Columbia River near Wallula Gap — Patrick Gass: October 18, 1805

here till after 12 o’clock. In the forenoon our Commanding
Officers were employed in getting specimens of the language
of the natives, there being three, or part of three, different
nations here. They are almost without clothing, having no
bark ; in which he described the river as running to the east of south, receiving many
rivers, and every six or eight leagues, encumbered with falls and rapids, some of them
very dangerous and six impracticable. He represented the carrying places as of great
length, and passing over hills and mountains. He depicted the lands of three other
tribes in succession who spoke different languages. Beyond them he knew nothing
of the river or country, only that it was still a long way to the sea; and that, as he had
heard, there was a lake before they reached the water, which the natives did not drink.
‘The more I heard of the river,’’ says Mr. M’Kenzie, ‘‘the more I was con-
vinced it could not empty itself into the ocean to the north of what is called the river
of the West, so that with its windings the distance must be very great.’’ It is not
improbable that the distance by water, from the place Mr. M’Kenzie struck this
river, to its mouth (supposing it to be the Columbia, Oregan or Great river of the
West) is upwards of 1000 miles, and its whole course from its source 1500. By the
lake mentioned by the Indian chief is no doubt meant the bay at the mouth of the
Columbia, and wide part of the river where the tide water ascends and renders the
whole unfit to drink.
160 GASS’S JOURNAL OF THE
covering of any account, except some deer skin robes and a
few leggins of the same materials. The women have scarce
sufficient to cover their nakedness.— Capt. Lewis had an
observation at noon which gave 46° 15 13. 9 north latitude.
At one we proceeded on down the Great Columbia, which is
a very beautiful river. The course is something to the east
of south for about 12 miles and then winds round to almost
a west course. We passed some islands and a number of the
camps of the natives, which appear to be very shy and distant.
We went 21 miles and halted close below an indian camp;
where they have thirty canoes; and a great quantity of dried
fish.