The Shoshonee Was Offended
At Not Having As Much Venison As He Wished, And Refused To Interpret;
But As We
Took no notice of him, he became very officious in the course
of a few hours, and made many efforts
To reinstate himself in our favor.
The brother of Twisted-hair, and Neeshnepahkeeook, now drew a sketch,
which we preserved, of all the waters west of the Rocky Mountains."
They now met Twisted-hair, in whose care they had left their
horses and saddles the previous fall, and this was the result
of their inquiries: -
"Between three and four o'clock in the afternoon we set out,
in company with Neeshuepahkeeook and other Indians, the brother
of Twisted-hair having left us. Our route was up a high steep
hill to a level plain with little wood, through which we
passed in a direction parallel to the [Kooskooskee] River
for four miles, when we met Twisted-hair and six of his people.
To this chief we had confided our horses and a part of our
saddles last autumn, and we therefore formed very unfavorable
conjectures on finding that he received us with great coldness.
Shortly afterward he began to speak in a very loud, angry manner,
and was answered by Neeshnepahkeeook. We now discovered
that a violent quarrel had arisen between these chiefs,
on the subject, as we afterward understood, of our horses.
But as we could not learn the cause, and were desirous
of terminating the dispute, we interposed, and told them
we should go on to the first water and camp. We therefore
set out, followed by all the Indians, and having reached,
at two miles' distance, a small stream running to the right,
we camped with the two chiefs and their little bands,
forming separate camps at a distance from each other.
They all appeared to be in an ill humor; and as we had already heard
reports that the Indians had discovered and carried off our saddles,
and that the horses were very much scattered, we began to be uneasy,
lest there should be too much foundation for the report.
We were therefore anxious to reconcile the two chiefs as soon
as possible, and desired the Shoshonee to interpret for us while we
attempted a mediation, but be peremptorily refused to speak a word.
He observed that it was a quarrel between the two chiefs,
and he had therefore no right to interfere; nor could all
our representations, that by merely repeating what we said he could
not possibly be considered as meddling between the chiefs,
induce him to take any part in it.
"Soon afterward Drewyer returned from hunting, and was sent to invite
Twisted-hair to come and smoke with us. He accepted the invitation,
and as we were smoking the pipe over our fire he informed us that according
to his promise on leaving us at the falls of the Columbia, he had
collected our horses and taken charge of them as soon as he reached home.
But about this time Neeshnepahkeeook and Turmachemootoolt (Broken-arm), who,
as we passed, were on a war-party against the Shoshonees on the south
branch of Lewis' River, returned; and becoming jealous of him,
because the horses had been confided to his care, were constantly
quarrelling with him.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 156 of 201
Words from 85114 to 85664
of 110166
