their people, the agent and his party returned to Waiilatpu, being escorted several miles upon their way by the Nez Percés.
On reaching Whitman's station, White found only a few of the Cayuse chiefs assembled, and the people still shy. Hearing that the Nez Percés had so readily accepted laws, and chosen a high chief, they were much distressed. It seemed to them as if their relatives and allies had turned against them, while the presence of McKinlay, and especially of McKay, warned them that all the white people, English and Americans, were likely to combine for their punishment. McKay spoke first and was followed by Rogers. Their earnest reproaches had considerable effect upon their hearers, one of whom, Tauitau, formerly head chief of the tribe, made a long speech deploring the incorrigible wickedness of his people, and expatiating upon his own sincere but fruitless efforts to control them. White replied in terms of encouragement, taking care, however, to warn the savages that there was trouble in store for them unless they mended their ways. Finally, it was arranged that a meeting between the agent and the Cayuses should take place in April, when it would be expected that a satisfactory settlement of the existing troubles should be had.
Returning to the Dalles on the 25th of December, and finding the natives much excited between the warlike rumors they had heard and curiosity about the mission of White, several days were spent in instructing and inducing them to accept the laws instituted for the Nez Percés, to which they finally consented. Having thus smoothed the way, White recommended that Mr and Mrs Littlejohn should proceed to Lapwai to reënforce the Spaldings, which they did immediately after the winter holidays, while he returned to the Willamette Valley.[1]
- ↑ The only child and son of Littlejohn was drowned in the mill-race at Lapwai the following summer. Lee and Frost's Or., 212.
