Page:The Overland Monthly, Jan-June 1894.djvu/258



194

Up the Columbia in 185-7.

[Feb.

Quite a valuable part of the trade was with the Indians. All conversa- tion with them was in Chinook jargon, a language containing only about four hundred words, easily learned, and in universal use by all the Indians of Ore- gon and Washington.

The Dalles of the Columbia was, of course, the greatest point of interest to the visitor. The entire volume of water rushing through a rocky channel, so narrow one could throw a pebble to the opposite wall, was a sight well worth the trouble of the walk of only three miles to see. Occasionally, in season, one could watch the Indians catching salmon at the lower end of the rapids. Standing on a jutting point of rock, nearly naked, a bronzed athlete poised in air, he gracefully swings his net, which is attached to a long, slender pole, as far up stream as he can reach ; it strikes the water ; and bracing himself, he sweeps the net down stream with the current, the tension on the pole keeping the mouth of the net open ; he is care- ful to keep the net only just below the surface, and close to, but clearing, the side of the rock beneath him. If he strikes a fish, a deft turn closes the net, and a struggle, which is not all play, takes place to land him ; for it may be a 5o-pounder, requiring all his strength and skill. His cloochman (squaw) stands near by, ready to seize the fish when landed. A rap with a short club on the head stuns him; he is taken from the net, covered with a sack in an instant,

and taken into the wick-i-up, to be dressed ; the greatest care is taken that the sun may not strike the fish. How different this from the automatic wheel- fishing boat later in use is shown by the illustration.

Within the past thirty-four years great changes have occurred, but the pleasure- seeking tourist of today will find no more enjoyable excursion than a trip up the Columbia and Snake rivers from Astoria to Lewiston, at the junction of the Clearwater. It should be made lei- surely by steamer and altogether in day- light. The beauty and variety of the scenery, the romance, novelty, and ex- citement, will afford pleasure during ev- ery hour of the time; and if you can make friends with the captain or pilot your pleasure will be doubled.

The city of Portland serves as an illus- tration of the growth and expansion of towns in the great States of the North- west. In 1851 Portland was incorporat- ed, and its limit was two miles on the river by one mile back, an area of two square miles. It now covers an area of 22^4 square miles. Its population in 1857 was 1,280; it is now estimated in round numbers at 100,000. Its property valuation, real and personal for taxation, was about $ 1,200,000. It is now $48,000,- ooo, and it ranks the second city in size and importance on the Coast.

East Portland now has a population of 12,000, and is connected with Portland by two fine bridges which span the Wallamet River.

Fred M. Stocking.