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discomfort to their victimmight be considered such。
To uproot these senseless and monstrous practices was indeed most
difficult。 The most pernicious of all was one which was likely to
bring about tragic results。 They believed firmly in a class of
doctors among their people who professed that they could procure the
illness of an individual at will； and that by certain incantations
they could kill or cure the sick person。 Their faith in this
superstition was so steadfast that there was no doubting its
sincerity； many indulging at times in the most trying privations；
that their relatives might be saved from death at the hands of the
doctors。 I often talked with them on the subject； and tried to
reason them out of the superstitious belief； defying the doctors to
kill me； or even make me ill； but my talks were unavailing； and they
always met my arguments with the remark that I was a white man； of a
race wholly different from the red man； and that that was the reason
the medicine of the doctors would not affect me。 These villainous
doctors might be either men or women； and any one of them finding an
Indian ill； at once averred that his influence was the cause；
offering at the same time to cure the invalid for a fee； which
generally amounted to about all the ponies his family possessed。 If
the proposition was accepted and the fee paid over； the family； in
case the man died； was to have indemnity through the death of the
doctor； who freely promised that they might take his life in such
event； relying on his chances of getting protection from the furious
relatives by fleeing to the military post till time had so assuaged
their grief that matters could be compromised or settled by a
restoration of a part of the property； when the rascally leeches
could again resume their practice。 Of course the services of a
doctor were always accepted when an Indian fell ill； otherwise the
invalid's death would surely ensue； brought about by the evil
influence that was unpropitiated。 Latterly it had become quite the
thing； when a patient died； for the doctor to flee to our campit
was so convenient and so much safer than elsewhereand my cellar was
a favorite place of refuge from the infuriated friends of the
deceased。
Among the most notable of these doctors was an Indian named Sam
Patch； who several times sought asylum in any cellar； and being a
most profound diplomat； managed on each occasion and with little
delay to negotiate a peaceful settlement and go forth in safety to
resume the practice of his nefarious profession。 I often hoped he
would be caught before reaching the post； but he seemed to know
intuitively when the time had come to take leg…bail； for his advent
at the garrison generally preceded by but a few hours the death of
some poor dupe。
Finally these peculiar customs brought about the punishment of a
noted doctress of the Rogue River tribe； a woman who was constantly
working in this professional way； and who had found a victim of such
prominence among the Rogue Rivers that his unlooked for death brought
down on her the wrath of all。 She had made him so ill； they
believed； as to bring him to death's door notwithstanding the many
ponies that had been given her to cease the incantations； and it was
the conviction of all that she had finally caused the man's death
from some ulterior and indiscernible motive。 His relatives and
friends then immediately set about requiting her with the just
penalties of a perfidious breach of contract。 Their threats induced
her instant flight toward my house for the usual protection； but the
enraged friends of the dead man gave hot chase； and overtook the
witch just inside the limits of the garrison； where； on the parade…
ground； in sight of the officers' quarters； and before any one could
interfere； they killed her。 There were sixteen men in pursuit of the
doctress； and sixteen gun…shot wounds were found in her body when
examined by the surgeon of the post。 The killing of the woman was a
flagrant and defiant outrage committed in the teeth of the military
authority； yet done so quickly that we could not prevent it。 This
necessitated severe measures； both to allay the prevailing excitement
and to preclude the recurrence of such acts。 The body was cared for；
and delivered to the relatives the next day for burial； after which
Captain Russell directed me to take such steps as would put a stop to
the fanatical usages that had brought about this murderous
occurrence； for it was now seen that if timely measures were not
taken to repress them； similar tragedies would surely follow。
Knowing all the men of the Rogue River tribe； and speaking fluently
the Chinook tongue； which they all understood； I went down to their
village the following day； after having sent word to the tribe that I
wished to have a council with them。 The Indians all met me in
council； as I had desired； and I then told them that the men who had
taken part in shooting the woman would have to be delivered up for
punishment。 They were very stiff with me at the interview； and with
all that talent for circumlocution and diplomacy with which the
Indian is lifted； endeavored to evade my demands and delay any
conclusion。 But I was very positive； would hear of no compromise
whatever； and demanded that my terms be at once complied with。 No
one was with me but a sergeant of my company； named Miller； who held
my horse； and as the chances of an agreement began to grow remote； I
became anxious for our safety。 The conversation waxing hot and the
Indians gathering close in around me； I unbuttoned the flap of my
pistol holster； to be ready for any emergency。 When the altercation
became most bitter I put my hand to my hip to draw my pistol； but
discovered it was gonestolen by one of the rascals surrounding me。
Finding myself unarmed； I modified my tone and manner to correspond
with my helpless condition； thus myself assuming the diplomatic side
in the parley； in order to gain time。 As soon as an opportunity
offered； and I could； without too much loss of self…respect； and
without damaging my reputation among the Indians； I moved out to
where the sergeant held my horse； mounted； and crossing the Yamhill
River close by； called back in Chinook from the farther bank that
〃the sixteen men who killed the woman must be delivered up； and my
six…shooter also。〃 This was responded to by contemptuous laughter； so
I went back to the military post somewhat crestfallen； and made my
report of the turn affairs had taken； inwardly longing for another
chance to bring the rascally Rogue Rivers to terms。
When I had explained the situation to Captain Russell； he thought
that we could not； under any circumstances； overlook this defiant
conduct of the Indians； since； unless summarily punished； it would
lead to even more serious trouble in the future。 I heartily seconded
this proposition； and gladly embracing the opportunity it offered；
suggeste