Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 11.djvu/181

Rh Regardless of a certain uneasy feeling as to how they might at the proper time be disposed of, the captives were much interested, if not amused, at the camp life about them. The Indians had just bagged a lot of wild ducks and during the afternoon proceeded to prepare a sort of Mulligan. The recipe used was very simple. A large kettle which had been pro- cured from a post of the Hudson Bay Company, containing the proper quantity of water, was placed upon the fire ; then the ducks, picked none too clean and without being drawn, were sliced crosswise with the body and the whole mass consigned to the kettle. When "ready to serve," the broth presented a greenish hue not unlike that of the stagnant water in a rush pool in midsummer. A peculiarly fresh and able-bodied aroma arose from the boiling mass. When done, the kettle was re- moved from the fire and the Indians seated themselves in a circle around it. With a large wooden ladle the chief first partook of the broth, then fished out a slice of duck, after which he passed the ladle to the one next to him, who performed a similar feat, and so on around the entire circle. The captives also dined on duck, which they bought from their captors, but it was served more after the manner of the civilized.

The Indians made no open show of guarding their prisoners during the night, yet both the men felt quite sure that any attempt to leave the camp would bring their captors upon them. On the following morning, with a great deal of apprehension, the two men were preparing to depart when the Indians gath- ered around and the chief very gravely ordered them to deliver to him the overshirts which they wore. These garments were made of heavy woolen material and were strong and very durable. Without hesitation they removed the shirts and handed them over to- his excellency, wondering, meanwhile, what piece he would next require, when to their great relief he bade them depart.

After several days' travel a crossing was finally effected, and they struck into the dense forest toward the Okanogan river, along which their route lay, and soon lost their way.