, 1853-08-13


opinion Of the officers il would have requir-
ed artillery TO make breach in them. The
interior of the enclosure is div.d d into lodg-
es, and has all the aspect Of fortress.
Upon the whole, the tribe inhahllng
Penn's Cove are more advanced than any
others in civilization.
The only spring found here was one OF
mineral character, forming deposition on
every thing around.
On the main there was much good land.
Near the harbor of Port Gardner a fine
stream cmpti,s s itself into Possession Sound,
by four mouths. The water was not found
TO be sufficiently deep in any of these 10 ad-
nit boats at low water, in consequence ol
bar or flat extending across the mouths.
Here they were surrounded by many ca
noes, containing Indians from the various
tribes 10 the southwark, whom they had be-
fore seen. The dress of the Scadget does
not vary much from that of the other tribes,
and generally consists of a single blanket,
fastened with a wooden pin around the neck
and shoulders. Those who are not able to
purchase blankets wear leathcrn hunting
shirts, fringed in part with beads or shells,
and very few aIe seen with leggins. The
women ornament themselves with small
brass bells, or other trinkcts. The cartilage
of the nose is also perforated, and pieces OF
polished bone or wood passed through it.
Although the dress of these natives would
seem 10 offer some concealment 10 the body,
few are seen that wear it with any kind ol
decency. Their persons are usually very
filthy, and they may b. said 10 be at all
( times covered with coat Of dirt. They
are fond of wearing brass riggs on their
wrists and fingers, and few are seen to be
tattooed, who have some lines upon the arms
and face They disGgure their bodies by
the manner in which they daub themselves
with red ochre, mixed with salmon-oil,
which, besides b,ing disgusting in appear
ance, is extremely so in smell.
Dr.. Holmes, of the POTpoise, had an op-
porIunity Of examining some Of their mala-
dies. Pulmonary complaints are very COM
mon, and occasion great suffering. The
diseases most often met with are bronchitis,
and tubercular consumption. Rheumatic
affections arc also of frequent occurrence.
Their treatment dos not offer materially
| from that of the tribes in the interior, al
ready described in speaking of their mpdi-
cine-men. Cures are sometimes attempted
by making use Of hot and cold bathing in
every case, and without discrimination
hDr. Holmes saw an old man in the last
stage Of consumption, shivering from the
effects Of cold bath al the temp raturc of
40 degrees Fahrenheit. A favoritc in pull
monary consumption is 10 tie a rope tightly
around The thorax, so as to force the dia-
phragm 10 perform respiration without the
aid Of the thoracic muscles.
lntermttenis are also common from which
they suffer much. Hot baths are nvaria.
bly, used for this disease, after which the pa
tient plunges Immediately into cold water,
where he remains until chilled. A thor
ough shampooing then succeeds, and few
bowls and incantalions complete the treat
ment.
Notwithstanding they hold their medicine
men in great repute, both the patients and
their friends were very grateful for any aid
rendered by DR.. Holmes, and readily took
every thing offered them.
The brig moved, on the 18th June, TO
the northern outlet of Possession Sound,
through Deception Passage. This was moi
believed by Vancouver TO afford passage
for vessels but, although narrow, it is feas-
ible for those of small size. The tides rush
with velocity through it, and there are some
rocks in the passage The Indians had
Noved from their village 10 temporary huts
on the ach, where they seemed 10 enjoy
themselves.
Lieutenant CommandaH Ringgold being
Informed by the Indians that passage ex,
isted 10 the north into Bollingham Bay, boats
were sent TO explore it, rhe information
proved so be correct; but The water was Sc
shoal, that ii is, at lowest point, almost Q
mud-aat and the channel, besides, is tor.
tuous. This duty being completed, the Por.
polse, on the 26lh. was moved through The
passage, and anchored under one of the
small isles at the entrance.
The Indians from various parts Of Admi
) rally Inlet, were constantly around the brig
endeavorlng 10 derive some advantage in III,
way OF trade. They were found to occupy
various points, each tribe keeping distinct
Their names were, the Scocomish, Supuam.
ish, Clalams, and Scadgets, who live in har.
mony with each other, although they do mol
scruple 10 call one another "peshac," oil
bad but this epilhet is invariably given IL
those Of different tribe by all the Oregon
Indians, The term, however, is applied
e with greater force 10 the more northern
n tribes, who frequently undertake incursion
= on the n, in strong marauding parties, for th,
s purpose of obtaining slaves they are, ii
: consequence, held in great dread. Durinl
: the stay of the brig, an alarm occurred
which produced much CONSERVATION anon
u them. Many sought shelter in the woods
y others went off to their strongholds, an,
+ some women sought shelter alongside til
: brig in their canoes.