council with her maidens. No one had heard \be
few half-whispered words that passed between them,
but those who stood nearest noticed the deadly pallor
that came over her face while Snoqualmie was speak
ing. Multnomah saw it, and Snoqualmie caught from
him a glance that chilled even his haughty nature,
a glance that said, "Beware; she is the war-chiefs
daughter."
But even if he had known all, Multnomah would have sacrificed her. His plans must be carried out, even though her heart be crushed.
Now followed the potlatch, the giving of gifts. At a signal from the war-chief, his slaves appeared, laden with presents. Large heaps of rich furs and skins were laid on the ground near the chiefs. The finest of bows and arrows, with gaily decorated quivers and store of bow-strings, were brought. Untold treas ure of hiagua shells, money as well as ornament to the Oregon Indians, was poured out upon the ground, and lay glistening in the sun in bright- colored masses. To the Indians they represented vast and splendid wealth. Multnomah was the richest of all the In dians of the Wauna; and the gifts displayed were the spoil of many wars, treasures garnered during forty years of sovereignty.
And now they were all given away. The chief kept back nothing, except some cases of oriental fabrics that had been saved from the wreck when Wallulah s mother was cast upon the shore. Well would it have been for him and his race had they been given too; for, little as they dreamed it, the fate of the Willamettes lay sealed up in those un opened cases of silk
