Having examined these rapids, which we found more difficult than what the Indians had reported, we set out early. We put our Indian guide in front, our smallest canoe next, and the rest in succession to begin the descent. The passage proved to be very disagreeable, as there is a continuation of shoals extending from bank to bank for the distance of three miles. The channel is narrow, crooked, and obstructed by large rocks in every direction, so as to require great dexterity to avoid being dashed on them. We got through the rapids with no injury to any of the boats except the last which ran on a rock but she escaped by the assistance of the other boats and of the Indians who were very alert. The baggage she contained was wet, however within three miles after leaving this rapid we passed three small islands and on one were parts of a house on scaffolds, as usual.

After crossing by land we halted for dinner. While we were eating, five Indians visited who had come up the river on foot in great haste. We received them kindly, smoked with them, and gave them a piece of tobacco to smoke with their tribe. On receiving the present they set out to return, and continued running as fast as they could while they remained in sight. Their curiosity had been excited by the accounts of our two chiefs who had gone on in order to apprise the tribes of our approach and of our friendly disposition toward them. After dinner we reloaded the canoes and proceeded. We soon passed a rapid opposite the upper point of a sandy island on the left, which has a smaller island near it. At three miles is a gravelly bar in the river. Four miles beyond this, the Kimooenim empties into the Columbia and at its mouth has an island just below a small rapid.