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first across the continent-第51章

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k; when we proceeded down the river; which is now bordered with cliffs of loose dark colored rocks about ninety feet high; with a thin covering of pines and other small trees。 At the distance of four miles we reached a small village of eight houses under some high rocks on the right with a small creek on the opposite side of the river。

〃We landed and found the houses similar to those we had seen at the great narrows; on entering one of them we saw a British musket; a cutlass; and several brass tea…kettles; of which they seemed to be very fond。 There were figures of men; birds; and different animals; which were cut and painted on the boards which form the sides of the room; though the workmanship of these uncouth figures was very rough; they were highly esteemed by the Indians as the finest frescos of more civilized people。 This tribe is called the Chilluckittequaw; their language; though somewhat different from that of the Echeloots; has many of the same words; and is sufficiently intelligible to the neighboring Indians。  We procured from them a vocabulary; and then; after buying five small dogs; some dried berries; and a white bread or cake made of roots; we left them。 The wind; however; rose so high that we were obliged; after going one mile; to land on the left side; opposite a rocky island; and pass the day。〃

On the same day the white chiefs visited one of the most prominent of the native houses built along the river。

〃This;〃 says the journal; 〃was the residence of the principal chief of the Chilluckittequaw nation; who we found was the same between whom and our two chiefs we had made a peace at the Echeloot village。 He received us; very kindly; and set before us pounded fish; filberts; nuts; the berries of the sacacommis; and white bread made of roots。  We gave; in return; a bracelet of ribbon to each of the women of the house; with which they were very much pleased。 The chief had several articles; such as scarlet and blue cloth; a sword; a jacket; and a hat; which must have been procured from the whites; and on one side of the room were two wide; split boards; placed together so as to make space for a rude figure of a man cut and painted on them。 On pointing to this; and asking him what it meant; he said something; of which all that we understood was ‘good;' and then stepped up to the painting; and took out his bow and quiver; which; with some other warlike instruments; were kept behind it。

〃He then directed his wife to hand him his medicine…bag; from which he drew out fourteen forefingers; which he told us had belonged to the same number of his enemies; whom he had killed in fighting with the nations to the southeast; in which direction he pointed; alluding; no doubt; to the Snake Indians; the common enemy of the tribes on the Columbia。 This bag is usually about two feet in length; and contains roots; pounded dirt; etc。; which only the Indians know how to appreciate。 It is suspended in the middle of the lodge; and it is considered as a species of sacrilege for any one but the owner to touch it。 It is an object of religious fear; and; from its supposed sanctity; is the chief place for depositing their medals and more valuable articles。 They have likewise small bags; which they preserve in their great medicine…bag; from whence they are taken; and worn around their waists and necks as amulets against any real or imaginary evils。 This was the first time we had been apprised that the Indians ever carried from the field any other trophy than the scalp。 These fingers were shown with great exultation; and; after an harangue; which we were left to presume was in praise of his exploits; the chief carefully replaced them among the valuable contents of his red medicine…bag。 The inhabitants of this village being part of the same nation with those of the village we had passed above; the language of the two was the same; and their houses were of similar form and materials; and calculated to contain about thirty souls。 They were unusually hospitable and good…humored; so that we gave to the place the name of the Friendly village。  We breakfasted here; and after purchasing twelve dogs; four sacks of fish; and a few dried berries; proceeded on our journey。  The hills as we passed were high; with steep; rocky sides; with pine and white oak; and an undergrowth of shrubs scattered over them。〃

Leaving the Friendly village; the party went on their way down the river。 Four miles below they came to a small and rapid river which they called the Cataract River; but which is now known as the Klikitat。  The rapids of the stream; according to the Indians; were so numerous that salmon could not ascend it; and the Indians who lived along its banks subsisted on what game they could kill with their bows and arrows and on the berries which; in certain seasons; were plentiful。  Again we notice the purchase of dogs; this time only four were bought; and the party proceeded on their way。 That night; having travelled thirty…two miles; they camped on the right bank of the river in what is now Skamania County; Washington。  Three huts were inhabited by a considerable number of Indians; of whom the journal has this to say:

〃On our first arrival they seemed surprised; but not alarmed; and we soon became intimate by means of smoking and our favorite entertainment for the Indians; the violin。  They gave us fruit; roots; and root…bread; and we purchased from them three dogs。 The houses of these people are similar to those of the Indians above; and their language is the same; their dress also; consisting of robes or skins of wolves; deer; elk; and wildcat; is made nearly after the same model; their hair is worn in plaits down each shoulder; and round their neck is put a strip of some skin with the tail of the animal hanging down over the breast; like the Indians above; they are fond of otter…skins; and give a great price for them。 We here saw the skin of a mountain sheep; which they say lives among the rocks in the mountains; the skin was covered with white hair; the wool was long; thick; and coarse; with long coarse hair on the top of the neck and on the back; resembling somewhat the bristles of a goat。 Immediately behind the village is a pond; in which were great numbers of small swan。〃

The 〃mountain sheep〃 mentioned here are not the bighorn of which we have heard something in the earlier part of this narrative; but a species of wild goat found among the Cascade Mountains。  The 〃wildcat〃 above referred to is probably that variety of lynx known in Canada and most of the Northern States and the Pacific as the loup…cervier; or vulgarly; the 〃lucifee。〃

On the last day of October; the next of the more difficult rapids being near; Captain Clark went ahead to examine the 〃shoot;〃 as the explorers called the place which we know as the chute。 In the thick wood that bordered the river he found an ancient burial…place which he thus describes:

〃It consists of eight vaults made of pine or cedar boards closely connected; about eight feet square and six in height; the top covered with wide boards sloping a little; so as to convey off the rain。  The direction of all of these vaults is east and west; the door being on the eastern side; partially stopped with wi
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