Chapter 40
Natives in the Neighborhood of Astoria--Their Persons and Characteristics.--Causes of Deformity--Their Dress.-- Their Contempt of Beards--Ornaments--Armor and Weapons.-Mode of Flattening the Head.--Extent of the Custom.--Religious Belief.-The Two Great Spirits of the Air and of the Fire.-- Priests or Medicine Men.--The Rival Idols.--Polygamy a Cause of Greatness-Petty Warfare.--Music, Dancing, Gambling.-- Thieving a Virtue.--Keen Traders--Intrusive Habits-- Abhorrence of Drunkenness--Anecdote of Comcomly. A BRIEF mention has already been made of the tribes or hordes existing about the lower part of the Columbia at the time of the settlement; a few more particulars concerning them may be acceptable. The four tribes nearest to Astoria, and with whom the traders had most intercourse, were, a
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