ver. There were long stretches where, despite the
current, the dusky boatmen found no special trouble in driving the
craft eastward; but, as they progressed, the labor became severer, for
the stream narrowed and the velocity of its flow became greater. The
portages were long and toilsome, and, as the party advanced, many
places were met where these portages became necessary on account of the
rapidity of the current alone. All, however, bent resolutely to work,
Victor and George taxing their strength to the utmost. Deerfoot seemed
tireless, but he could never be inconsiderate to others. He could have
outworn Mul-tal-la, though not till after the exhaustion of the boys,
who agreed between themselves that the job was the biggest they had
ever tackled; and yet their adult companions not only did the work the
twins were doing, but swung the paddles in addition.

Our friends stayed one night at the Echeloot or Upper Chinook village,
which they had visited when coming down the river. You will remember
that it was there they first saw wooden houses made by Indians. The
explorers were treated as hospitably as before, but, as you will also
recall, the natives were Flatheads, and the sight of the misshapen
skulls, towering at the rear like the ridge of a roof, was so
disagreeable that the travelers were glad to turn their backs upon
them.

You have not forgotten the thrilling descent of the Falls of the
Columbia, where all the skill of Deerfoot and Mul-tal-la was needed to
save the canoe from being dashed upon the rocks.

"Are you going to paddle through them again?" asked Victor.

"Deerfoot does not wish to see his brother scared so bad as he was
before."

"I was about to say that if you and Mul-tal-la don't feel equal to the
task, George and I are ready to take it off your hands."

"The heart of Deerfoot is made glad to hear the words of his brother,"
replied the Shawanoe, handing his paddle to the youth. Not expecting
that, Victor scratched his head and looked quizzically at George.

"Shall we show those fellows how to do such things?"

"I don't think it is worth while; they won't appreciate it."

"Deerfoot is sorry," was all that was said by the Shawanoe, as the boat
was drawn out of the waters and hoisted upon the shoulders of the
party.

The Shawanoe gave another illustration of his stern principles when, at
the close of day, the canoe was run into shore at the point where the
travelers had encamped beside the pi