Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 15.djvu/52



44 T. C. ELLIOTT

River (which) falls in on the left, about 60 yards wide. S. 15 W. iy 2 m, S. 60 W. */ 2 m, S. 75 W. y 2 m, N. 70 W. 1 m, + y 4 m, N. 35 W. 2/3 m, N. 5 W. 1 m, N. 65 W. % m, S. W. y 2 m, S. 75 W. y 2 m, W. y 2 m, N. 85 W. 1 m, N. W. y 2 m, N. 1 m, N. 25 W. 1 m, N. 68 W. # m, N. 75 W. ?4 m, high rocks on the right and for several courses passed high rocks on the left as by lofty steps in per- pendicular descents. S. 70 W. % m, N. 85 W. 1# m, all Strong Rapid 5. Carried full y 2 of this the major part of the cargo, run the canoe with the rest close on the left, from 3:5 P. M. to 4:5 P. M. S. 85 W. 1 m, N. 80 W. iy 2 m, turned and went up a brook from the right to the camp of the Simpoil 6 Indians North J/ m and put ashore at 4^4 P- M., but finding the place dirty we went about % m further to a good campment. The courses are not so correct as I could wish. The strength of the current caused many eddys and small whirlpools which continually loose the canoe from side to side so that the compass was always vibrating. I hope by the mercy of Heaven to take them much better on my return. The country always wears a pleasing romantic view, the early part of the day hills and valleys, etc., with partly wooded thinly, and partly meadow, the latter most predominant. From about 11 A. M. to the Simpoil Camp the river presented much steep rocks often in steps like stairs of 20 to 30 feet perpend of black grayish rock, reddened in places. The current of the river is everywhere strong, with a few rapids, but the water is exceedingly high. When it lowers I make no doubt but canoes can very well make their way up it.

On our arrival at the Simpoil camp we pitched our tents. No one approached us till we sent for them to come and smoke. The Chief then made a speech and then the men all followed him in file and sat down around the tent bringing a present of 2 half dried salmon with about J^ bushel of various roots and berries for food. The Chief again made a speech in a more singing, loud, smart tone. Smoking with

5 Hell Gate, four miles above the Sans Poll River.

6 Mr. Thompson describes this tribe as "poor and needy Indians," hence iht name.