An Uninvited Guest

On April 2nd, 1806, William Clark wrote:

I entered one of the rooms of this house and offered Several articles to the natives in exchange for Wappato. They were Sulkey and they positively refused to Sell any. I had a small pece of port fire match in my pocket, off of which I cut [off] a pece one inch in length & put it into the fire and took out my pocket Compas and Set myself doun on a mat on one Side of the fire, and a magnet which was in the top of my ink Stand the port fire cought and burned vehemently, which changed the Colour of the fire; with the Magnit I turned the Needle of the Compas about very briskly; which astonished and alarmed these nativs and they laid Several parsles of Wappato at my feet, & begged of [that] me to take out the bad fire; to this I consented; at this moment the match being exhausted was of course extinguished and I put up the magnet &c. this measure alarmed them So much that the womin and children took Shelter in their beads and behind the men, all this time a very old blind man was Speaking with great vehemunce, appearently imploreing his gode. I lit my pipe and gave them Smoke & gave the womin the full amount of the roots which they had put at my feet. they appeared Somewhat passified and I left...(Clark, from Moulton V.7, 57-8)

<< Return to Around the Dalles