Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 26.djvu/53

Rh the others nothing. They also informed me that about 3 weeks ago the Americans to the number of 42 arrived to settle a military Post, at the confluence of the two most southern @ considerable Branches of the Columbia @ that they were preparing to make a small advance Post lower down on the River. 2 of those who were with Capt. Lewis were also with them of whom the poor Kootanaes related several dreadful stories. This establishment of the Americans will give a new Turn to our so long delayed settling of this Country, on which we have entered it seems too late; but, in my opinion the most valuable part of the Country still remains to us @ we have nothing to obstruct us, but the difficulty of getting Goods from Fort des Prairies, @ the still more formidable poverty of the Country in Animals. Time @ Perseverance will show what we can do, @ if worth our Expence @ Trouble. Aug. 15 The two Kootanae young Men returned @ with them several others— I sent Tobacco to the different Nations, with Word to the old Chief to hasten his coming, for I was exceedingly anxious to visit the Flat Bow Country, which could not be done, till I had seen @ arranged with these Indians, havg. none to do it for me.

Aug. 16 to 27 Men employed in building; during this Time we had finished a Hall @ a House for the Men, except the Chimney &c. 12 Peagan Men arrived singing their/War Songs; we sat down @ smoked with them, they were all young Men, who to all appearance had come to spy out how every Thing was situated;— they were somewhat troublesome but their numbers gave us no other alarm, than as we considered them the forerunners of a more numerous Band, tho' they asserted not; it is certain we are much in their Power. The Salmon now made their first appearance but too fugitive for us to profit by them; on the 29th we speared in the Night 5 Salmon, the largest weighed 26 lbs. they were tolerable good, but havg. come so far had lost all their fatness. Sepr. 1st we got this Band of troublesome Peagans away, they had all along persisted in waiting the