Chapter 2 ON
THE WAY TO THE COUNCIL.They arrived at the village of Wishram.
Irving: Astoria.
The camp was all astir at dawn, for sunset must see them far on
the way. They must first cross the prairies to the northward till
they struck the Columbia, then take the great trail leading down it
to the Willamette valley. It was a two days’ journey at the
least.
Squaws were preparing a hurried meal; lodge-poles were being
taken down and the mats that covered them rolled up and strapped on
the backs of horses; Indians, yelling and vociferating, were
driving up bands of horses from which pack and riding ponies were
to be selected; unbroken animals were rearing and plunging beneath
their first burdens, while mongrel curs ran barking at their heels.
Here and there unskilful hands were t
