the natives had begun to pray, and one was converted, which greatly encouraged Mr Perkins.
The meetings were continued all winter, Mr and Mrs Perkins following up the good beginning and visiting all the tribes along the river in their neighborhood. In the spring a camp-meeting was held among the Kliketats, when twelve hundred Indians were present, and during the winter and spring several hundred, thought to be converted, were baptized and admitted to communion.
The account of a large Indian church at the Dalles, shortly afterward published in the east, created great enthusiasm among religious people. But this was hardly written before the converts began to fall from grace. A chief was killed by an enemy, and the hearts of the Indians were cast down. "What was the good of praying?" they asked. Their chief had prayed, and now he was dead. If prayer would not avert death, why pray? If they remained Christians they would not be permitted to avenge the murder of their relatives, or to fight their enemies; and though Perkins restrained them at that time from violence, they were not satisfied that it was the better way. They assumed an importance, too, now that they were Christians. Perkins sent away a native boy for some misconduct, soon after which the boy died. This became the occasion for demanding pay, as Perkins was held responsible for the death of one of the tribe. Their demands not being complied with, the savages became insolent, and indemnified themselves by stealing horses. They even pretended to be offended because they were not honored by a visit from the superintendent of the missions, from whom they probably hoped to receive presents for their efforts at good behavior. To control these capricious natures was beyond the power of any missionary.
Elijah White was again afflicted by the death, on the 16th of August, 1839, of his adopted son,
