PUGET SOUND AND OKONAGAN. 439 



reached the missionary station of Chimikaine. Here they learned that 

 neither of the two missionaries, Messrs. Walker and Eels, was at 

 home, being in attendance on a meeting at Wallawalla. Their ladies, 

 however, received the gentlemen with great hospitality, and though 

 living in rough log huts, every thing about them was scrupulously 

 clean ; they were without any domestic help, but every thing was 

 attended to that could add to the comfort of their guests. They both, 

 with their families, seemed happy, cheerful, and contented with their 

 situation. 



Cornelius, or Bighead, whose native name is Silimxnotylmilakabok, 

 is chief of the Spokane tribe — not by birth, but having gained the 

 station by his shrewdness. With the title, however, he has acquired 

 but little real authority, although he is the most influential of the Flat- 

 head nation ; for his commands are often opposed with impunity by 

 the lowest vagabond, and he himself is sometimes personally insulted 

 without fear or danger of punishment. The dignity of rank, there- 

 fore, it will be seen, is not looked upon with much respect among 

 these tribes. Cornelius is about sixty years of age, tall and slender, 

 with a dignified carriage ; has a thin, wrinkled face, and a far-retreat- 

 ing forehead. He has an expression of intelligence and self-possession, 

 which impresses a visiter very favourably. He is represented as being 

 very pious; and, as far as outward appearances and loud praying go, 

 is certainly entitled to be so considered. 



He gives an account of a singular prophecy that was made by one 

 of their medicine-men, some fifty years ago, before they knew any 

 thing of white people, or had heard of them. Cornelius, when about 

 ten years of age, was sleeping in a lodge with a great many people, 

 and was suddenly awakened by his mother, who called out to him 

 that the world was falling to pieces. He then heard a great noise of 

 thunder overhead, and all the people crying out in great terror. 

 Something was falling very thick, which they at first took for snow, 

 but on going out they found it to be dirt: it proved to be ashes, which 

 fell to the depth of six inches, and increased their fears, by causing 

 them to suppose that the end of the world was actually at hand. The 

 medicine-man arose, told them to stop their fear and crying, for the 

 world was not about to fall to pieces. " Soon," said he, " there will 

 come from the rising sun a different kind of men from any you have 

 yet seen, who will bring with them a book, and will teach you every 

 thing, and after that the world will fall to pieces." Although there is 

 not much reliance to be placed in the truth of this story, yet it shows 

 the desire the Indians have to perpetuate the truth; and now that its 

 actual fulfilment, as they say, has come to pass, it has acquired greater 



