Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 26.djvu/137

Rh killed all the old men and old women, and made slaves of the young women and had traded them at the seacoast for horses and merchandise.

It was of the Gens des Chevaux that I inquired for knowledge of the tribe which lived by the sea. They replied that no member of their tribe had ever been there, since the route was blocked by the Snake tribe; that, if we made a long detour, we might meet with some tribes along the way who traded with the white men at the sea. I persuaded the village, by means of gifts, to march with us to the country of the Gens de l'Arc (Bow Indians), the only tribe who, by dint of their bravery, do not fear the Snakes. They have even made themselves dreaded by the Snakes through the wisdom and good leadership of their chief. I was also made to hope that they would be able to give me some knowledge of the country along the sea, since they are friendly to the tribes that go there to trade.

After marching steadily toward the southwest, we encountered on November 18th a very populous village of the Gens de la Belle-Riviere (Belle River Indians). They gave us information about the Gens de l'Arc (Bow Tribe), who were not far away. We marched on together to the southwest; on the 21st, we descried the village, which appeared very large to us. All the tribes of that country have a large number of horses, asses, and mules; these they use to carry their baggage and to take them on their hunting parties as well as on their expeditions.

When we arrived at the village, the chief led us to his lodge, treating us graciously and courteously, in a manner not at all characteristic of the Indians. He ordered that all our baggage be placed in his lodge, which was very large, and that great care be taken of our horses.