war, and they should not permit him to cross the Spokane river.
It was evident that he should have to fight whether he proceeded or retreated, and after a consultation with his officers, turned aside to avoid the pass, and encamped in about a mile on the border of a small lake. He had not, however, dared to dismount his command, the Indians haying traveled along with him, not more than one hundred yards away, employing, according to their custom, the most insulting language and gestures to provoke their enemy to battle. However, no shots were exchanged, both sides waiting for the overt act, and Steptoe being unprepared for fighting, the dragoons having only their small arms.
Late in the afternoon several chiefs presented themselves, mounted, at Steptoe's camp, inquiring his business in their country, and why he had brought a howitzer with him. On being told that he was on his way to Colville to ascertain the origin of the troubles between the Indians and the miners and residents, they professed to believe him, departing apparently satisfied. But among themselves, and to their priest, Father Joset, they declared their unbelief; giving as a reason that Steptoe had not taken the direct road to Colville, and had gone out of his way to pass through their country; a fact of which that officer was ignorant, having trusted everything to his guide, who, with that curious indifference to consequences affecting others, which is a part of the Indian character, had deliberately brought him into a hostile region.
Finding that, although professedly satisfied with regard to his intentions, the Spokanes would not consent to ferry him over their river when he should arrive at it, and that if it came to fighting, great odds would be against him, which his men were not armed to meet, Steptoe determined upon retreat.
Accordingly, early on the morning of the seventeenth the return march was begun. But the Spokanes were un-
