Recommenced carrying at ½ past 2 oclock, had everything across the portage[94] & embarked at 6, and were across the Chutes by 11. The portage at the Chutes was short on account of the high water. Encamped at 6 in the evening a little below Day's River,[95] to gum the boats. We lost nearly 2 hours at breakfast below the Chutes. We reckoned 150 to 200 Indians at the Chutes, they were very quiet. Gave them to smoke and also about an inch of Tobacco each when we were coming off. Mr. McKay & Mr. Douglas,[96] with the convoy men left us at the upper end of the Chutes to return to Fort Vancouver.
Sunday 26
Clear weather little breeze of wind from the N. W. in the morning and evening, but calm and very warm in the middle of the day.
Continued our journey a little past 3 oclock and encamped at 7 in the evening. Were detained 2 hours gumming the boats,—had the sails up while the wind lasted in the morning and evening. A good many Indians along the river.
Monday 27.
Clear, a fine breeze up the River in the morning but calm and insufferably warm afterwards.
Embarked a little before 3 oclock, passed the lower end of the Big Island[97] at ½ past 4 and encamped at 6 to gum one of the boats, we were also detained 1½ hours in the day gumming.
Tuesday 28
Clear very warm weather, a little breeze of wind down the river which prevented the heat from being so oppressive as yesterday.
Continued our route before 3 o'clock and encamped late a little above the Grand Rapid.[98] In ascending a piece of strong current doubling a point in the evening, two of the boats got aground and sustained some injury, one of them put ashore & gummed, the other went on to the encampment, & had not time to repair. Traded some beaver from the Indians along the River.