Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 15.djvu/53



JOURNAL OF DAVID THOMPSON 45

4 pipes (?) till the tobacco I had given for this purpose was done, during* the last pipes being smoked one of the Simpoil Indians who had come with me related in a low voice all the news he had heard and seen, which the Chief in his speech told again to his people. At the end of every 3 or 4 sentences he made a stop, which was answered by all the people calling in a loud, drawling voice, Oy. The smoking being done and the news being all told I then told the Chief what I had to say of my voyage to the sea, etc., etc. Each 6 or 7 sentences I also made a stop which the chief in his relation to his people punctually followed and they also regu- larly answered as before. I took notice that good and bad news, life and death, were always pronounced in the same manner, and that the answer was also the same. A few pipes more were now lighted and they were told this was enough for the present. They gave a long thankful oy and went away. A few minutes after a man came asking permis- sion for the women to come and see us, and make us a small present. To this we consented, provided they brought us no Ectooway, as we found those roots bring on the colic. They came accompanied by all the men and altogether formed a circle around us, the women placing themselves directly opposite us one-half of them being on the right and left of a man painted as if for war with black and red, and his head highly ornamented with feathers. The rest of the men extended from us to the women on either hand. The men brought their presents and placed them before me which consisted wholly of the bitter, the white and Ectooway roots, with a few arrow wood berries. The women had all painted themselves, and though there were a few tolerable faces among them, yet from the paint etc., not one could be pronounced bearable. The men are all of a mid size, well made, moderately muscular, well limbed and of a tolerable good mien. The women we thought were all of a rather small stature, clean made, and none of them seemed to labor under any bodily defect. Having smoked a few pipes, we said the visit is long enough. This was received as usual with a thankful oy,