Shouldasurgethrowthecanoeuponitssideandendangeritsoverturn，thosetowindwardleanovertheuppergunwale，thrusttheirpaddlesdeepintothewave，apparentlycatchthewaterandforceitunderthecanoe，andbythisactionnotmerelyregainIIIanequilibrium，butgivetheirbarkavigorousimpulseforward。
TheeffectofdifferentmodesoflifeuponthehumanframeandhumancharacterisstrikinglyinstancedinthecontrastbetweenthehuntingIndiansoftheprairies，andthepiscatoryIndiansofthesea-coast。Theformer，continuallyonhorsebackscouringtheplains，gainingtheirfoodbyhardyexercise，andsubsistingchieflyonflesh，aregenerallytall，sinewy，meagre，butwellformed，andofboldandfiercedeportment:thelatter，loungingabouttheriverbanks，orsquattingandcurvedupintheircanoes，aregenerallylowinstature，ill-shaped，withcrookedlegs，thickankles，andbroadflatfeet。Theyareinferioralsoinmuscularpowerandactivity，andingamequalitiesandappearance，totheirhard-ridingbrethrenoftheprairies。
HavingpremisedthesefewparticularsconcerningtheneighboringIndians，wewillreturntotheimmediateconcernsoftheTonquinandhercrew。
FurthersearchwasmadeforMr。Foxandhisparty，butwithnobettersuccess，andtheywereatlengthgivenupaslost。Inthemeantime，thecaptainandsomeofthepartnersexploredtheriverforsomedistanceinalargeboat，toselectasuitableplaceforthetradingpost。Theiroldjealousiesanddifferencescontinued;
theynevercouldcoincideintheirchoice，andthecaptainobjectedaltogethertoanysitesohighuptheriver。Theyallreturned，therefore，toBaker’sBayinnoverygoodhumor。Thepartnersproposedtoexaminetheoppositeshore，butthecaptainwasimpatientofanyfurtherdelay。Hiseagernessto“geton“hadincreaseduponhim。Hethoughtalltheseexcursionsasheerlossoftime，andwasresolvedtolandatonce，buildashelterforthereceptionofthatpartofhiscargodestinedfortheuseofthesettlement，and，havingclearedhisshipofitandofhisirksomeshipmates，todepartupontheprosecutionofhiscoastingvoyage，accordingtoorders。
Onthefollowingday，therefore，withouttroublinghimselftoconsultthepartners，helandedinBaker’sBay，andproceededtoerectashedforthereceptionoftherigging，equipments，andstoresoftheschoonerthatwastobebuiltfortheuseofthesettlement。
ThisdoggeddeterminationonthepartofthesturdycaptaingavehighoffensetoMr。M’Dougal，whonowconsideredhimselfattheheadoftheconcern，asMr。Astor’srepresentativeandproxy。Hesetoffthesameday，(April5th)accompaniedbyDavidStuart，forthesouthernshore，intendingtobebackbytheseventh。Nothavingthecaptaintocontendwith，theysoonpitcheduponaspotwhichappearedtothemfavorablefortheintendedestablishment。
ItwasonapointoflandcalledPointGeorge，havingaverygoodharbor，wherevessels，notexceedingtwohundredtonsburden，mightanchorwithinfiftyyardsoftheshore。
Afteradaythusprofitablyspent，theyrecrossedtheriver，butlandedonthenorthernshoreseveralmilesabovetheanchoringgroundoftheTonquin，intheneighborhoodofChinooks，andvisitedthevillageofthattribe。Heretheywerereceivedwithgreathospitalitybythechief，whowasnamedComcomly，ashrewdoldsavage，withbutoneeye，whowilloccasionallyfigureinthisnarrative。Eachvillageformsapettysovereignty，governedbyitsownchief，who，however，possessesbutlittleauthority，unlesshebeamanofwealthandsubstance;thatistosay，possessedofcanoe，slaves，andwives。Thegreaterthenumberofthese，thegreateristhechief。Howmanywivesthisone-eyedpotentatemaintainedwearenottold，buthecertainlypossessedgreatsway，notmerelyoverhisowntribe，butovertheneighborhood。
Havingmentionedslaves，wewouldobservethatslaveryexistsamongseveralofthetribesbeyondtheRockyMountains。Theslavesarewelltreatedwhileingoodhealth，butoccupiedinallkindsofdrudgery。Shouldtheybecomeuseless，however，bysicknessoroldage，theyaretotallyneglected，andlefttoperish;norisanyrespectpaidtotheirbodiesafterdeath。
Asingularcustomprevails，notmerelyamongtheChinooks，butamongmostofthetribesaboutthispartofthecoast，whichistheflatteningoftheforehead。Theprocessbywhichthisdeformityiseffectedcommencesimmediatelyafterbirth。Theinfantislaidinawoodentrough，bywayofcradle。Theendonwhichtheheadreposesishigherthantherest。Apaddingisplacedontheforeheadoftheinfant，withapieceofbarkaboveit，andispresseddownbycords，whichpassthroughholesoneachsideofthetrough。Asthetighteningofthepaddingandthepressingoftheheadtotheboardisgradual，theprocessissaidnottobeattendedwithmuchpain。Theappearanceoftheinfant，however，whileinthisstateofcompression，iswhimsicallyhideous，and“itslittleblackeyes。”wearetold，“beingforcedoutbythetightnessofthebandages，resemblethoseofamousechokedinatrap。”
Aboutayear’spressureissufficienttoproducethedesiredeffect，attheendofwhichtimethechildemergesfromitsbandagesacompleteflathead，andcontinuessothroughlife。Itmustbenotedthatthisflatteningoftheheadhassomethinginitofaristocraticalsignificancy，likethecripplingofthefeetamongtheChineseladiesofquality。Atanyrate，itisasignoffreedom。Noslaveispermittedtobestowthisenviabledeformityuponhischild;alltheslaves，therefore，areroundheads。
WiththisworthytribeofChinooksthetwopartnerspassedapartofthedayveryagreeably。M’Dougal，whowassomewhatvainofhisofficialrank，hadgivenittobeunderstoodthattheyweretwochiefsofagreattradingcompany，abouttobeestablishedhere，andthequick-sighted，thoughone-eyedchief，whowassomewhatpracticedintrafficwithwhitemen，immediatelyperceivedthepolicyofcultivatingthefriendshipoftwosuchimportantvisitors。Heregaledthem，therefore，tothebestofhisability，withabundanceofsalmonandwappatoo。Thenextmorning，April7th，theypreparedtoreturntothevessel，accordingtopromise。
Theyhadelevenmilesofopenbaytotraverse;thewindwasfresh，thewavesranhigh。Comcomlyremonstratedwiththemonthehazardtowhichtheywouldbeexposed。Theywereresolute，however，andlaunchedtheirboat，whilethewarychieftainfollowedatsomeshortdistanceinhiscanoe。Scarcehadtheyrowedamile，whenawavebrokeovertheirboatandupsetit。
Theywereinimminentperilofdrowning，especiallyMr。M’Dougal，whocouldnotswim。Comcomly，however，cameboundingoverthewavesinhislightcanoe，andsnatchedthemfromawaterygrave。
Theyweretakenonshoreandafiremade，atwhichtheydriedtheirclothes，afterwhichComcomlyconductedthembacktohisvillage。Hereeverythingwasdonethatcouldbedevisedfortheirentertainmentduringthreedaysthattheyweredetainedbybadweather。Comcomlymadehispeopleperformanticsbeforethem;andhiswivesanddaughtersendeavored，byallthesoothingandendearingartsofwomen，tofindfavorintheireyes。Someevenpaintedtheirbodieswithredclay，andanointedthemselveswithfishoil，togiveadditionallustretotheircharms。Mr。M’Dougalseemstohavehadaheartsusceptibletotheinfluenceofthegentlersex。Whetherornoitwasfirsttouchedonthisoccasionwedonotlearn;butitwillbefound，inthecourseofthiswork，thatoneofthedaughtersofthehospitableComcomlyeventuallymadeaconquestofthegreaterioftheAmericanFurCompany。
Whentheweatherhadmoderatedandtheseabecametranquil，theone-eyedchiefoftheChinooksmannedhisstatecanoe，andconductedhisguestsinsafetytotheship，wheretheywerewelcomedwithjoy，forapprehensionshadbeenfeltfortheirsafety。ComcomlyandhispeoplewerethenentertainedonboardoftheTonquin，andliberallyrewardedfortheirhospitalityandservices。Theyreturnedhomehighlysatisfied，promisingtoremainfaithfulfriendsandalliesofthewhitemen。
CHAPTERIX。
PointGeorge-FoundingofAstoria-IndianVisitors-TheirReception-TheCaptainTaboostheShip-DepartureoftheTonquin-CommentsontheConductofCaptainThorn。
FROMthereportmadebythetwoexploringpartners，itwasdeterminedthatPointGeorgeshouldbethesiteofthetradinghouse。Thesegentlemen，itistrue，werenotperfectlysatisfiedwiththeplace，andweredesirousofcontinuingtheirsearch;butCaptainThornwasimpatienttolandhiscargoandcontinuehisvoyage，andprotestedagainstanymoreofwhathetermed“sportingexcursions。”
Accordingly，onthe12thofAprilthelaunchwasfreightedwithallthingsnecessaryforthepurpose，andsixteenpersonsdepartedinhertocommencetheestablishment，leavingtheTonquintofollowassoonastheharborcouldbesounded。
Crossingthewidemouthoftheriver，thepartylanded，andencampedatthebottomofasmallbaywithinPointGeorge。Thesituationchosenforthefortifiedpostwasonanelevationfacingtothenorth，withthewideestuary，itssandbarsandtumultuousbreakersspreadoutbeforeit，andthepromontoryofCapeDisappointment，fifteenmilesdistant，closingtheprospecttotheleft。Thesurroundingcountrywasinallthefreshnessofspring;thetreeswereintheyoungleaf，theweatherwassuperb，andeverythinglookeddelightfultomenjustemancipatedfromalongconfinementonshipboard。TheTonquinshortlyafterwardsmadeherwaythroughtheintricatechannel，ancametoanchorinthelittlebay，andwassalutedfromtheencampmentwiththreevolleysofmusketryandthreecheers。Shereturnedthesalutewiththreecheersandthreeguns。
Allhandsnowsettoworkcuttingdowntrees，clearingawaythickets，andmarkingouttheplacefortheresidence，storehouse，andpowdermagazine，whichweretobebuiltoflogsandcoveredwithbark。Otherslandedthetimbersintendedfortheframeofthecoastingvessel，andproceededtoputthemtogether，whileotherspreparedagardenspot，andsowedtheseedsofvariousvegetables。
Thenextthoughtwastogiveanametotheembryometropolis:theonethatnaturallypresenteditselfwasthatoftheprojectorandsupporterofthewholeenterprise。ItwasaccordinglynamedASTORIA。
TheneighboringIndiansnowswarmedabouttheplace。Somebroughtafewland-otterandsea-otterskinstobarter，butinveryscantyparcels;thegreaternumbercamepryingabouttogratifytheircuriosity，fortheyaresaidtobeimpertinentlyinquisitive;whilenotafewcamewithnootherdesignthantopilfer;thelawsofmeumandtuumbeingbutslightlyrespectedamongthem。Someofthembesettheshipintheircanoes，amongwhomwastheChinookchiefComcomly，andhisliegesubjects。
ThesewerewellreceivedbyMr。M’Dougal，whowasdelightedwithanopportunityofenteringuponhisfunctions，andacquiringimportanceintheeyesofhisfutureneighbors。Theconfusionthusproducedonboard，andthederangementofthecargocausedbythispettytrade，stirredthespleenofthecaptain，whohadasovereigncontemptfortheone-eyedchieftainandallhiscrew。
Hecomplainedloudlyofhavinghisshiplumberedbyahostof“Indianragamuffins。”whohadnotaskintodisposeof，andatlengthputhispositiveinterdictuponalltraffickingonboard。
UponthisMr。M’Dougalwasfaintoland，andestablishhisquartersattheencampment，wherehecouldexercisehisrightsandenjoyhisdignitieswithoutcontrol。
Thefeud，however，betweentheserivalpowersstillcontinued，butwaschieflycarriedonbyletter。Dayafterdayandweekafterweekelapsed，yetthestore-houserequisiteforthereceptionofthecargowasnotcompleted，andtheshipwasdetainedinport;whilethecaptainwasteasedbyfrequentrequisitionsforvariousarticlesfortheuseoftheestablishment，orthetradewiththenatives。Anangrycorrespondencetookplace，inwhichhecomplainedbitterlyofthetimewastedin“smokingandsportingparties。”ashetermedthereconnoiteringexpeditions，andinclearingandpreparingmeadowgroundandturnippatches，insteadofdespatchinghisship。Atlengthallthesejarringmatterswereadjusted，ifnottothesatisfaction，atleasttotheacquiescenceofallparties。ThepartofthecargodestinedfortheuseofAstoriawaslanded，andtheshipleftfreetoproceedonhervoyage。
AstheTonquinwastocoasttothenorth，totradeforpeltriesatthedifferentharbors，andtotouchatAstoriaonherreturnintheautumn，itwasunanimouslydeterminedthatMr。M’Kayshouldgoinherassupercargo，takingwithhimMr。Lewisasship’sclerk。OnthefirstofJunetheshipgotunderway，anddroppeddowntoBaker’sBay，whereshewasdetainedforafewdaysbyaheadwind;butearlyinthemorningofthefifthstoodouttoseawithafinebreezeandswellingcanvas，andsweptoffgailyonherfatalvoyage，fromwhichshewasnevertoreturn！
OnreviewingtheconductofCaptainThorn，andexamininghispeevishandsomewhatwhimsicalcorrespondence，theimpressionleftuponourmindis，uponthewhole，decidedlyinhisfavor。
Whilewesmileatthesimplicityofhisheartandthenarrownessofhisviews，whichmadehimregardeverythingoutofthedirectpathofhisdailyduty，andtherigidexigenciesoftheservice，astrivialandimpertinent，whichinspiredhimwithcontemptfortheswellingvanityofsomeofhiscoadjutors，andtheliteraryexercisesandcuriousresearchesofothers，wecannotbutapplaudthatstrictandconscientiousdevotiontotheinterestsofhisemployer，andtowhatheconsideredthetrueobjectsoftheenterpriseinwhichhewasengaged。Hecertainlywastoblameoccasionallyfortheasperityofhismanners，andthearbitrarynatureofhismeasures，yetmuchthatisexceptionableinthispartofhisconductmaybetracedtorigidnotionsofdutyacquiredinthattyrannicalschool，ashipofwar，andtotheconstructiongivenbyhiscompanionstotheordersofMr。Astor，solittleinconformitywithhisown。Hismind，too，appearstohavebecomealmostdiseasedbythesuspicionshehadformedastotheloyaltyofhisassociates，andthenatureoftheirultimatedesigns;yetonthispointtherewerecircumstancesto，insomemeasure，justifyhim。TherelationsbetweentheUnitedStatesandGreatBritainwereatthattimeinacriticalstate;infact，thetwocountrieswereontheeveofawar。SeveralofthepartnerswereBritishsubjects，andmightbereadytodeserttheflagunderwhichtheyacted，shouldawartakeplace。TheirapplicationtotheBritishministeratNewYorkshowsthedubiousfeelingwithwhichtheyhadembarkedinthepresententerprise。
TheyhadbeenintheemployoftheNorthwestCompany，andmightbedisposedtorallyagainunderthatassociation，shouldeventsthreatentheprosperityofthisembryoestablishmentofMr。
Astor。Besides，wehavethefact，averredtousbyoneofthepartners，thatsomeofthem，whowereyoungandheedless，tookamischievousandunwarrantablepleasureinplayinguponthejealoustemperofthecaptain，andaffectingmysteriousconsultationsandsinistermovements。
ThesecircumstancesarecitedinpalliationofthedoubtsandsurmisesofCaptainThorn，whichmightotherwiseappearstrangeandunreasonable。Thatmostofthepartnerswereperfectlyuprightandfaithfulinthedischargeofthetrustreposedinthemwearefullysatisfied;stillthehonestcaptainwasnotinvariablywronginhissuspicions;andthatheformedaprettyjustopinionoftheintegrityofthataspiringpersonage，Mr。
M’Dougal，willbesubstantiallyprovedinthesequel。
CHAPTERX。
DisquietingRumorsFromtheInterior-ReconnoitringParty-
PreparationsforaTradingPost-AnUnexpectedArrival-ASpyintheCamp-ExpeditionIntotheInterior-ShoresoftheColumbia-MountCoffin-IndianSepulchre-TheLandofSpirits-
ColumbianValley-Vancouver’sPoint-FallsandRapids-AGreatFishingMart-TheVillageofWishram-DifferenceBetweenFishingIndiansandHuntingIndians-EffectsofHabitsofTradeontheIndianCharacter-PostEstablishedattheOakinagan。
WHILEtheAstorianswerebusilyoccupiedincompletingtheirfactoryandfort，areportwasbroughttothembyanIndianfromtheupperpartoftheriver，thatapartyofthirtywhitemenhadappearedonthebanksoftheColumbia，andwereactuallybuildinghousesatthesecondrapids。Thisinformationcausedmuchdisquiet。WehavealreadymentionedthattheNorthwestCompanyhadestablishedpoststothewestoftheRockyMountains，inadistrictcalledbythemNewCaledonia，whichextendedfromlat。
52to55degnorth，beingwithintheBritishterritories。ItwasnowapprehendedthattheywereadvancingwithintheAmericanlimits，andwereendeavoringtoseizeupontheupperpartoftheriverandforestalltheAmericanFurCompanyinthesurroundingtrade;inwhichcasebloodyfeudsmightbeanticipated，suchashadprevailedbetweentherivalfurcompaniesinformerdays。
Areconnoitringpartywassentuptherivertoascertainthetruthofthereport。Theyascendedtothefootofthefirstrapid，abouttwohundredmiles，butcouldhearnothingofanywhitemenbeingintheneighborhood。
Notlongaftertheirreturn，however，furtheraccountswerereceived，bytwowanderingIndians，whichestablishedthefactthattheNorthwestCompanyhadactuallyerectedatradinghouseontheSpokaneRiver，whichfallsintothenorthbranchoftheColumbia。
WhatrenderedthisintelligencethemoredisquietingwastheinabilityoftheAstorians，intheirpresentreducedstateastonumbers，andtheexigenciesoftheirnewestablishment，tofurnishdetachmentstopenetratethecountryindifferentdirections，andfixthepostsnecessarytosecuretheinteriortrade。
Itwasresolved，however，atanyrate，toadvanceacounterchecktothispostontheSpokan，andoneofthepartners，Mr。DavidStuart，preparedtosetoutforthepurposewitheightmenandasmallassortmentofgoods。HewastobeguidedbythetwoIndians，whoknewthecountryandpromisedtotakehimtoaplacenotfarfromtheSpokanRiver，andinaneighborhoodaboundingwithbeaver。Herehewastoestablishhimselfandtoremainforatime，providedhefoundthesituationadvantageousandthenativesfriendly。
Onthe15thofJuly，whenMr。Stuartwasnearlyreadytoembark，acanoemadeitsappearance，standingfortheharbor，andmannedbyninewhitemen。Muchspeculationtookplacewhothesestrangerscouldbe，foritwastoosoontoexpecttheirownpeople，underMr。Hunt，whoweretocrossthecontinent。Asthecanoedrewnear，theBritishstandardwasdistinguished:oncomingtoland，oneofthecrewsteppedonshore，andannouncedhimselfasMr。DavidThompson，astronomer，andpartneroftheNorthwestCompany。Accordingtohisaccount，hehadsetoutintheprecedingyearwithatolerablystrongparty，andasupplyofIndiangoods，tocrosstheRockyMountains。Apartofhispeople，however，haddesertedhimontheeasternside，andreturnedwiththegoodstothenearestNorthwestpost。Hehadpersistedincrossingthemountainswitheightmen，whoremainedtruetohim。
Theyhadtraversedthehigherregions，andventurednearthesourceoftheColumbia，where，inthespring，theyhadconstructedacedarcanoe，thesameinwhichtheyhadreachedAstoria。
This，infact，wasthepartydespatchedbytheNorthwestCompanytoanticipateMr。AstorinhisintentionofeffectingasettlementatthemouthoftheColumbiaRiver。Itappears，frominformationsubsequentlyderivedfromothersources，thatMr。
Thompsonhadpushedonhiscoursewithgreathaste，callingatalltheIndianvillagesinhismarch，presentingthemwithBritishflags，andevenplantingthemattheforksoftherivers，proclaimingformallythathetookpossessionofthecountryinthenameofthekingofGreatBritainfortheNorthwestCompany。
Ashisoriginalplanwasdefeatedbythedesertionofhispeople，itisprobablethathedescendedtheriversimplytoreconnoitre，andascertainwhetheranAmericansettlementhadbeencommenced。
Mr。Thompsonwas，nodoubt，thefirstwhitemanwhodescendedthenorthernbranchoftheColumbiafromsonearitssource。LewisandClarkestruckthemainbodyoftheriverattheforks，aboutfourhundredmilesfromitsmouth。TheyentereditfromLewisRiver，itssouthernbranch，andthencedescended。
ThoughMr。Thompsoncouldbeconsideredaslittlebetterthanaspyinthecamp，hewasreceivedwithgreatcordialitybyMr。
M’Dougal，whohadalurkingfeelingofcompanionshipandgood-
willforalloftheNorthwestCompany。Heinvitedhimtohead-
quarters，whereheandhispeoplewerehospitablyentertained。
Nay，further，beingsomewhatinextremity，hewasfurnishedbyMr。M’Dougalwithgoodsandprovisionsforhisjourneybackacrossthemountains，muchagainstthewishesOfMr。DavidStuart，whodidnotthinktheobjectofhisvisitentitledhimtoanyfavor。
Onthe23rdofJuly，Mr。Stuartsetoutuponhisexpeditiontotheinterior。Hispartyconsistedoffouroftheclerks，Messrs。
Pillet，Ross，M’Lennon，andMontigny，twoCanadianvoyageurs，andtwonativesoftheSandwichIslands。Theyhadthreecanoeswellladenwithprovisions，andwithgoodsandnecessitiesforatradingestablishment。
Mr。Thompsonandhispartysetoutincompanywiththem，itbeinghisintentiontoproceeddirecttoMontreal。ThepartnersatAstoriaforwardedbyhimashortlettertoMr。Astor，informinghimoftheirsafearrivalatthemouthoftheColumbia，andthattheyhadnotyetheardofMr。Hunt。Thelittlesquadronofcanoessetsailwithafavorablebreeze，andsoonpassedTonguePoint，along，high，androckypromontory，coveredwithtrees，andstretchingfarintotheriver。Oppositetothis，onthenorthernshore，isadeepbay，wheretheColumbiaanchoredatthetimeofthediscovery，andwhichisstillcalledGray’sBay，fromthenameofhercommander。
Fromhence，thegeneralcourseoftheriverforaboutseventymileswasnearlysoutheast;varyinginbreadthaccordingtoitsbaysandindentations，andnavigableforvesselsofthreehundredtons。Theshoreswereinsomeplaceshighandrocky，withlowmarshyislandsattheirfeet，subjecttoinundation，andcoveredwithwillows，poplars，andothertreesthatloveanalluvialsoil。Sometimesthemountainsreceded，andgaveplacetobeautifulplainsandnobleforests。Whiletherivermarginwasrichlyfringedwithtreesofdeciduousfoliage，theroughuplandswerecrownedbymajesticpines，andfirsofgiganticsize，sometoweringtotheheightofbetweentwoandthreehundredfeet，withproportionatecircumference。OutofthesetheIndianswroughttheirgreatcanoesandpirogues。
Atonepartoftheriver，theypassed，onthenorthernside，anisolatedrock，aboutonehundredandfiftyfeethigh，risingfromalowmarshysoil，andtotallydisconnectedwiththeadjacentmountains。ThiswasheldingreatreverencebytheneighboringIndians，beingoneoftheirprincipalplacesofsepulture。Thesameprovidentcareforthedeceasedthatprevailsamongthehuntingtribesoftheprairiesisobservableamongthepiscatorytribesoftheriversandsea-coast。Amongtheformer，thefavoritehorseofthehunterisburiedwithhiminthesamefunerealmound，andhisbowandarrowsarelaidbyhisside，thathemaybeperfectlyequippedforthe“happyhuntinggrounds“ofthelandofspirits。Amongthelatter，theIndianiswrappedinhismantleofskins，laidinhiscanoe，withhispaddle，hisfishingspear，andotherimplementsbesidehim，andplacedaloftonsomerockorothereminenceoverlookingtheriver，orbay，orlake，thathehasfrequented。Heisthusfittedouttolaunchawayuponthoseplacidstreamsandsunnylakesstockedwithallkindsoffishandwaterfowl，whicharepreparedinthenextworldforthosewhohaveacquittedthemselvesasgoodsons，goodfathers，goodhusbands，and，aboveall，goodfishermen，duringtheirmortalsojourn。
Theisolatedrockinquestionpresentedaspectacleofthekind，numerousdeadbodiesbeingdepositedincanoesonitssummit;
whileonpolesaroundweretrophies，or，rather，funeralofferingsoftrinkets，garments，basketsofroots，andotherarticlesfortheuseofthedeceased。Areverentialfeelingprotectsthesesacredspotsfromrobberyorinsult。Thefriendsofthedeceased，especiallythewomen，repairhereatsunriseandsunsetforsometimeafterhisdeath，singinghisfuneraldirge，andutteringloudwailingsandlamentations。
Fromthenumberofdeadbodiesincanoesobserveduponthisrockbythefirstexplorersoftheriver，itreceivedthenameofMountCoffin，whichitcontinuestobear。
BeyondthisrocktheypassedthemouthofariverontherightbankoftheColumbia，whichappearedtotakeitsriseinadistantmountaincoveredwithsnow。TheIndiannameofthisriverwastheCowleskee。SomemilesfurtherontheycametothegreatColumbianValley，socalledbyLewisandClarke。Itissixtymilesinwidth，andextendsfartothesoutheastbetweenparallelridgesofmountains，whichbounditontheeastandwest。Throughthecentreofthisvalleyflowedalargeandbeautifulstream，calledtheWallamot，whichcamewanderingforseveralmiles，throughayetunexploredwilderness。Theshelteredsituationofthisimmensevalleyhadanobviouseffectupontheclimate。Itwasaregionofgreatbeautyandluxuriance，withlakesandpools，andgreenmeadowsshadedbynoblegroves。Varioustribesweresaidtoresideinthisvalley，andalongthebanksoftheWallamot。
AbouteightmilesabovethemouthoftheWallamotthelittlesquadronarrivedatVancouver’sPoint，socalledinhonorofthatcelebratedvoyagerbyhislieutenant(Broughton)whenheexploredtheriver。ThispointissaidtopresentoneofthemostbeautifulscenesontheColumbia;alovelymeadow，withasilversheetoflimpidwaterinthecenter，enlivenedbywild-fowl，arangeofhillscrownedbyforests，whiletheprospectisclosedbyMountHood，amagnificentmountainrisingintoaloftypeak，andcoveredwithsnow;theultimatelandmarkofthefirstexplorersoftheriver。
PointVancouverisaboutonehundredmilesfromAstoria。Heretherefluxofthetideceasestobeperceptible。Tothisplacevesselsoftwoandthreehundredtonsburdenmayascend。ThepartyunderthecommandofMr。Stuarthadbeenthreeorfourdaysinreachingit，thoughwehaveforbornetonoticetheirdailyprogressandnightlyencampments。
FromPointVancouvertheriverturnedtowardsthenortheast，andbecamemorecontractedandrapid，withoccasionalislandsandfrequentsand-banks。Theseislandsarefurnishedwithanumberofponds，andatcertainseasonsaboundwithswans，geese，brandts，cranes，gulls，plover，andotherwild-fowl。Theshores，too，arelowandcloselywooded，withsuchanundergrowthofvinesandrushesastobealmostimpassable。
AboutthirtymilesabovePointVancouverthemountainsagainapproachonbothsidesoftheriver，whichisborderedbystupendousprecipices，coveredwiththefirandthewhitecedar，andenlivenedoccasionallybybeautifulcascadesleapingfromagreatheight，andsendingupwreathsofvapor。Oneoftheseprecipices，orcliffs，iscuriouslywornbytimeandweathersoastohavetheappearanceofaruinedfortress，withtowersandbattlements，beetlinghighabovetheriver，whiletwosmallcascades，onehundredandfiftyfeetinheight，pitchdownfromthefissuresoftherocks。
Theturbulenceandrapidityofthecurrentcontinuallyaugmentingastheyadvanced，gavethevoyagersintimationthattheywereapproachingthegreatobstructionsoftheriver，andatlengththeyarrivedatStrawberryIsland，socalledbyLewisandClarke，whichliesatthefootofthefirstrapid。AsthispartoftheColumbiawillberepeatedlymentionedinthecourseofthiswork，beingthesceneofsomeofitsincidents，weshallgiveageneraldescriptionofitinthisplace。
ThefallsorrapidsoftheColumbiaaresituatedaboutonehundredandeightymilesabovethemouthoftheriver。Thefirstisaperpendicularcascadeoftwentyfeet，afterwhichthereisaswiftdescentforamile，betweenislandsofhardblackrock，toanotherpitchofeightfeetdividedbytworocks。Abouttwoandahalfmilesbelowthistheriverexpandsintoawidebasin，seeminglydammedupbyaperpendicularridgeofblackrock。A
current，however，setsdiagonallytotheleftofthisrockybarrier，wherethereisachasmforty-fiveyardsinwidth。
Throughthisthewholebodyoftheriverroarsalong，swellingandwhirlingandboilingforsomedistanceinthewildestconfusion。Throughthistremendouschanneltheintrepidexplorersoftheriver，LewisandClarke，passedintheirboats;thedangerbeing，notfromtherocks，butfromthegreatsurgesandwhirlpools。
Atthedistanceofamileandahalffromthefootofthisnarrowchannelisarapid，formedbytworockyislands;andtwomilesbeyondisasecondgreatfall，overaledgeofrockstwentyfeethigh，extendingnearlyfromshoretoshore。Theriverisagaincompressedintoachannelfromfiftytoahundredfeetwide，wornthrougharoughbedofhardblackrock，alongwhichitboilsandroarswithgreatfuryforthedistanceofthreemiles。Thisiscalled“TheLongNarrows。”
HereisthegreatfishingplaceoftheColumbia。Inthespringoftheyear，whenthewaterishigh，thesalmonascendtheriverinincrediblenumbers。Astheypassthroughthisnarrowstrait，theIndians，standingontherocks，orontheendofwoodenstagesprojectingfromthebanks，scoopthemupwithsmallnetsdistendedonhoopsandattachedtolonghandles，andcastthemontheshore。
Theyarethencuredandpackedinapeculiarmanner。Afterhavingbeenopenedanddisemboweled，theyareexposedtothesunonscaffoldserectedontheriverbanks。Whensufficientlydry，theyarepoundedfinebetweentwostones，pressedintothesmallestcompass，andpackedinbasketsorbalesofgrassmatting，abouttwofeetlongandoneindiameter，linedwiththecuredskinofasalmon。Thetopislikewisecoveredwithfishskins，securedbycordspassingthroughholesintheedgeofthebasket。Packagesarethenmade，eachcontainingtwelveofthesebales，sevenatbottom，fiveattop，pressedclosetoeachother，withthecordedsideupward，wrappedinmatsandcorded。Theseareplacedindrysituations，andagaincoveredwithmatting。Eachofthesepackagescontainsfromninetytoahundredpoundsofdriedfish，whichinthisstatewillkeepsoundforseveralyears。**(LewisandClarke，vol。ii。p。32。)
Wehavegiventhisprocessatsomelength，asfurnishedbythefirstexplorers，becauseitmarksapracticedingenuityinpreparingarticlesoftrafficforamarket，seldomseenamongouraboriginals。ForlikereasonwewouldmakeespecialmentionofthevillageofWishram，attheheadoftheLongNarrows，asbeingasolitaryinstanceofanaboriginaltradingmart，oremporium。
Herethesalmoncaughtintheneighboringrapidswere“warehoused。”toawaitcustomers。HitherthetribesfromthemouthoftheColumbiarepairedwiththefishofthesea-coast，theroots，berries，andespeciallythewappatoo，gatheredinthelowerpartsoftheriver，togetherwithgoodsandtrinketsobtainedfromtheshipswhichcasuallyvisitthecoast。HitheralsothetribesfromtheRockyMountainsbroughtdownhorses，bear-grass，quamash，andothercommoditiesoftheinterior。Themerchantfishermenatthefallsactedasmiddlemenorfactors，andpassedtheobjectsoftraffic，asitwere，cross-handed;
tradingawaypartofthewaresreceivedfromthemountaintribestothoseoftheriversandplains，andviceversa:theirpackagesofpoundedsalmonenteredlargelyintothesystemofbarter，andbeingcarriedoffinoppositedirections，foundtheirwaytothesavagehuntingcampsfarintheinterior，andtothecasualwhitetraderswhotoucheduponthecoast。
WehavealreadynoticedcertaincontrarietiesofcharacterbetweentheIndiantribes，producedbytheirdietandmodeoflife;andnowherearetheymoreapparentthanaboutthefallsoftheColumbia。TheIndiansofthisgreatfishingmartarerepresentedbytheearliestexplorersassleekerandfatter，butlesshardyandactive，thanthetribesofthemountainsandprairies，wholivebyhunting，oroftheupperpartsoftheriver，wherefishisscanty，andtheinhabitantsmustekeouttheirsubsistencebydiggingrootsorchasingthedeer。Indeed，wheneveranIndianoftheuppercountryistoolazytohunt，yetisfondofgoodliving，herepairstothefalls，toliveinabundancewithoutlabor。
“Bysuchworthlessdogsasthese。”saysanhonesttraderinhisjournal，whichnowliesbeforeus，“bysuchworthlessdogsasthesearethesenotedfishing-placespeopled，which，likeourgreatcities，maywithproprietybecalledtheheadquartersofvitiatedprinciples。”
Thehabitsoftradeandtheavidityofgainhavetheircorruptingeffectseveninthewilderness，asmaybeinstancedinthemembersofthisaboriginalemporium;forthesamejournalistdenouncesthemas“saucy，impudentrascals，whowillstealwhentheycan，andpillagewheneveraweakpartyfallsintheirpower。”
Thathedoesnotbeliethemwillbeevidencedhereafter，whenwehaveoccasionagaintotouchatWishramandnavigatetherapids。
Inthepresentinstancethetravellerseffectedthelaboriousascentofthispartoftheriver，withallitsvariousportages，withoutmolestation，andoncemorelaunchedawayinsmoothwaterabovethehighfalls。
Thetwopartiescontinuedtogether，withoutmaterialimpediment，forthreeorfourhundredmilesfurtheruptheColumbia;Mr。
ThompsonappearingtotakegreatinterestinthesuccessofMr。
Stuart，andpointingoutplacesfavorable，ashesaid，totheestablishmentofhiscontemplatedtradingpost。
Mr。Stuart，whodistrustedhissincerity，atlengthpretendedtoadopthisadvice，and，takingleaveofhim，remainedasiftoestablishhimself，whiletheotherproceededonhiscoursetowardsthemountains。Nosooner，however，hadhefairlydepartedthanMr。Stuartagainpushedforward，underguidanceofthetwoIndians，nordidhestopuntilhehadarrivedwithinaboutonehundredandfortymilesoftheSpokanRiver，whichheconsiderednearenoughtokeeptherivalestablishmentincheck。Theplacewhichhepitcheduponforhistradingpostwasapointoflandaboutthreemilesinlengthandtwoinbreadth，formedbythejunctionoftheOakinaganwiththeColumbia。Theformerisariverwhichhasitssourceinaconsiderablelakeaboutonehundredandfiftymileswestofthepointofjunction。Thetworivers，abouttheplaceoftheirconfluence，areborderedbyimmenseprairiescoveredwithherbage，butdestituteoftrees。
Thepointitselfwasornamentedwithwildflowersofeveryhue，inwhichinnumerablehumming-birdswere“banquetingnearlythelivelongday。”
Thesituationofthispointappearedtobewelladaptedforatradingpost。Theclimatewassalubrious，thesoilfertile，theriverswellstockedwithfish，thenativespeaceableandfriendly。TherewereeasycommunicationswiththeinteriorbytheupperwatersoftheColumbiaandthelateralstreamoftheOakinagan，whilethedownwardcurrentoftheColumbiafurnishedahighwaytoAstoria。
Availinghimself，therefore，ofthedriftwoodwhichhadcollectedinquantitiesintheneighboringbendsoftheriver，Mr。Stuartandhismensettoworktoerectahouse，whichinalittlewhilewassufficientlycompletedfortheirresidence;andthuswasestablishedthefirstinteriorpostofthecompany。WewillnowreturntonoticetheprogressofaffairsatthemouthoftheColumbia。
CHAPTERXI。
AlarmatAstoria-RumorofIndianHostilities-PreparationsforDefense-TragicFateoftheTonquin。
THEsailingoftheTonquin，andthedepartureofMr。DavidStuartandhisdetachment，hadproducedastrikingeffectonaffairsatAstoria。Thenativeswhohadswarmedabouttheplacebeganimmediatelytodropoff，untilatlengthnotanIndianwastobeseen。This，atfirst，wasattributedtothewantofpeltrieswithwhichtotrade;butinalittlewhilethemysterywasexplainedinamorealarmingmanner。Aconspiracywassaidtobeonfootamongtheneighboringtribestomakeacombinedattackuponthewhitemen，nowthattheyweresoreducedinnumber。Forthispurposetherehadbeenagatheringofwarriorsinaneighboringbay，underpretexoffishingforsturgeon;andfleetsofcanoeswereexpectedtojointhemfromthenorthandSouth。EvenComcomly，theone-eyedchief，notwithstandinghisprofessedfriendshipforMr。M’Dougal，wasstronglysuspectedofbeingconcernedinthisgeneralcombination。
Alarmedatrumorsofthisimpendingdanger，theAstorianssuspendedtheirregularlabor，andsettowork，withallhaste，tothrowuptemporaryworksforrefugeanddefense。Inthecourseofafewdaystheysurroundedtheirdwelling-houseandmagazineswithapicketfenceninetyfeetsquare，flankedbytwobastions，onwhichweremountedfourfour-pounders。Everydaytheyexercisedthemselvesintheuseoftheirweapons，soastoqualifythemselvesformilitaryduty，andatnightensconcedthemselvesintheirfortressandpostedsentinels，toguardagainstsurprise。Inthiswaytheyhoped，evenincaseofattack，tobeabletoholdoutuntilthearrivalofthepartytobeconductedbyMr。HuntacrosstheRockyMountains，oruntilthereturnoftheTonquin。Thelatterdependence，however，wasdoomedsoontobedestroyed。EarlyinAugust，awanderingbandofsavagesfromtheStraitofJuandeFucamadetheirappearanceatthemouthoftheColumbia，wheretheycametofishforsturgeon。
TheybroughtdisastrousaccountsoftheTonquin，whichwereatfirsttreatedasfables，butwhichweretoosadlyconfirmedbyadifferenttribethatarrivedafewdayssubsequently。Weshallrelatethecircumstancesofthismelancholyaffairascorrectlyasthecasualdiscrepanciesinthestatementsthathavereacheduswillpermit。
WehavealreadystatedthattheTonquinsetsailfromthemouthoftheriveronthefifthofJune。Thewholenumberofpersonsonboardamountedtotwenty-three。Inoneoftheouterbaystheypickedup，fromafishingcanoe，anIndiannamedLamazee，whohadalreadymadetwovoyagesalongthecoastandknewsomethingofthelanguageofthevarioustribes。Heagreedtoaccompanythemasinterpreter。
Steeringtothenorth，CaptainThornarrivedinafewdaysatVancouver’sIsland，andanchoredintheharborofNeweetee，verymuchagainsttheadviceofhisIndianinterpreter，whowarnedhimagainsttheperfidiouscharacterofthenativesofthispartofthecoast。Numbersofcanoessooncameoff，bringingsea-otterskinstosell。Itwastoolateinthedaytocommenceatraffic，butMr。M’Kay，accompaniedbyafewofthemen，wentonshoretoalargevillagetovisitWicananish，thechiefofthesurroundingterritory，sixofthenativesremainingonboardashostages。Hewasreceivedwithgreatprofessionsoffriendship，entertainedhospitably，andacouchofsea-otterskinspreparedforhiminthedwellingofthechieftain，wherehewasprevailedupontopassthenight。
Inthemorning，beforeMr。M’Kayhadreturnedtotheship，greatnumbersofthenativescameoffintheircanoestotrade，headedbytwosonsofWicananish。Astheybroughtabundanceofsea-otterskins，andtherewaseveryappearanceofabrisktrade，CaptainThorndidnotwaitforthereturnofMr。M’Kay，butspreadhiswaresuponthedeck，makingatemptingdisplayofblankets，cloths，knives，beads，andfish-hooks，expectingapromptandprofitablesale。TheIndians，however，werenotsoeagerandsimpleashehadsupposed，havinglearnedtheartofbargainingandthevalueofmerchandisefromthecasualtradersalongthecoast。Theywereguided，too，byashrewdoldchiefnamedNookamis，whohadgrowngrayintrafficwithNewEnglandskippers，andpridedhimselfuponhisacuteness。Hisopinionseemedtoregulatethemarket。WhenCaptainThornmadewhatheconsideredaliberalofferforanotter-skin，thewilyoldIndiantreateditwithscorn，andaskedmorethandouble。Hiscomradesalltooktheircuefromhim，andnotanotter-skinwastobehadatareasonablerate。
Theoldfellow，however，overshothismark，andmistookthecharacterofthemanhewastreatingwith。Thornwasaplain，straightforwardsailor，whoneverhadtwomindsnortwopricesinhisdealings，wasdeficientinpatienceandpliancy，andtotallywantinginthechicaneryoftraffic。Hehadavastdealofsternbuthonestprideinhisnature，and，moreover，heldthewholesavageraceinsovereigncontempt。Abandoningallfurtherattempts，therefore，tobargainwithhisshufflingcustomers，hethrusthishandsintohispockets，andpacedupanddownthedeckinsullensilence。ThecunningoldIndianfollowedhimtoandfro，holdingoutasea-otterskintohimateveryturn，andpesteringhimtotrade。Findingothermeansunavailing，hesuddenlychangedhistone，andbegantojeerandbanterhimuponthemeanpricesheoffered。Thiswastoomuchforthepatienceofthecaptain，whowasneverremarkableforrelishingajoke，especiallywhenathisownexpense。Turningsuddenlyuponhispersecutor，hesnatchedtheprofferedotter-skinfromhishands，rubbeditinhisface，anddismissedhimoverthesideoftheshipwithnoverycomplimentaryapplicationtoacceleratehisexit。Hethenkickedthepeltriestotherightandleftaboutthedeck，andbrokeupthemarketinthemostignominiousmanner。
OldNookamismadeforshoreinafuriouspassion，inwhichhewasjoinedbyShewish，oneofthesonsofWicananish，whowentoffbreathingvengeance，andtheshipwassoonabandonedbythenatives。
WhenMr。M’Kayreturnedonboard，theinterpreterrelatedwhathadpassed，andbeggedhimtoprevailuponthecaptaintomakesail，asfromhisknowledgeofthetemperandprideofthepeopleoftheplace，hewassuretheywouldresenttheindignityofferedtooneoftheirchiefs。Mr。M’Kay，whohimselfpossessedsomeexperienceofIndiancharacter，wenttothecaptain，whowasstillpacingthedeckinmoodyhumor，representedthedangertowhichhishastyacthadexposedthevessel，andurgedhimtoweighanchor。Thecaptainmadelightofhiscounsels，andpointedtohiscannonandfire-armsassufficientsafeguardagainstnakedsavages。Furtherremonstrancesonlyprovokedtauntingrepliesandsharpaltercations。Thedaypassedawaywithoutanysignsofhostility，andatnightthecaptainretiredasusualtohiscabin，takingnomorethantheusualprecautions。
Onthefollowingmorning，atdaybreak，whilethecaptainandMr。
M’Kaywereyetasleep，acanoecamealongsideinwhichweretwentyIndians，commandedbyyoungShewish。Theywereunarmed，theiraspectanddemeanorfriendly，andtheyheldupotter-skins，andmadesignsindicativeofawishtotrade。ThecautionenjoinedbyMr。Astor，inrespecttotheadmissionofIndiansonboardoftheship，hadbeenneglectedforsometimepast，andtheofficerofthewatch，perceivingthoseinthecanoetobewithoutweapons，andhavingreceivednoorderstothecontrary，readilypermittedthemtomountthedeck。Anothercanoesoonsucceeded，thecrewofwhichwaslikewiseadmitted。Inalittlewhileothercanoescameoff，andIndiansweresoonclamberingintothevesselonallsides。
Theofficerofthewatchnowfeltalarmed，andcalledtoCaptainThornandMr。M’Kay。Bythetimetheycameondeck，itwasthrongedwithIndians。TheinterpreternoticedtoMr。M’Kaythatmanyofthenativesworeshortmantlesofskins，andintimatedasuspicionthattheyweresecretlyarmed。Mr。M’Kayurgedthecaptaintocleartheshipandgetunderway。Heagainmadelightoftheadvice;buttheaugmentedswarmofcanoesabouttheship，andthenumbersstillputtingofffromshore，atlengthawakenedhisdistrust，andheorderedsomeofthecrewtoweighanchor，whilesomeweresentalofttomakesail。
TheIndiansnowofferedtotradewiththecaptainonhisownterms，prompted，apparently，bytheapproachingdepartureoftheship。Accordingly，ahurriedtradewascommenced。Themainarticlessoughtbythesavagesinbarterwereknives;asfastassomeweresuppliedtheymovedoff，andotherssucceeded。Bydegreestheywerethusdistributedaboutthedeck，andallwithweapons。
Theanchorwasnownearlyup，thesailswereloose，andthecaptain，inaloudandperemptorytone，orderedtheshiptobecleared。Inaninstant，asignalyellwasgiven;itwasechoedoneveryside，knivesandwar-clubswerebrandishedineverydirection，andthesavagesrushedupontheirmarkedvictims。
ThefirstthatfellwasMr。Lewis，theship’sclerk。Hewasleaning，withfoldedarms，overabaleofblankets，engagedinbargaining，whenhereceivedadeadlystabintheback，andfelldownthecompanion-way。
Mr。M’Kay，whowasseatedonthetaffrail，sprangonhisfeet，butwasinstantlyknockeddownwithawar-clubandflungbackwardsintothesea，wherehewasdespatchedbythewomeninthecanoes。
InthemeantimeCaptainThornmadedesperatefightagainstfearfulodds。Hewasapowerfulaswellasaresoluteman，buthehadcomeupondeckwithoutweapons。Shewish，theyoungchiefsingledhimoutashispeculiarprey，andrusheduponhimatthefirstoutbreak。Thecaptainhadbarelytimetodrawaclasp-knifewithoneblowofwhichhelaidtheyoungsavagedeadathisfeet。
SeveralofthestoutestfollowersofShewishnowsetuponhim。Hedefendedhimselfvigorously，dealingcripplingblowstorightandleft，andstrewingthequarter-deckwiththeslainandwounded。
Hisobjectwastofighthiswaytothecabin，wheretherewerefire-arms;buthewashemmedinwithfoes，coveredwithwounds，andfaintwithlossofblood。Foraninstantheleaneduponthetillerwheel，whenablowfrombehind，withawar-club，felledhimtothedeck，wherehewasdespatchedwithknivesandthrownoverboard。
Whilethiswastransactinguponthequarter-deck，achance-medleyfightwasgoingonthroughouttheship。Thecrewfoughtdesperatelywithknives，handspikes，andwhateverweapontheycouldseizeuponinthemomentofsurprise。Theyweresoon，however，overpoweredbynumbers，andmercilesslybutchered。
Astothesevenwhohadbeensentalofttomakesail，theycontemplatedwithhorrorthecarnagethatwasgoingonbelow。
Beingdestituteofweapons，theyletthemselvesdownbytherunningrigging，inhopesofgettingbetweendecks。Onefellintheattempt，andwasinstantlydespatched;anotherreceivedadeath-blowinthebackashewasdescending;athird，StephenWeekes，thearmorer，wasmortallywoundedashewasgettingdownthehatchway。
Theremainingfourmadegoodtheirretreatintothecabin，wheretheyfoundMr。Lewis，stillalive，thoughmortallywounded。
Barricadingthecabindoor，theybrokeholesthroughthecompanion-way，and，withthemusketsandammunitionwhichwereathand，openedabriskfirethatsoonclearedthedeck。
ThusfartheIndianinterpreter，fromwhomtheseparticularsarederived，hadbeenaneye-witnesstothedeadlyconflict。Hehadtakennopartinit，andhadbeensparedbythenativesasbeingoftheirrace。Intheconfusionofthemomenthetookrefugewiththerest，inthecanoes。Thesurvivorsofthecrewnowsalliedforth，anddischargedsomeofthedeck-guns，whichdidgreatexecutionamongthecanoes，anddroveallthesavagestoshore。
Fortheremainderofthedaynooneventuredtoputofftotheship，deterredbytheeffectsofthefire-arms。Thenightpassedawaywithoutanyfurtherattemptsonthepartofthenatives。
Whenthedaydawned，theTonquinstilllayatanchorinthebay，hersailsalllooseandflappinginthewind，andnooneapparentlyonboardofher。Afteratime，someofthecanoesventuredforthtoreconnoitre，takingwiththemtheinterpreter。
Theypaddledabouther，keepingcautiouslyatadistance，butgrowingmoreandmoreemboldenedatseeingherquietandlifeless。Onemanatlengthmadehisappearanceonthedeck，andwasrecognizedbytheinterpreterasMr。Lewis。Hemadefriendlysigns，andinvitedthemonboard。Itwaslongbeforetheyventuredtocomply。Thosewhomountedthedeckmetwithnoopposition;noonewastobeseenonboard;forMr。Lewis，afterinvitingthem，haddisappeared。Othercanoesnowpressedforwardtoboardtheprize;thedecksweresooncrowded，andthesidescoveredwithclamberingsavages，allintentonplunder。Inthemidstoftheireagernessandexultation，theshipblewupwithatremendousexplosion。Arms，legs，andmutilatedbodieswereblownintotheair，anddreadfulhavocwasmadeinthesurroundingcanoes。Theinterpreterwasinthemain-chainsatthetimeoftheexplosion，andwasthrownunhurtintothewater，wherehesucceededingettingintooneofthecanoes。Accordingtohisstatement，thebaypresentedanawfulspectacleafterthecatastrophe。Theshiphaddisappeared，butthebaywascoveredwithfragmentsofthewreck，withshatteredcanoes，andIndiansswimmingfortheirlives，orstrugglingintheagoniesofdeath;
whilethosewhohadescapedthedangerremainedaghastandstupefied，ormadewithfranticpanicfortheshore。Upwardsofahundredsavagesweredestroyedbytheexplosion，manymorewereshockinglymutilated，andfordaysafterwardsthelimbsandbodiesoftheslainwerethrownuponthebeach。
TheinhabitantsofNeweeteewereoverwhelmedwithconsternationatthisastoundingcalamity，whichhadburstuponthemintheverymomentoftriumph。Thewarriorssatmuteandmournful，whilethewomenfilledtheairwithloudlamentations。Theirweepingandwalling，however，wassuddenlychangedintoyellsoffuryatthesightoffourunfortunatewhitemen，broughtcaptiveintothevillage。Theyhadbeendrivenonshoreinoneoftheship’sboats，andtakenatsomedistancealongthecoast。
Theinterpreterwaspermittedtoconversewiththem。Theyprovedtobethefourbravefellowswhohadmadesuchdesperatedefensefromthecabin。Theinterpretergatheredfromthemsomeoftheparticularsalreadyrelated。Theytoldhimfurther，thataftertheyhadbeatenofftheenemyandclearedtheship，Lewisadvisedthattheyshouldslipthecableandendeavortogettosea。Theydeclinedtotakehisadvice，allegingthatthewindsettoostronglyintothebayandwoulddrivethemonshore。Theyresolved，assoonasitwasdark，toputoffquietlyintheship’sboat，whichtheywouldbeabletodounperceived，andtocoastalongbacktoAstoria。Theyputtheirresolutionintoeffect;butLewisrefusedtoaccompanythem，beingdisabledbyhiswound，hopelessofescape，anddeterminedonaterriblerevenge。Onthevoyageout，hehadrepeatedlyexpressedapresentimentthatheshoulddiebyhisownhands;thinkingithighlyprobablethatheshouldbeengagedinsomecontestwiththenatives，andbeingresolved，incaseofextremity，tocommitsuicideratherthanbemadeaprisoner。Henowdeclaredhisintentiontoremainonboardoftheshipuntildaylight，todecoyasmanyofthesavagesonboardaspossible，thentosetfiretothepowdermagazine，andterminatehislifebyasignalofvengeance。Howwellhesucceededhasbeenshown。Hiscompanionsbadehimamelancholyadieu，andsetoffontheirprecariousexpedition。Theystrovewithmightandmaintogetoutofthebay，butfounditimpossibletoweatherapointofland，andwereatlengthcompelledtotakeshelterinasmallcove，wheretheyhopedtoremainconcealeduntilthewindshouldbemorefavorable。Exhaustedbyfatigueandwatching，theyfellintoasoundsleep，andinthatstateweresurprisedbythesavages。
BetterhaditbeenforthoseunfortunatemenhadtheyremainedwithLewis，andsharedhisheroicdeath:asitwas，theyperishedinamorepainfulandprotractedmanner，beingsacrificedbythenativestothemanesoftheirfriendswithallthelingeringtorturesofsavagecruelty。Sometimeaftertheirdeath，theinterpreter，whohadremainedakindofprisoneratlarge，effectedhisescape，andbroughtthetragicaltidingstoAstoria。
SuchisthemelancholystoryoftheTonquin，andsuchwasthefateofherbravebutheadstrongcommander，andheradventurouscrew。Itisacatastrophethatshowstheimportance，inallenterprisesofmoment，tokeepinmindthegeneralinstructionsofthesagaciousheadswhichdevisethem。Mr。Astorwaswellawareoftheperilstowhichshipswereexposedonthiscoastfromquarrelswiththenatives，andfromperfidiousattemptsofthelattertosurpriseandcapturetheminunguardedmoments。HehadrepeatedlyenjoinedituponCaptainThorn，inconversation，andatparting，inhisletterofinstructions，tobecourteousandkindinhisdealingswiththesavages，butbynomeanstoconfideintheirapparentfriendship，nortoadmitmorethanafewonboardofhisshipatatime。
HadthedeportmentofCaptainThornbeenproperlyregulated，theinsultsowoundingtosavagepridewouldneverhavebeengiven。
Hadheenforcedtheruletoadmitbutafewatatime，thesavageswouldnothavebeenabletogetthemastery。Hewastooirritable，however，topracticethenecessaryself-command，and，havingbeennurturedinaproudcontemptofdanger，thoughtitbeneathhimtomanifestanyfearofacrewofunarmedsavages。
Withallhisfaultsandfoibles，wecannotbutspeakofhimwithesteem，anddeplorehisuntimelyfate;forwerememberhimwellinearlylife，asacompanioninpleasantscenesandjoyoushours。Whenonshore，amonghisfriends，hewasafrank，manly，sound-heartedsailor。Onboardshipheevidentlyassumedthehardnessofdeportmentandsternnessofdemeanorwhichmanydeemessentialtonavalservice。Throughoutthewholeoftheexpedition，however，heshowedhimselfloyal，single-minded，straightforward，andfearless;andifthefateofhisvesselmaybechargedtohisharshnessandimprudence，weshouldrecollectthathepaidforhiserrorwithhislife。
ThelossoftheTonquinwasagrievousblowtotheinfantestablishmentofAstoria，andonethatthreatenedtobringafteritatrainofdisasters。TheintelligenceofitdidnotreachMr。
Astoruntilmanymonthsafterwards。Hefeltitinallitsforce，andwasawarethatitmustcripple，ifnotentirelydefeat，thegreatschemeofhisambition。Inhisletters，writtenatthetime，hespeaksofitas“acalamity，thelengthofwhichhecouldnotforesee。”Heindulged，however，innoweakandvainlamentation，butsoughttodeviseapromptandefficientremedy。
Theverysameeveningheappearedatthetheatrewithhisusualserenityofcountenance。Afriend，whoknewthedisastrousintelligencehehadreceived，expressedhisastonishmentthathecouldhavecalmnessofspiritsufficientforsuchasceneoflightamusement。“Whatwouldyouhavemedo？”washischaracteristicreply;“wouldyouhavemestayathomeandweepforwhatIcannothelp？”
CHAPTERXII。
GloomatAstoria-AnIngeniousStratagem-TheSmall-PoxChief-
LaunchingoftheDolly-AnArrival-ACanadianTrapper-A
FreemanoftheForest-AnIroquoisHunter-WinterontheColumbia-FestivitiesofNewYear。
THEtidingsofthelossoftheTonquin，andthemassacreofhercrew，struckdismayintotheheartsoftheAstorians。Theyfoundthemselvesamerehandfulofmen，onasavagecoast，surroundedbyhostiletribes，whowoulddoubtlessbeincitedandencouragedtodeedsofviolencebythelatefearfulcatastrophe。InthisjunctureMr。M’Dougal，wearetold，hadrecoursetoastratagembywhichtoavailhimselfoftheignoranceandcredulityofthesavages，andwhichcertainlydoescredittohisingenuity。
Thenativesofthecoast，and，indeed，ofalltheregionswestofthemountains，hadanextremedreadofthesmall-pox;thatterrificscourgehaving，afewyearspreviously，appearedamongthem，andalmostsweptoffentiretribes。Itsoriginandnaturewerewrappedinmystery，andtheyconceiveditanevilinflicteduponthembytheGreatSpirit，orbroughtamongthembythewhitemen。ThelastideawasseizeduponbyMr。M’Dougal。Heassembledseveralofthechieftainswhomhebelievedtobeintheconspiracy。Whentheywereallseatedaround，heinformedthemthathehadheardofthetreacheryofsomeoftheirnorthernbrethrentowardstheTonquin，andwasdeterminedonvengeance。
“Thewhitemenamongyou。”saidhe，“arefewinnumber，itistrue，buttheyaremightyinmedicine。Seehere。”continuedhe，drawingforthasmallbottleandholdingitbeforetheireyes，“inthisbottleIholdthesmall-pox，safelycorkedup;Ihavebuttodrawthecork，andletloosethepestilence，tosweepman，woman，andchildfromthefaceoftheearth。”
Thechiefswerestruckwithhorrorandalarm。Theyimploredhimnottouncorkthebottle，sincetheyandalltheirpeoplewerefirmfriendsofthewhitemen，andwouldalwaysremainso;but，shouldthesmall-poxbeonceletout，itwouldrunlikewildfirethroughoutthecountry，sweepingoffthegoodaswellasthebad;
andsurelyhewouldnotbesounjustastopunishhisfriendsforcrimescommittedbyhisenemies。
Mr。M’Dougalpretendedtobeconvincedbytheirreasoning，andassuredthemthat，solongasthewhitepeopleshouldbeunmolested，andtheconductoftheirIndianneighborsfriendlyandhospitable，thephialofwrathshouldremainsealedup;but，ontheleasthostility，thefatalcorkshouldbedrawn。
Fromthistime，itisadded，hewasmuchdreadedbythenatives，asonewhoheldtheirfateinhishands，andwascalled，bywayofpreeminence，“theGreatSmall-poxChief。”
Allthiswhile，thelaborsattheinfantsettlementwentonwithunremittingassiduity，and，bythe26thofSeptember，acommodiousmansion，spaciousenoughtoaccommodateallhands，wascompleted。Itwasbuiltofstoneandclay，therebeingnocalcarcousstoneintheneighborhoodfromwhichlimeformortarcouldbeprocured。Theschoonerwasalsofinished，andlaunched，withtheaccustomedceremony，onthesecondofOctober，andtookherstationbelowthefort。ShewasnamedtheDolly，andwasthefirstAmericanvessellaunchedonthiscoast。
Onthe5thofOctober，intheevening，thelittlecommunityatAstoriawasenlivenedbytheunexpectedarrivalofadetachmentfromMr。DavidStuart’spostontheOakinagan。Itconsistedoftwooftheclerksandtwooftheprivates。Theybroughtfavorableaccountsofthenewestablishment，butreportedthat，asMr。
Stuartwasapprehensivetheremightbeadifficultyofsubsistinghiswholepartythroughoutthewinter，hehadsentonehalfbacktoAstoria，retainingwithhimonlyRoss，Montigny，andtwoothers。SuchisthehardihoodoftheIndiantrader。Intheheartofasavageandunknowncountry，sevenhundredmilesfromthemainbodyofhisfellow-adventurers，Stuarthaddismissedhalfofhislittlenumber，andwaspreparedwiththeresiduetobravealltheperilsofthewilderness，andtherigorsofalonganddrearywinter。
WiththereturnpartycameaCanadiancreolenamedRegisBrugiereandanIroquoishunter，withhiswifeandtwochildren。Asthesetwopersonagesbelongtocertainclasseswhichhavederivedtheirpeculiarcharacteristicsfromthefurtrade，wedeemsomefewparticularsconcerningthempertinenttothenatureofthiswork。
Brugierewasofaclassofbeavertrappersandhunterstechnicallycalled“Freemen。”inthelanguageofthetraders。
TheyaregenerallyCanadiansbybirth，andofFrenchdescent，whohavebeenemployedforatermofyearsbysomefurcompany，but，theirtermbeingexpired，continuetohuntandtrapontheirownaccount，tradingwiththecompanyliketheIndians。HencetheyderivetheirappellationofFreemen，todistinguishthemfromthetrapperswhoareboundforanumberofyears，andreceivewages，orhuntonshares。
Havingpassedtheirearlyyouthinthewilderness，separatedalmostentirelyfromcivilizedman，andinfrequentintercoursewiththeIndians，theyrelapse，withafacilitycommontohumannature，intothehabitudesofsavagelife。Thoughnolongerboundbyengagementstocontinueintheinterior，theyhavebecomesoaccustomedtothefreedomoftheforestandtheprairie，thattheylookbackwithrepugnanceupontherestraintsofcivilization。Mostofthemintermarrywiththenatives，and，likethelatter，haveoftenapluralityofwives。Wanderersofthewilderness，accordingtothevicissitudesoftheseasons，themigrationsofanimals，andtheplentyorscarcityofgame，theyleadaprecariousandunsettledexistence;exposedtosunandstorm，andallkindsofhardships，untiltheyresembleIndiansincomplexionaswellasintastesandhabits。Fromtimetotime，theybringthepeltriestheyhavecollectedtothetradinghousesofthecompanyinwhoseemploytheyhavebeenbroughtup。Heretheytrafficthemawayforsucharticlesofmerchandiseorammunitionastheymaystandinneedof。AtthetimewhenMontrealwasthegreatemporiumofthefurtrader，oneofthesefreemenofthewildernesswouldsuddenlyreturn，afteranabsenceofmanyyears，amonghisoldfriendsandcomrades。Hewouldbegreetedasonerisenfromthedead;andwiththegreaterwelcome，ashereturnedflushofmoney。Ashorttime，however，spentinrevelry，wouldbesufficienttodrainhispurseandsatehimwithcivilizedlife，andhewouldreturnwithnewrelishtotheunshackledfreedomoftheforest。
Numbersofmenofthisclasswerescatteredthroughoutthenorthwestterritories。Someofthemretainedalittleofthethriftandforethoughtofthecivilizedman，andbecamewealthyamongtheirimprovidentneighbors;theirwealthbeingchieflydisplayedinlargebandsofhorses，whichcoveredtheprairiesinthevicinityoftheirabodes。Mostofthem，however，werepronetoassimilatetotheredmanintheirheedlessnessofthefuture。
SuchwasRegisBrugiere，afreemanandroverofthewilderness。
HavingbeenbroughtupintheserviceoftheNorthwestCompany，hehadfollowedinthetrainofoneofitsexpeditionsacrosstheRockyMountains，andundertakentotrapforthetradingpostestablishedontheSpokanRiver。Inthecourseofhishuntingexcursionshehadeitheraccidentally，ordesignedly，foundhiswaytothepostofMr。Stuart，andhadbeenprevailedupontoascendtheColumbia，and“tryhisluck“atAstoria。
IgnaceShonowane，theIroquoishunter，wasaspecimenofadifferentclass。HewasoneofthoseaboriginalsofCanadawhohadpartiallyconformedtothehabitsofcivilizationandthedoctrinesofChristianity，undertheinfluenceoftheFrenchcolonistsandtheCatholicpriests;whoseemgenerallytohavebeenmoresuccessfulinconciliating，taming，andconvertingthesavages，thantheirEnglishandProtestantrivals。Thesehalf-
civilizedIndiansretainedsomeofthegood，andmanyoftheevilqualitiesoftheiroriginalstock。Theywerefirst-ratehunters，anddexterousinthemanagementofthecanoe。Theycouldundergogreatprivations，andwereadmirablefortheserviceoftherivers，lakes，andforests，providedtheycouldbekeptsober，andinpropersubordination;butonceinflamedwithliquor，towhichtheyweremadlyaddicted，allthedormantpassionsinherentintheirnaturewerepronetobreakforth，andtohurrythemintothemostvindictiveandbloodyactsofviolence。
ThoughtheygenerallyprofessedtheRomanCatholicreligion，yetitwasmixed，occasionally，withsomeoftheirancientsuperstitions;andtheyretainedmuchoftheIndianbeliefincharmsandomens。NumbersofthesemenwereemployedbytheNorthwestCompanyastrappers，hunters，andcanoemen，butonlowertermsthanwereallowedtowhitemen。IgnaceShonowanehad，inthisway，followedtheenterpriseofthecompanytothebanksoftheSpokan，being，probably，oneofthefirstofhistribethathadtraversedtheRockyMountains。
Suchweresomeofthemotleypopulaceofthewilderness，incidenttothefurtrade，whoweregraduallyattractedtothenewsettlementofAstoria。
ThemonthofOctobernowbegantogiveindicationsofapproachingwinter。Hitherto，thecolonistshadbeenwellpleasedwiththeclimate。Thesummerhadbeentemperate，themercuryneverrisingaboveeightydegrees。Westerlywindshadprevailedduringthespringandtheearlypartofthesummer，andbeensucceededbyfreshbreezesfromthenorthwest。InthemonthofOctoberthesoutherlywindssetin，bringingwiththemfrequentrain。
TheIndiansnowbegantoquitthebordersoftheocean，andtoretiretotheirwinterquartersintheshelteredbosomoftheforests，oralongthesmallriversandbrooks。Therainyseason，whichcommencesinOctober，continues，withlittleintermission，untilApril;andthoughthewintersaregenerallymild，themercuryseldomsinkingbelowthefreezingpoint，yetthetempestsofwindandrainareterrible。Thesunissometimesobscuredforweeks，thebrooksswellintoroaringtorrents，andthecountryisthreatenedwithadeluge。
ThedepartureoftheIndianstotheirwinterquartersgraduallyrenderedprovisionsscanty，andobligedthecoloniststosendoutforagingexpeditionsintheDolly。StillthelittlehandfulofadventurerskeptuptheirspiritsintheirlonelyfortatAstoria，lookingforwardtothetimewhentheyshouldbeanimatedandreinforcedbythepartyunderMr。Hunt，thatwastocometothemacrosstheRockyMountains。
Theyeargraduallyworeway。Therain，whichhadpoureddownalmostincessantlysincethefirstofOctober，cleareduptowardstheeveningofthe31stofDecember，andthemorningofthefirstofJanuaryusheredinadayofsunshine。
ThehereditaryFrenchholidayspiritoftheFrenchvoyageursishardlytobedepressedbyanyadversities;andtheycanmanagetogetupafeteinthemostsqualidsituations，andunderthemostuntowardcircumstances。Anextraallowanceofrum，andalittleflourtomakecakesandpuddings，constitutea“regale;“andtheyforgetalltheirtoilsandtroublesinthesonganddance。
Onthepresentoccasion，thepartnersendeavoredtocelebratethenewyearwithsomeeffect。Atsunrisethedrumsbeattoarms，thecolorswerehoisted，withthreeroundsofsmallarmsandthreedischargesofcannon。Thedaywasdevotedtogamesofagilityandstrength，andotheramusements;andgrogwastemperatelydistributed，togetherwithbread，butter，andcheese。Thebestdinnertheircircumstancescouldaffordwasservedupatmidday。
Atsunsetthecolorswerelowered，withanotherdischargeofartillery。Thenightwasspentindancing;and，thoughtherewasalackoffemalepartnerstoexcitetheirgallantry，thevoyageurskeptuptheballwithtrueFrenchspirit，untilthreeo’clockinthemorning。Sopassedthenewyearfestivalof1812
attheinfantcolonyofAstoria。
CHAPTERXIII。
ExpeditionbyLand-WilsonP。Hunt-HisCharacter-DonaldM’Kenzie-RecruitingServiceAmongtheVoyageurs-ABarkCanoe-ChapelofSt。Anne-VotiveOfferings-PiousCarousals，-
ARaggedRegiment-Mackinaw-PictureofaTradingPost-
FrolickingVoyageurs-SwellsandSwaggerers-IndianCoxcombs-A
ManoftheNorth-JockeyshipofVoyageurs-InefficacyofGold-
WeightofaFeather-Mr。RamsayCrooks-HisCharacter-HisRisksAmongtheIndians-HisWarningConcerningSiouxandBlackfeet-
EmbarkationofRecruits-PartingScenesBetweenBrothers，Cousins，Wives，Sweethearts，andPotCompanions。
WEhavefollowedupthefortunesofthemaritimepartofthisenterprisetotheshoresofthePacific，andhaveconductedtheaffairsoftheembryoestablishmenttotheopeningofthenewyear;letusnowturnbacktotheadventurousbandtowhomwasintrustedthelandexpedition，andwhoweretomaketheirwaytothemouthoftheColumbia，upvastrivers，acrosstracklessplains，andovertheruggedbarriersoftheRockyMountains。
Theconductofthisexpedition，ashasbeenalreadymentioned，wasassignedtoMr。WilsonPriceHunt，ofTrenton，NewJersey，oneofthepartnersofthecompany，whowasultimatelytobeattheheadoftheestablishmentatthemouthoftheColumbia。Heisrepresentedasamanscrupulouslyuprightandfaithfulhisdealings，amicableinhisdisposition，andofmostaccommodatingmanners;andhiswholeconductwillbefoundinunisonwithsuchacharacter。HewasnotpracticallyexperiencedintheIndiantrade;thatistosay，hehadnevermadeanyexpeditionsoftrafficintotheheartofthewilderness，buthehadbeenengagedincommerceatSt。Louis，thenafrontiersettlementontheMississippi，wherethechiefbranchofhisbusinesshadconsistedinfurnishingIndiantraderswithgoodsandequipments。Inthisway，hehadacquiredmuchknowledgeofthetradeatsecondhand，andofthevarioustribes，andtheinteriorcountryoverwhichitextended。
Anotherofthepartners，Mr。DonaldM’Kenzie，wasassociatedwithMr。Huntintheexpedition，andexcelledonthosepointsinwhichtheotherwasdeficient;forhehadbeentenyearsintheinterior，intheserviceoftheNorthwestCompany，andvaluedhimselfonhisknowledgeof“woodcraft。”andthestrategyofIndiantradeandIndianwarfare。Hehadaframeseasonedtotoilsandhardships;aspiritnottobeintimidated，andwasreputedtobea“remarkableshot;“whichofitselfwassufficienttogivehimrenownuponthefrontier。
Mr。Huntandhiscoadjutorrepaired，aboutthelatterpartofJuly，1810，toMontreal，theancientemporiumofthefurtradewhereeverythingrequisitefortheexpeditioncouldbeprocured。
OneofthefirstobjectswastorecruitacomplementofCanadianvoyageursfromthedisbandedherdusuallytobefoundloiteringabouttheplace。Adegreeofjockeyship，however，isrequiredforthisservice，foraCanadianvoyageurisasfulloflatenttricksandviceasahorse;andwhenhemakesthegreatestexternalpromise，ispronetoprovethegreatest“takein。”Besides，theNorthwestCompany，whomaintainedalongestablishedcontrolatMontreal，andknewthequalitiesofeveryvoyageur，secretlyinterdictedtheprimehandsfromengaginginthisnewservice;sothat，althoughliberaltermswereoffered，fewpresentedthemselvesbutsuchaswerenotworthhaving。
FromtheseMr。Huntengagedanumbersufficient，ashesupposed，forpresentpurposes;and，havinglaidinasupplyofammunition，provisions，andIndiangoods，embarkedallonboardoneofthosegreatcanoesatthattimeuniversallyusedbythefurtradersfornavigatingtheintricateandoften-obstructedrivers。Thecanoewasbetweenthirtyandfortyfeetlong，andseveralfeetinwidth;constructedofbirchbark，sewedwithfibresoftherootsofthesprucetree，anddaubedwithresinofthepine，insteadoftar。Thecargowasmadeupinpackages，weighingfromninetytoonehundredpoundseach，forthefacilityofloadingandunloading，andoftransportationatportages。Thecanoeitself，thoughcapableofsustainingafreightofupwardsoffourtons，couldreadilybecarriedonmen’sshoulders。Canoesofthissizearegenerallymanagedbyeightortenmen，twoofwhomarepickedveterans，whoreceivedoublewages，andarestationed，oneatthebowandtheotheratthestern，tokeepalook-outandtosteer。
Theyaretermedtheforemanandthesteersman。Therest，whoplythepaddles，arecalledmiddlemen。Whenthereisafavorablebreeze，thecanoeisoccasionallynavigatedwithasail。
Theexpeditiontookitsregulardeparture，asusual，fromSt。
Anne’s，neartheextremityoftheislandofMontreal，thegreatstarting-placeofthetraderstotheinterior。HerestoodtheancientchapelofSt。Anne，thepatronessoftheCanadianvoyageurs;wheretheymadeconfession，andoffereduptheirvows，previoustodepartingonanyhazardousexpedition。Theshrineofthesaintwasdecoratedwithrelicsandvotiveofferingshungupbythesesuperstitiousbeings，eithertopropitiateherfavor，oringratitudeforsomesignaldeliveranceinthewilderness。Itwasthecustom，too，ofthesedevoutvagabonds，afterleavingthechapel，tohaveagrandcarouse，inhonorofthesaintandfortheprosperityofthevoyage。Inthispartoftheirdevotions，thecrewofMr。Huntprovedthemselvesbynomeansdeficient。
Indeed，hesoondiscoveredthathisrecruits，enlistedatMontreal，werefittoviewiththeraggedregimentofFalstaff。
Somewereable-bodied，butinexpert;otherswereexpert，butlazy;whileathirdclasswereexpertandwilling，buttotallywornout，beingbroken-downveterans，incapableoftoil。
WiththisinefficientcrewhemadehiswayuptheOttawaRiver，andbytheancientrouteofthefurtraders，alongasuccessionofsmalllakesandrivers，toMichilimackinac。Theirprogresswasslowandtedious。Mr。Huntwasnotaccustomedtothemanagementof“voyageurs。”andhehadacrewadmirablydisposedtoplaytheoldsoldier，andbalktheirwork;andeverreadytocometoahalt，land，makeafire，putonthegreatpot，andsmoke，andgossip，andsingbythehour。
Itwasnotuntilthe22dofJulythattheyarrivedatMackinaw，situatedontheislandofthesamename，attheconfluenceof-
lakesHuronandMichigan。ThisfamousoldFrenchtradingpostcontinuedtobearallyingpointforamultifariousandmotleypopulation。Theinhabitantswereamphibiousintheirhabits，mostofthembeing，orhavingbeenvoyageursorcanoemen。Itwasthegreatplaceofarrivalanddepartureofthesouthwestfurtrade。
HeretheMackinawCompanyhadestablisheditsprincipalpost，fromwhenceitcommunicatedwiththeinteriorandwithMontreal。
HenceitsvarioustradersandtrapperssetoutfortheirrespectivedestinationsaboutLakeSuperioranditstributarywaters，orfortheMississippi，theArkansas，theMissouri，andtheotherregionsofthewest。Here，aftertheabsenceofayear，ormore，theyreturnedwiththeirpeltries，andsettledtheiraccounts;thefursrenderedinbythembeingtransmittedincanoesfromhencetoMontreal。Mackinawwas，therefore，foragreatpartoftheyear，veryscantilypeopled;butatcertainseasonsthetradersarrivedfromallpoints，withtheircrewsofvoyageurs，andtheplaceswarmedlikeahive。
Mackinaw，atthattime，wasamerevillage，stretchingalongasmallbay，withafinebroadbeachinfrontofitsprincipalrowofhouses，anddominatedbytheoldfort，whichcrownedanimpendingheight。Thebeachwasakindofpublicpromenadewhereweredisplayedallthevagariesofaseaportonthearrivalofafleetfromalongcruise。Herevoyageursfrolickedawaytheirwages，fiddlinganddancingintheboothsandcabins，buyingallkindsofknick-knacks，dressingthemselvesoutfinely，andparadingupanddown，likearrantbraggartsandcoxcombs。
SometimestheymetwithrivalcoxcombsintheyoungIndiansfromtheoppositeshore，whowouldappearonthebeachpaintedanddecoratedinfantasticstyle，andwouldsaunterupanddown，tobegazedatandadmired，perfectlysatisfiedthattheyeclipsedtheirpale-faccdcompetitors。
Nowandthenachancepartyof“Northwesters“appearedatMackinawfromtherendezvousatFortWilliam。Theseheldthemselvesupasthechivalryofthefurtrade。Theyweremenofiron;proofagainstcoldweather，hardfare，andperilsofallkinds。SomewouldweartheNorthwestbutton，andaformidabledirk，andassumesomethingofamilitaryair。Theygenerallyworefeathersintheirhats，andaffectedthe“brave。”“Jesuisunhommedunord！“-“Iamamanofthenorth。”-oneoftheseswellingfellowswouldexclaim，stickinghisarmsakimboandrufflingbytheSouthwesters，whomheregardedwithgreatcontempt，asmensoftenedbymildclimatesandtheluxuriousfareofbreadandbacon，andwhomhestigmatizedwiththeingloriousnameofpork-
eaters。Thesuperiorityassumedbythesevaingloriousswaggererswas，ingeneral，tacitlyadmitted。Indeed，someofthemhadacquiredgreatnotorietyfordeedsofhardihoodandcourage;forthefurtradehadItsheroes，whosenamesresoundedthroughoutthewilderness。
SuchwasMackinawatthetimeofwhichwearetreating。Itnow，doubtless，presentsatotallydifferentaspect。Thefurcompaniesnolongerassemblethere;thenavigationofthelakeiscarriedonbysteamboatsandvariousshipping，andtheraceoftraders，andtrappers，andvoyageurs，andIndiandandies，havevaporedouttheirbriefhouranddisappeared。Suchchangesdoesthelapseofahandfulofyearsmakeinthisever-changingcountry。
AtthisplaceMr。Huntremainedforsometime，tocompletehisassortmentofIndiangoods，andtoincreasehisnumberofvoyageurs，aswellastoengagesomeofamoreefficientcharacterthanthoseenlistedatMontreal。
AndnowcommencedanothergameofJockeyship。TherewereableandefficientmeninabundanceatMackinaw，butforseveraldaysnotonepresentedhimself。Ifoffersweremadetoany，theywerelistenedtowithashakeofthehead。Shouldanyoneseeminclinedtoenlist，therewereofficiousidlersandbusybodies，ofthatclasswhoareeverreadytodissuadeothersfromanyenterpriseinwhichtheythemselveshavenoconcern。Thesewouldpullhimbythesleeve，takehimononeside，andmurmurinhisear，orwouldsuggestdifficultiesoutright。
itwasobjectedthattheexpeditionwouldhavetonavigateunknownrivers，andpassthroughhowlingwildernessesinfestedbysavagetribes，whohadalreadycutofftheunfortunatevoyageursthathadventuredamongthem;thatitwastoclimbtheRockyMountainsanddescendintodesolateandfamishedregions，wherethetravellerwasoftenobligedtosubsistongrasshoppersandcrickets，ortokillhisownhorseforfood。
Atlengthonemanwashardyenoughtoengage，andhewasusedlikea“stool-pigeon。”todecoyothers;butseveraldayselapsedbeforeanymorecouldbeprevailedupontojoinhim。Afewthencametoterms。Itwasdesirabletoengagethemforfiveyears，butsomerefusedtoengageformorethanthree。Thentheymusthavepartoftheirpayinadvance，whichwasreadilygranted。
