Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 24.djvu/182

 162 Charles Henry Carey Thursday, 29. Today we leave the Falls for Wasco- pam, in company with Br. and Sister Brewer, with two children, accompanied by four Indians as our crew to paddle and manage our canoe. This is the first time we have been in a canoe; our previous rides have been in boats ; a canoe goes much easier, being narrow and at the bow very sharp. It however, rocks more easily, and re- quires the passengers to sit still or there is danger of cap- sizing ; but as it is longer than a boat, it does not teater on the waves so much as a boat ; so perhaps we may say all things taken into account, the canoe is preferable to a boat. About dark in the evening, we reach the north side of the Columbia river, about iy 2 miles below Fort Van- couver, where we find Br. Waller and family encamped. They have been here three or four days, waiting for us to accompany them to the Dalls. Here we pitch our tents and pass the night on the very ground we slept nearly thirteen weeks ago, the first night we lodged on terra firma in Oregon territory. That night to Mrs. G. and myself was very delightful. This is full of labor and con- flict with the mosquitoes. Here we find Br. Waller with his family, wife and four children, and a boat but no crew to help manage his boat up the river. Friday, 30. In the morning, Br. Brewer company and canoe go up to the Fort where Mr. Brewer has some business to do ; such as obtaining supplies for the mission up to the Dalls, and also obtaining things to pay off the Indians in his employ as a crew ; also such other Indians as may be needed to help up the river. The way of traf- fic here is that no money is taken into account, but bar- gains are made with the Indians for so many charges of ammunition, or so many shirts, handkerchiefs, blankets, &c ; hence it is necessary for the travelor to have these on hand as his change. The method of doing business at the Fort is so formal and tardy that in order for a person to feel contented and happy in the transaction of business with them, two things are necessary ; one of these is the