 | CHAPTER IV. The Shoshonee Valley |  |
4. CHAPTER IV.
That beauty was but half the spell.
It was the look, so free from guile,
The modest blush; the playful smile,
That seemed to breathe an air of heaven.
M. P. F.
When Elder Wood became domesticated in William
Weldon's family, the daughter had reached
the age of twelve years; and in intelligence and
beauty surpassed not only any thing, that the minister
had seen, but even conceived. The parents, in their
the charming girl, with a confidence in his opinions
and advice, which they could no where else expect
to repose in the valley. The Indians in general regarded
the Wakona, as they called her, tripping
along the valley in the joyousness of innocence, and
in the loveliness of a nymph of ancient fable, with a
superstitious delight in her beauty, as a kind of
charmed thing. Two only of the sons of that people,
as has been seen, looked upon her with other eyes.
Invincible circumstances precluded her parents from
interdicting them from her society. William Weldon
could not have hoped the continued consideration
and protection of the united tribe, if he had for
a moment been seen to withhold his daughter from
the occasional companionship of Areskoui and Nelesho.
Indeed the former had grown, so far into life,
with her, as a brother with a sister. Until the age
of ten, Jessy had felt towards him sentiments of infantine
fondness, which inclined her to expect, and
desire his society in her childish sports. She had
taken a natural pleasure, in teaching him lessons, in
which he was slow. Even Jessy, amiable as she was,
felt, in such cases, the pride of conscious superiority.
But so entire and absorbing was the affection of Areskoui,
that his proud and sensitive nature was not
humbled, in yielding the palm to her, to whom he was
willing to allow all kinds of superiority belonged by
right. Until ten, the absence of Areskoui from her
excursions or amusements had been viewed as a misfortune.
But from that time his visits, and especially
those of Nelesho, were often felt as an annoyance.
He sometimes ventured to show her some of the accustomed
marks of Indian civility and preference.
A fight between him and Areskoui was the frequent
consequence. Cautioned by her parents, and counselled
by Elder Wood, she dared not manifest her
prudently between these boys, who ruled
parents, that governed the tribes, was soon found to
be a task of endless perplexity, and chagrin. A
thousand times she urged, with the confidence of their
earlier years, upon Areskoui forbearance, in relation
to Nelesho. A thousand times had she reconciled
them, and sent each away content, only to see their
quarrels, on the same score, renewed the next time
they met.
For the parents and the son she was alike an object
of idolatrous fondness. Nothing, that the chief or
his wife could procure, was too good for the beautiful
Wakona. To caress her, to fold her in her arms, and
to feel her silken curls, was one of the chief pleasures
of Josepha. For her son, if there were richer fruits,
larger and more luxurious strawberries, or more brilliant
flowers, no matter where they grew, or at what
peril, labor or difficulty obtained. Mountains, precipices,
valleys, and distance opposed no effectual obstacle.
No Wakon bird, or Flamingo could be seen
in the valley, without exciting on the part of the
young chief a pursuit, which finally brought down the
prize, that the gay plumage might add to her stock
of ornaments. The softest fawn skins, the whitest
ermine, the most costly furs were purchased from
the hunt, or trapping, to be presented to her.
Such were the relations, which these children sustained
to each other. Elder Wood saw in them the
harbingers of future difficulties and storms; and while
the lovely child fell on her knees before him, repeating
her evening prayers, most earnestly did he commend
the case of the valley flower to the Almighty. Josepha,
too, imparted to her beloved son all the treasured
lore of her early years, to put him on the ways, that
might tend to gain her love in return. She regularly
told her beads, and prayed the Virgin, to incline the
Weldon saw all; and his misanthropic associations
with the white races, his perfect satisfaction
with the course of life, which he now led, and the
common respect of human nature for whatever is in
power, caused him to see it with a kind of vague approval,
fortified by ignorance of any fairer prospect
for his daughter, without removing from the vale—
an idea from which his whole mind recoiled. Yensi
saw it, too; and saw, that the heart, which should be
worthy of her daughter's, ought to possess a far different
refinement, tenderness and cultivation of intellect,
from that, which could be expected from Areskoui,
noble and worthy as she viewed him. Besides, she endured
savage life, only because she loved her husband.
Often had she argued, to the extent of all her
casuistry, with her husband and Elder Wood, who
alike maintained the wild sophism of Rousseau, in
regard to the superiority of savage over social life.
She had besieged heaven with prayers, that God
would incline her husband's heart to remove from the
Shoshonee to his country or hers; that they might
spend their days in the security of law and order.
Nelesho saw it, and his proud and revengeful heart
inly determined, that if he might not hope the favor
of Jessy, at least the son of his liege chief should not
enjoy it.
Jessy, too, began by degrees to comprehend all
this; and the attentions and marks of affection from
Areskoui, which had formerly been matter of gratification,
or indifference, began to excite recoil and pain.
She comprehended, that Areskoui was noble in many
respects. She repeated incessantly to herself, that
his mother was a Christian and of the white race.
She saw him as the rising sun to all the young of two
tribes, and invested with all the homage, paid to one,
soon to be in power. But her imagination painted
partly found in her father's library, partly in her
creative mind, and partly in her heart, with which,
to her misfortune, Areskoui held no comparison.
Little, that finds a place in history occurred, to diversify
the annals of the Shoshonee for a period of
some years. As formerly, they sometimes hunted
towards the western ocean, and sometimes on the
Missouri side of the mountains. Sometimes they
wandered on the shores of the Bueneventura, and
sometimes towards the arctic sea, as game, or fish, or
mere amusement and variety were their object. In
the summer they regularly made distant excursions,
some of which William Weldon's family accompanied,
and some it did not. Births, marriages and deaths
occurred, as in the generations of the past. Intrigues,
amours, quarrels, gossip, scandal, and all the incidents
and shades of human variety of enjoyment and
suffering had their hours in the Shoshonee Valley, as
in the great civilized world. The incorporation with
the tribe of Trader Hatch, Elder Wood and his partner
had, indeed, produced a marked era in the annals
of the nation. The simplicity of their ancient manners
sunk under the reign of avarice and artificial
wants, the natural result of the general introduction
of money among such a simple people.
From Elder Wood's deep and solemn words, they
heard that there was a life after this, not such, as their
shadowy traditions dimly showed; but a life of retribution
without end; a heaven, a hell, an eternity, a
Saviour, and a dread alternative of being saved or lost.
In opposition to all this, Trader Hatch taught them
by palpable experiment, that for a given amount of
beaver, peltries, or money, they could at any time
purchase a liquid `medicine,' which first maddened
their musing brain to a demoniac phrenzy of joy; and
transformed them to stupified and degraded brutes.
Areskoui was elected at eighteen to the trust of
first war chief of the united tribes; and he now loved
Jessy with a fervor and vehemence of passion, which
had matured with the developement of his mental
and physical powers. They, who live in the society of
the world, and feel the distraction of the thousand
pursuits that dissipate deep thought, and weaken the
current of the passions, by separating them into numberless
channels, and that produce feeble and voluptuous
character, will conceive with difficulty, or doubt,
the nature of this absorbing affection. From his
father he carried in himself deep and unchangeable
purpose; and from his mother the southern fire,
and aptitude to passion. The Wakona was to him,
as she was to all, a finished model of whatever is
lovely in person or mind. Amidst rocks, woods and
mountains, this feeling was nurtured by all that he
saw, or imagined.
His constant teachers had been woods and rills,
The silence, that is in the starry sky,
The sleep, that is among the lonely hills.
Ellswatta, absorbed by his employments, and
formed, indeed, of sterner stuff, did not so keenly sympathise
with this spell of his son. When he noted his
dejection, he sometimes, and in no very complacent
tone, commanded him to shake off the enervating influence.
`Son,' he would say, `thou art not born
chief of the red men among these mountains, to be
sad, or joyful at the varying countenance of a girl of
the pale face. Thou art called to dare the deadly
encounter, to chafe the grizzly bear in his den, and,
like thy forefathers, to scorn danger and death. It
would grieve thy father, to see thee wither, through
different reception gave the ear of his mother to the
tale of his love, and his hopelessness of return. `Son,'
she said, `I would that thou knewest our race, as I
know them. Sieze the first time, when thou art alone
with her. Pour into her ear the tale of thy love.—
Be sure, that thou lessen not the account of the tortures
of thy bosom. If she turn from thee in seeming
disdain, ply the same story over anew. More than
all, be sure, that thou call forth thy whole store of
images, to vaunt her beauty. Compare her to roses,
to lilies, the bird of paradise, the full moon of the firmament;
in short, to whatever thou canst imagine of
the most beautiful in nature. If neither thy words,
nor thy wit, thy courage, nor thy perseverance fail
thee, she is more or less than her race, if in due time
she yield not to thy suit.'
Such counsel was too pleasant to the young warrior,
not to be immediately put in practice. Accordingly,
as they were soon after alone, in returning together from
angling in an adjacent lake, he startled her by abruptly
saying, `Wakona, my sister, thine eye discerneth every
thing, like that of the Wah-condah; and thou needest
not be told, that thy brother loveth thee, not as the
cold, pale faces love—but with the truth and fervor
of the red men. Couldst thou return my love, and
confine thy thoughts to me and these mountains, as my
mother to my father, I should be happier, than the
spirits of the free and the brave in the land of souls.
Bird of paradise, thou canst not bear the brightness
of the daughters of the sun in thy face, and cruelty to
thy suffering brother, who has played with thee from
infancy, in thy heart.'
With many a strong figure, with much vehement
adjuration, with earnest appeals to their solitude
spent together, to the tenderness of their early years,
to the friendship of their parents, and his power to
his love and despair, with an energy and eloquence
inspired only by truth and nature. His proud eye
quailed as he spoke; and filled with unwonted moisture,
and the vehemence of his feelings shook his
whole frame, as he ceased, and apparently waited her
reply.
What a trial for this inexperienced girl! True,
she had in some way divined, that such a disclosure
from him was to be feared. It brought the paleness
of death to her cheek, and her eye filled with tears,
for the young chief was to her, as a brother. `Why,
Areskoui,' she replied, in words interrupted by the
tumultuous thoughts that rushed upon her, `why not
remain, as thou hast been, without speaking such
words, and without these looks, that terrify me? Why
wilt thou cause thy sister to dread thee, by speech
and action, so strange and new? The only use of
such wild and unkind behaviour will be to cause thy
sister henceforward to avoid thee.'
The sight of the companion of his infancy in tears
was one that no training of his mother could bring
him to sustain. He timidly took her hand. `Pardon,'
he said, `pardon this one fault, Wakona; and the
heart of thy brother shall break before I vex thee
again with my foolish words.'
She gave him the accustomed sign of pardon among
his people, as she received his burning hand, and marked
his visible agony and effort at self control. In
proof, that he had conquered for this time, he tore
himself away from her, and left her alone. `He has
a noble and a good heart,' she thought, `and is worthy
to govern this people, and able to protect my parents
and me. Why have I sent him away in sorrow?
Why not become to him, what he desires?' She knew
but too well her father's wishes. She was not incapable
of the views presented by expediency. She
first time; and made efforts to think of him, as she
had reason to suppose, would be agreeable to her
father, and the avoidance of future trouble and danger
to herself. But though her young thoughts were
sufficiently vague, she could not bring herself to the
near contemplation of such a relation. It was night
fall. The breezy breath of the south fanned her, as
it discoursed solemn music in the pines, under which
she sat herself down. The oriole sang sweetly in
the branches; and a thousand birds were hymning
the requiem of the fading day. New ideas had received
birth, and undiscovered fountains of feeling
had been ruffled. Vague thoughts arose within her,
that there might be of her own race some of those
noble and matchless ones, equally perfect in form and
mind, adding to all the native nobleness of Areskoui,
polish, accomplishments and discipline, as much superior
to hers, as that was superior to his. Of such
pecrless men she had read in her father's romances.
Her own brilliant and glowing imagination had added
a thousand colors from its own treasures. The round
and silver orb of the moon began to be visible over
the misty summits of the mountains. As she steadily
contemplated the queen of the night, marching along
the blue of the firmament, intensely occupied with her
own imaginings, she almost waited to see one of those
noble forms arise with the moon and descend towards
the valley. She tasked the utmost effort of her
fancy to sketch resemblances of those wise, heroic
and amiable men, with whom it might be pleasant to
spend life, in the relation of which Areskoui had spoken.
By comparing the members of her small circle,
among whom Areskoui was the most interesting, she
could form associations more or less pleasant with
the idea of more distant relations with them. But
to spend life in the most intimate of all the ties of
idea. `Oh!' she thought, `that I could compare for
myself, and see, if all these seductive pictures are not
an illusion; and if life be not a cold and heartless
mockery of the affections, passed as well with one as
another.' Soon she had that range of comparison
she desired.
It is believed, that the interesting little village on
the Oregon, called Astoria, received its name from
the circumstance, that the celebrated company, which
collects furs on that river, and sends them to China,
was founded by John Jacob Astor. A thousand circumstances,
appended to this village, concur, to furnish
inexhaustible food for the imagination. Not far
from the calm bosom of the widest sea on the globe, it
rises from the shores of one of the noblest of rivers.
Thick and dark forests of pines and hemlocks, seen in
the distance, skirt it seaward. Flowering, and to
the eye interminable prairies, stretch away from it
towards the Rocky Mountains. Log houses, tents,
Indian huts, a number of stores, and a cluster of various
buildings, intended for fur ware houses, and a
few commodious dwellings, enclosed with a high palisade,
and fortified with cannon, constitute the place.
The earth sees no place, called a town, more lonely,
or more romantic in its situation. Yet here in
this distant spot, apparently isolated from social nature,
the fluttering pennons of ships from different
nations remind the visitant of the all-searching eye
and enterprise of commerce. Here is seen the Yankee
ship with its motley crew, with quick step and
eye, all hands in motion, and all hearts keenly attached
by the fur gathering and money getting impulse. Here
is the large English ship, manned by sailors with
round and ruddy faces, and the captain wearing on
his brow, and in his port, the impress of taciturnity
and national pride. Here is the uncouth Russian
and half Kamschadales. Here may be, also,
sometimes seen the Spanish fellucca, with its swarthy
crew, occupied in bartering jerked beef, hides
and fruits, for peltries, furs and smoked salmon. The
melee is rendered more striking by greater or less
sprinklings of Chinese, distinguished in a moment by
their national look and manners.
At a little distance, encamped without the town, is
another group of beings, apparently of another world.
It would be hard to say, whether their copper complexions,
their stern and ruminating countenances
show thoughtlessness, or the depth of thought. Whether
they are meditating or half asleep, whether they
survey all this bustle of commerce, this assemblage
of representatives from so many countries, that have
been borne, they know, and enquire not how, over the
dark bosom of the sea, with the look of meditation,
or indifference; whether they disregard these strange
objects from pride, or from a consciousness of their
native independence and ability to get along without
them. Their dogs, faithful in companionship, are
seen sleeping beside them; and the squaws play with
their naked children, as they caper and tumble about
on the buffalo robes.
It often happens, that three or four ships are lying
in the river at the same time. The British and
Americans, the Muscovites and the Creole Spanish,
meet with the Indians on these distant shores in the
most perfect accord, and pursue the deer and elk on
the plains; or the monsters of the deep in the seas; or
trade with the Indians, join in their sports, and converse
with their wives and daughters, as though they
were all brethren, and of one race. At these immense
removes from all civilization, whatever appears
in the form of woman, in their eyes becomes beautiful.
In truth, as has been seen, the Shoshonee are the
faces, their Indian noses, and a slight tinge of copper
out of the question, many of them are in fact pretty.
All have a look of high health and elasticity, which
gives them a certain air of interest.
At the time, of which we speak, there was in the
river a large ship, partly English, and partly American,
which brought from Canton two young men, as
companions, almost as much unlike in disposition and
character, as Baptiste Dettier and Elder Wood. Yet
they associated, and, notwithstanding their dissimilarity
of mind and disposition, were set down by opinion,
as intimate and almost inseparable friends. The
one was remarkable for the extreme fashion of his appearance
and the unrivalled beauty of his person; and
the other for the nobleness and dignity of his form,
his high forehead, and a countenance marked with
decision, almost to harshness. From a thousand circumstances,
they would both have been selected, as
uncommonly striking young gentlemen, each in his
peculiar way.
At the same time it happened, that a large party of
Shoshonee and Shienne, male and female, accompanied
by Baptiste and Elder Wood, and two sub-chiefs,
were at Astoria, with a view to dispose of their winter's
hunt and trapping. Julius Landino, and Frederic
Belden, for so the young men in question were
named, manifested great delight, in making the
acquaintance of these Indians. They were constantly
about their camp, to witness their manners
and dances, and striving to converse by signs with the
women. The pleasure of this intercourse was heightened,
when they became acquainted with the Baptist
minister, and Baptiste, who spoke Shoshonee with
great fluency, and thus acted as interpreter between
them and the Indians. They affected to be in raptures
with the simplicity of Indian manners; and even
orb of the moon, and highly painted with vermilion,
of the Indian girls. Upon this word Baptiste opened,
in his usual style of overflowing exuberance, upon
the beauty of the country above, the unequalled sublimity
and delightfulness of the Shoshonee valley, and
the simplicity and hospitality of the natives, and the
kindness, which they always showed to strangers. He
descanted upon the abundance of game, the shoals of
salmon in the rivers, and the surface of the verdant
prairies covered with strawberries. He added, in his
usual enthusiasm and vehement gesticulation, `c'est
un paradis terestre.' `But,' he continued, `you call
these squaws pretty. They are well enough for
squaws, and kind hearted too. You should see our
Jessy, or Wakona, as the Indians have named her.
Mon Dieu,' he cried, folding his hands, and looking
upwards, `c'est une ange celeste;' and Baptiste proceeded,
to paint the valley flower, as possessing
charms far beyond any thing, that had yet been seen
on the earth. When they laughed at his enthusiasm,
and charged him with incredible extravagance, he
shrugged, exclaimed with his accustomed sacre! and
referred them for confirmation to Elder Wood. The
grave manner and tones of the minister were warrant
for him, that he would utter neither hyperbole,
nor extravagance; and he assured them, `that to have
any idea of the scenery of the Shoshonee valley, and
the unrivalled loveliness of Jessy Weldon, they must
see, for that words gave no idea of it.' `Suppose we
were to go up with these people, and see the fine
country, and the pretty girl among the Indians,' said
Julius Landino. `I should like it of all things,' replied
Frederic; `and as our ship remains in the river
five weeks, and we have nothing, meanwhile, to
amuse us here, but hunting, it would beguile the time,
to record in our tablets, from a voyage into the interior
of two hundred leagues. We should explore a
new country and a new people, visited for the first
time by such scientific travellers.'
They were both young gentlemen of pleasure, who,
as yet, seemed to have `been born to eat up the corn,'
and with no other object, than to amuse themselves.
A finer wild goose chase could have never entered
their imagination. The season, their circumstances,
and those of the ship, favored the project. It was
the time of strawberries, salmon, flowers and the
whispering south west breeze. Baptiste had been
invited on board their ship, had eaten soup, and
drunk wine, and was as happy and loquacious as a
Frenchman could be. Elder Wood had preached
in the town, and all the ship's crews had attended.
Those, who slept, had the politeness to turn the other
way; and those who had not understood a word,
nodded their heads as though from edification and
assent; and Elder Wood, having set this down as a
very encouraging meeting, was happy, and in uncommon
spirits. The Indians were happy, for they had
obtained plenty of rum, for six times its value in beaver.
The girls were happy; for they had obtained
red chintz robes, beads, necklaces, looking glasses
and nose and ear jewels; besides the admiration of
the gay young strangers. All parties seemed alike
delighted with the idea of such an excursion. The
glowing descriptions of the voluble Frenchman, and
the more staid and credible narrative of Elder Wood,
alike concurred to fill the minds of the young men
with the delight of the contemplated river voyage.
The trees and nature, in their most seducing array
on the shore, aided to raise the charm of association.
At intervals an Indian canoe, with its red young occupants,
their paddles into the gently rippling bosom of the
stream, was seen gliding away behind the verdure of
the trees.
`Omnis ager est ver,' cried Julius. `I should delight
to follow.' `A rush for Latin,' responded Frederic,
`In plain English, the time, the country, the river,
the girls, every thing is delightful. If you will accompany
me, we will go. We will spear salmon, eat
strawberries, hunt the deer, and the girls; and, no
doubt, we could collect furs, hams, and dried salmon
on speculation into the bargain. Amidst such an
abundance of game, we shall certainly find some adventures
worthy of record. Even if we fail, the
Shoshonee will not write our history; and we can tell
our own story. Besides, I have a prodigious curiosity
to see this strange family of whites and their thrice
beautiful daughter.'
Baptiste, charmed with the project, absolutely capered
for joy. `It fait,' he cried, `tems superbe, pour
monter la fleuve, manger des fraises, attrapper des
poissons, et des jeunes demoiselles Shoshonee.' Even
Elder Wood manifested unwonted hilarity at the idea
of such companions for the long voyage. Thus every
thing united, to arouse in the minds of these unoccupied
young men a curiosity, to accompany the returning
party of Indians to their country. The captain
proposed to send with them a factor, to collect furs,
hams and dried salmon. Instead of being of any use
to him, idle young men, like these, were rather a hindrance
and annoyance. He gave a full consent; and
in half a day the preparations for carrying the project
into execution were completed. A few books, a
pocket telescope, and materials for drawing composed
the scientific arrangements. A fine swift sailing
yawl accompanied the expedition provided with two
tents, and every requisite appointment, that their own
Wood, could suggest as necessary. It was manned
by four rowers, two of them from other ships in the
river, and each of whom played an instrument of the
band. The two young gentlemen each played the
flute. An American factor, and captain Wilhelm,
commander of a Russian ship, that would stay three
months in the river, accompanied the party. They
were well armed, and provided with ammunition; that
they might be alike prepared for pleasure or battle;
to join in the sports of the Indians, or set them at defiance.
The day was set for their return; and the
yawl, preceded by the Shoshonee in their periogues,
moved from the ship, under the discharge of cannon,
by way of parting salute, and the acclamations and
good wishes of those who remained. A gentle breeze
filled the sails of the yawl; and the oarsmen, instead
of their oars, plied their musical instruments, to which
the Indians responded, in repeated bursts of whooping,
that rung far away over the grassy plains.
If such music always thrills the heart, even in those
places, where it is natural to expect it, still sweeter
were the notes, as the strain was heard, reverberating
from the woods across silent and flowering plains,
where the echo of music, like this, had slumbered
from the creation; and now swelled and died away in
the distance of the verdant solitudes. The distinctness
of the ocean outline gradually faded from the
view of the voyagers; and the blue of the distant
mountains grew more visible, like undulating ridges
of clouds in the sky. They were soon in a region
where all was new. Every strong bend of the river
brought to sight the different configurations and aspects
of the prairies, and the hoar limestone cliffs; or
the remote wooded points, that indented the shores.
Sometimes the moving pageant glided along under
the shades of green trees, or high banks, covered with
and varieties of flowers. A youthful mind, not wholly
destitute of the power of contemplation, could not
but enjoy this ever varying charm of nature, thus seen
for the first time; and a curiosity not painfully excited,
and continually gratified with the untiring novelty
of the every varying aspects of nature; every moment
giving fresh inclination to mark, what diversities
of the grand and lonely scenery would next open
upon the eye. The heart that does not exquisitely
enjoy this satisfaction, must be dead to pleasure.
When they paused, to take their food under the
shade of a tree upon the green shores, Elder Wood
said his long grace, according to his prescribed form.
Baptiste chattered in half French half English, and
the Indians ruminated, after they had finished their
short meal, put their fingers to their mouths, and
moved them rapidly up and down; sprang from the
ground, and uttered their peculiar short, quick and
wild exclamations.
They left the smoke of their camp fires undulating
far over the plain; and the steady breeze, blowing
from the south west, filled their sails, and wafted them
rapidly, and without labor against the current of the
bold stream. The unwearying variety of a nature,
alternately sublime or beautiful, was continually
spread before them. Sometimes they walked along
the banks, and made a shorter route across the bends,
anticipating the progress of the yawl, and feasting
on the millions of strawberries, that reddened whole
patches of their path. Sometimes nature slept in a
dead calm on the prairies, around them. Sometimes
a slight breeze stole upon their senses from the acacias,
catalpas, and flowering locusts, the mingled fragrance
and odour of a thousand flowers, like those from
`Araby the blest.' At night they spread their tents
under the open sky. The Indians were encamped
as one family, upon the flesh of elk and deer; and
when in the different languages, they had chatted,
and sung, and told tales, and laughed, and anticipated
the voyage of the morrow, they sunk to deep sleep,
with an ocean of grass spread around, violets and
strawberries beneath their buffalo robes, and the blue
and stars above.
On the evening of the fourth day, the voyagers arrived
at the great falls of the Oregon. The yawl
was to be left here, and exchanged for Indian periogues
above the falls. The Indian water crafts,
too, were left, and all walked together round the falls.
The scenery here shows dismantled hills, and huge
boulders of rocks, scattered in promiscuous confusion;
and affords a grand and inspiring prospect. Amidst
the incessant and deafening roar, as the waters whiten
in sheets, and pour along the rocks, the Sewasserna,
as it comes dashing down from its dark green hanging
hills and woods, brings in its lateral tribute, and is lost
in the mighty Oregon.
The plain country on the Oregon, or Columbia,
slopes from the Rocky mountains to the wide Pacific
by two immense plains, that lie, one above another,
after the form of a prodigious terrace or glacis. The
great falls occur nearly at the point, where the upper
terrace rises from the lower. This terrace is marked,
and for a great distance, at right angles from it, by a
regular, but stupendous mass of huge lime stone
blocks and columns, that seem, as if giants had detached
them from their bed in the mountains. At the
distance of a league on the south side of the Oregon,
this mass of pillars and columns gives place to an almost
perpendicular wall of stone, from two to five
hundred feet high, which continues to mark the terrace,
as you proceed up the Sewasserna. At unequal
distances, from fifty paces to half a mile from this
a most beautifully smooth and transparent river
in its whole course above. At the distance of a
league from the point where it unites with the Oregon,
it loses its precipitous character and foamy whiteness,
and is a calm and boatable stream, quite to its recesses
in the Rocky mountains, where a hundred mountain
streams and cascades rush down, and unite with
it from every side.
The river is skirted with a belt of tall, straight
trees, seldom more than a few rods in width. They
are plane, cotton, peccan, sycamore and black walnut,
with cones of verdure at the top, and of an arrowy
straightness from the ground to the first limbs. Ascend
to the upper glacis, and the country opens on
either side a boundless level to the Rocky mountains;
while in front you look down, three or four hundred
feet upon a smooth plain, covered with grass and flowers,
whose western verge is laved by the wave of the
Pacific.
Never was water travelling more delightful, than a
spring passage, chiefly by sailing, in an Indian periogue
up the beautiful Sewasserna. The very
breeze was charged with aroma—as the prospect was
every where with sublimity, verdure and flowers. The
river is just of a width, and the skirts of trees on either
bank of a height to render its whole course an
alcove of shade. The oriole and red bird sing for
you, and the mocking bird imitates them on the
grand and branchy plane. The paroquets scream,
and flutter, in lightning lines of green and gold, from
tree to tree. The turtles incessantly coo over your
head on the peccans. A gentle breeze from the
south just ripples the foliage, and fans your temples.
The repose of nature invites the repose of the passions,
and when you sleep, after the exercise of the
day, it is balmy and medicinal.
When the exploring company at length arrived
in the centre of this fairest valley of the west, and saw
the smokes streaming aloft from the Shoshonee town
below the wall, and from the tents above, and heard
the dogs bark, and the joyous whoops, and noisy
gratulations of thousands of Indians, who crowded
about the landing periogues, to welcome back their
friends and the new visitants,—they almost regretted
the termination of a voyage, which had been such a
scene of continued and high enjoyment. But they
were aroused from all reflections of that sort, by the
necessity of receiving ceremonial welcomes, and returning
them by set speeches. This finished in due
form, they were invited to different feasts. Some offered
them strawberries and cream; some the most
delicious fresh salmon, which was at this time in its
utmost excellence; and others Indian soup, made of
dried and pounded deer's flesh, sage and sassafras
leaves, and prairie potatoes, all mixed together. Trader
Hatch invited them to drink wine, and take coffee,
the luxuries of civilization. But the wines of foreign
countries gave place on this occasion to the rich
mead, or hydromel, which the Shoshonee prepare
from their countless swarms of wild bees, and the aromatic
and medicated herbs of the country. While
they feasted, and drank, the drums beat. The young
warriors wagged their heads, as they danced, and
whooped. The council fires blazed high, and the old
council chiefs, with Ellswatta at their head, looked on,
and smoked the pipe with calm satisfaction visibly impressed
upon their countenances. Hundreds of Shoshonee
girls eyed the visitants and the fine young men
askance, and looked their loveliest from their round
and vermilion countenances.
After the party had feasted, and been introduced
to the chiefs, and had gone over the first ceremonial
of hospitality, they began to enquire, why they had
had heard so much? Trader Hatch explained to
them, that this family cultivated more retiring and
distant habits and manners, and would not be seen
upon any other terms, than a first visit to them. Elder
Wood had gone, immediately on landing, to announce
his return, and greet his beloved friends. Of course
William Weldon's family was apprised of the arrival
of the two fine young gentlemen, of whose beauty of
person, and polish of manners and intellectual improvement
he unwittingly said enough, to bring a full
tinge of the rose on the lily ground of Jessy's cheek,
and a curiosity that reached quite to the limits of
being pleasant. `What fine young men must they be,'
she thought, `who drew such warm encomiums from
Elder Wood, so little addicted to such modes of
speech!'
The young men, mean while, went to the house of
Trader Hatch, to dress and prepare to visit William
Weldon. Elder Wood, as the most confidential inmate
of the family, was sent for, and requested to introduce
them. Ellswatta and Josepha and Areskoui
and Nelesho were already at the house. Preceded
by Hatch and Baptiste, and accompanied by Elder
Wood, and followed by hundreds of the young warriors
and women of the tribe, they moved from the
house of the trader, towards the abode of William
Weldon.
The sun, enthroned in purple, had sunk away behind
the smoking summits of the mountains, and
distant thunder was heard, as of thunder-clouds,
that had passed away. The Indian cries were still,
and in their stead was heard the screaming of the
countless wild water fowls returned from the ocean
to their green summer retreats. The mellow song
of the oriole could be distinguished over the thousand
mingled notes of the other songsters. While
of the Sewasserna, added a solemn plaintiveness to
the adieu of nature to the passing day. It was an
evening, to soften every heart, not made of stone, to
emotions of gladness.
The strangers were by no means prepared for the
sight, that offered, as they crossed on a fallen tree the
little stream, that descended from the mountains in a
cascade, and fenced one side of William Weldon's
grounds. The roar of this cascade mingled in their
ears with the breezy moan in the tops of the lofty
pines, that rose in front of the dwelling. Back of
these pines, and under the magnificent alcove, its
front was seen. It was large, plaistered neatly, and
painted of a deep green. The grounds were tastefully
laid out in Chinese style. Here was the just
starting field of maize. In another compartment
was the patch of sweet potatoes. Elsewhere were
garden spots of vegetables, that had recently been
planted, or were just appearing. The delicious verdure
of pawpaw hedges marked off the compartments.
A few sugar maples, whose summits had not
yet parted with their red blossoms, were embowered
by grape vines. Clumps of vines, and flowering
shrubs were distributed at intervals; and a number
of rivulets, winding through the grounds, served to
water them, when they were parched; and now gurgled
over white sands, as they wound towards their
confluence, before they entered the Sewasserna.
The visitants often paused to admire. They exclaimed
in admiration of the taste and loveliness of
the scene, where nature had commenced all the rudiments
in her own simplicity and beauty; and art had
seemed disposed to enter into a mimic and playful
competition. One compared the place to the grounds
of the enchanted palace of Armida—another to the
bower of Adam and Eve, before sin had withered it.
taste, and labor, guided by art, and that in no ordinary
degree. Nor would these grounds have shamed the
front of the palace of an Italian prince. There was
that in the scene, which inspired respect, and checked
careless advance. They had loitered about the
grounds, without passing the outer boundary of the
pines, until the dusk of evening began to obscure the
landscape, though it took nothing from the fragrance
of the acacias and meadow pinks, that adorned the
spot. All the birds were hushed, but the oriole on
the shrubs, and the loon in the river. `Suppose,' said
Julius Landino, `we serenade the fair nymph of the
rocks.' `It would be the right mode of attack,' replied
Frederic Belden. `Ma foi,' exclaimed Baptiste,
`c'est une ange, la plus belle demoiselle dans
l'univers.' Hatch declared, that Jessy Weldon was,
indeed, a severe beauty,' well known to be his last superlative.
To serenade the beauty of the enchanted mansion
among the rocks seemed to all an appropriate method
of announcing their approach. The four musicians
sat down on a rustic bench surmounted by bowers of
Multiflora roses in full bloom, and a rill of water murmuring
just at their feet. The air selected was a
beautiful Scotch lament. They played it at first soft
and low, accompanied with the voice of one of the
young men, and the flute of the other. The words
were from the prince of the Scottish bards; and the
music, so heard, so accompanied, and at such a place,
was of that kind, that goes straight to the heart, first
softening it; then filling it with the enthusiasm of virtue,
tenderness and glory; and finally elevating the best
and noblest thoughts of our nature to heaven. The
wall above just caught the echoes, and sweetly returned
them. William Weldon, his wife and daughter,
not expecting to see the visitants that evening,
before them. Ellswatta and his wife and the two
young chiefs sat on a low settee, covered with elk skin,
listening to the evening hymn of the family, that regularly
preceded their worship. The tremulous voice
of Jessy was mingled with that of her father and
mother, as sweet and soft as the breezy influence upon
the strings of the æolian harp, as they chaunted their
praises of the Living God. The notes of the Scotch
lament upon the band and accompaniments from
abroad mingled with those of the evening hymn within.
The Indians, alive to the influences of music,
arose from their seat of skins, and looked wistfully in
the direction. It would be difficult to imagine the
feelings of Jessy, as she heard perfect music, for the
first time, discoursing the mournful and low notes of
lamentation and grief. The father laid the open bible
aside, and looked in the face of his lovely daughter,
whose fair locks arose on her head, as the tears
streamed down her cheeks. The eyes of the mother,
too, glistened with the full inspiration. Suddenly the
air changed. The musicians stood up; and each one
swelling his instrument to its utmost power, they played
a grand march. The Indians sprang erect, threw their
robes over their shoulders, and extended their arms,
as rapt with the effect. Yensi in her own country
had heard the noisy music of China, set off by the terrific
bursts of the gong. William Weldon remembered,
how he had kindled, in the days of other years,
with the music of the full band in the military procession.
He recollected the tenderness and enthusiasm
of his morning of life. But Jessy, with a frame,
in which every nerve was attuned to music, and its
consequent enthusiasm, and over whose soul it brought
in a moment, countless shadowy imaginings and
thoughts of heaven, listened with an excitement almost
painful; watching the ineffable surprise marked
music the fair haired people discourse,' exclaimed
Yensi! `It does, indeed,' replied her husband, `bring
over my thoughts images of heaven. God grant, it
may bode us good, to hear such music in these valleys!'
`Why should we fear any thing from the people
of my father's kindred?' asked Jessy. `Listen, oh!
listen. What a people must they be, who have
invented such a music! Can it be possible, that bad
omens can steal upon the ear, in such sounds of heaven?
This indeed excels the tales of the red people, about
the music of the lakes in the islands of the happy mansions.'
The strain paused. It swelled, and died away
again, closing in a strain of sacred music. Elder
Wood now led forward the party to the house. The
door was opened, and they stood in presence of William
Weldon's family.
They looked round upon the scene before them
with undisguised astonishment. They had fancied a
rude hut of the backwoods; and part of the large
apartment before them was fitted up with taste, not
unmixed with touches of grandeur; which the admirable
matching of art to nature gave the dark purple
vault, that sprang up, as it were, to heaven. The
whole view spread over the apartment an indescribable
air of nobleness. Ellswatta, tall, muscular, noble,
with dignity, command and generous thought written
upon his brow, sat on his seat of elk skin, one shoulder
and one muscular arm bare, and the other enclosed
with a buffalo robe, beautifully dyed and ornamented,
and enclosing his fine manly form, as in a mantle. No
one needed point out to them Areskoui. His resemblance
to his father, and the indescribable mixture of
European and Indian in his expressive face, designated
him in a moment to the most cursory beholder.
Nelesho, in the pride of his youth, and his Herculean
form, carried the impress of disdain, and the burning
William Weldon appeared turned of fifty,
and, though with some touches of the hermit, still a
gentleman in appearance, dress and manners, with
keen intellect and melancholy thoughts upon his interesting
face. Josepha, though still wearing an European
countenance, was dressed in the gaudy magnificence,
that might be expected to result from the
taste of the wife of an Indian chief. The foreign
countenance and air of Yensi, an eye that glistened,
and melted, and told of fathomless love, and acute intellect,
designated her by the resemblance of the forehead
and the eye, as the mother of Jessy.
But if the apartment and the group impressed them
with awe and astonishment, what were their thoughts,
when, instead of the Indian dressed rustic beauty,
whom they expected to see in her, a vision of intelligence,
youth and loveliness was before them, which
awed, quite as much as it attracted. The lily and
the rose could not have been more happily blended,
than in her complexion. Her chesnut curls clustered
upon her perfectly moulded shoulders in a richness,
which neither words nor pencil might reach. Her
eye showed, as though you looked down transparent
depths of water, and saw the images of her thoughts,
as they were painted in the fountains. At the same
time there was archness combined with pensiveness,
brilliant intellect with meekness and simplicity; and,
taken altogether, there was such a person and form,
as instantly surprises an imaginative eye with the
humbling discovery that no conception, no beau ideal,
reaches the actual power of Omnipotence to mould,
and paint his own picture. Each of the beholders
rejected all previous imaginings, and remembrances
of loveliness, as a talented, but untrained statuary
would his own imperfect models, when first brought
in view of the Venus de Medici. She was dressed in
But no one who saw Jessy Weldon, thought
much of her dress. The young men, too, noted conscious
dignity in her manner; and though a passing
glow stained her cheek with a deeper tinge of the rose
for a moment, she almost instantly resumed her calmness,
and received their compliments, as though she
had been long accustomed to society. The fond and
delighted consciousness of the parents, too, was obvious.
They well, and readily comprehended the admiration
of the youthful strangers; nor seemed in the
slightest degree to consider it unnatural or misplaced.
Indeed, it was a vision of beauty to inspire a poet.
Nor will they, who have travelled much, and seen
strange things bestowed in strange places, admire,
that such an one as Jessy grew up in the valleys of the
Oregon among the Shoshonee. The American Aloe
has been generally found in the deepest deserts,
where none but denizens of the wilderness behold.
The Nymphea spreads its surpassing cup in mephitic
cypress swamps, amidst the most loathsome and noxious
animals. Providence seems often to have had
for plan, to hide its fairest and most resplendent productions
in the depths of the unpeopled desert.
| CHAPTER IV. The Shoshonee Valley | |