113. Account of the Lytton Chiefs.
(Nkamtci'nEmux.)
(cont.)The one fire warmed them all, just as if the were one family in a single lodge. The one pipe passed around was the same' as if they all partook of the same food out of the same dish, and the two pipes as if the food of one was the food of the other. This was the same as acknowledging before all that they were friends. In these ceremonial or important smokes every participant was solemn, and the pipe was passed around in total silence until finished, each one taking a few puffs in turn. Many speeches were made, and then Cexpe'ntlEm feasted the Lillooet with the food he had brought, and gave presents to all those Lillooet who had had relatives killed by Thompsons. This ended the long series of wars
between the Thompson and Lillooet, in which the latter had been great sufferers.Cexpe'ntlEm also made a treaty of peace with Governor Douglas when the white miners first came up Fraser River, in 1858. . The whites had killed some Indians in the Canyon ; and some of the Indians there had in consequence been fighting them. This news had spread, and hundreds of warriors from all parts of the Upper Thompson country had assembled at Lytton with the intention of blocking the progress of the whites beyond that point, and if possible, of driving them back down the river. The Okanagon had sent word, promising aid, and it was expected that the Shuswap would also render help. In fact, the Bonaparte, Savona, and Kamloops bands had intimated their desire to assist if war were declared. For a number of days there was much excitement at Lytton, and many fiery speeches were made. Cuxcuxe'sqEt, the Lytton war-chief, a large active man of great courage, talked incessantly for war. He put on his head-dress of eagle-feathers, and, painted, decked, and armed for battle, advised the people to drive out the whites. At the end of his speeches he would dance as in a war dance, or imitate the grisly bear, his chief guardian-spirit. Cunami'tsa, the Spences Bridge chief, and several other leading men, were also in favor of war. Cexpe'nt1Em, with his great powers of oratory, talked continually for peace, and showed strongly its advantages. The people were thus divided as to the best course to pursue, and finally most of them favored Cexpe'ntlEm's 'proposals. With the arrival of Governor Douglas and the making of explanations or promises on his side, most of the people favored peace; and finally Cexpe'ntlEm, on behalf of his people, allowed the whites to enter the country. Nobody now knows the exact agreement or promises made by either party. The- Indians dispersed and did not afterwards molest the whites, although during the following few years a number of individual whites were killed by Thompson Indians at different places in retaliation for injuries inflicted on them. Had it not been for Cexpe'ndEm, there would certainly have been a war with the whites, and much bloodshed would have resulted. Cuxcuxe'sgEt never forgave Cexpe'ntlEm for bringing about peace at that time. Cexpe'ntlEm at one time was very fond of pomp and display. Whenever he went any distance, he drove his whole band of horses along, and always had to from ten to twenty or more young men as an escort, all of them decked out and well armed.
