Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 17.djvu/267

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DIARY 259

landed, unloaded, and remained until near night gumming the boat, embarked, came a few miles and camped.

Friday, September 5. Had a fine sleep in some willows, laid upon the dry sand. The morning is rather cool, but very fine, indeed. Our people are preparing breakfast and as soon as we have eaten we shall embark. The Columbia is clear and beautiful and the rock scenery on both sides the few miles we have come is very fine. Bless the Lord all seems to be well with me this morning. The current is strong, and we have got ahead well today. Passed one rapid not very dan- gerous but we all walked except enough to manage the boat. Indians are scattering all along the banks of this river, and consequently come out in their canoes to see us and sell some fish and cherries. They generally want tobacco in return, but will take powder and balls. They are nearly naked, most of them. Some have horses. They are said to be great thieves.

Saturday, Sept. 6. Run one rapid. I came near striking a rock in the midst of it, but escaped. Camped at 5 o'clock, not considering it safe to proceed, there being rapids below or rather falls and the smoke being so dense that we can see but few yards. Find myself rather unwell. The Indians here have some fine horses and we frequently see droves of them grazing on the shores. The Indians live almost wholly on fish which they procure with little labour. They cure it for winter by drying.

Monday, 8th Sept., 1834. Saturday night I was taken with vomiting and a relax which followed all night severely and in the morning was exercised with a good deal of pain which continued with some abatement all day. Passed some rapids and made the portage of the falls about 1 mi. in length. The boat and baggage were carried by the Indians at one load. A hundred or more crowded around us as soon as we arrived and