Cascades of the Columbia, portage — Patrick Gass: November 2, 1805

where the men had to carry part of the baggage across a
portage of two miles and an half, while the rest took down the
canoes. At 12 o’clock we proceeded on again; passed a nar-
row rapid part of the river of about 8 miles, the hills on both
sides are very high and a number of fine springs flowing out
of them, some of which fall 200 feet perpendicular. The hills
are mostly solid rock. On our way we passed two Indian
lodges. At the end of eight miles, the river opens to the
breadth of a mile, with a gentle current. We came 23 miles,
and encamped at a high peak resembling a tower on the south
side. The country here becomes level, and the river broader.
One of the Indian canoes remained with us and the other
three went on. On our way and at camp we killed 17 geese
and brants.
168 GASS’S JOURNAL OF THE