young Chief,) seemed 

 intelligent and friendly, but the white residents consider them as great 

 rogues. They were going to the Shaste country to trade for blankets, 

 powder and ball, together with trinkets and beads, in exchange for their 

 horses and beaver-skins. 



The Company, and the settlers of the Willamette, refuse to trade 



either powder or ball in this country, and it is but a short time since 



the Indians have been able to obtain any. The reason assigned by 



the Company and residents for this restriction is, that the natives 

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