45.

The Skynses—­Their traffic—­Hunting—­Food—­Horses—­A horse- race—­Devotional feeling of the Skynses, Nez Perces and Flatheads—­Prayers—­Exhortations—­A preacher on horseback Effect of religion on the manners of the tribes—­A new light.

During the absence of this detachment, a sociable intercourse had been kept up between the main party and the Skynses, who had removed into the neighborhood of the camp.  These people dwell about the waters of the Way-lee-way and the adjacent country, and trade regularly with the Hudson’s Bay Company; generally giving horses in exchange for the articles of which they stand in need.  They bring beaver skins, also, to the trading posts; not procured by trapping, but by a course of internal traffic with the shy and ignorant Shoshokoes and Too-el-icans, who keep in distant and unfrequented parts of the country, and will not venture near the trading houses.  The Skynses hunt the deer and elk occasionally; and depend, for a part of the year, on fishing.  Their main subsistence, however, is upon roots, especially the kamash.  This bulbous root is said to be of a delicious flavor, and highly nutritious.  The women dig it up in great quantities, steam it, and deposit it in caches for winter provisions.  It grows spontaneously, and absolutely covers the plains.

This tribe was comfortably clad and equipped.  They had a few rifles among them, and were extremely desirous of bartering for those of Captain Bonneville’s men; offering a couple of good running horses for a light rifle.  Their first-rate horses, however, were not to be procured from them on any terms.  They almost invariably use ponies; but of a breed infinitely superior to any in the United States.  They are fond of trying their speed and bottom, and of betting upon them.

As Captain Bonneville was desirous of judging of the comparative merit of their horses, he purchased one of their racers, and had a trial of speed between that, an American, and a Shoshonie, which were supposed to be well matched.  The race-course was for the distance of one mile and a half out and back.  For the first half mile the American took the lead by a few hands; but, losing his wind, soon fell far behind; leaving the Shoshonie and Skynse to contend together.  For a mile and a half they went head and head:  but at the turn the Skynse took the lead and won the race with great ease, scarce drawing a quick breath when all was over.

The Skynses, like the Nez Perces and the Flatheads, have a strong devotional feeling, which has been successfully cultivated by some of the resident personages of the Hudson’s Bay Company.  Sunday is invariably kept sacred among these tribes.  They will not raise their camp on that day, unless in extreme cases of danger or hunger:  neither will they hunt, nor fish, nor trade, nor perform any kind of labor on that day.  A part of it is passed in prayer and religious ceremonies.  Some chief, who is