106 



PHYSICAL HISTORY OF MAN. 



ble in the distance, with some of the inhabitants perched upon the 

 roofs. The houses were constructed somewhat differently from any 

 met with elsewhere. They were partly subterraneous, being built 

 over a large roundish pit, three or four feet in depth. The roof, 

 although firm and covered with earth, could hardly have been in- 

 tended for protection against wild beasts; and on the other hand, 

 the difference in climate from that of the Bay, did not seem to de- 

 mand this closer construction. We observed, however, in one of the 

 houses, a blanket or cloak, made of the feathers and down of water- 

 fowl ; very similar to one seen in the Straits of De Fuca. 



We saw" but two or three women, and these took to flight on our 

 approach ; a circumstance readily explained by the fear of captivity. 

 The natives, moreover, were said to be " extremely jealous of their 

 women ; and ready at any time to engage in a conflict on their 

 account." No free trappers had hitherto taken up their residence 

 among the Sacramento tribes, nor indeed, in all the region south of 

 the Umpqua. 



I had now an opportunity of hearing the language ; and found it 

 almost as soft and as rapidly uttered as the Polynesian dialects, which 

 it further resembled in the repetitions of syllables. I remarked, how- 

 ever, in some instances, the use of terminal consonants. According to 

 Mr. Marsh, the " languages vary from tribe to tribe, as in the United 

 States, but are always comparatively soft ; the grammatical construc- 

 tion, however, is the same as in the other American languages." 



We encamped at the spot where we had landed ; the natives with- 

 drawing at sunset, and most of them crossing the river. Nothing 

 occurred to interrupt the stillness of the night, except the usual con- 

 cert of coyotas (the small wolf, or American jackal), and the falling 

 of a large branch of an oak, at no great distance. 



On the 30th, near noon, we again saw natives on the western bank, 

 including now, some women. They were not so silent as the last, 

 and they made motions for us to come on shore; but we did not stop 

 to make their acquaintance. - 



Towards sunset, we found ourselves several miles above the ' Butes,' 

 and had an interview with another body of natives on the western 

 bank. The chief welcomed us to the spot, evidently comprehending 

 our intention of passing the night there; and soon after, he withdrew 

 at our request, with all his people. " It had been usual with travel- 

 ling parties, to give orders to shoot down any one approaching the 

 camp at night ; and the natives had a perfect understanding on this 

 subject." 



