JOURNAL. 
?dew. We set out early accompanied by several of 
tne natives in canoes. The river is very high, over- 
flowing all its banks. We passed some viilages of the 
natives on Wapto island, which is about 20 miies 
long and one broad, but did not halt at any of them. 
The natives of this country ought to have the credit 
of making the finest canoes, perhaps in the world, 
both as to service and beauty ; and are no less ex^ 
pert in v» or king them when made.* We had a beau- 
tiful day throughout, and in the evening encamped 
on a handsome prairie in sight of a large pond oa 
the north side of the river. 
Monday 3Uzr. This v/as a beautiful clear mornln|^, 
and we proceeded on early. One of the men went 
along shore, and in a short time killed a deer: 
the deer are very plenty on this part of the river.—. 
We proceeded on, and passed a large village which 
w^s full of people as we went down, but is now ail 
deserted except one lodge. In the evening we came 
to a smail prairie opposite the mouth of Quicksand 
river, where we encamped. 
Tues-day ls( Afiril^ 1806. We had a cloudy niorn- 
ing ; and we agreed to stay here all day, for the 
purpose of hunting. So 9 hunters set out early ; S 
Df whom went up Quicksand river, and killed a 
deer: the other six killed 4 elk and a deer. In the 
^evening nine of us went to bring in the iTieat of the 
elk ; but it being late we were obliged to encamp out 
ail night. 
JVedncsday 2nd. We returned in the morning to 
camp; and it was agreed to stay here some time 
longer to hunt and dry meat. Therefore 3 parlies 
* •* I hrd imagined that the Canadians, v/ho riccompar.iL*d 
file were the most expert c*anoe-men in the world, hvX they 
are v^ry inferior to these people [the natives near the coa^l ] 
as they the ir.:^ fives acknowledged, in conducting" those yei- 
H 
