, 1853-06-25
Extracts from Wilkes Exploring
Expedition.

The river Chickeeles. before entering
into the harbor, increases in width to several
hundred feet, and 10 navigable for vessels
drawing twelve feet water, eight miles above
lis mouth. The harbor is only suitable for
vessels of from one 10 two hundred tons /;
and there are places where such vessels
may find security between the mud shoals,
some distance within the caprs.
The tides here are irregular, and in
Aucnced by the winds and weather the
time of high water at full and change was
found to be III BON.
FOg' prevail very frequently during the
summer season. Our party remained at
this place for twenty three days, three
iourlhs Of which time it blew strong gale
from either the southwest or northwest, ac
cOmpani,d with a dense fog, that rendered
impossible to see farther than half mile
The Indians iu this portion of the coun-
ty are not numerous. The region at the
head Of Puget Sound is inhabited by tribe
called the Toandos, whose number Mr.. Ed
was unable to learn. The Sachals are about
forty 10 number they reside about the lake
Of the same name, aud along the river Chic
tecles they appear to be kind and mof
fensive tribe. The Saehap tribe numbers
about sixty they are not 80 well off for
clothing as the former, and few Of them
were supplied with 67e arms they reside
on The borders of the Sachap river. The
Chekeeles tribe number. from one hundred
and fifty to two hundred, and inhsbi, the
country around Gray's Harbor their prin-
cPal place Of abode is on the north point
Ol Gays Harbor, which is generally occu-
pied by those passing 10 aud fro, and where
lhey await fne weather. Mr.. Ed found
this tTba supplied with good muskcts, blank
ets, and knives they paint their faces, and
have altogether warlikc appearance. At
one time during the stay of the party they
were disposed 10 be troublesome, but the
men being Constantly on the watch, TO pro-
ieeI themselves, remained unmolested, tho
occasionally annoyed al the disposition
tylnced 10 take advantage Of any oversight.
The chief Of this tribe is spoken Of by the
party in very high terms, for his kindness
to them. He seemed mortified at the events
which occurred, and took much pains to
Keep his people in order. In this. notthw-
sanding he possessed little authority among
ha tribe, he succeeded, although with diff.
Guilty. As a proof of his good intentions,
DC invariably returned all tho signals the
others had stolen.
Ibis tribe lives principally on salmon,
which they take during the season 10 vast
quantities., and the fish arc said to be as fine
as those taken in the Columbia. On the
Chlekeeles, and in IFS branches, are many
Of The weirs and stakes that have been al
ready described. Sturgeon are also taken in
S'es' numbers, and Of a superior quality.
IT may be inferred from their seldom re-
sewing any supplies of venison through the
Iaala1s' OF meeting with any themselves,
wat ,I there is but little game in this part OF
hocOuntry.
They shot few grouse, some wild geese
seen, and the mud fats were covered with
Wene gulls in immense numbers, among
YelSh were a few pelcans.
The amusements of the Indians, and the
manner Of lounginJ away lbeir time, were