In this
the patient sits, till by means of the heated stones and water he
has perspired sufficiently. Almost universally these baths are in the
neighborhood of running water, into which the Indians plunge immediately
on coming out of the vapor bath, and sometimes return again and subject
themselves to a second perspiration. This practice is, however, less
frequent among our neighboring nations than those to the westward.
This bath is employed either for pleasure or for health, and is used
indiscriminately for all kinds of diseases."
The expedition was now on the Snake River, making all possible speed
toward the Columbia, commonly known to the Indians as "The Great River."
The stream was crowded with dangerous rapids, and sundry disasters were
met with by the way; thus, on the fourteenth of October, a high wind
blowing, one of the canoes was driven upon a rock sidewise and filled
with water. The men on board got out and dragged the canoe upon the
rock, where they held her above water. Another canoe, having been
unloaded, was sent to the relief of the shipwrecked men, who, after
being left on the rock for some time, were taken off without any other
loss than the bedding of two of them. But accidents like this delayed
the party, as they were forced to land and remain long enough to dry
the goods that had been exposed to the water. Several such incidents are
told in the journal of the explorers. Few Indians were to be seen along
the banks of the river, but occasionally the party came to a pile of
planks and timbers which were the materials from which were built the
houses of such Indians as came here in the fishing season to catch
a supply for the winter and for trading purposes.
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