Chapter 7
ORATOR AGAINST ORATOR.The gravity, fixed attention, and decorum of these sons of the
forest was calculated to make for them a most favorable
impression.—Gray: History of Oregon.
The next day all the Indians were gathered around the council
grove. Multnomah presided, and every sachem was in his place.
There was to be a trial of eloquence,—a tourney of orators, to
see which tribe had the best. Only one, the most eloquent of each
tribe, was to speak; and Multnomah was to decide who was victor.
The mother of Wallulah had introduced the custom, and it had become
popular among the Indians.
Cecil was in his place among the chiefs, with worn face and
abstracted air; Snoqualmie was present, with hawk-like glance and
imperious mien; there was Mishlah, with his sullen and bruta
