Hitherto  the  Indians  had  listened  in  grave  silence,  but
now  the  opponents  of  the  treaties  took  the  lead  in  the
discussion.  The  Yellow  Serpent,  in  a  speech  marked  by
strength  and  sarcasm,  uttered  the  prevailing  reluctance
to  part  with  their  lands,  and  their  dread  and  distrust  of
the  whites :  —

^  We  have  listened  to  all  you  have  to  say,  and  we  desire  you
to  listen  when  any  Indian  speaks.  It  appears  that  Craig  knows
the  heart  of  his  people ;  that  the  whole  has  been  prearranged  in
the  hearts  of  the  Indians ;  that  he  wants  an  answer  immediately,
without  giving  them  time  to  think ;  that  the  Indians  have  had


46  ISAAC  IN6ALLS  STEVENS

nothing  to  say,  so  that  it  would  appear  that  we  have  no  chief.
I  know  the  value  of  your  speech  from  having  experienced  the
same  in  California,  having  seen  treaties  there.  We  have  not
seen  in  a  true  light  the  object  of  your  speeches,  as  if  there  was
a  post  set  between  us,  as  if  my  heart  wept  for  what  you  have
said.  Look  at  yourselves :  your  flesh  is  white ;  mine  is  different,
mine  looks  poor;  our  languages  are  different.  If  you  would
speak  straight,  then  I  would  think  that  you  spoke  well.
^^  Should  I  speak  to  you  of  things  that  happened  long  ago,  as
you  have  done  ?  The  whites  made  me  do  what  they  pleased.
They  told  me  to  do  this,  and  I  did  it.  They  used  to  make  our
women  to  smoke.  I  supposed  then  they  did  what  was  right.
When  they  told  me  to  dance  with  all  these  nations  that  are
here,  then  I  danced.  From  that  time,  all  the  Indians  became
proud  and  called  themselves  chiefs.
