Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 8.djvu/374

 366 T. W. DAVENPORT. % unexpected result was somewhat varied; some attributing it to the proximity of the fort which contained a company of U. S. Cavalry; others to the fraternal treatment of the In- dians who visited us at camp. The chief came to our tent, was invited to supper by my father, partook heartily of dough- nuts and coffee with sugar and cream, conversed as well as he could by means of a few words of English and his native pantomime, at which he was an adept, and with many hand- shakes departed at a late hour, no doubt well pleased with his reception. A short distance away was another camp of emigrants who, with one exception, extended the hand of friendship to the red brothers. This man motioned them away, evinced by scowls and other signs that their company was not wanted and they complied with his wishes. Next morning his family alone had cause to lament his want of hospitality. A thief in the night time had stolen their entire outfit of cook- ing utensils. His suspicions were no doubt correct, that In- dians had done it, and possibly they would have taken his cattle also if they could have identified them. Sometimes it is bad policy to spurn even a worm. From such instances as are of historical record and others handed along from sire to son, we must conclude that there is far greater difference in individuals of the aboriginal type than of other peoples, or else that the character of the typical Indian as given by his- torians is of very doubtful accuracy. If there is one quality accredited to the Indian upon which writers oftener agree it is treachery, a term which may be indicative of good or bad disposition, depending wholly upon circumstances. No sensi- ble person, well informed upon legal matters, attaches any importance or binding obligation to a bargain or treaty made under duress, or when one of the parties to it is not free to express his wishes or interests, or is seduced by false promises, but that is the kind of treaty we have been making with the Indians, with slight exceptions, ever since the discovery by Columbus. In a proper and legal sense they were not treaties but impositions to be protested whenever favorable oppor- tunity arrived. That the Indians have been faithless to them