IN FEATHERS AND FUR. 291 
SALMON FISHING AT KETTLE FALLS. 
Why Kettle Falls, I'm sure I don't know. It's an ugly name 
for a very pretty waterfall in the Columbia River. 
Of course you all know that the Columbia River runs through 
a wild part of British America, where very few white people are 
found, though there are plenty of Indians. Well, the winters, as 
you would expect, so far north, are very long and cold, snow lying 
deep on the ground for at least six months of the year; and the 
poor Indians would perish with hunger, when the birds fly to a 
warmer climate, the bear goes to bed for the winter in their curious 
snow-houses, the beavers retire to their snug homes and bark diet, 
and all other animals hide in the warmest corners they can find, but 
for a wonderful event, which takes place every summer, and of 
which they avail themselves. 
Perhaps you do not know that in June and July there is a great 
rise of the Columbia River, as well as of many other rivers, and all 
the Salmon in the sea take a summer trip up into them. On they 
come in a perfect rush, as soon as the water is high — as I told you 
in the last story — to make their nurseries in the fresh water. 
Well, the Indians depend on their summer fishing for their 
winter food ; and so, about the time the Salmon are making pre- 
parations for the trip, the dusky natives appear on the scene. 
When an Indian travels, he does not take a valise in his hand, 
bid his squaw and pappooses good bye, and step on the cars, as we 
do. No, indeed! a journey is a much more serious affair. Every- 
thing is pulled up and carried along, bag and baggage. Wigwam, 
skins, dogs, horses, and children go with him on his journey — in 
fact, every article he possesses is taken. 
You may imagine there are some odd sights to be seen in these 
caravans, which stream in from every quarter as the fishing season 
approaches. 
The youngest children are packed on horses with the baggage, 
while the older ones ride behind on other horses with the squaws, 
three or four on a horse. The men and big boys drive the loose 
horses, of which these Indians always have a drove. 
Did you ever see Indian horses going to be watered? I must 
