458 INDIAN TRIBES OF 



igneous formation: it is comparatively level, and offers a fine example 

 of the old-fashioned flinty trap. 



The tract of country from the mission to the Spokane is rather 

 sterile, and but thinly wooded, with spruce, larch, and pine, neither 

 of which is of great size. The banks or margin of the river, for some 

 distance on each side, is formed of sand and gravel, with a few alder 

 and willow bushes. The old chief, Bighead, joined the party here. 



On the 22d, they travelled thirty miles in an east-northeasterly 

 direction, from the Spokane. The country they passed over would 

 be called hilly, with lakes and open glades intervening : the soil was 

 poor, with sand and stones ; a few scattered pines were seen on the 

 hills, and around the lakes were cotton-wood and willow bushes. 



On the 23d, after travelling five miles, they reached a camp of 

 Spokane Indians, in number about three hundred, at the entrance of a 

 fine meadow, where they had a number of horses feeding, while they 

 were procuring the cammass-root. The number of lodges was twenty, 

 some of which were conical, and of buffalo-skins. With this party were 

 an Indian and a Canadian Frenchman, both of whom spoke English 

 intelligibly. As the party entered the camp, a stout savage seized one 

 of the horses, which he claimed as having belonged to him, and which 

 he said had been stolen. Evidence was subsequently produced that the 

 fellow had lost the horse by gambling, of which all these Indians are 

 notoriously fond. 



The horse had been purchased near Colville, for a musket. The 

 party remonstrated against this violent seizure, through the Canadian, 

 upon which the Indian relinquished the bridle, walked directly up to 

 his lodge, loaded his rifle, and was about to shoot either horse or rider. 

 Two of the gentlemen instantly stepped up to him, with their guns 

 ready, telling him if he pointed his gun at any one, they would blow 

 his brains out. On this he explained that his intention was to shoot the 

 horse, but he was now afraid to do this ; and the affair was settled by 

 a few presents. The party at once passed quietly through the camp, 

 and were glad to be rid of such troublesome neighbours. 



In the afternoon, they passed through a rich and fertile valley, 

 running in a southwest and northeast direction, in which the horses 

 sank in clover up to their knees ; and this day they made twenty-eight 

 miles. 



Among the beasts belonging to our party, was a spotted horse, 

 which the Indians were extremely desirous of procuring, as it was a 

 favourite kind with them ; but their offers did not prove equivalent to 

 his value. On the other hand, the party succeeded in purchasing a 

 horse from the Indians, which they much required, but which after- 



