Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/71

Rh been quite true that he, with half-caste cunning and suspicion, lit the smoldering fires in the haughty hearts of the Cayuse chiefs and their allies, which threatened to break out into a raging conflagration. But Hines, in his Oregon, remarks upon other causes for discontent and suspicion: "The fulfillment of the laws," he says, "which the agent recommended for their adoption was required by Ellis with the utmost vigor. Individuals were severely punished for crimes which, from time immemorial, had been committed by the people with impunity. They saw in the laws a deep laid scheme of the whites to destroy them, and take possession of their country." This suspicion received confirmation when they recollected that Dr. White himself brought a large party into the country with him; and by the threat of Dr. Whitman that he would bring many people to punish them for their misdeeds, a calamity they were looking forward to, at the end of summer. So firm was their conviction, that many of the Cayuses refused to cultivate their plantations in the spring of 1843, and were full of suppressed excitement.

So much had their belief in the treachery of the white people grown upon them during the winter that they pre vailed upon the Walla Walla chief, Peu-peu-mox-mox (Yellow Serpent), to visit Fort Vancouver, and ask advice from the head of the Hudson's Bay Company. The reply of Dr. McLoughlin was that he did not believe the Americans intended to go to war, and that if they should do so incredible a thing, the company would not support them in it; and the chief returned comforted, after which the Cayuses began again to hoe their little gardens.

It appears that Dr. White did not keep his appointment with the Nez Percés, probably for want of means; but about the time he should have done so, such news was received from the upper country relative to the designs of the Indians in that region that he was forced to make an effort to go among them. According to Mr. Hines, the Wall am et settlements were "thrown into a panic," the Cay-