437 
TRAVELS IN OREGON, NO.l. 
to be hostile the fort at Umpqua could offer no resistance 
to their attack, but they are aware that all their supplies 
of ammunition, tobacco, blankets, and other articles of 
necessity would be at once cut off, which would reduce 
them to great distress. The self-interest, therefore, of 
the Indians is the safeguard of the white traders. 
After leaving the fort, the party marched to the south 
branch of the Umpqua river, noticing by the way grisly 
bears, and white-tailed and black-tailed deer. They 
crossed the Umpqua mountains and came into the plain 
of the Shaste country, noticing by the way the bulb used 
as a substitute for soap in California and Mexico. Their 
march over the mountains was obstructed by Indians, 
who set fire to the woods for the purpose of causing the 
trees to fall across the path, and sometimes tied branches 
of trees across the trail, with a view to impede the party. 
Their signal fires were seen on every side. 
The party next reached the country of the Hamath 
or Klam.et Indians, known among the hunters by the 
name Rogues or Rascals, which they have merited 
by their villainy. During this part of their journey* 
the travellers investigated the character of the pinus 
Lumbertianus , whose cones were found to be fifteen 
inches long. Some of the sugar produced by this tree 
was obtained. It has a sweet taste, with a slightly bitter 
and turpentine flavor. It resembles manna, and is ob¬ 
tained by the Indians by making a cavity in the tree, 
whence it exudes. It is a cathartic, and affected all of 
the party who used it; although the less delicate old 
hunters are in the habit of using it as a substitute for 
sugar. Passing along the banks of the Tootootutnas, or 
Rogues river, a part of the expedition was attacked by 
a band of Indians, who massacred the most of them. Mr. 
Turner, who was with the party, was a strong athletic 
man. The Indians surprised his companions by a stra¬ 
tagem, and the affray began while he was seated by the 
