"Being at all times ready for any attempt of that sort, we were not under
greater apprehensions than usual at this intelligence. We therefore only
re-examined our arms, and increased the ammunition to one hundred rounds.
Our chiefs, who had not the same motives of confidence, were by no means
so much at their ease, and when at night they saw the Indians leave us
earlier than usual, their suspicions of an intended attack were confirmed,
and they were very much alarmed.
"The Indians approached us with apparent caution, and behaved with
more than usual reserve. Our two chiefs, by whom these circumstances
were not observed, now told us that they wished to return home;
that they could be no longer of any service to us; that they
could not understand the language of the people below the falls;
that those people formed a different nation from their own;
that the two people had been at war with each other;
and that as the Indians had expressed a resolution to attack us,
they would certainly kill them. We endeavored to quiet their fears,
and requested them to stay two nights longer, in which time we would
see the Indians below, and make a peace between the two nations.
They replied that they were anxious to return and see their horses.
We however insisted on their remaining with us, not only in hopes
of bringing about an accommodation between them and their enemies,
but because they might be able to detect any hostile designs
against us, and also assist us in passing the next falls,
which are not far off, and represented as very difficult.
They at length agreed to stay with us two nights longer."
The explorers now arrived at the next fall of the Columbia.
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