, 1858-09-10

ps..cd over them, ii was impossible to remove them,
and they we're accordingly buried with the earth and
loose stones On the spot Where they had fallen Be
fore crossing the river comfortable hmSulanees had
been rggcd for the conveyance Of the more seriously
wounded.
For an Indian ambnscade. the canlon was very
strongly and advantAgeously fortified. Al intervals
wherever opportunity offered, from the base till near
the summit on the either side Of the mountains form
ing the canton, they had erected, out Of the rocks
in the chambers or embrAsares, which were numer,
oun small fort6eatOns 10 the number Of at least one
hundred forming breastWOrks with loOpholes, each
large enough 10 cover and completely shield from
observation one or more Of the hotes, who had In
terwoven into their hair large lunches Of grass the
more eeotnally 10 deceive they were stretched at
fan length in their several fastnesses whilst dense
willow and other brush. and large number Of fir
trees interviewed throughout the oanon, thus render
ing Il exceedingly favorable for an Indian attack and
very forbiddng for a small force, attended with pack
animals, 10 attempt to pass thrOught Eighty or one
hundred Indians were in this engagement.
The company again got under way, along the west
side Of the OkAnagan, nOrhward when, ns they were
eneamped on the evening Of the second or third day
suddenly aroused BY the cry Of Indians and their
attention was at arrested by the appearance Of
about one hundred savAges, mounted, and making at
full speed in direction 10 throw themselves between
the camp and the animals Of the company, with the
evident intention Of stampeding and driving them
od. Anticipating this movement, the company seized
their arms and succeeded in gaining point which in
tercepted them in their object, and sheltered their
animals from the further approach Of the red SKINS
who now halted and displayed Gag Of some kind. as
il for pariey. half breed and Indian guide, were
then sent TO them after which, two Of their chiefs
were met half way by McLAUGHLN and another Of
The guides, when they oil retained to camp where a
treaty was entered into, by the terms Of which, the
chiefs promised that the company had full permission
10 pass on 10 Thompson river without further moesta-
tion-that their animals should not be stolen, and
an earnestness Of their good faith they to fur
nsh one Of their number TO act as guide through to
the simkAmeen river. This latter provision was sd-
hered to, but that very night party of them entered
the corral Of the company and stole four mules and
two horses and the same party las was Afterwards
ascertalned), the night drove OF band OF sixty
head Of beef cattle belonging 10 Mr.. woLFE distant
about four miles from the camp Of the company,
which that gentleman was driving from Fort ColVis
10 Frazer hyeri
Three days afterwards they bad reached and en-.
camped the simiksmeen river, when in one Of the
gorges that makes down 10 the river they surprised
party Of some twelve Indians in the act Of Jerking "
drying the meat from two Of the beef cattle stolen
from Mr.. woLFF. Al the instance Of Mr.. W., they
were made prisoners Of. conducted into camp, guard
placed them. and then compelled to follow
the company. After making camp the following
ing, Mr.. McDoEALD, chief trader Of the II. B. Co., at
Fort Covle, in charge Of brigade train destined for
Fort Hope, made his appearance, and encamped in
the vicinity. Mr.. MoDONALD prevailed upon the com
pa1y matter Of expedieney to dismiss the priso-
nen assuring them that be would use his influence
with the Indians to secure their safe entrance upon
Thompson and Frazer rivers, ETC., and the prisoners
were accordingly released. Mr.. Med. then remained
with the company until they arrived at the forks Of
Frazer and Thompson rivers. The next day after he
had unied with them, one Of his spaniards OF Mexi
cans having been detained behind In packing ETC.,
was overtaken BY the liberated prisoners who strip
ped him. aad drawing knife across his throat told
him that had he been Boston they would have
killed him. 4
The company were now about three days travei
from Thompson river which they struck twelve miles
from It's junction with Frazer river, and yet during
every evening they were harrassed BY the 0kanagan
Indians who had followed them from that fort for the
purpose Of attacking them and stealing horses, etc
Whilst In camp the evening subsequent to the last
one alluded TO- the same party that stripped the Span
lard approached the corral and took on three horses
This was the last robbery perpetrated by them. They
found the Simultaneous friendly. The Okanagani
were the cause Of all their troubles.
Arriving at Thompson river which they struck al
above, the whole company. one hundred and sixty il
number prOsPectod for half day on bar, bot found
no gold, nor did they hnd any parties at work OF
Thompson river. They then proceeded along the trai
TO Frazer river, where they all arrived on the 18th
August They next prospected at the forks Of Fraze
and Thompson rivers but without any very aatterinl
return for the labor expended. Here the company di
vided. A portion Of them went up Frazer river
others to bar opposite the mouth Of Thompson river
others went below, and the California company IN
dertOOk the cutting Of trail from the mouth o
Thompson river to Fort Yale, which is now compile
ted TO Fort Hope, Whilst MoLAUoHLN and others
having sold out their provisions at the forks at
dollar per pound, had went TO Fort Hope for the pur
pose Of packing out fresh supply. Several Of thl
company had returned to Thompson river, and pros
peeted without success. They were about fourteen
days in making the distance between Fort OkanagaI
and Thompson river. The company will never returl
to Oregon by the route which they persued out from
the Dalles. but by way Of Puget Sound and the Cow
litE river. Most Of them are hugely disappointed
the goldcRCO prospect which they found on Thomp
son and Frazer rivers. The company were from Jul
5th 10 August l2th or thiryseven days, inclusive
delays In making the distance between the Dales apt