Trade goods moved up it toward the interior.

Personnel traveled in both directions.

Information about conditions in the interior reached the coast by boat, and instructions from the coast reached the interior the same way.

In spring, when the ice broke and the river became navigable, the first wave of canoes headed upstream.

They carried supplies, men, and messages.

They were going to Fort Nez Perce, to Fort Okanogan, and to the other interior trading posts that depended on the spring resupply.

Marie knew this.