Page:Cathlamet On the Columbia.djvu/62

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
42
CATHLAMET ON THE COLUMBIA

Following along the shadowy trail, he soon reached the summit, from where he saw before him the valley of the Lower Columbia. The mountains to the Eastward, the great river in the foreground, the Willamette Valley stretching to the Southward and many miles of river and forest lighted up by the evening sunlight.

As the evening deepened the young hunter could by a very easy stretch of the imagination see along the path lines of bent Indian squaws, each carrying on her back by a strap about her forehead a heavy load, and some, too, with little babies in their funny little bound- up packing cases, and trooping merrily at their heels, the little elf- like, copper -colored children and the wolfish dogs, and occasionally with these, and yet apart as became his dignity, an Indian warrior foot- loose and comfortable.

42