154 NARRATIVE OF A JOURNEY 



route, although somewhat longer, was a much less toilsome and 

 difficult one, and they suffered but little for food, being well pro- 

 vided with dried buffalo meat, which had been prepared near 

 Fort Hall. 



Mr. Walker, (a j'oung gentleman attached to the band,) re- 

 lated an anecdote of Mr. Lee, the principal, which I thought 

 eminently characteristic. The missionaries were, on one occa- 

 sion, at a considerable distance behind the main body, and had 

 stopped for a few moments to regale themselves on a cup of milk 

 from a cow which they weie driving. Mr. L. had unstrapped 

 the tin pan from his saddle, and was about applying himself to 

 the task, when a band of a dozen Indians was descried at a dis- 

 tance, approaching the little party at full gallop. There was but 

 little time for consideration. The rifles were looked to, the 

 horses were mounted in eager haste, and all were ready for a 

 long run, except Mr. Lee himself, who declared that nothing 

 should deprive him of his cup of milk, and that he meant to 

 " lighten the old cow before he moved." He accordingly pro- 

 ceeded coolly to fill his tin pan, and, after a hearty drink, 

 grasped his rifle, and mounted his horse, at the very moment 

 that the Indians had arrived to within speaking distance. To 

 the great relief of most of the party, these proved to be of the 

 friendly Nez Perce tribe, and after a cordial greeting, they tra- 

 velled on together. 



The missionaries informed us that they had engaged a large 

 barge to convey themselves and baggage to Fort Vancouver, and 

 that Captain Stewart and Mr. Ashworth were to be of the party. 

 Mr. N. and myself were very anxious to take a seat with them, 

 but to our disappointment, were told that the boat would scarcely 

 accommodate those already engaged. We had therefore to re- 

 linquish it, and prepare for a journey on horseback to the Dalles, 

 about eighty miles below, to which place Captain W. would 



