132 COLUMBIA RIVER. 



two-thirds of a mile, with dangerous breakers on both sides. The 

 depth of water is from five to seven fathoms. The space, after en- 

 tering, is extensive, but the greater part of it is filled up with mud- 

 flats, which are bare at low water, and confine the harbour suitable 

 for the anchorage of vessels to very small limits. The river Chic- 

 keeles, before entering into the harbour, increases in width to several 

 hundred feet, and is navigable for vessels drawing twelve feet water, 

 eight miles above its mouth. The harbour is only suitable for vessels 

 of from, one to two hundred tons; and there are places where such 

 vessels may find security between the mud shoals, some distance within 

 the capes. 



The tides here are irregular, and influenced by the winds and 

 weather; the time of high water at full and change was found to be 

 ll h 30 m . 



Fogs prevail very frequently during the summer season. Our party 

 remained at this place for twenty-three days, three-fourths of which 

 time it blew a strong gale from either the southwest or northwest, 

 accompanied with a dense fog, that rendered it impossible to see 

 farther than half a mile. 



The Indians in this portion of the country are not numerous. The 

 region at the head of Puget Sound is inhabited by a tribe called the 

 Toandos, whose number Mr. Eld was unable to learn. The Sachals 

 are about forty in number : they reside about the lake of the same 

 name, and along the river Chickeeles: they appear to be a kind 

 and inoffensive tribe. The Sachap tribe numbers about sixty : they 

 are not as well off for clothing as the former, and few of them were 

 supplied with fire-arms ; they reside on the borders of the Sachap 

 river. The Chickeeles tribe number from one hundred and fifty to 

 two hundred, and inhabit the country around Gray's Harbour : their 

 principal place of abode is on the north point of Gray's Harbour, 

 which is generally occupied by those passing to and fro, and where 

 they await fine weather. Mr. Eld found this tribe supplied with good 

 muskets, blankets, and knives : they paint their faces, and have alto- 

 gether a warlike appearance. At one time during the stay of the 

 party they were disposed to be troublesome, but the men being con- 

 stantly on the watch, to protect themselves, remained unmolested, 

 though occasionally annoyed at the disposition evinced to take advan- 

 tage of any oversight. The chief of this tribe is spoken of by the 

 party in very high terms, for his kindness to them. He seemed 

 mortified at the events which occurred, and took much pains to keep 

 his people in order. In this, notwithstanding he possessed little au- 



