, 1853-07-16


carried them brisGly onwards. About s
miles above their encampmcnt they came to
the IIyeroglyphic Rocks These are about
twenty feet high, and on them are supposed
to be recorded the deeds of some former
tribe.
Atcrpas,ing John Days river, the coun-
try becomes much lower and more arid, and
the current tcomparalvey less The weath
cr was exceedingly hot, and the drifting
sanls we're in greater quantities than before,
50 much so that whole islands were passo
entirely composed of the sand. They now
arrived at the long reach just below Grand
Island the country becoming sandy and so
flat as to give view Of the Grand Rapid
Hills. 1t Las the appearance of having
been, at no very remote period, the bed Of
an extensive lake.
At their encampment, Mr.. Draylon found
large burying- place, from which he was
desirous Of getting a skull but, to the sur
prise of the party, several Indians made
their appearance and prevented it. The
corpses were placed above ground, in Their
clothing, and then sewed up in skin or
blanket; and the personal property Of each
individual was placed near the body over
all were laid few boards of native con-
structlon, placed as a kind of shed to pro-
Iect them from the weather.
All along this river, from the Dallcs up,
there is not piece of wood growing, and
except occasionally drift log, there is Moth
ing larger than a splinter to be found. All
the wood used for cooking is bough from the
Indians, who follow the brigade for many
miles with long pole or piece of a log,
which they sell for small piece of tobacco
The Indians also brought for sale several
hares, which were large and of extremely
fine flavor.
The country continues to be, as far as can
be seen on every side, a barren and sterile
waste, covered with a white sand mixed
with rounded and washed pebbles. All that
it produces is little grass, some wood, AMI
a species of small cactus, filed with long
white spincs, so hard and sharp that if trod-
den upon they will penetrate the leather of
a boot.
On the 9Th of July the brigade reached
the foot of the Grand Rapids, up which the
boats were tracked. They afterwards pass
ed along the foot Of Grand Rapid Hills,
which are composed of lasalt, old lava, and
scori@. These hills are steep on the river
side, and are fast crumLling away and fall
ing into the stream.
Eighteen miles below Wal!a-wa,la they
passed the Windmill Rock, about which are
number Of curious basallc peaks. On
approaching Walla- walla the scenery be-
comes grand the country is broken into
volcanic peaks, forming many fantastic
shapes, resembling figures and colossal
heads; many Of them are seen either insu-
lated or in groups; some of them are known
under the name of the Nine PINS. Through
this pass of volcanic rocks the wind rushes
with great violence in summer, to supply
the rarifed portion above. The brigade
reached the foIt about sunset.
Fort Wala-walla is about two hundred
feet square, and is built of pickets, with
gallery or staging on the inside, whence the
plckets may be looked over II has two
basllons, one on the southwest and the other
on the northeast. On the inside ale several
buildings, constructed of logs and mud
one OF these is the Indian store the whole
is covered with sand and dust, which is
blown about in vast quantities.
The party under Lieut.. johnson had
passed by about week previously, on their
return TO Nisqually.
Many years back, Mr.. Ogden, while on
his route, was attacked at the place where
The fort stands, by the Walla-walla tribe,
and was obliged to take refuge on the island
near the fort, where he made stand and
completely routed the Indians. This oc-
eurrence took place twcnty-thrce years be-
fore, and was the cause OF this post being
occupied since which time, no attack has
been made.
The brigade, after remaining At Walla-
walla till the Sth, took their departure. In
taking leave of Mr.. Ogden, must express
the great Indebtedness | am under, for his
attentions and kindness to Mr.. Drayton. as
well as for the facility he offered him for
obtaining information during their progress
up the Columbia. am also under obliga-
lions 10 him for much interesting informa-
hon respecting this country, which he gave
without hesitation or reserve. He was aux-
lous that Mr.. Drayton should accompany
him to Okoaagan but as this route had Just
been traversed by another party, it would
have been waste of the short time he had
TO spend about Walla walla. Mr.. OGDEN
is general favorite; and there is so much
hlarily, and such fund of amusement
about nm, that one is extremely fortunatcto 10
fall into his company.
Alter the departure of the brigade, Mr.
dayton set out to visit DR.. Whitman, in
company with Mr.. M'Lean, who was to
proceed to Okonapan with horses, 10 ;oin
MI Ogden. They rode about twenty
miles fore dark, and passed over some Of
the the pastures Of the horses belonging to the
company An alluvial bank, one hundred