Page:The Columbia river , or, Scenes and adventures during a residence of six years on the western side of the Rocky Mountains among various tribes of Indians hitherto unknown (Volume 1).djvu/71

 settling on the island, and availing himself of their services in teaching the natives to navigate these vessels. The taboos of Tamaahmaah were often influenced by his dreams; one of which gave rise, while we remained here, to an extraordinary proclamation, which ordered, that during the space of one day "no native should leave the island; and that no dogs should bark, hogs grunt, or cocks crow!" This whimsical prohibition was strictly complied with by the islanders; but I need scarcely state, that the three last-mentioned classes of his majesty's subjects did not yield it the same ready obedience. This was called a dreaming taboo, to distinguish it from the established ones, which occur at stated periods, and are regulated by the high priest.

At this time Tamaahmaah had only three children living, two sons and one daughter. They were rather homely in their appearance, and afforded a bad specimen of royal beauty. The eldest son was about twenty years of age, and was called the Eooranee. He, possessed considerable authority, and was more feared than his father, though not so much beloved. The following anecdote will show the dread in which he was held by the natives. Some of the men en