command all approach, he laid down his gun. Plunging his slender brown hands into the water he washed his face vigorously and wiped it on the corner of a gayly-colored blanket. He then took out a small comb and tiny mirror, such as the Hudson's Bay Company were finding in great demand in their traffic among the Indians, and proceeded to complete a toilet worthy of Beau Brummel, much to the amusement of Minto. The latter was surprised to find such indications of refinement in an Indian. His surprise rapidly developed into admiration when the young brave came into view again.
The Indian was a magnificent specimen of the Nez Perces—tall, straight and fair of face. He wore leggings, moccasins and a sort of shirt or tunic of the same shade of soft buckskin, heavily beaded in bright colors. From a beaded belt, which was a piece of real art, hung a sheathed knife, and he carried a gun which, when he rode, rested on the pony in front of him. A gay blanket, hung over one shoulder, completed this picturesque dress. That these physical graces were supplemented by fine qualities was evident in the expression of an intellectual face and an unconscious dignity of bearing, and Minto gave involuntary homage to this specimen of Nature's noblemen by rising as he approached. He had picked up some English by association with the fur traders and missionaries, and they could converse enough to understand each other. It came about that they both were en route to the Nez Perces encampment, where Minto expected to be joined by Daniel Clarke before proceeding on to the Willamette Valley.
Minto offered his gun for the trail pony. The offer was declined, but he was invited to ride it while they traveled together, a courtesy gladly accepted. They ate heartily of a dinner furnished by the Indian, of dried fish, kouse, or camas bread, a kind of cake made of sweet anise root, supplemented by a dessert drawn from Nature's bountiful resources about them, and they washed it down with copious draughts of the ale of primitive Adam. They resumed their journey early in the afternoon and reached the camp while the sun was still high. Here the Indian stopped and Minto dismounted, acknowledging his thanks for courtesies received. His companion bowed gravely and disappeared into a tepee. Minto threw himself on the grass to await Clarke's coming before proceeding on his journey. As he lay there, watching these grave, silent people, an Indian girl emerged from the tepee which his erstwhile friend had entered and offered him some ripe blue berries in a curiously woven basket. The striking beauty of the girl filled him with admiring wonder. He had seen pretty Indian girls, as Indians go, but this rare beauty of face and figure was enhanced by a sweet modesty that seemed out of harmony with her surroundings. Minto felt that he had found the Juliet that prompted the young Romeo's unusual adorning. 'Twas but the familiar story so old, yet ever new. Minto awaited the girl's return for the basket, wondering how he should express his appreciation of this un-ostentatious hospitality extended through so charming a messenger. Her bearing forbade the offer of the usual barter, but a happy thought prompted him to lay some fine new trout hooks in the basket, and a flash of pleased
