that no time should be lost in getting to Walla Walla, and
to come without giving any promises to the Indians, not
aware that Spalding had already given his word to pre
vent the Americans from coming to avenge the murders.
Spalding replied to Ogden that he should hasten to join
him, and all the more, that the chiefs had assured him
that the Cayuses would kill all should they hear that the
Americans were coming with hostile design. A letter was
also sent express to the missionaries at Chemakane in
which Mr. Ogden declared his great fear lest something
should miscarry, an anxiety which had prevented him
from sleeping for two nights, and outlining the policy he
should pursue, which would be one to do nothing which
might in any way embarrass the government of the United
States in dealing with the murderers.
The anxiety expressed in this letter was occasioned by a rumor which reached the Indians immediately after the arrival of the Waiilatpu captives at Fort Walla Walla December twenty-ninth that a company of riflemen had arrived at The Dalles on their way to the Cayuse country. Should this rumor be believed it would be almost certain to cause Mr. Spalding s party to be cut off, and might make the escape of those already with him impossible. No con firmation, however, was received before Mr. Spalding ar rived, who reached the fort January first, escorted by a large party of Nez Percés, greatly to the relief of all con cerned.
At noon on the second, the boats, with their fifty -seven ransomed men, women, and children, with other passengers arid provisions for the journey, 19 put off from the beach at Walla Walla fort, eager and thankful to see the last of it. Nor were they any too soon, for a few hours thereafter fifty armed Cayuses rode up to the fort to demand Mr. Spalding to be given up to be killed, as they had reliable news of American soldiers en route to their country.
" Seven oxen and sixteen bags of coarse Hour were purchased from Tilonkaikt to
feed the people : Oregon Spectator, January
