Columbia River near Wallula Gap — Patrick Gass: October 20, 1805

early; passed along a handsome part of the river; saw some
pelicans and gulls. And as the shores are lined with dead
salmon, there are abundance of crows and ravens. Vast
quantities of these fish die at this time of the year. At noon
we came to an Indian camp on the point of a large island,
where we stopped and got some fish and other provisions.
We here saw some articles that shewed that white people had
been here or not far distant during the summer. They have
a hempen seine and some ash paddles which they did not
make themselves. At 1 o’clock we proceeded on again, went
42 miles, and encamped without any of the natives being
along, which is unusual on this river. We could not get one
single stick of wood to cook with; and had only a few small
green willows.