Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 26.djvu/54

44 44 T. C. ELLIOTT great Band in Hopes of stealing Horses; but Hunger made them decamp. On going away they stole 3 of the Kootanae Horses— the only 2 Kootanae Men, who were here (except a very old Man) went off after them; a struggle ensued, @ the Peagans chased the Kootanaes a small Distance, but upon the latter firing upon them, the Peagans made off, but with the Horses they had stolen. On the first arrival of the Peagans the Kootanae Women (several of whom were left here, by the Men while they hunted far off) put the major part of their little Property under our Care; they now put the whole, @ came @ camped close to the House, the old grey headed Man, with the 2 young Men kept constant guard, @ by all appearance had there been 5 or 6 Kootanae Men, the Peagans would not have got off with their Plunder we also kept on the look out in case of Surprize—A Slave of the Peagans who stayed behind from the bad usage he had received, this poor fellow the Kootanaes took for a Peagan/@ would have killed him, had I not prevented them, but they were soon reconciled to him, when he said he was a Flat Head, @ to prove it, spoke that Tongue fluently. Late in the Evening a Kootanae Man arrived, he informed us, that he had the Day before left a Band of 30 Peagan Men, who were advancing hereto, @ that he had also met the Band of Horse Stealers, who were on their way to join the others. This News alarmed us, @ however much I wished to have been on Discoverey, I thought it fortunate that I was here, to guard against any attempt that might be made on the Property or ourselves.

Late at Night we heard a shot across the River, but did not answer it as the Kootanae told us, it was the Peagans who had followed hard after him, we kept guard the whole Night. Very early the next morning 3 Peagan Men arrived, as I knew them very well I asked what their Intentions were, they said they were come peaceably to smoke with the Kootanaes @ exchange @ trade Horses. Bad weather intervened, of which I made use to throw a