Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 11.djvu/220

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At an early hour Mr. McKay with 25 trappers 2 horses each well loaded with traps started for the river discovered last summer by Sylvaille, 3 days from here. The different streams here I am of opinion discharge in Day's River.

Reached the river and joined Mr. McKay. 18 beaver from the traps.

Having dried our lodges we followed the banks of the river till 1 p. m. when reaching 12 of our trappers we encamped. From this point 7 horses were stolen yesterday and two men wounded. Mr. McKay related the particulars. The night before last 3 Snake Indians stole 7 horses and crossing over a point of land to their surprise met Payette and Baptiste the Iroquois visiting traps. The latter pursued. The Indians offered no resistance and delivered up the horses. This did not satisfy the two men who demanded payment. The Indians offered 2 boats. This did not satisfy Baptiste who said "let us beat them well but not kill them" began with his whip handle. The Indians endured but becoming vexed one seized Bap. the other Payette. A scuffle ensued. One Indian was killed, both our men severely wounded, only saved themselves by flight leaving arms and horses. The Indians killed 4 of the stolen horses, then seeing a man coming made off with 3 [horses, and guns and rifles of wounded men. The whole thing is disgraceful to us; 65 beaver to-day; distance 10 miles.

134 beaver and 1 otter, a (Indian) woman missing from the camp. She is either lost or a victim to the Snakes—the men have gone in search of the missing woman, leaving their traps. Mr. McKay and party found the woman with her horses. Benighted, she had very prudently camped.