The wappatoo roots were held at a rather stiff figure, because they could be traded to the other Indians, if not to the white men.
The Clatsops were the best Indians. The Cath-lam-ets were treacherous; one would have killed Hugh McNeal had not a Chinook woman warned Hugh. The Chinooks were thievish.
"No Chinook shall be admitted into the fort without special invitation," finally ordered Captain Lewis.
So after that when Indians appeared outside they always shouted: "No Chinook. Clatsop." Or "Skilloot," or whatever they chanced to be or pretended to be. Another order was issued that no Indians should remain in the fort over night.
The Indians brought many fleas, too—" the wan thing for which we've nothin' to trade," as said Pat.
The greatest excitement of the winter was the arrival of a whale. Chief Co-bo-way of the Clatsops came with the news, and also with three dogs and some blubber. He said that the whale had been stranded ashore near the Tillamooks' village down the coast. He was given a pair of old satin breeches, and went away much pleased.
Joe Fields and George Gibson appeared at the fort with the gallon of salt from the salt camp, and with some more of the whale blubber. They said that the Indians all were flocking to the whale and cutting it up. The blubber, when cooked, looked and tasted like beaver tail—it was very good; and Captain Clark immediately
