ON THE WAY TO THE COUNCIL. 103
CHAPTER II.
ON THE WAY TO THE COUNCIL.
They arrived at the village of Wishram.
IRVING : Astoria.
I ^HE camp was all astir at dawn, for sunset must
- see them far on the way. They must first cross
the prairies to the northward till they struck the Columbia, then take the great trail leading down it to the Willamette valley. It was a two days journey at the least.
Squaws were preparing a hurried meal; lodge-poles were being taken down and the mats that covered them rolled up and strapped on the backs of horses; Indians, yelling and vociferating, were driving up bands of horses from which pack and riding ponies were to be selected; unbroken animals were rearing and plunging beneath their first burdens, while mon grel curs ran barking at their heels. Here and there unskilful hands were throwing the lasso amid the jeers and laughter of the spectators. All was tumult and excitement.
At length they were under way. First rode the squaws, driving before them pack-horses and ponies, for the herds and entire movable property of the tribe accompanied it in all its marches. The squaws rode astride, like men, in the rude wooden saddles that one yet sees used by the wilder India
