It was the custom of the Hudson s Bay Company when the Indians committed any offense not amounting to a serious crime, to demand pay for it; or, if pay was not forthcoming, to require their chiefs to have them whipped—the culprits receiving their chastisement with little sense of degradation. This custom was adopted, it would seem, by Mr. Spalding, who assessed the delinquents a horse each for their breach of faith, which was refused.
Ellis, who had a large following, was able to avoid the penalty imposed on him, no one venturing to arrest him. Blue Cloak, however, one evening appeared at prayer meeting unattended, when Mr. Spalding ordered some Indian pupils present to take and tie him. No one obeying, at last a young Nez Perces chief arose in wrath, seized Blue Cloak, bound him, and turning to Spalding said, "Now whip him." "No," said Spalding, "I do not whip; I command: God does not whip, he commands." "You are a liar," returned the young chief indignantly. "Look at your picture (a water-color sketch hanging on the wall, designed by Mrs. Spalding to illustrate bible teachings). You have there painted two men, and God behind them with a bundle of rods to whip them. Whip him, or we will put you in his place and whip you." Mr. Spalding yielded, punished Blue Cloak, and received the horse he had exacted, which discipline restored quiet for a time.
In 1838, when Gray returned from the states, and it was learned that Hat, the chief who had accompanied him, had perished, together with four other Indians, in an attack made upon Gray s party by the Sioux at Ash Hollow, a great excitement was aroused by it among the followers of Ellis. That chief accused Mr. Spalding of designing the death of all three of Gray s Nez Perces aids. He had the mission family at Lapwai confined in their house for more than a month, during which time Mr. Pambrun sent a messenger several times to induce the Nez Percés to restore them their liberty, explaining to them tli at Gray could not have foreseen or prevented the attack
