130 COLUMBIA RIVER. 



days continued unwilling to lend them any aid in the management of 

 their canoes, and none of them could be induced to venture out in 

 what they deemed stormy weather; another reason for not engaging in 

 the service was, they did not wish to leave their wives behind. It being 

 at last agreed that their wives should accompany them, Mr. Colvoco- 

 ressis embarked in order to join Mr. Eld ; but to do this it was 

 necessary to encounter both the wind and sea, in consequence of which 

 the Indians refused to proceed unless they had an extra allowance of 

 powder and tobacco. 



This being refused, they quietly steered the canoe back to the 

 encampment. On arriving there, it soon became evident to Mr. Col- 

 vocoressis that their intention was to take away their canoe, for they 

 at once began to put in her the few things they possessed. He there- 

 fore took two of their guns, and concealed them in one of the tents. An 

 Indian, the moment Mr. Colvocoressis's back was turned to the tents, 

 drew his knife, rushed into them, and brought forth the guns, one of 

 which he handed to a woman. The musket which the squaw had was 

 again taken, upon which the Indians said that they would complete 

 their bargain, and induced Mr. Colvocoressis to believe they would do 

 so. He therefore embarked, and they proceeded with apparent willing- 

 ness, until they came opposite their own village, where they landed, and 

 refused to go any further. They, however, offered him a small canoe, 

 to take him across the river, and the Indian to whom the musket they 

 had taken belonged, ferried him across. In the evening, the Indians 

 returned to ask for the musket, but it was refused until they should 

 return the axe that had been left in the canoe, and agree to abide by the 

 bargain they had made to render them assistance. The next day the 

 axe was restored, and the musket given up. After this, a more friendly 

 disposition was evinced, as Mr. Eld supposes from the fact of their 

 having learnt from Nisqually who they were. 



From the 1st to the 6th of August, the party effected little, and their 

 supply of provisions was becoming very low. On the latter day they 

 shifted their camp, about five miles towards the capes, to a small patch 

 of meadow-land, near one of the small streams which empty into the 

 harbour. 



After remaining here a few days, they selected another spot, at the 

 South Head: and on the 10th, the Indians failing to perform their 

 engagements, they moved their articles themselves to their new 

 encampment. They had now very nearly exhausted their provisions, 

 and were living on the dead fish they picked up on the beach (a sort 

 of hake) and some berries. From continual exposure to wet, with hard 

 work, as well as scanty and bad food, they all became very feeble and 



