202 McLOUGHLIN AND OLD OREGON
The distressed Nez Perces were shocked. Of all known tribes they were most inclined to prayer. Dr. Whitman wrote to a friend in the valley: "The question of worship or no worship is now before the minds of our people as urged by Tom Hill, a Delaware Indian. I am in hopes we can turn his influence to the best account, not only in regard to religion, but in regard to the intercourse of the whites with Indians, as he is well acquainted with the border history."
Delaware Tom visited Fort Walla Walla. From the corner of his eye he scrutinized every lock and barricade.
"Since these skin buyers have come we can do nothing without their guns and ammunition," he said.
The Delaware visited the Willamette and shook his head at the signs of white men. He came to Fort Vancouver Dr. McLoughlin kicked him from the gate. The Delaware picked himself up and gave one look. Dr. McLoughlin never forgot those eyes, strange eyes, wonderful eyes, glittering, scintillating with inward fire. Back in the Blue Mountains the Delaware ground his teeth.
"Why do not all Indians band together and fight for the independence of their native land? We are like the partridge wounded by the hunter. They have given us guns until now we have forgotten the use of the arrow. They alone have the secret of gunpowder. Could we plant the powder and make it grow, could we gather shot like pebbles on the shore, we might be free. Now we are slaves."
Walking nearer and shaking his finger in the solemn faces of his auditors "White men bring diseases. Look at the Willamettes, dying year by year; yet once, like you, they were brave and free and rich and inde
