CHAPTER VI.

SENATORIAL BRAINS BEATEN BY SAVAGE MUSCLE——PLEASANT WAY OF PAYING PENALTIES.

The Legend in the Last Chapter——Why it is Introduced——Siletz Agency——Oyster Beds and Timber Lands——The same “Old Story” Rehearsed——The Boat Race——Indian _vs._ United States Senator—— The Horse Race——Congressional Avoirdupois——Crossing the Siletz River——Civilized Indians——A Rare Scene——Euchre Bill——Biting off Heads——The Indian School——Too-toot-na——His Wife Jinney—— Her Financial Skill——Her Husband’s Hope——Doomed to Disappointment——Indian Court Day——Hickory Clubs _vs._ Blackstone——The Attendants at Court——The First Case——A Woman’s Quarrel——Appropriating a Horse——Wounded Honor——An Agreeable Penalty——The Lone Chief——Indian Bashfulness——The Agent’s Fears——Old Joshua Speaks——His Eloquence——His Request is Granted——Religious Influences——A Language of One Hundred Words——Christianity and Common Sense——The Dialogue——Logs on Indian Graves——Why Placed there——Religions of the Indians Discussed Further On——Indian Agent Ben Simpson——His Report——He Arraigns the Government——Joel Palmer’s Report——Political Preacher and the Christian Agent——The Treachery of the Former—— A Plea for the Siletz Indians——Base White Men and a Cruel Government——The Sad Story Repeated——A Ray of Hope——Alsea Agency——The Alsea Indians——Their Character Peaceable and _therefore_ Neglected——Crime Rewarded by the Government—— Virtue Punished——The Destiny of the Alsea Tribe——A Stern Rebuke and a Prophecy 74