We should scarcely be able to
subsist, were it not for the exertions of this most excellent hunter.
The game is scarce, and nothing is now to be seen except elk, which for
almost all the men are very difficult to be procured; but Drewyer, who
is the offspring of a Canadian Frenchman and an Indian woman, has passed
his life in the woods, and unites, in a wonderful degree, the dexterous
aim of the frontier huntsman with the intuitive sagacity of the Indian,
in pursuing the faintest tracks through the forest. All our men,
however, have indeed become so expert with the rifle that we are never
under apprehensions as to food; since, whenever there is game of any
kind, we are almost certain of procuring it."
The narrative of the explorers gives this account of the Chinooks:--
"The men are low in stature, rather ugly, and ill made; their legs being
small and crooked, their feet large, and their heads, like those of the
women, flattened in a most disgusting manner. These deformities are
in part concealed by robes made of sea-otter, deer, elk, beaver or
fox skins. They also employ in their dress robes of the skin of a cat
peculiar to this country, and of another animal of the same size, which
is light and durable, and sold at a high price by the Indians who bring
it from above. In addition to these are worn blankets, wrappers of red,
blue, or spotted cloth, and some old sailors' clothes, which are very
highly prized. The greater part of the men have guns, with powder and
ball.
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