Chapter 34 - Page 2

susceptibility of moral

and religious improvement among this tribe, and they would seem

to be one of the very, very few that have benefited in morals and

manners by an intercourse with white men. The parties which

visited them about twenty years previously, in the expedition

fitted out by Mr. Astor, complained of their selfishness, their

extortion, and their thievish propensities. The very reverse of

those qualities prevailed among them during the prolonged

sojourns of Captain Bonneville.

The Lower Nez Perces range upon the Way-lee-way, Immahah,

Yenghies, and other of the streams west of the mountains. They

hunt the beaver, elk, deer, white bear, and mountain sheep.

Besides the flesh of these animals, they use a number of roots

for food; some of which would be well worth transplanting and

cultivating in the Atlantic States. Among these is the camash, a

sweet root, about the form and size of an onion, and said to be

really delicious. The cowish, also, or biscuit root, about the

size of a walnut, which they reduce to a very palatable flour;

together with the jackap, aisish, quako, and others; which they

cook by steaming them in the ground.

In August and September, these Indians keep along the rivers,

where they catch and dry great quantities of salmon; which, while

they last, are their principal food. In the winter, they

congregate in villages formed of comfortable huts, or lodges,

covered with mats. They are generally clad in deer skins, or

woollens, and extremely well armed. Above all, they are

celebrated for owning great numbers of horses; which they mark,

and then suffer to range in droves in their most fertile plains.

These horses are principally of the pony breed; but remarkably

stout and long-winded. They are brought in great numbers to the

establishments of the Hudson's Bay Company, and sold for a mere

trifle.

Such is the account given by Captain Bonneville of the Nez

Perces; who, if not viewed by him with too partial an eye, are

certainly among the gentlest, and least barbarous people of these

remote wildernesses. They invariably signified to him their

earnest wish that an American post might be established among

them; and repeatedly declared that they would trade with

Americans, in preference to any other people.

Captain Bonneville had intended to remain some time in this

neighborhood, to form an acquaintance with the natives, and to

collect information, and establish connections that might be

advantageous in the way of trade. The delays, however, which he

had experienced on his