Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/82



wore required to transport the escort of men, women, and children which attended the agent on his return. Says Hines, in speaking of the journey, "I was greatly sur prised, in traveling through the Indian country, to find that the outward forms of Christianity are observed in almost every lodge. The Indians, generally, are nomi nally Christians, and about equally divided betwixt the Protestant and Catholic religions."

As the Nez Percés approached, the Cayuses formed in ranks to receive them, the warriors of each nation in front. When within a convenient distance, there was a simultaneous rush forward "like two clouds meeting on a height," followed by maneuvers similar to those witnessed at Lapwai, the Indians working themselves into such a state of excitement that the white spectators began to fear a real engagement might result; and to give them time to recover themselves, Mr. Spalding, who had accompanied the Nez Percés, announced a prayer meeting at Dr. Whit man s house. To this Dr. White repaired, followed by the principal men, and quiet was restored.

Mr. Hines relates that Tauitowe came forward in a very boisterous manner, inquiring "what all the disturbance was for?" and implies that it was because he was a Cath olic that he was incensed at the display made to receive a Protestant chief. It was far more reasonable to believe that Tauitowe s irritation was in consequence of a suspicion justly founded indeed that Dr. White had brought all these people to force the laws upon the Cayuses, by argu ment if not vi et arm/is.

No council was called until the twenty-third, when the chiefs met Dr. White and his party to hear what might be said to them. It should be remembered that the only written reports we have of the proceedings are those of the United States agent, made to the government in terms general, and n altering to his own success; and the story as told by Mr. Hines, who expresses himself guardedly, but who entertained at the time a feeling of scarcely concealed