64 WALLA-WALLAS. 



118. 



PEO-PEO-MUX-MUX, or YELLOW SERPENT. 



(Painted 1847.) 



Principal Chief of the Walla- Wallas, commonly called by the Hud* 

 son's Bay Company, Serpent Jaune. 



There are many incidents of thrilling interest in this man's life, 

 one of which will serve to show his cool, determined courage. 



In the year 1841, his eldest and favourite son, of twenty-two years, 

 had some difficulty with one of the clerks of the Hudson Bay Com- 

 pany, which terminated in a hand-to-hand fight. The young chief 

 coming oif second best, carried, with the tale of his inglorious exploit, 

 a pair of black eyes to his father's lodge. The chief's dignity was 

 insulted, and the son's honour lost, unless the officer in charge of the 

 fort, Mr. Archibald McKinley, should have the offender punished. 



The old chief, at the head of one hundred armed warriors, went 

 into the fort, and demanded the person of the clerk for punishment. 

 Mr. McKinley, not having heard of the difficulty, was taken quite 

 by surprise, and after instituting inquiries, he found nothing to cen- 

 sure in the conduct of the young man. This decision, having been 

 made known to the old chief, resulted in an animated discussion of 

 the case. The Indians were not to be appeased, and some of the 

 warriors attempted to seize the clerk; but being a powerful and ath- 

 letic man, he defended himself until Mr. McKinley gave him a pistol, 

 reserving two for himself, and charging him not to fire until he should 

 give the word. The crisis was now at hand — the war-cry was sounded, 

 and the savages had raised their weapons to spill the white man's 

 blood. Mr. McKinley rushed into an adjoining room, and seizing a 

 keg of powder, placed it in the centre of the floor, stood over it with 

 flint and steel raised, and exclaimed that they were all brave men, 

 and would die together. The result was the immediate flight of all 

 the Indians, save the old chief and his son. 



As soon as the warriors had gained the outer walls of the fort, the 

 gates were closed against them ; while they, halting at a respectful 

 distance, were in momentary expectation of seeing the fort blown to' 

 atoms. 



Mr. McKinley then quietly seated himself with the old chief and 

 his son, and amicably arranged the difficulty. 



