"That is what the Delaware said," chorused the Indians.
"Yes, yes, yes; so they do always," added Jo Lewis. " Dr. Whitman writes to the Americans that this is a vast country, with healthy climate, rich soil, and bands of horses. Now, see how they come and bring the poison. Did not Jason Lee kill off the Willamettes? Who gave the smallpox to the Blackfeet?"
Tamahas snatched his battle-axe. "If this be true " said Tiloukaikt.
"Of course it is true. The priest said so," said Jo Lewis, as ready to lie about the priest as about Dr. Whitman.
"My wife is sick," said Tamsucky. "Let him give her medicine, and if she dies "the death-wail in a neighboring lodge ended the conclave.
Over at Lapwai Mr. Spalding's little daughter was ten years old.
"Eliza talks Nez Perce" like an Indian," said Mrs. Spalding. "Let us send her to Waiilatpu, where there are more people."
Eliza, mounted before her father, rode over the trails that terraced the hillsides. Behind them followed a dozen packhorses laden with grain to be ground at the doctor's new grist-mill. Half-way between Fort Walla Walla and the mission lay the camp of Pio-pio-moxmox. Mr. Spalding stopped to rest with the friendly chief. As he sat on the buffalo-rug a Cayuse lifted the door-curtain. "Is Dr. Whitman killed? "he asked.
That night the niece of Pio-pio-mox-mox died. They buried her at Fort Walla Walla in the morning.
"My heart shall ever be with the Americans," said Pio-pio-mox-mox, grasping Spalding's hand as he set out after the funeral.
