Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/93



derly manner, together with a few followers, made renewed threats against the life of White, who was unable to arrest him, and at last offered a reward of one hundred dollars for the delivery into his hands of the culprit, to be tried by the Cayuses or Nez Percés according to the laws recog nized by them.

A few days afterwards Cockstock with his half dozen adherents entered Oregon City at midday, all horribly painted, riding from house to house, showing their arms, and terrifying the inmates. As his following was so small the men on whom devolved the protection of the families regarded the demonstration as drunken bluster, and with what patience they could, bore the infliction for several hours, when Cockstock, finding he could not provoke a quarrel with the white inhabitants in that manner, retired to an Indian village on the west side of the river with the purpose of inciting its occupants to attack and burn the settlement. Failing in this, he obtained an interpreter and returned to the east side, declaring that he would call the Americans to account for pursuing him with an intent to arrest and punish him.

By this time it became noised about that this was the Indian wanted by Dr. White; and the white men losing patience, and some desiring the reward offered, made a simultaneous rush towards the boat landing to intercept Cockstock "the wealthiest men in town," says Dr. White in his report, " promising to stand by them to the amount of one thousand dollars each."

In the confusion of the meeting at the landing, arms were discharged on both sides at the same moment, and George W. Le Breton, a young man who had served as clerk of the first legislative committee of Oregon, and recorder of the public meeting held Jul} T 5, 1843, estab lishing a provisional government, was wounded by Cock- stock in an effort to seize him. Seeing that Le Breton was unarmed, a mulatto, who had an account of his own to sot.lle with the chief, ran to his assistance, striking the