Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-02-18

edge of the wood for several miles along
the river, was dotted with the white covers
Of the (Oregon) emigrant wagons, collect
ed in groups at different camps, where the
smokes were rising. lazily from the fires,
around which the women were occupied
in preparing the evening meal, and the
playing in the grass; and herds.
of cattle, grazing about in the bottom, had
an air of quiet security and civilized com
fort, that made rare sight for the travel
Ter IN such remote wilderness.
In common with all the emigration, they
had been reposing for several days in this
delightful valley, in order to recruit their
animals on its lnyurant pasturage after
their long journey, and prepare them for
the hard travel along the comparatively
sterile banks of the Upper Columbia.
The road, the next morning, presented
an animated appearance. We found that
we had encamped near a large party OF
emlgranls; and few miles below another
party was already in motion.
In about an hours travel we met several
Shoshonee Indians, who informed us that
they belonged to large village which had
just come into the valley from the monn-
tain to the westward, where they had been
hunting antelope and gathering service
berries. Glad at The opportunity of see-
ing one of their villages, and in the hope
of purchasing from them few horses, |
turned Immediately off into the plain to-
wards their encampment, which was stu
aled on a small stream near the river.
We had approached within something
more than a mile of The village, when sud-
denly single borseman emerged from it
at full speed, followed by another and an
other, ia rapid succession; and then party
after party poured into the plain, until,
when the foremost rider reached Us, all
the whole intervening plain was occupied
by mss Of horsemen, which came charg-
ing down upon US with guns and naked
swords, lances, and bows and arrows
Indians entirely naked, and warriors fully
dressed for war, with the long red stream.
ers of their war bonnets reaching nearly
to the ground--a mingled together in the
bravery OF savage warfare, They hac
been thrown into sudden iumult by the
appearance of our flag, which, among
these people, is regarded as an emblem o
hostility; il being usually borne by the
Sioux, and the neighboring mountain In
dians, when they come here to war; ant
we had accordingly been mistaken for 9
body of their enemies. A few words frou
the chief quoted the excitement; and Inc
whole band, increasing every moment il
number, escorted US to their encampment
where the chief pointed out place for us
to encamp, near his own lodge, and made
known our purpose in visiting the village
In very short time we purchased eigh
horses, for which we gave in exchange
blankets, red and blue cloth, beads, knives
and tobacco, and The usual ether articles
of Indian traffic. We obtained from then
also considerable quantity of berries o
different kinds, among which service Der
ries were the most abundant; and severa
kinds of roots aud seeds, which we coull
cal with pleasure, as any kind of vegeta
BILE food was gratifying to as. ate here
for the first time, the kooyah, or to6acc,
root, the principal edible root among the
Indians who inhabiI the upper waters o
the streams on the western side OF The
mountains. Il has very strong and re
markably peculiar taste and odor, which
can compare to no other vegetable that
am acquainted with, and which to somt
persons is extremely offensive. II wa
characterized by Mr., Preuss as tho mos
horrid food he had ever put in his mouth
and when, in the evening, one OF the chief
sent his wife to me with a portion who
she had prepared as a delicacy to regal
us, the odor Immediately drove him on
OF the lodge; and frequently afterwards h
used to beg that when those who liked
had taken what they desired, 1t might b
sent away. To others, however, the tast
is rather an agreeable one; and | was al
forwards glad when 1t formed an additio
to our scanty meals 1t is full Of nulri
ment; and in its unprepared state is sal
BY the Indians to have very strong poison
Gus qnalitIes, OF winch u i deprived oS
very peculiar process, being baked n III
ground for about two days
The morning Of the oath was disagree
ably cool, with an easlerly wind and yer
smoky weather. We made late star
and regaining the road, ION which all da
were scattered the emigrant wagons "
continued on down the VALLEY of The r
yer, bordered by high and mountainou
hills, on which fires are seen at the sun
nit. The soil appears generally good, a
though, with the grasses, many OF tn
, plants are dried mp, probably on accour
Of The great heat and want Of rain. III
common blue flax of cultivation, now a
mos, entirely in secd--only a scat,ere
flower here and there remaining-ls Il
q A. IA,