Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 37.djvu/210

 gage & sending them on, the boat was capsized & placed upon the head of about twenty Indians, who marched off with it with perfect ease. Below the main fall of water are rocks, deep narrow channels, many frightful precipices, all this distance. We walked deliberately among the rocks viewing the scene with astonishment, for this once beautiful river seems to be cut up and destroyed, by these huge masses of rocks. Indeed it is difficult to find where the main body of water passes. In high water we are told these rocks are all covered, the water rising to such an astonishing height. After paying the Indians for their assistance (which was a twist of tobacco each the length of the finger) reloaded went on board, sailed about two miles, then stopped for breakfast. This was done to get away from a throng of Indians. Many followed us however, to assist in making another bad portage three miles below this.

"Sept 9th We came to the Dalls yesterday just before noon. Here our way was stopped by two rocks of immense size & height, all the waters of the river passing between them, in a very narrow channel, & with great rapidity. Here we were obliged to land make a portage of two & half miles carrying the boat also. The Dalls is the great resort of Indians of many tribes for taking fish, we did not see many however for they had just left. Now Mother If I was with you by the fireside, I would relate a scene that would amuse you, & at the same time call forth your sympathies. It may (not] appear well on paper, or worth mentioning but for my own gratification I will write it let the consequences be what they may. After we landed curiosity would lead us to the top of that rock to see the course of the river through its narrow channel. But as I expected to walk this portage Husband thought it would be giving me to much fatigue to do both. I went with him to its base to remain there untill his return. Took with me a handful of hazle nuts, thought I would divert myself with cracking & eating them. had just seated myself in the shade of the rock, ready to commence work, when feeling something unusual on my neck, put my hand under my cape & took from thence two insects, which I soon descovered to be fleas. Immediately I cast my eyes upon my dress before me & to my astonishment