Page:All Over Oregon and Washington.djvu/130

124 among any of the tribes residing either upon its shores, or in the interior.

Concerning the moaning of Lapwai, we were informed by Mr. Whitman that it meant the place of meeting, or boundary between two peoples, and that the Lapwai Creek really was the boundary between the Upper and Lower Nez Perces. The former tribe went to the buffalo-grounds, while the latter never did—hence the distinction. The habits of the two tribes were essentially different, as always are the habits of those who live by hunting from those who live by fishing and root-digging.

There is a double line of cottonwood and other trees from the Lapwai Creek to the site of the old mission mill, which at first we mistook for an avenue, but which turned out to be a spontaneous growth bordering the disused mill-race. The moisture furnished to the ground by the race, caused the flying seeds of the cottonwood to germinate where they fell, along its border; and the result is, a double row of fine, tall trees—a hint to the farmer who can turn water through his grounds from some spring or stream. Four or six years will find the trees grown to the height of thirty or forty feet.

On returning to Lewiston, we find the temperature to be about ninety degrees. The next day a sandstorm is prophesied, and really comes off. First comes the wind in full force, lifting the loose sands of the street roof-high, and forcing it into every aperture of the houses. Doors and windows are hastily closed, and people left to suffocate with heat, in preference to being suflbcated with sand. Before night the clouds gather up, and give us at sunset a sharp thundershower—a common enough event in this eastern