, 1853-07-16
Extracts from Wilkes Exploring
Expedition.
Continued
WALL

The Dalles is one Of the most remarkable
places upon the Columbia. The river is
here compressed into narrow channel,
three hundred feet wide, and half a mile
long; the walls are perpendicular, flat on
the top, and composed of basalt the river
forms an elbow, being situated in an amphi-
theatre, extending several miles to the north
wes, and closed in by high basaluc wall,
Frsm appearances, one is led TO conclude
that in former times the river made a straight
course over the whole; but, having the
channel deeper, is now confined within the
present limits. Mr.. Drayton, ,on inquiry of
an old Indian, through Mr.. Ogden, learned
iha; he believed that in the time Of his fore
fathers they went up straight in their canoes.
Besides the main channel, there are four
or Eve other small canals, through which the
water passes when the river is high: these
are but few feet across. The river falls
about fifty feet in the distance of two miles,
and the greatest rise between high and low
water mark, is sixty-two feet. This graet
rise is caused by the accumulation of water
IN the river above, which is damned BY this
narrow pass, and is constantly increasing,
unulit backs the waters, and overAows many
low grounds and islands above. The ire.
mendous roar arising from the rushing OF the
nver through this outlet, with the many
whlrlpOols and eddies which it causes, may
oemore readily imagined than described.
ihe boat was repaired by the afternoon,
and an express was despatched up the river
10 Wallawalla, in order 10 prepare the post
Tor The reception Of the brigade, and inform
'he gentleman who had charge of it that he
woald be required to move to the north with
lhe brigade. The officers of the Company
have but little time allowed them TO attend
10 lhelr comforts so completely are they
under the control of accident, that they are
liable TO be called upon at any moment.-
Their rights, however, are looked 10 as
much as possible, and the great principle
adopted as the incentive TO action, is the ad
Yancement they may obtain by their own
merit, through which alone they can get for
ward. In consequence of adherng 10 this
principle, the Hudson Bay Company are al
ways well served. The discipline that is
preserved is the very best, aud sits lightly
upon all. Those who do not meet with ad-
Vancement have some great fault in a trad
er's eyes. The enterprise and energy re-
quired TO serve this Company well is Of no
ordinary kind, and few men exhibit more Of
both these qualities than those met with
IN It's employ.
On the morning of the 4th July, they be-
gao to pass the portage, which is mile in
length, 1t is very rugged, and the weather
being exceedly warm, many of the Indians
we're employed to transport articles on their
horses, of which they have large number.
Il required seventy men to transport the
Doats, which were carried over bottom up
wards, the gunwale resting on the mems
shoulders. BY night all was safely trans
ported, the boats newly gummed, and the
encampment formed on a sandy beach. The
nv IN consequence of the high wind, was
poWn about in great quantities, and every
O0qy and thing was literally covered with il.
From the high hills on the southern bank
" 'he river, there is an extensive view Of
Tue country to the south. The distant part