NO. 8 DRAWINGS BY GEORGE GIBBS BUSHNELL 25 



different dialect is spoken, but so as to be understood by the different 

 tribes." And at the same camp two days later "about a dozen naked 

 Indians hanging around camp were supplied with food and some 

 clothing." 



The following morning, September 13, Gibbs, with two other 

 members of the party, left camp to "proceed in a canoe down Eel 

 river to its mouth." This was to enable him to explore the country 

 south of the river, and to meet the Indian inhabitants of the region 

 in the endeavor to have them visit the camp. Gibbs returned to the 

 main camp on the evening of September 14, after having reached 

 the mouth of the river, and stopping at 10 or 12 Indian rancherias 

 on the banks of the stream where they distriljuted presents. That 

 same evening "the express despatched to Port Trinidad returned . . . 

 with despatches from the Indian department at Washington." 



''Camp of Hiiuiholdt City, September ij, /cS'5/". — ^Finding it impos- 

 sible to collect the Indians, or to hold proper communication with 

 them, R. McKee moved camp with the escort this morning, and 

 encamped at this place, after a march of twelve miles ..." On 

 the following day they crossed Eel River at low tide and moved a 

 few miles to Bucksport. An entry in the journal that day states 

 (p. 154) : "The bands of Indians living upon Eel river have no per- 

 manent place of residence, but move from river to mountain and 

 from mountain to river, as the season for fishing and gathering nuts 

 and berries arrives; and among the different bands, though not at 

 actual war, no friendly intercourse exists." 



Soon they resumed their journey northward, encountering many 

 Indians as well as white settlers, and so approached one of the most 

 important centers. They arrived at (p. 156) : 



Bloody Camp, September 27, 1851, three miles from the junction of the 

 Klamath rivers. — Reached this camp, upon the top of a mountain, after a very- 

 tedious march of twelve miles. Several Indians were seen upon the trail to-day, 

 but fled to the woods when approached. Fine grass and water on this mountain. 

 The agent has gone forward this morning to examine the pasture, &c., near the 

 junctiop, with a view to the removal of our camp to a suitable place for a 

 treaty ground, if one can be found. The country around the junction is a wild 

 mountainous region, entirely unfit for cultivation, and indeed can scarcely be 

 travelled by pack-mules. The Indians are said to be numerous, and subsist 

 chiefly on the salmon and salmon trout, which the rivers afford in great 

 abundance, and on the berries, nuts, &c., obtained on the mountain sides. Deer, 

 elk, bear, &c., are quite plenty, but the Indians kill but few, as their only arm 

 is the bow and arrow. 



Two days later, September 29, McKee accompanied by part of 

 his guard, established a camp at the junction of Klamath and Trinity 



