Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/194



and going down to the Wallamet, possess themselves of their women and property. 17

Soon after camp was made a visit was received from Nicholas Finlay, who was present at the Waiilatpu tragedy, and who, according to Newell, "told lies and showed mu^h treachery." He brought with him two pretended brothers who were believed to be spies.

The troops passed an uncomfortable night, and were early in motion on the twenty-fifth, traveling all day sur rounded by Indians, and without water. It became evi dent that there was a division among the Cayuses, and that those who had held aloof the day previous were desirous of peace. In fact, they sent messengers to signify their desire, even some of the murderers asking for a coun cil; but the commissioners, as well as the troops, refused to talk until they came to water, which they did not find until they reached the Umatilla at sunset, by which time the troops were in a bad humor from the tortures of hun ger and thirst.

The Indians were encamped four miles above the army on the east side of the river, which they had boastfully said the Americans should never cross, but which was crossed on the twenty-sixth, when camp was made a mile nearer the Cayuses. During these movements the Indians swarmed along the hills, many showing their hostile sen timents in many ways, while others refrained from warlike demonstrations, but all exhibiting alarm at the presence of troops in their country. After the army had encamped, the chief, Sticcas, and many other Cayuses made overtures of peace, and were told by the commissioners to meet them at Waiilatpu. From these visitors it was learned that Five Crows adjured his people, should he die of his wound, to fight the Americans without end, as he would if he lived.

One reason of the hesitancy of the commissioners to en tertain any propositions coming from the Cayuses at this time was the failure to establish communication with Fort

" Letter of Charles McKay in Oregon Spectator, March 23, 1848.