sender, sent to inform them that the smallpox had broken out at another camp of their tribe. He would not come near, for fear of communicating the disease to them.
Newell said that he had never witnessed such a scene of sorrow as this. The women and children filled the camp with their loud wailings and bitter lamentations; and despair sat upon the countenances of the men. The Indians were now more hostile than ever, because they believed that this terrible scourge, far worse to them than war itself, had been introduced by the trappers. They knew that this fell disease was never heard of in their country until white men appeared among them. They thronged around Newell and his comrades, and it seemed that they would slaughter them outright.
But the old chief was equal to the occasion. He at once mounted his horse and rode through the camp, saying to all that it was useless to weep and lament, and ordering the people to pack up at once and be off for the Wind River Mountain. This order was instantly obeyed; the cries and lamentations at once ceased, and Newell said he never saw lodges so quickly taken down and packed up as he did on this occasion. In less than one hour the whole camp was on the march to the place mentioned. In due time they arrived safely at the Wind River Mountain, where the sky was clear, the climate cool and healthy, and game abundant. It being in midsummer, the deer had followed up the melting snows to crop the fresh grass as soon as it sprang up just below the snow line, and to be in a cool atmosphere, where the flies would not torment them. Here the Indians recovered from their alarm and excitement. Not a case of smallpox appeared in camp. All were healthy and had plenty to eat. The poor fellow that was scalded recovered in this healthy locality, and was not so seriously injured as was at first supposed. Newell became popular with the Indians, and they at last let him depart in peace.
THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT.
Soon after my arrival at Linnton,, I was consulted as to the right of the people of Oregon to organize a Provisional Gov-
