Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/41

Rh On all occasions the bystanders listen with profound attention, and at the end of every sentence respond one word in unison, apparently equivalent to an 'amen.' While these prayers or exhortations are going on, every employment in the camp is suspended. If an Indian is riding by the place, he dismounts, holds his horse, and attends with reverence until all is done. When the chief has finished his prayer or exhortation, he says 'I have done' upon which there is a general exclamation in unison." He says further: "Besides Sunday, they observe all the cardinal holidays of the Roman Catholic church," but that with them they mixed some of their pagan ceremonials, such as dancing and singing.

Townsend, in his Narrative, expresses much interest in these Indians on account of their desire for instruction in religious matters, and evidently is at a loss to discover the motive—for to ascribe a spiritual motive to the savage would be childish. The greater intelligence of a few tribes of Indians is difficult to account for, especially when in contact with degenerate tribes like the Walla Wallas and the Indians of the Columbia. But their motive in adopting any innovation is the same as the white man s. It is because it is to his material advantage. When it ceases to be that, there is danger of a too sudden and serious revolt.

It was impossible that the missionaries should understand at once how to deal with a people so different from any of whom they had any experience. For the first year all was smooth sailing. The Indians at Whitman's and Spalding's stations were pleased with the idea of becoming wise like their teachers. But it was not long before they found they had not understood each other. The missionaries had to work, and wanted the Indians to do so; but the masculine side of savagery scorns work, leaving it to his female relatives. The gentlemen of the Hudson's Bay Company did not labor. Naturally their savage serfs entertained contempt for white men who condescended to