Page:Route Across the Rocky Mountains with a Description of Oregon and California.djvu/119

 probably parted with their arms, have, some of them, been plundered; some of them stripped of a good part of their clothing, some have been whipped, and others, have been otherwise insulted, and abused. We heard of an instance, where two men, who were descending the Columbia River in a canoe, landed, for some purpose, at an Indian village; and while on shore, an Indian came up to one of the men, with a dead snake in his hands, which he was pleased to draw several times across the white man's face. There are those who would not have borne such an insult tamely, but it would have been dangerous to have resented. They have frequently amused themselves, by brandishing their arms in people's faces, or presenting them with their drawn bows. They have never yet taken the life of an emigrant; but, unless they are soon checked, their insolence will grow to something of a more serious nature.

Having arrived at Fort Walawala, we learned that an Indian priest, Father Soderena, then at the Calespel Mission, was exceedingly anxious to return to the United States; and as we were weak, and glad to receive any addition to our numbers, we consented to wait until a messenger, who was instantly dispatched from the Fort, could inform him of our presence, and that we were on our return to the United States. There being but little grass near the Fort, and several of the party wishing to trade horses with the Indians, we moved a few miles beyond Dr. Whitman's Mission, (twenty-five miles from the Fort,) and encamped. Intending to turn our stay to the best advantage, by resting and recruiting our animals, we were careful to select an encampment, where there was excellent pasturage, and good water, in immediate connection.

While we were encamped in the neighborhood of the Mission, a party of twenty or thirty Chiefs and braves, a deputation from the Walawala, Nex PierceNez Perce [sic], and Kious Indians, came, and met in council with Dr. Whitman, Mr. Spaulding, and other gentlemen connected with the Mission. They told the Missionaries that the hearts of some of their people were bad; and the object of the council proved to be a trial, to ascertain whether Dr. Whitman was not worthy of death. The charges brought against the Doctor were these: Yellow Serpent, a Chief of the Walawalas, together with his son, and a number of his people, went into California in the Autumn previous, to the time of this council, taking with them a band of horses, which they intended to trade for cattle during the Winter, and return in the Spring. While they were in California, a difficulty arose