410 INDIAN TRIBES OP WASHINGTON TERRITORY. 



ment, and assistance in breaking up the ground, they would doubtless do more. It is probably 

 an object with the missionaries to discourage secular residents, who might divide their own 

 influence over the natives. 



The courteous attention of these gentlemen to the officers of the expedition requires acknow 

 ledgment. They furnished all the information in their power respecting the country, secured good 

 guides to the parties, and acted as interpreters with the Indians. Father Pandozy, in particular, 

 is familiarly acquainted with the Yakima tongue. Kam-ai-ya-kan is the only one of the three 

 brothers who has adopted even the forms of Catholicism, and he refuses to be baptised, because 

 he would be compelled to put away his surplus wives, of whom he has several. Skloo and 

 Sha wa-wai are unchanged heathens. 



On leaving the Klikatat country, Captain McClellan had made a small present to the chief 

 Tow-e-toks, and distributed some tobacco among the men. It was not, however, considered ne 

 cessary to enter into a formal talk with that tribe, the object of our visit, and some other points, 

 bein&amp;lt;* casually explained to them. With the Yakimas the case was different. Their country was 

 to become a thoroughfare for the whites, and it was very important that a proper impression 

 should be made, and a friendly understanding established. On leaving the mountains we first 

 encountered Skloo, a tall, fine looking, but very dark-skinned man, who came up to camp attended 

 by Wee-ni-nah, a sub-chief, living at the village of Skin, opposite the mouth of the Des Chules 

 river. We had already met with an amusing instance of Indian craft, in which Skloo proved to 

 have been the operator. A small party of Indians had come on to Chequoss, and stated that 

 they had been told the expedition was out for the purpose of seizing the horses and cattle of the 

 Yakimas, taking their country, and destroying them if they resisted ; that Lieutenant Saxton s 

 party had proceeded against the Spokanes for the same purpose, and that Kam-ai-ya-kan and 

 Skloo were determined to oppose us. The report had created no uneasiness, except lest it should 

 alarm the Indians, and prevent the necessary intercourse with them. Skloo being now ques 

 tioned as to the author of the report, stated that it was a Frenchman, in charge of the Hudson s 

 Bay Company s train, who on his way to Fort Colville had preceded Lieutenant Saxton a few 

 days. As the story had already caused us some inconvenience, in preventing us from obtaining 

 a guide, and as it was feared that more serious annoyance would result to the other party, 

 Captain McClellan forwarded a complaint on the subject to Governor Ogden, at Fort Van 

 couver. It subsequently appeared that the person referred to was a gentleman far above the 

 suspicion of any such conduct, and that the whole was a fabrication got up by Skloo himself, 

 for the purpose of fishing out the object of the expedition. A short talk was held with him by 

 Captain McClellan, explaining this to his entire content, and in turn he gave what information he 

 possessed respecting the mountain trails. In justice to him, it should be said, the more espe 

 cially as he has but few friends, that his manly deportment left a more favorable impression than 

 did some who bore a far better character. A small present was given him on parting. 



Kam-ai-ya-kan we found at the mission, and he afterwards came over to the camp at Wenass 

 for a formal visit. He is a large, gloomy -looking Indian, with a very long and strongly-marked 

 face; slovenly in dress, but said to be generous and honest. Captain McClellan explained to him 

 the general nature of the American government, as far as was necessary for him to understand, 

 and the rank that Governor Stevens, who was coming with a party across the mountains, would 

 hold in the country. He expressed the hope that the good disposition which Kam-ai-ya-kan 

 had shown towards the whites would be maintained; that if any injury was done by them to his 

 people, they were not to seek revenge, but complain to the Governor, who would redress it; and 

 that if any was suffered from the Indians, he would expect him to punish the offender. It was 

 the intention of the whites to make a wagon road across the mountains, and many would un 

 doubtedly pass through their country. Should they be in need, he wished Kam-ai-ya-kan to 

 assist them. Their coming would be an advantage to his people, for they would buy their pota 

 toes, and exchange cattle which had become tired with long travel, for his, which were fat, giv- 



