CHAPTER XXXVI

THE FAITHFUL NEZ PERCES

Two thousand assemble in council--Offer two hundred and fifty warriors to force way through hostiles--Battle of Oregon volunteers--The way cleared--The Nez Perce guard of honor--March to Walla Walla--Capture of Ume-how-lish--Reception by the volunteers--Governor Stevens's speech--Winter campaign--Letter to General Wool--His inaction and mistaken views--In camp, 27° below zero--The Nez Perces dismissed-- Governor Stevens pushes on to the Dalles in advance of train--Crossing the gorged Deschutes--By trail down the Columbia to Vancouver--The sail at night in the storm--Arrival at Olympia after nine months' absence--Mrs. Stevens and children visit Whitby Island--In danger from northern Indians 143