Fort Walla Walla, where those wounded on the march to
Waiilatpu had been left to recover. Here again Peu-peu-
mox-mox was seen, professing friendship and giving the
commission much information concerning the events of
the previous November. Here also they found some sick
of measles, that disease not yet having abated. The party
were offered an escort by Me Bean, which was accepted as
far as The Dalles, the route taken being on the north side
of the Columbia. "Our difficulties with the Indians,"
says Newell, " places this fort in a very bad position with
the Indians, as they desire to remain neutral, which is not
so easy to do."
Palmer arrived at The Dalles March seventeenth, and on the following day held a talk with the Indians who with Beardy had been sent there to assist his return, and who agreed to remain friendly, to bring in the property stolen, and steal no more. On the twenty-fourth the com missioners arrived at Oregon City. General Palmer re sumed the duties of the commissary s office, and Major Lee made his report to the governor.
Freed from the peace commission Colonel Gilliam, as has been said, took up the march for the camp of the Cayuses on the eleventh of March. On the first day three Indians presented themselves bearing the flag of peace, and having with them some of the horses stolen on the march from The Dalles. They reported that Sticcas had taken Joe Lewis, according to the proposition of the com mander of the army, but that his prisoner had been rescued, and the property retaken which Sticcas was bringing to deliver up. On this information Gilliam quickened his march, believing that Sticcas was endeavor ing to deceive him; and while encamped near the head of the Touchet on the Nez Percé trail, received a message from Tauitowe professing friendship, and his intention to forsake the company of the hostile Cayuses. He added that his camp was on the Tucannon above Gilliam s; that
