438 PUGET SOUND AND OKONAGAN. 



water, which cause rapids; but there is no perceptible fall, and the 

 barges shoot them without difficulty. By the assistance of some 

 Indians, with two canoes, they crossed the river, and breakfasted on 

 the opposite side. These Indians had a lodge close by, and were in 

 number twelve, the greater part of whom were women and children. 

 Many of the latter, like others they had met with, were secured upon 

 boards, for which purpose, instead of cord, strips of skin were used. 

 These Indians reported that no salmon had been caught, on which 

 account they were living on a kind of carp. They had with them a 

 number of dogs, which are kept about their lodges : these animals have 

 but little to recommend them, for they are ill-shapen, and of a dingy 

 white colour. Of these dogs but little use is made, for they are seldom 

 employed in hunting, and the Indians never eat them ; neither are any 

 of them killed, however large the litter of puppies may be. They, 

 however, cost nothing to keep, for they are not fed, except with the 

 offal of fish and birds, which accounts for the wretchedness of their 

 appearance. 



Lieutenant Johnson and Mr. Maxwell now determined to pay a 

 visit to the missionaries who were stationed at Chimikaine, distant 

 only half a day's ride. The rest of the party proceeded along the 

 banks of the Columbia to Fort Colville, a post of the Hudson Bay 

 Company, next in importance to Vancouver. While pursuing this 

 object, they lost their way, and were forced to encamp for the night 

 on the banks of the Columbia. 



On the 15th, at 4 p. m., they reached Fort Colville, after having 

 experienced some difficulty in riding their Indian horses up to the gate; 

 for the wagons, poultry, pigs, cabins, and other objects of civilization, 

 excited no little alarm to their animals. 



In the mean time, Lieutenant Johnson, in company with Mr. Max- 

 well, proceeded up the Spokane, which, for the first ten miles, has a 

 course of east-southeast. The route passes through much fine scenery 

 and on the southern side of the river the hills form terraces, clothed 

 with grass, and having a few pines growing upon them. The pines 

 yield an agreeable shade, and the banks offer numerous beautiful sites 

 for dwellings. 



The river itself is pretty : its waters are transparent, and it is joined 

 in its course by many bubbling brooks. To judge from the number ot 

 sheds for drying salmon, it must abound with that fish. The average 

 width of the stream was about two hundred feet. 



After leaving the Spokane, they rode in a northeast direction, over 

 hills covered with pines, and through valleys rich with fine meadows ; 

 and, after a ride of thirty-five miles from the mouth of the Spokane, 



