FROM THE COLUMBIA VALLEY TO FORT OWEN. 255 



an American one. We gave them a few presents, and I believe they left our camp very well 

 satisfied with themselves and us. 



Monday, August 1. Thermometer at sunrise, 65.5; barometer, 29.697. Arrived at Camp 

 Peluse, at the junction of the Peluse and Snake rivers, at 5 a. m., after a night march of forty-five 

 miles. The men and animals were much exhausted, and glad to rest their wearied limbs any 

 where. Near the end of the march it was necessary to force some of the party along, fatigue 

 and exposure to the night air having induced sickness. The march of last night could not have 

 been made in the daytime at this season of the year. Great loss was sustained from the 

 stampeding of the animals, the night being so dark as to render it impossible to recover all the 

 lost packages. 



Soon after our arrival, we were visited by a delegation of fifty Peluse and Nez Perces warriors, 

 who came in full costume, and with great formality, to hold a grand &quot;war talk.&quot; They seated 

 themselves in a circle, the head chief in the centre, and the braves and warriors, according to 

 rank, on either side ; a few paces in the rear of the circle stood six Indians, dressed in very 

 fantastic style, whom I supposed to be medicine men. 



After completing their arrangements, they sent me word that they wished &quot;to talk.&quot; I replied 

 that we were all then too much tired, but that afler we had eaten and slept we should be in 

 a better condition to hold a council. They waited patiently till we were ready, then, after shak 

 ing hands all round, the chief lighted his medicine pipe, and, smoking a few whiffs himself, 

 passed it to each member of the council, in the direction of the sun. The medicine pipe is a 

 sacred pledge of friendship among all the northwestern tribes. After this ceremony, the chief 

 inquired what was our object in passing through his country, with so many animals and such 

 a quantity of merchandise. In reply, I informed him that I had been sent by my great chief 

 through their country to visit the Blackfeet lodges across the Rocky mountains; that I was going 

 thither ; that I expected to meet there the chief of all the country between the mountains and the 

 Pacific ocean, and that I wanted them to be ready with their men and canoes to help us in cross 

 ing the river, to bring in all our horses that had strayed, and to be in readiness, when Gov. Stevens 

 should arrive, to give him any aid he would require. I told them that my great chief at Wash 

 ington was their friend, and would protect them; he had sent them presents in token of his 

 regard ; and in addition to these, they would be well paid for any services they rendered us. 



A fine young Indian who was present made an eloquent speech to the others. He told them 

 that long ago his father was chief of the tribe, and owned all this country. They were then far 

 more numerous, rich, and powerful, than now. His father extended the hand of friendship to the 

 first white man who was seen in that country, and they must follow his example. 



A consultation was then held among themselves, and when it was finished the old chief informed 

 me that my &quot; talk was good,&quot; and that, at any hour I should appoint, his men and canoes would 

 be ready to take our baggage across the river. I gave them a few presents of tobacco, beads, 

 &c. A specimen of our skill in rapid firing with Sharp s and Colt s rifles astonished them greatly, 

 and created additional respect for our prowess a favorable impression for a small party like 

 ours, surrounded by bands of Indians. I told them that we should be ready to cross the river 

 to-morrow at sunrise. 



Thursday, August 2. As our guide, Antoine, gave the war-whoop at daylight, fourteen canoes, 

 manned by as many stout Indians, left the opposite shore and came across for our baggage. By 

 10 o clock they had transported all our men and baggage across this swift and rocky stream, 

 without injuring an article. Two horses were drowned in swimming. I then distributed the 

 presents sent by the Indian department, with which they were much pleased. The old chief said 

 they were &quot; hyas iton&quot; very good but some wanted more; and soon after our arrival at camp, 

 fifteen miles distant, a party of seven warriors carne in and reported that, in the distribution of the 

 blankets, so many had to be given to the owners of the canoes that nothing was left for the chief. 

 This system of begging, however, did not succeed, and the Peluse chief went away disappointed 



