40 



PHYSICAL HISTORY OF MAN, 



prairie that was still burning. 19th. Two unarmed natives were 

 seen, who wished to come into the camp, but this was not permitted. 

 The bark of the Arbutus procera, appeared to be made use of in this 

 quarter, for some purpose not ascertained. 20th. Fell in with four or 

 five natives, who said that the people on the Umpqua were waiting for 

 Michel's party (trappers of the H. B. Company), intending to attack 

 them. 21st. Encamped at the foot of the Umpqua Ridge; which 

 divides the waters of the Umpqua and Rogues Rivers. The pass is 

 very steep and difficult, and is also considered dangerous on account 

 of the bad character of the natives ; who, according to report, some- 

 times shoot arrows at travellers or their horses, from places of conceal- 

 ment. 



" On the 22d, the party crossed the ridge without accident, and with- 

 out seeing natives, and encamped at its southern base. 23d. Rested 

 for the day. Three men of the Klamet tribe would have passed us 

 without speaking, had not our guide addressed them. All the natives 

 seen since leaving the Willamette, have been a squalid miserable 

 set of beings, shy in approaching White men. 24th. Resumed the 

 journey ; and in the course of the day, several natives were seen 

 hiding among the trees and bushes, but they did not appear disposed 

 to molest us. 25th. Encamped on the banks of Rogues River. One 

 of the hunters reported, that after having killed a deer, he had been 

 shot at with arrows, and forced to abandon it. 26th. Some natives* 

 were seen, and also canoes; which were excavated from logs, and ap- 

 peared to be used principally for spearing fish in the shallow waters. 

 Reached Turner's Camp, where a party of traders had formerly been 

 defeated, and compelled to return. Human bones were strewed around. 

 27th. Continuinor alonff the river, natives were heard shoutino- on the 

 opposite bank. At a place where a former party had been annoyed, 

 several of the company dismounted and scoured the bush. Some 

 natives at a great distance took shelter behind a tree, and it was evi- 



• A native was reported to have been seen, wearing a species of cuirass ; in all proba- 

 bility, similar to the one obtained from the same tribe through the Hudson Bay Company. 

 This cuirass is composed of flattened parallel sticks, woven together by means of twine ; 

 most of which is of vegetable fibre, and the residue, of human hair. The shoulder-straps 

 are of the usual soft leather, but with the hair remaining on. Apart from the pecu- 

 liarities in the manufacture; this, and the slight leather shield of the Missouri, form the 

 only examples I am acquainted with, of the use of defensive armour by the American 

 tribes, , 



