Page:Route Across the Rocky Mountains with a Description of Oregon and California.djvu/126

Rh the evening, Capt. Grant said to them, through his interpreter, that, as his countrymen and ours were friendly, and as we had been traveling together, we were then, all like one people, and that whatever act they committed against one, would be felt equally by the other, and treated accordingly. At dusk, we brought our animals close, and tied them up, between the line of our camps and the River. During the night, we kept up a vigilant guard, and fortunately were not disturbed.

On the 1st of June, we arrived opposite Fort Boise, where we remained four days, while Capt. Grant was re-arranging, and disposing of some of his packs. The Diggers followed us here from their village on the Brule. By this time, it was generally known by the Indians in the neighborhood, that there was a small party of Americans in their country; and their numbers increasing, about our camp, gave us reason to suppose, that they still cherished some hostile intention. We had little fear for our personal safety, but were somewhat uneasy on account of our animals. We were confident, that if they undertook to take them in the night, we must lose part, at least.

In the evening, Capt. Grant again addressed them, through his interpreter. In summing up their grievances, they accused one of the last Emigration, who had his horses stolen, of taking others in their stead, from an innocent Indian; and complained, that it was very bad, in that American, to make one man suffer for what another had done. “Very true,” replied the Captain; “I am glad to find you agreeing with me. That was a bad man, and you would be equally so, were you to make these men, who have never injured you, suffer, in any way, for the wrongs and losses you have received from others.” To this they would not reply, and he continued: “He who took your horses, I say, was a bad man, but the men who killed your people did well. Those who were killed were thieves, and they deserved to die. Do you act as they acted, and you shall be treated in the same manner. If you wish to steal any of these horses, it is good. Come this very night. You will find many of them loose on the prairie, far from our camps. Those only that are swift and strong, we will keep here. You need not come for them; we never sleep. But remember this: if you come, wherever you go, we will follow you. If, in the morning, one of our horses is missing, we will follow you. We will not only retake our own, but will drive away yours also. We will not be content with destroying your villages; but, in order to rid ourselves, and every one else, of such thieves and pests, we