edar plank. It was a very fine sight; our
hearts were good; we were comforted."

As no one uttered an opposing sentiment, Nittinat, after a pause,
continued:

"For many moons we feared the Bostons down on the Columbia would come to
make war on us; and we went no more to trade with any ships. But after a
time Kasiascall's heart grew big within him. He asked my advice. I said
'you are my brother. Go kill all the whites on the Columbia.' Then we
danced the medicine dance; and Kasiascall went alone to the country of
the Chinooks, to the fort of the Boston men. He told the chief of the
Bostons how the _Tonquin_ was destroyed, with all on board; but he kept
a dark place in his heart, and his tongue was crooked. He said
Kasiascall knew not of the treachery of his relations, and people, and
he said nothing of the six white slaves. Then the Boston chief gave him
presents, and he staid many days at the fort, until he heard that some
Indians from Sooke were coming there. Fearing the Sooke Indians might
have straight tongues, Kasiascall left the fort that day, and went among
the Klatskenines, and stirred them up to take the fort and kill all the
Bostons. But the chief discovered the plot, and my cousin fled back to
Neweeta. Ugh?"

"These events occurred a long time ago," I suggested. "Your hearts were
dark then, but surely you have a better heart now. You would not kill
the whites to-day if you could?"

A very expressive "Ugh!" was the only rejoinder.

"But the Indians I see about here look very comfortable and happy. They
have good warm blankets, and enough to eat."

"Indian hunt furs to pay for blanket; Indian catch fish for eat. Bime-by
furs grow scarce; white man catch fish, too. Bime-by Hudson Bay men go
way; Indian go naked. Then come black-gowns (priests, or preachers). He
say, 'Indian pray for what he want.' But that all d----d lie; pray one
moon--two, three moons, nothing comes. White man say to Indian, 'work.'
What can Indian do? Indian big fool--know nothing."

"He is making out a case," said Charlie; "but he don't look as if _he_
need concern himself about the future."

"Ask him if he ever saw any white ladies, in that long ago time he has
been telling us of," whispered Fanny, who could not muster courage to
address the manikin directly. I considered how best to put the desired
question, but Nittinat was beforehand with me.

"I have seen many things with my eyes. First came the big ships, with
wings; and only