Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/65

Rh derstand the action of McKinlay and McKay in supporting this measure, as the policy of the Hudson s Bay Company had been to destroy the chieftainships, thus to lessen the danger from combined action among the Indians. They may have seen that the rivalry that would be called into play would be an effectual check on combination, or they may have feared to injure White s influence by objecting.

After an impressive silence, Five Crows of the Umatilla branch of the Cayuses, a wealthy chief about forty-five years of age, and dressed in English fashion, arose apologizing for doing so on account of his youth when compared with other chiefs present, saying he had hopes of better days before him, seeing the white men united in the matter; his people had much wanted something, they hardly knew what, and had been groping in darkness; but here was something: Should they accept it?

After Five Crows, the oldest of the Nez Percés, the Bloody Chief, who had been high chief of his tribe when Lewis and Clarke explored the country, arose and referred to the friendship between him and the first white men who had visited this region. "I showed them," said he, "my many wounds received in battle with the Snakes; they told me it was not good; it was better to be at peace; gave me a flag of truce; I held it up high; we met and talked, but never fought again. Clarke pointed to this day, to you, and this occasion. We have long waited in expectation. We sent three of our sons to Red-river school to prepare for it. Two of them sleep with their fathers; the other is here, and can be ears, mouth, arid pen for us. I can say no more. I am quickly tired; my voice and limbs tremble. I am glad I live to see you this day, but I shall soon be still and quiet in death."

Following this speech, which was affecting from its simplicity and pathos, several of the younger chiefs spoke,