250 FROM NISQUALLY TO COLUMBIA RIVER. 



can form any idea of the degree of patience it requires, to 

 get along with them ; they are as changeable as children, and 

 the word " honor" seems not to be in their vocabulary. 



After breakfast, next day, I went again to the Indian en- 

 campment, to see about purchasing a canoe, and succeeded, 

 finally, in procuring one from a Chief. I likewise succeeded 

 in engaging six men, who promised to remain with us until we 

 reached Astoria. And to make them still more contented, I 

 gave them leave to take their wives with them. 



On returning to the camp, I proceeded to get my instru- 

 ments, and then went in search of Mr. Eld, who, I under- 

 stood, had commenced operations at the opposite side of the 

 harbor. Not being able, however, to find him, I went on sur- 

 veying alone ; at length I saw a canoe at a distance, which I 

 supposed to be his. Accordingly, I at once put up the instru- 

 ments, and directed the Indians to pull for the canoe ; instead 

 of doing this, however, they commenced complaining, and 

 finally pulled in for the camp. Here they disembarked, and 

 declared that they would not remain in our employ another 

 minute, if I did not give them some powder and tobacco, which 

 I positively refused to do. The women now commenced to 

 pack up their things, and carry them towards the canoe, a 

 circumstance which induced me to believe that the party 

 intended to take the canoe, and return to their encampment. 

 I therefore directed sergeant Stearns to seize the mens' mus- 

 kets, and put them in one of the tents. This the sergeant 

 did, but the moment we turned our backs to the tents, one of 

 the Indians drew his knife, rushed into them, and brought out 

 the guns, one of which he handed to a woman. After a short 

 Struggle, we succeeded in retaking the muskets, upon which 

 an Indian, who acted as spokesman to the party, came up, and 

 said that they intended to adhere strictly to the bargain which 



