Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/78

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of them, they would fight so long as they had a drop of blood to shed."

The agent s party felt much uneasiness in view of the rumors that were afloat, on learning that seven hundred Nez Percés, fully armed, were preparing to come to the rendezvous of Waiilatpu; and it was feared that unless the Cayuses should first have submitted to the regulations offered, a quarrel might arise, which would terminate in hostilities. To prevent such a catastrophe, an effort was made to gain the consent of the Cayuses to hold a council at once. But no arguments or persuasions availed any thing they would hold no council without the presence of their allies. So suspicious were they that they would not at first accede to White's proposal to go himself to Lapwai and hasten the arrival of the Nez Percés; and they were right in thinking he had some other motive, for he was anxious to learn the -temper of the Nez Percés before allowing the two nations to meet.

There were also jealousies to be overcome, some fearing Ellis, with his large following, might be used to subjugate them. At the same time that a part of them insisted on Ellis presence at a council, another faction opposed a council on any terms whatever. Thus several days were spent in studying the situation from all points of view.

During the period of parleying, the Cayuses invited Dr. White and his party to make an excursion among their plantations, and see what they had done, to which propo sition the agent willingly acceded.

Hines has described, with some humor, Feather Cap, the leader. He says he possessed a countenance extraordi narily savage, but a dignified mein, and a voice of com mand. He was dressed in skin breeches, a striped shirt, which he wore over his breeches, and a scarlet coat trimmed to imitate the uniform of a British general. On his head was first a cotton handkerchief," thrown over loosely; this was surmounted by an otter-skin cap, on top of which was fastened the long hair of a white horse-tail,