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.