ACROSS THE EOCKY MOUNTAINS, ETC. 231 



CHAPTER XIV. 



Indians of the Columbia — their melancholy condition — neparture of Mr. JWit- 

 tall and Dr. Gairdner — A 7ieiu vocation — fli-rival of the Rev. Samuel 

 Parker — his object — Departure of the American brig — Sivans — Indian mode 

 of taking them — A large wolf — An Indian mummy — A night adventure — 

 A discovery, and restoration of stolen property — Fraternal tenderness of an 

 Indian — Indian vengeance — Death of ff'ashSma, the Indian girl — " Busy- 

 body ^^* the little chief— A village of Kowalitsk Indians — Ceremony of 

 "making medicine''' — Exposure of an impostor — Success of legitimate medi- 

 cines — Departure from Fort Vancouver for a visit to the interior — Arrival 

 of a stranger — "Cape Horn'''' — Tilki, the Indian chief — Indian villages — 

 Arrival at Fort Walla-walla — Sharp-tailed grouse — Commencement of a 

 journey to the Blue mountains. 



The Indians of the Columbia were once a numerous and pow- 

 erful people ; the shore of the river, for scores of miles, was 

 lined with their villages ; the council fire was frequently lighted, 

 the pipe passed round, and the destinies of the nation deliberated 

 upon. War was declared against neighboring tribes ; the deadly 

 tomahawk was lifted, and not buried until it was red with the 

 blood of the savage; the bounding deer was hunted, killed, and 

 his antlers ornamented the wigwam of the red man ; the scalps 

 of his enemies hung drying in the smoke of his lodge, and the 

 Indian was happy. Now, alas ! where is he ? — gone ; — gathered 

 to his fathers and to his happy hunting grounds ; his place knows 

 him no more. The spot where once stood the thickly peopled vil- 

 lage, the smoke curling and wreathing above the closely packed 

 lodges, the lively children playing in the front, and their indolent 



