When the canoe had disappeared and the gaze of
that startled and awed multitude came back to Mult
nomah, he made a gesture of dismissal. The lines drew
aside and the rebels were free.
While they were still bewildered and uncertain what to do, Multnomah instantly and with consummate address called the attention of the council to other things, thereby apparently assuming that the trouble was ended and giving the malcontents to understand that no further punishment was intended. Sullenly, reluctantly, they seemed to accept the situation, and no further indications of revolt were seen that day.
Popular young men, the bravest of their several tribes, were appointed by Multnomah to fill the va cant chieftainships; and that did much toward allay ing the discontent. Moreover, some troubles between different tribes of the confederacy, which had been referred to him for arbitration, were decided with rare sagacity. At length the council ended for the day, the star of the Willamettes still in the ascendant, the revolt seemingly subdued.
So the first great crisis passed.
That evening a little band of Willamette warriors led the rebel sachem, still bound and blindfolded, down to the river s bank, where a canoe lay waiting them. His wife followed and tried to enter it with him, as if determined to share his fortunes to the very last; but the guard thrust her rudely away, and started the canoe. As it moved away she caught the prow wildly, despairingly, as if she could not let her warrior go. One of the guards struck her hands
