Page 198

198                     REPORT OF THE 
when we discovered, in the distance, a perfect cloud of dust, which we 
perceived was produced by a large band of Indians coming towards us 
in a sweeping gallop. In a few minutes they were in camp, when 
we discovered them to be a band of Shoshonees, or Snakes proper, 
from the Green river country, numbering something over one hun- 
dred, who had come over to the mouth of Bear river to fish; and hear- 
ing that we were in the neighborhood, said they supposed we had 
come to give them presents, and I soon saw they were not disposed to 
leave disappointed. So I gave them all some shirts and tobacco and 
some bits of calico for their squaws. 
These are a good looking band of Indians, and left a favorable 
impression of their friendly disposition towards the whites. After 
passing this band, to my great disappointment, I saw no Indians 
till we reached the valley of the Humboldt, and I began to fear 
that we should have difficulty in accomplishing our objects with 
them. But it was not long after reaching that valley till we met. 
a large band, and as we had camped for the night we had a 
talk with them, told them the object of our visit, gave them some 
tobacco, and inquired where the balance of their nation were; 
they said that a great many of them had gone south to hunt, but 
that Nim-ah-tu-cah and the most of his band were about one hun- 
dred and fifty miles west, fishing. They staid till near dark, and 
left in small parties for their camp; but the next morning, a. little 
after sunrise, they all returned with their squaws and children, and 
after seating themselves in a circle, said they had come to get all 
I had. But I told them it would not be good for me to give them 
all fiy presents when their principal men were off hunting; but 
that they must point out to me twelve young braves who would go 
to the bands and let them   know that I had come to see them. 
They soon complied with my request, and after fitting them out with 
some provisions and tobacco, they put off in different directions. I 
then moved on about fifty miles further, which brought me to the 
neighborhood of Peter Hanes, an old gentleman, who settled in this 
valley near two years ago, and I must say that I think he has made a 
wholesome impression upon the Indians in his neighborhood." I 
stopped here to recruit my animals, and to give the Indians time to 
collect. We saw no Indians for near a week, when they began to 
drop in in small parties, and in less than three days we had a com- 
pany of about 400 in all. They all complained of being hungry, 
many having travelled the distance of one hundred miles without eat- 
ing, and I soon saw that I should be obliged to feed them. I gave 
them to understand that all difficulties between us had now to be set- 
tled, and requested the chiefs to assemble their people for the purpose 
of having a talk. We talked freely and at great length, many of the 
chiefs displaying more shrewdness and sagacity in council than I had 
expected. We endeavored tu adjust all matters of dispute, both old 
and new, and I flatter myself that our efforts were not without suc- 
cess. For though we did not see the whole population of that vast 
region of country, yet we had a respectable delegation from each tribe 
and petty tribe, consisting of principal men and warriors, represent- 
ing between 1,200 and 1,500 people or more; and from their great