One-half of the inside is used as a place of deposit for dried fish, of which large quantities are stored away, and with a few baskets of berries form the only family provisions; the other half, adjoining the door, remains for the accommodation of the family.

On each side are arranged near the walls small beds of mats placed on little scaffolds or bedsteads, raised from eighteen inches to three feet from the ground; and in the middle of the vacant space is the fire, or sometimes two or three fires, when, as is usually the case, the house contains three families." Houses very like these are built by the Ahts or Nootkas, a tribe of Indians inhabiting parts of Vancouver Island and the adjacent mainland.
A Nootka calls his house an ourt.
The good offices of Lewis and Clark, who were always ready to make peace between hostile tribes, were again successful here.

The Echeloots received the white men with much kindness, invited them to their houses, and returned their visits after the explorers had camped.

Lewis and Clark told the Echeloot chiefs that the war was destroying them and their industries, bringing want and privation upon them.

The Indians listened with attention to what was said, and after some talk they agreed to make peace with their ancient enemies.