It will be remembered that when Dr Whitman returned from the Umatilla he was expecting a visit soon from the bishop or vicar-general, with whom he hoped to make arrangements which, in a certain event, would enable him to sell the mission property. On the afternoon of the 30th Brouillet proceeded on this errand as far as the lodge of Tiloukaikt, with the intention of visiting the sick and baptizing the dying of that camp. Arriving late in the evening, he became apprised of what had happened on the 29th at Waiilatpu, and spent the night in much perturbation,[1] but without neglecting in the morning to attend to his religious duties. Having done what he could for the dying Cay uses, he hastened to Waiilatpu and offered such consolation as he might venture upon to the widows and orphans, concealing his sympathy as directed by the captives, and procuring the burial of the dead.[2]
On the afternoon of the 1st of December Brouillet departed from Waiilatpu and rode toward Umatilla, in the hope of intercepting Spalding, who was expected on that day for the conference which was to have taken place. Soon after crossing the Walla Walla River he discovered Spalding galloping toward him. Fortunately for his purpose, the interpreter and a son of Tiloukaikt's, who was following with the evident design of spying upon his actions, had stopped to light their pipes, which gave time for communicating the news of the massacre and for a moment's deliberation. Before any course could be decided upon, the chief's son Edward rejoined the priest, who interceded with him for
- ↑ Authentic Account, 50.
- ↑ Brouillet states that Joseph Stanfield, one of the half-breeds who had been in Whitman's service, was preparing the bodies for burial, but being alone, could not inter them. He therefore went to his assistance, though not without apprehension that he might be assassinated while thus engaged. Robert Newell, who visited Waiilatpu the following spring, and who kept a memorandum of the incidents of the expedition, says that Dr Whitman and wife were laid together in a single grave, with a neat paling about it; and that the other victims were placed in one common excavation, also enclosed by a fence; but that both had been torn open by wolves. The scattered remains were reinterred in one grave.
