Page:California Digital Library (IA openingwestwithl00sabirich).pdf/218

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These first falls or rapids were very difficult; but the captains and old Cruzatte consulted together, and decided to run them with the boats.

"If ever'body follow me an' do as I do, we get t'rough," promised Cruzatte, head boat-man.

So, with Cruzatte leading, down through the wild channel of the first rapids in the Dalles of the Columbia raced the canoes. And from the rocky shores the Eneeshur Indians opened their mouths wide in astonishment.

"The Irish an' Frinch together can lick the world," boasted Pat.

But the place of Tim-tim, or "Timm," for short, was close ahead. It was reached the next evening, and they camped above it, at a village of the Echeloots, or Chinook Indians, who also flattened their hats, and spoke more cluckingly than did even the Oo-tla-shoots.

They were the enemies of the Pierced Noses, but they agreed upon peace, in a council with Chief Twisted-*hair. Now, after a final "smoke," Chiefs Twisted-hair and Tetoh left, on horses, for their home. They had been good and faithful guides.

The place of Timm, at the foot of the Dalles of the Columbia, is to-day called the Long Narrows. It was three miles long and in some stretches only fifty yards wide. But the canoes, guided by Cruzatte, went through without one being wrecked. They had been badly battered, however, by the many rocks; and the next day was spent in caulking them. That night