THE INTERIOR OF OREGON. 503 



an ancient Welsh colony, which others had thought they discovered 

 among the Mandans of the Missouri ; while others were disposed to 

 believe they might still exist in the Monkeys of the Western Moun- 

 tains. There is another account, which speaks of the Monquoi 

 Indians, who formerly inhabited Lower California, and were partially 

 civilized by the Spanish missionaries; but who have left that country, 

 and of whom all traces have long since been lost. Perhaps some future 

 travellers may be able to discover them again, and give their true 

 history ; for that there exists a small tribe of different manners and 

 habits from those who surround them, there appears to be but little 

 doubt. 



Though not immediately allied with my subject, yet some informa- 

 tion which I obtained in relation to the Indians east of the Rocky 

 Mountains, may be interesting. Between the Green and Arkansas 

 rivers, are the Navahoes, and south of them the Apaches. These 

 hover about the Spanish settlements, which they frequently ravage, 

 and whence they carry off the children as slaves. The trappers 

 informed us, that it was no uncommon circumstance to see among 

 them, Spanish boys, still speaking their own language, serving as 

 slaves; and handsome white girls, living as wives to the haughty 

 Apache warriors. 



One thing seems well established, that the tribes are gradually 

 extending themselves to the southward, or rather, the more northern 

 are encroaching on those of the south. It is well known, that what 

 is now called the Blackfeet country was formerly possessed by the 

 Snakes; and that the older men of the nation are well acquainted 

 with this fact. The country now in possession of the Snakes, be- 

 longed to the Bonacks, who have been driven to the Sandy Desert. 

 The Kiniwas and Camanches are instances of the same occurrence. 

 This movement is attributed to the desire of each tribe to possess a 

 more fertile soil and more genial climate ; and to the exhaustion of 

 game or emigration of the buffalo to the east. There are none of 

 these animals now found west of the Youta Lake ; and, several years 

 ago, according to the hunters, they deserted that region to range 

 nearer the Rocky Mountains : the space between which and the then 

 Butes is now the great buffalo country ; and frequented by the Nez 

 Perces, Bonacks, Snakes, and Flatheads, where these latter have 

 frequent contests with the Crows and Blackfeet. 



Those who have travelled the route from the United States to the 

 Oregon Territory, seem to have but little dread for the war-parties of 



