TheplacewheretheystrucktheColumbiawassomedistancebelowthejunctionofitstwogreatbranches，LewisandClarkerivers，andnotfarfromtheinfluxoftheWallah-Wallah。Itwasabeautifulstream，three-quartersofamilewide，totallyfreefromtrees;borderedinsomeplaceswithsteeprocks，inotherswithpebbledshores。
OnthebanksoftheColumbiatheyfoundamiserablehordeofIndians，calledAkai-chies，withnoclothingbutascantymantleoftheskinsofanimals，andsometimesapairofsleevesofwolf’sskin。Theirlodgeswereshapedlikeatent，andverylightandwarm，beingcoveredwithmatsandrushes;besideswhichtheyhadexcavationsintheground，linedwithmats，andoccupiedbythewomen，whowereevenmoreslightlycladthanthemen。Thesepeoplesubsistedchieflybyfishing;havingcanoesofarudeconstruction，beingmerelythetrunksofpinetreessplitandhollowedoutbyfire。Theirlodgeswerewellstoredwithdriedsalmon，andtheyhadgreatquantitiesoffreshsalmontroutofanexcellentflavor，takenatthemouthoftheUmatilla;ofwhichthetravellersobtainedamostacceptablesupply。
Findingthattheroadwasonthenorthsideoftheriver，Mr。
Huntcrossed，andcontinuedfiveorsixdaystravellingratherslowlydownalongitsbanks，beingmuchdelayedbythestrayingofthehorses，andtheattemptsmadebytheIndianstostealthem。Theyfrequentlypassedlodges，wheretheyobtainedfishanddogs。Atoneplacethenativeshadjustreturnedfromhunting，andhadbroughtbackalargequantityofelkanddeermeat，butaskedsohighapriceforitastobebeyondthefundsofthetravellers，sotheyhadtocontentthemselveswithdog’sflesh。
Theyhadbythistime，however，cometoconsideritverychoicefood，superiortohorseflesh，andtheminutesoftheexpeditionspeakratherexultinglynowandthen，oftheirhavingmadeafamous“repast。”wherethisviandhappenedtobeunusuallyplenty。
Theyagainlearnttidingsofsomeofthescatteredmembersoftheexpedition，supposedtobeM’Kenzie，M’Lellan，andtheirmen，whohadprecededthemdowntheriver，andhadoverturnedoneoftheircanoes，bywhichtheylostmanyarticles。Allthesefloatingpiecesofintelligenceoftheirfellowadventurers，whohadseparatedfromthemintheheartofthewilderness，theyreceivedwitheagerinterest。
Theweathercontinuedtobetemperate，markingthesuperiorsoftnessoftheclimateonthissideofthemountains。Foragreatpartofthetime，thedaysweredelightfullymildandclear，liketheserenedaysofOctoberontheAtlanticborders。
Thecountryingeneral，intheneighborhoodoftheriver，wasacontinualplain，lownearthewater，butrisinggradually;
destituteoftrees，andalmostwithoutshrubsorplantsofanykind，exceptingafewwillowbushes。Aftertravellingaboutsixtymiles，theycametowherethecountrybecameveryhillyandtherivermadeitswaybetweenrockybanksanddownnumerousrapids。
TheIndiansinthisvicinitywerebettercladandaltogetherinmoreprosperousconditionthanthoseabove，and，asMr。Huntthought，showedtheirconsciousnessofeasebysomethinglikesaucinessofmanner。Thusprosperityisapttoproducearroganceinsavageaswellasincivilizedlife。Inbothconditions，manisananimalthatwillnotbearpampering。
FromthesepeopleMr。HuntforthefirsttimereceivedvaguebutdeeplyinterestingintelligenceofthatpartoftheenterprisewhichhadproceededbyseatothemouthoftheColumbia。TheIndiansspokeofanumberofwhitemenwhohadbuiltalargehouseatthemouthofthegreatriver，andsurroundeditwithpalisades。NoneofthemhadbeendowntoAstoriathemselves;butrumorsspreadwidelyandrapidlyfrommouthtomouthamongtheIndiantribes，andarecarriedtotheheartoftheinteriorbyhuntingpartiesandmigratoryhordes。
Theestablishmentofatradingemporiumatsuchapoint，also，wascalculatedtocauseasensationtothemostremotepartsofthevastwildernessbeyondthemountains。Itinamannerstruckthepulseofthegreatvitalriver，andvibratedupallitstributarystreams。
Itissurprisingtonoticehowwellthisremotetribeofsavageshadlearnt，throughintermediategossips，theprivatefeelingsofthecolonistsatAstoria;itshowsthatIndiansarenottheincuriousandindifferentobserversthattheyhavebeenrepresented。TheytoldMr。Huntthatthewhitepeopleatthelargehousehadbeenlookinganxiouslyformanyoftheirfriends，whomtheyhadexpectedtodescendthegreatriver;andhadbeeninmuchaffliction，fearingthattheywerelost。Now，however，thearrivalofhimandhispartywouldwipeawayalltheirtears，andtheywoulddanceandsingforjoy。
Onthe31stofJanuary，Mr。HuntarrivedatthefallsoftheColumbia，andencampedatthevillageoftheWish-ram，situatedattheheadofthatdangerouspassoftherivercalled“theLongNarrows。
CHAPTERXXXVIII。
TheVillageofWish-ram-RogueryoftheInhabitants-TheirHabitations-TidingsofAstoria-OftheTonquinMassacre-
ThievesAbouttheCamp-ABandofBraggarts-Embarkation-
ArrivalatAstoria-AJoyfulReception-OldComrades-AdventuresofReed，M’Lellan，andM’KenzieAmongtheSnakeRiverMountains-
RejoicingatAstoria。
0FthevillageofWish-ram，theaborigines’fishingmartoftheColumbia，wehavegivensomeaccountinanearlychapterofthiswork。Theinhabitantsheldatrafficintheproductionsofthefisheriesofthefalls，andtheirvillagewasthetradingresortofthetribesfromthecoastandfromthemountains。Mr。HuntfoundtheinhabitantsshrewderandmoreintelligentthananyIndianshehadmetwith。Tradehadsharpenedtheirwits，thoughithadnotimprovedtheirhonesty;fortheywereacommunityofarrantroguesandfreebooters。Theirhabitationscomportedwiththeircircumstances，andweresuperiortoanythetravellershadyetseenwestoftheRockyMountains。Ingeneral，thedwellingsofthesavagesonthePacificsideofthatgreatbarrierweremeretentsandcabinsofmats，orskins，orstraw，thecountrybeingdestituteoftimber。InWish-ram，onthecontrary，thehouseswerebuiltofwood，withlongslopingroofs。Thefloorwassunkaboutsixfeetbelowthesurfaceoftheground，withalowdooratthegableend，extremelynarrow，andpartlysunk。Throughthisitwasnecessarytocrawlandthentodescendashortladder。Thisinconveniententrancewasprobablyforthepurposeofdefense;therewereloop-holesalsoundertheeaves，apparentlyforthedischargeofarrows。Thehouseswerelarge，generallycontainingtwoorthreefamilies。Immediatelywithinthedoorweresleepingplaces，rangedalongthewalls，likeberthsinaship;andfurnishedwithpalletsofmatting。Theseextendedalongonehalfofthebuilding;theremaininghalfwasappropriatedtothestoringofdriedfish。
ThetradingoperationsoftheinhabitantsofWish-ramhadgiventhemawiderscopeofinformation，andrenderedtheirvillageakindofheadquartersofintelligence。Mr。Huntwasable，therefore，tocollectmoredistincttidingsconcerningthesettlementofAstoriaanditsaffairs。OneoftheinhabitantshadbeenatthetradingpostestablishedbyDavidStuartontheOakinagan，andhadpickedupafewwordsofEnglishthere。Fromhim，Mr。Huntgleanedvariousparticularsaboutthatestablishment，aswellasaboutthegeneralconcernsoftheenterprise。OthersrepeatedthenameofMr。M’Kay，thepartnerwhoperishedinthemassacreonboardoftheTonquin，andgavesomeaccountofthatmelancholyaffair。TheysaidMr。M’Kaywasachiefamongthewhitemen，andhadbuiltagreathouseatthemouthoftheriver，buthadleftitandsailedawayinalargeshiptothenorthwardwherehehadbeenattackedbybadIndiansincanoes。Mr。Huntwasstartledbythisintelligence，andmadefurtherinquiries。TheyinformedhimthattheIndianshadlashedtheircanoestotheship，andfoughtuntiltheykilledhimandallhispeople。ThisisanotherinstanceoftheclearnesswithwhichintelligenceistransmittedfrommouthtomouthamongtheIndiantribes。Thesetidings，thoughbutpartiallycreditedbyMr。Hunt，filledhismindwithanxiousforebodings。Henowendeavoredtoprocurecanoes，inwhichtodescendtheColumbia，butnonesuitableforthepurposeweretobeobtainedabovetheNarrows;hecontinuedon，therefore，thedistanceoftwelvemiles，andencampedonthebankoftheriver。Thecampwassoonsurroundedbyloiteringsavages，whowentprowlingaboutseekingwhattheymightpilfer。Beingbaffledbythevigilanceoftheguard，theyendeavoredtocompasstheirendsbyothermeans。
Towardsevening，anumberofwarriorsenteredthecampinrufflingstyle;paintedanddressedoutasifforbattle，andarmedwithlances，bowsandarrows，andscalpingknives。TheyinformedMr。Huntthatapartyofthirtyorfortybraveswerecomingupfromavillagebelowtoattackthecampandcarryoffthehorses，butthattheyweredeterminedtostaywithhimanddefendhim。Mr。Huntreceivedthemwithgreatcoldness，and，whentheyhadfinishedtheirstory，gavethemapipetosmoke。Hethencalledupallhands，stationedsentinelsindifferentquarters，buttoldthemtokeepasvigilantaneyewithinthecampaswithout。
Thewarriorswereevidentlybaffledbytheseprecautions，and，havingsmokedtheirpipe，andvaporedofftheirvalor，tooktheirdeparture。Thefarce，however，didnotendhere。Afteralittlewhilethewarriorsreturned，usheringinanothersavage，stillmoreheroicallyarrayed。Thistheyannouncedasthechiefofthebelligerentvillage，butasagreatpacificator。Hispeoplehadbeenfuriouslybentupontheattack，andwouldhavedoubtlesscarrieditintoeffect，butthisgallantchiefhadstoodforthasthefriendofwhitemen，andhaddispersedthethrongbyhisownauthorityandprowess。Havingvauntedthissignalpieceofservice，therewasasignificantpause;allevidentlyexpectingsomeadequatereward。Mr。Huntagainproducedthepipe，smokedwiththechieftainandhisworthycompeers;butmadenofurtherdemonstrationsofgratitude。Theyremainedaboutthecampallnight，butatdaylightreturned，baffledandcrestfallen，totheirhomes，withnothingbutsmokefortheirpains。
Mr。Huntnowendeavoredtoprocurecanoes，ofwhichhesawseveralabouttheneighborhood，extremelywellmade，withelevatedstemsandsterns，someofthemcapableofcarryingthreethousandpoundsweight。Hefounditextremelydifficult，however，todealwiththeseslipperypeople，whoseemedmuchmoreinclinedtopilfer。Notwithstandingastrictguardmaintainedroundthecamp，variousimplementswerestolen，andseveralhorsescarriedoff。Amongthelatter，wehavetoincludethelong-cherishedsteedofPierreDorion。Fromsomewilfulcaprice，thatworthypitchedhistentatsomedistancefromthemainbody，andtetheredhisinvaluablesteedbesideit，fromwhenceitwasabstractedinthenight，totheinfinitechagrinandmortificationofthehybridinterpreter。
Having，afterseveraldays’negotiation，procuredtherequisitenumberofcanoes，Mr。Huntwouldgladlyhaveleftthisthievishneighborhood，butwasdetaineduntilthe5thofFebruarybyviolentheadwinds，accompaniedbysnowandrain。Evenafterhewasenabledtogetunderway，hehadstilltostruggleagainstcontrarywindsandtempestuousweather。Thecurrentoftheriver，however，wasinhisfavor;havingmadeaportageatthegrandrapid，thecanoesmetwithnofurtherobstruction，and，ontheafternoonofthe15thofFebruary，sweptroundaninterveningcape，andcameinsightoftheinfantsettlementofAstoria。
Afterelevenmonthswanderinginthewilderness，agreatpartofthetimeovertracklesswastes，wherethesightofasavagewigwamwasararity，wemayimaginethedelightofthepoorweatherbeatentravellers，atbeholdingtheembryoestablishment，withitsmagazines，habitations，andpicketedbulwarks，seatedonahighpointofland，dominatingabeautifullittlebay，inwhichwasatrim-builtshallopridingquietlyatanchor。Ashoutofjoyburstfromeachcanoeatthelong-wished-forsight。Theyurgedtheircanoesacrossthebay，andpulledwitheagernessforshore，whereallhandspoureddownfromthesettlementtoreceiveandwelcomethem。Amongthefirsttogreetthemontheirlanding，weresomeoftheiroldcomradesandfellow-sufferers，who，undertheconductofReed，M’Lellan，andM’Kenzie，hadpartedfromthemattheCaldronLinn。ThesehadreachedAstorianearlyamonthpreviously，and，judgingfromtheirownnarrowescapefromstarvation，hadgivenupMr。Huntandhisfollowersaslost。
Theirgreetingwasthemorewarmandcordial。AstotheCanadianvoyageurs，theirmutualfelicitations，asusual，wereloudandvociferous，anditwasalmostludicroustobeholdtheseancient“comrades“and“confreres。”huggingandkissingeachotherontheriverbank。
Whenthefirstgreetingswereover，thedifferentbandsinterchangedaccountsoftheirseveralwanderings，afterseparatingatSnakeRiver;weshallbrieflynoticeafewoftheleadingparticulars。Itwillberecollectedbythereader，thatasmallexploringdetachmenthadproceededdowntheriver，undertheconductofMr。JohnReed，aclerkofthecompany;thatanotherhadsetoffunderM’Lellan，andathirdinadifferentdirection，underM’Kenzie。AfterwanderingforseveraldayswithoutmeetingwithIndians，orobtaininganysupplies，theycametogetherfortuitouslyamongtheSnakeRivermountains，somedistancebelowthatdisastrouspassorstraitwhichhadreceivedtheappellationoftheDevil’sScuttleHole。
Whenthusunited，theirpartyconsistedofM’Kenzie，M’Lellan，Reed，andeightmen，chieflyCanadians。Beingallinthesamepredicament，withouthorses，provisions，orinformationofanykind，theyallagreedthatitwouldbeworsethanuselesstoreturntoMr。Huntandencumberhimwithsomanystarvingmen，andthattheironlycoursewastoextricatethemselvesassoonaspossiblefromthislandoffamineandmiseryandmakethebestoftheirwayfortheColumbia。TheyaccordinglycontinuedtofollowthedownwardcourseofSnakeRiver;clamberingrocksandmountains，anddefyingallthedifficultiesanddangersofthatruggeddefile，whichsubsequently，whenthesnowshadfallen，wasfoundimpassablebyMessrs。HuntandCrooks。
Thoughconstantlyneartothebordersoftheriver，andforagreatpartofthetimewithinsightofitscurrent，oneoftheirgreatestsufferingswasthirst。Theriverhadwornitswayinadeepchannelthroughrockymountains，destituteofbrooksorsprings。Itsbanksweresohighandprecipitous，thattherewasrarelyanyplacewherethetravellerscouldgetdowntodrinkofitswaters。FrequentlytheysufferedformilesthetormentsofTantalus;watercontinuallywithinsight，yetfeveredwiththemostparchingthirst。Hereandtheretheymetwithrainwatercollectedinthehollowsoftherocks，butmorethanoncetheywerereducedtotheutmostextremity;andsomeofthemenhadrecoursetothelastexpedienttoavoidperishing。
Theirsufferingsfromhungerwereequallysevere。Theycouldmeetwithnogame，andsubsistedforatimeonstripsofbeaverskin，broiledonthecoals。Theseweredoledoutinscantyallowances，barelysufficienttokeepupexistence，andatlengthfailedthemaltogether。Stilltheycreptfeeblyon，scarcedraggingonelimbafteranother，untilaseveresnow-stormbroughtthemtoapause。
Tostruggleagainstit，intheirexhaustedcondition，wasimpossible，socoweringunderanimpendingrockatthefootofasteepmountain，theypreparedthemselvesforthatwretchedfatewhichseemedinevitable。
Atthiscriticaljuncture，whenfaminestaredthemintheface，M’Lellancastinguphiseyes，beheldanahsahta，orbighorn，shelteringitselfunderashelvingrockonthesideofthehillabovethem。Beinginamoreactiveplightthananyofhiscomrades，andanexcellentmarksman，hesetofftogetwithinshotoftheanimal。Hiscompanionswatchedhismovementswithbreathlessanxiety，fortheirlivesdependeduponhissuccess。Hemadeacautiouscircuit;scrambledupthehillwiththeutmostsilence，andatlengtharrived，unperceived，withinaproperdistance。Herelevelinghisriflehetooksosureanaim，thatthebighornfelldeadonthespot;afortunatecircumstance，for，topursueit，ifmerelywounded，wouldhavebeenimpossibleinhisemaciatedstate。Thedeclivityofthehillenabledhimtorollthecarcassdowntohiscompanions，whoweretoofeebletoclimbtherocks。Theyfelltoworktocutitup;yetexertedaremarkableself-denialformenintheirstarvingcondition，fortheycontentedthemselvesforthepresentwithasoupmadefromthebones，reservingthefleshforfuturerepasts。Thisprovidentialreliefgavethemstrengthtopursuetheirjourney，buttheywerefrequentlyreducedtoalmostequalstraits，anditwasonlythesmallnessoftheirparty，requiringasmallsupplyofprovisions，thatenabledthemtogetthroughthisdesolateregionwiththeirlives。
Atlength，aftertwenty-onedaysofto11andsuffering，theygotthroughthesemountains，andarrivedatatributarystreamofthatbranchoftheColumbiacalledLewisRiver，ofwhichSnakeRiverformsthesouthernfork。Inthisneighborhoodtheymetwithwildhorses，thefirsttheyhadseenwestoftheRockyMountains。
FromhencetheymadetheirwaytoLewisRiver，wheretheyfellinwithafriendlytribeofIndians，whofreelyadministeredtotheirnecessities。Onthisrivertheyprocuredtwocanoes，inwhichtheydroppeddownthestreamtoitsconfluencewiththeColumbia，andthendownthatrivertoAstoria，wheretheyarrivedhaggardandemaciated，andperfectlyinrags。
Thus，alltheleadingpersonsofMr。Hunt’sexpeditionwereoncemoregatheredtogether，exceptingMr。Crooks，ofwhosesafetytheyentertainedbutlittlehope，consideringthefeebleconditioninwhichtheyhadbeencompelledtoleavehimintheheartofthewilderness。
Adaywasnowgivenuptojubilee，tocelebratethearrivalofMr。Huntandhiscompanions，andthejoyfulmeetingofthevariousscatteredbandsofadventurersatAstoria。Thecolorswerehoisted;theguns，greatandsmall，werefired;therewasafeastoffish，ofbeaver，andvenison，whichrelishedwellwithmenwhohadsolongbeengladtorevelonhorsefleshanddogs’
meat;agenialallowanceofgrogwasissued，toincreasethegeneralanimation，andthefestivitieswoundup，asusual，withagranddanceatnight，bytheCanadianvoyageurs。*
*ThedistancefromSt。LouistoAstoria，bytheroutetravelledbyHuntandM’Kenzie，wasupwardsofthirty-fivehundredmiles，thoughinadirectlineitdoesnotexceedeighteenhundred。
CHAPTERXXXIX。
ScantyFareDuringtheWinter-APoorHuntingGround-TheReturnoftheFishingSeason-TheUthlecanorSmelt-ItsQualities-VastShoalsofit-Sturgeon-IndianModesofTakingIt-TheSalmon-DifferentSpecies-NatureoftheCountryAbouttheCoast-ForestsandForestTrees-ARemarkableFloweringVine-Animals-Birds-Reptiles-ClimateWestoftheMountains-MildnessoftheTemperature-SoiloftheCoastandtheInterior。
THEwinterpassedawaytranquillyatAstoria。Theapprehensionsofhostilityfromthenativeshadsubsided;indeed，astheseasonadvanced，theIndiansforthemostparthaddisappearedfromtheneighborhood，andabandonedthesea-coast，sothat，forwantoftheiraid，thecolonistshadattimessufferedconsiderablyforwantofprovisions。Thehuntersbelongingtotheestablishmentmadefrequentandwideexcursions，butwithverymoderatesuccess。Thereweresomedeerandafewbearstobefoundinthevicinity，andelkingreatnumbers;thecountry，however，wassorough，andthewoodssocloseandentangledthatitwasalmostimpossibletobeatupthegame。Theprevalentrainsofwinter，also，rendereditdifficultforthehuntertokeephisarmsinorder。Thequantityofgame，therefore，broughtinbythehunterswasextremelyscanty，anditwasfrequentlynecessarytoputallhandsonverymoderateallowance。Towardsspring，however，thefishingseasoncommenced-theseasonofplentyontheColumbia。
AboutthebeginningofFebruary，asmallkindoffish，aboutsixincheslong，calledbythenativestheuthlecan，andresemblingthesmelt，madeitsappearanceatthemouthoftheriver。Itissaidtobeofdeliciousflavor，andsofatastoburnlikeacandle，forwhichitisoftenusedbythenatives。Itenterstheriverinimmenseshoals，likesolidcolumns，oftenextendingtothedepthoffiveormorefeet，andisscoopedupbythenativeswithsmallnetsattheendofpoles。Inthiswaytheywillsoonfillacanoe，orformagreatheapupontheriverbanks。Thesefishconstituteaprincipalarticleoftheirfood;thewomendryingthemandstringingthemoncords。Astheuthlecanisonlyfoundinthelowerpartoftheriver，thearrivalofitsoonbroughtbackthenativestothecoast;whoagainresortedtothefactorytotrade，andfromthattimefurnishedplentifulsuppliesoffish。
Thesturgeonmakesitsappearanceintherivershortlyaftertheuthlecan，andistakenindifferentwaysbythenatives:
sometimestheyspearit;butoftenertheyusethehookandline，andthenet。Occasionally，theysinkacordintheriverbyaheavyweight，withabuoyattheupperend，tokeepfloating。Tothiscordseveralhooksareattachedbyshortlines，afewfeetdistantfromeachother，andbaitedwithsmallfish。Thisapparatusisoftensettowardsnight，andbythenextmorningseveralsturgeonwillbefoundhookedbyit;forthoughalargeandstrongfish，itmakesbutlittleresistancewhenensnared。
Thesalmon，whicharetheprimefishoftheColumbia，andasimportanttothepiscatorytribesasarethebuffaloestothehuntersoftheprairies，donotentertheriveruntiltowardsthelatterpartofMay，fromwhichtime，untilthemiddleofAugust，theyaboundandaretakeninvastquantities，eitherwiththespearorseine，andmostlyinshallowwater。Aninferiorspeciessucceeds，andcontinuesfromAugusttoDecember。Itisremarkableforhavingadoublerowofteeth，halfaninchlongandextremelysharp，fromwhenceithasreceivedthenameofthedog-toothedsalmon。Itisgenerallykilledwiththespearinsmallrivulets，andsmokedforwinterprovision。WehavenoticedinaformerchapterthemodeinwhichthesalmonaretakenandcuredatthefallsoftheColumbia;andputtipinparcelsforexportation。
Fromthesedifferentfisheriesoftherivertribes，theestablishmentatAstoriahadtoderivemuchofitsprecarioussuppliesofprovisions。
Ayear’sresidenceatthemouthoftheColumbia，andvariousexpeditionsintheinterior，hadnowgiventheAstorianssomeideaofthecountry。Thewholecoastisdescribedasremarkablyruggedandmountainous;withdenseforestsofhemlock，spruce，whiteandredcedar，cotton-wood，whiteoak，whiteandswampash，willow，andafewwalnut。Thereislikewiseanundergrowthofaromaticshrubs，creepers，andclamberingvines，thatrendertheforestsalmostimpenetrable;togetherwithberriesofvariouskinds，suchasgooseberries，strawberries，raspberries，bothredandyellow，verylargeandfinelyflavoredwhortleberries，cranberries，serviceberries，blackberries，currants，sloes，andwildandchokecherries。
Amongthefloweringvinesisonedeservingofparticularnotice。
Eachfloweriscomposedofsixleavesorpetals，aboutthreeinchesinlength，ofabeautifulcrimson，theinsidespottedwithwhite。Itsleaves，ofafinegreen，areoval，anddisposedbythrees。Thisplantclimbsuponthetreeswithoutattachingitselftothem;whenithasreachedthetopmostbranches，itdescendsperpendicularly，andasitcontinuestogrow，extendsfromtreetotree，untilitsvariousstalksinterlacethegroveliketheriggingofaship。Thestemsortrunksofthisvinearetougherandmoreflexiblethanwillow，andarefromfiftytoonehundredfathomsinlength。Fromthefibres，theIndiansmanufacturebasketsofsuchclosetextureastoholdwater。
Theprincipalquadrupedsthathadbeenseenbythecolonistsintheirvariousexpeditionswerethestag，fallowdeer，hart，blackandgrizzlybear，antelope，ahsahtaorbighorn，beaver，seaandriverotter，muskrat，fox，wolf，andpanther，thelatterextremelyrare。Theonlydomesticanimalsamongthenativeswerehorsesanddogs。
Thecountryaboundedwithaquaticandlandbirds，suchasswans，wildgeese，brant，ducksofalmosteverydescription，pelicans，herons，gulls，snipes，curlews，eagles，vultures，crows，ravens，magpies，woodpeckers，pigeons，partridges，pheasants，grouse，andagreatvarietyofsingingbirds。
Therewerefewreptiles;theonlydangerouskindsweretherattlesnake，andonestripedwithblack，yellow，andwhite，aboutfourfeetlong。Amongthelizardkindwasoneaboutnineorteninchesinlength，exclusiveofthetall，andthreeinchesincircumference。Thetailwasround，andofthesamelengthasthebody。Theheadwastriangular，coveredwithsmallsquarescales。
Theupperpartofthebodywaslikewisecoveredwithsmallscales，green，yellow，black，andblue。Eachfoothadfivetoes，furnishedwithstrongnails，probablytoaiditinburrowing，asitusuallylivedundergroundontheplains。
Aremarkablefact，characteristicofthecountrywestoftheRockyMountains，isthemildnessandequabilityoftheclimate。
Thegreatmountainbarrierseemstodividethecontinentintodifferentclimates，eveninthesamedegreesoflatitude。Therigorouswintersandsultrysummers，andallthecapriciousinequalitiesoftemperatureprevalentontheAtlanticsideofthemountains，arebutlittlefeltontheirwesterndeclivities。ThecountriesbetweenthemandthePacificareblessedwithmilderandsteadiertemperature，resemblingtheclimatesofparallellatitudesinEurope。Intheplainsandvalleysbutlittlesnowfallsthroughoutthewinter，andusuallymeltswhilefalling。Itrarelyliesonthegroundmorethantwodaysatatime，exceptonthesummitsofthemountains。Thewintersarerainyratherthancold。Therainsforfivemonths，fromthemiddleofOctobertothemiddleofMarch，arealmostincessant，andoftenaccompaniedbytremendousthunderandlightning。Thewindsprevalentatthisseasonarefromthesouthandsoutheast，whichusuallybringrain。Thosefromthenorthtothesouthwestaretheharbingersoffairweatherandaclearsky。Theresidueoftheyear，fromthemiddleofMarchtothemiddleofOctober，anintervalofsevenmonths，issereneanddelightful。Thereisscarcelyanyrainthroughoutthistime，yetthefaceofthecountryiskeptfreshandverdantbynightlydews，andoccasionallybyhumidfogsinthemornings。Thesearenotconsideredprejudicialtohealth，sinceboththenativesandthewhitessleepintheopenairwithperfectimpunity。Whilethisequableandblandtemperatureprevailsthroughoutthelowercountry，thepeaksandridgesofthevastmountainsbywhichitisdominated，arecoveredwithperpetualsnow。Thisrendersthemdiscernibleatagreatdistance，shiningattimeslikebrightsummerclouds，atothertimesassumingthemostaerialtints，andalwaysformingbrilliantandstrikingfeaturesinthevastlandscape。ThemildtemperatureprevalentthroughoutthecountryisattributedbysometothesuccessionofwindsfromthePacificOcean，extendingfromlatitudetwentydegreestoatleastfiftydegreesnorth。
Thesetempertheheatofsummer，sothatintheshadenooneisincommodedbyperspiration;theyalsosoftentherigorsofwinter，andproducesuchamoderationintheclimate，thattheinhabitantscanwearthesamedressthroughouttheyear。
Thesoilintheneighborhoodofthesea-coastisofabrowncolor，incliningtored，andgenerallypoor;beingamixtureofclayandgravel。Intheinterior，andespeciallyinthevalleysoftheRockyMountains，thesoilisgenerallyblackish，thoughsometimesyellow。Itisfrequentlymixedwithmarl，andwithmarinesubstancesinastateofdecomposition。Thiskindofsoilextendstoaconsiderabledepth，asmaybeperceivedinthedeepcutsmadebyravines，andbythebedsofrivers。Thevegetationinthesevalleysismuchmoreabundantthannearthecoast;infact，itisthesefertileintervals，lockedupbetweenrockysierras，orscoopedoutfrombarrenwastes，thatpopulationmustextenditself，asitwere，inveinsandramifications，ifevertheregionsbeyondthemountainsshouldbecomecivilized。
CHAPTERXL。
NativesintheNeighborhoodofAstoria-TheirPersonsandCharacteristics-CausesofDeformity——TheirDress-TheirContemptofBeards-Ornaments-ArmorandWeapons-ModeofFlatteningtheHead-ExtentoftheCustom-ReligiousBelief-
TheTwoGreatSpiritsoftheAirandoftheFire-PriestsorMedicineMen-TheRivalIdols-PolygamyaCauseofGreatness-
PettyWarfare-Music，Dancing，Gambling-ThievingaVirtue-
KeenTraders-IntrusiveHabits-AbhorrenceofDrunkenness-
AnecdoteofComcomly。
ABRIEFmentionhasalreadybeenmadeofthetribesorhordesexistingaboutthelowerpartoftheColumbiaatthetimeofthesettlement;afewmoreparticularsconcerningthemmaybeacceptable。ThefourtribesnearesttoAstoria，andwithwhomthetradershadmostintercourse，were，ashasheretoforebeenobserved，theChinooks，theClatsops，theWahkiacums，andtheCathlamets。TheChinooksresidechieflyalongthebanksofariverofthesamename，runningparalleltothesea-coast，throughalowcountrystuddedwithstagnantpools，andemptyingitselfintoBaker’sBay，afewmilesfromCapeDisappointment。
ThiswasthetribeoverwhichComcomly，theone-eyedchieftain，heldsway;itboastedtwohundredandfourteenfightingmen。
Theirchiefsubsistencewasonfish，withanoccasionalregaleofthefleshofelkanddeer，andofwild-fowlfromtheneighboringponds。
TheClatsopsresidedonbothsidesofPointAdams;theywerethemererelicsofatribewhichhadbeennearlysweptoffbythesmall-pox，anddidnotnumbermorethanonehundredandeightyfightingmen。
TheWahkiacums，orWaak-i-cums，inhabitedthenorthsideoftheColumbia，andnumberedsixty-sixwarriors。TheyandtheChinookswereoriginallythesame;butadisputearisingabouttwogenerationsprevioustothetimeofthesettlement，betweentherulingchiefandhisbrotherWahkiacum，thelatterseceded，andwithhisadherentsformedthepresenthordewhichcontinuestogobyhisname。Inthiswaynewtribesorclansareformed，andlurkingcausesofhostilityengendered。
TheCathlametslivedoppositetothelowervillageoftheWahkiacums，andnumberedninety-fourwarriors。
Thesefourtribes，orratherclans，haveeveryappearanceofspringingfromthesameorigin，resemblingeachotherinperson，dress，language，andmanners。Theyareratheradiminutiverace，generallybelowfivefeetfiveinches，withcrookedlegsandthickankles-adeformitycausedbytheirpassingsomuchoftheirtimesittingorsquattinguponthecalvesoftheirlegsandtheirheels，inthebottomoftheircanoes-afavoriteposition，whichtheyretain，evenwhenonshore。Thewomenincreasethedeformitybywearingtightbandagesroundtheankles，whichpreventthecirculationoftheblood，andcauseaswellingofthemusclesoftheleg。
Neithersexcanboastofpersonalbeauty。Theirfacesareround，withsmallbutanimatedeyes。Theirnosesarebroadandflatattop，andfleshyattheend，withlargenostrils。Theyhavewidemouths，thicklips，andshort，irregularanddirtyteeth。IndeedgoodteethareseldomtobeseenamongthetribeswestoftheRockyMountains，wholivesimplyonfish。
Intheearlystagesoftheirintercoursewithwhitemen，thesesavageswerebutscantilyclad。Insummertimethemenwententirelynaked;inthewinterandinbadweatherthemenworeasmallrobe，reachingtothemiddleofthethigh，madeoftheskinsofanimals，orofthewoolofthemountainsheep。
Occasionally，theyworeakindofmantleofmatting，tokeepofftherainbut，havingthusprotectedthebackandshoulders，theylefttherestofthebodynaked。
Thewomenworesimilarrobes，thoughshorter，notreachingbelowthewaist;besideswhich，theyhadakindofpetticoat，orfringe，reachingfromthewaisttotheknee，formedofthefibresofcedarbark，brokenintostrands，oratissueofsilkgrasstwistedandknottedattheends。Thiswastheusualdressofthewomeninsummer;shouldtheweatherbeinclement，theyaddedavestofskins，similartotherobe。
Themencarefullyeradicatedeveryvestigeofabeard，consideringitagreatdeformity。Theylookedwithdisgustatthewhiskersandwell-furnishedchinsofthewhitemen，andinderisioncalledthemLong-beards。Bothsexes，ontheotherhand，cherishedthehairofthehead，whichwiththemisgenerallyblackandrathercoarse。Theyallowedittogrowtoagreatlengthandwereveryproudandcarefulofit，sometimeswearingitplaited，sometimeswoundroundtheheadinfancifultresses。
Nogreateraffrontcouldbeofferedtothemthantocutofftheirtreasuredlocks。
Theyhadconicalhatswithnarrowrims，neatlywovenofbeargrassorofthefibresofcedarbark，interwovenwithdesignsofvariousshapesandcolors;sometimesmerelysquaresandtriangles，atothertimesruderepresentationsofcanoes，withmenfishingandharpooning。Thesehatswerenearlywaterproof，andextremelydurable。
Thefavoriteornamentsofthemenwerecollarsofbears’claws，theproudtrophiesofhuntingexploits;whilethewomenandchildrenworesimilardecorationsofelks’tusks。Anintercoursewiththewhitetraders，however，sooneffectedachangeinthetoiletsofbothsexes。Theybecamefondofarrayingthemselvesinanyarticleofcivilizeddresswhichtheycouldprocure，andoftenmadeamostgrotesqueappearance。Theyadaptedmanyarticlesoffinery，also，totheirownprevioustastes。Bothsexeswerefondofadorningthemselveswithbraceletsofiron，brass，orcopper。Theyweredelighted，also，withblueandwhitebeads，particularlytheformer，andworebroadtightbandsofthemroundthewaistandankles，largerollsofthemroundtheneck，andpendantsofthemintheears。Themen，especially，whoinsavagelifecarryapassionforpersonaldecorationfurtherthanthefemales，didnotthinktheirgalaequipmentscompleteunlesstheyhadajewelofhiaqua，orwampum，danglingatthenose。Thusarrayed，theirhairbesmearedwithfishoil，andtheirbodiesbedaubedwithredclay，theyconsideredthemselvesirresistible。
Whenonwarlikeexpeditions，theypaintedtheirfacesandbodiesinthemosthideousandgrotesquemanner，accordingtotheuniversalpracticeofAmericansavages。Theirarmswerebowsandarrows，spears，andwarclubs。Someworeacorseletofpiecesofhardwoodlacedtogetherwithbeargrass，soastoformalightcoatofmail，plianttothebody;andakindofcasqueofcedarbark，leather，andbeargrass，sufficienttoprotecttheheadfromanarroworwarclub。Amorecompletearticleofdefensivearmorwasabuffjerkinorshirtofgreatthickness，madeofdoublingsofelkskin，andreachingtothefeet，holesbeingleftfortheheadandarms。Thiswasperfectlyarrowproof;addtowhich，itwasoftenendowedwithcharmedvirtues，bythespellsandmysticceremonialsofthemedicineman，orconjurer。
Ofthepeculiarcustom，prevalentamongthesepeople，offlatteningthehead，wehavealreadyspoken。Itisoneofthoseinstancesofhumancaprice，likethecripplingofthefeetoffemalesinChina，whicharequiteincomprehensible。Thiscustomprevailsprincipallyamongthetribesonthesea-coast，andaboutthelowerpartsoftherivers。Howfaritextendsalongthecoastwearenotabletoascertain。Someofthetribes，bothnorthandsouthoftheColumbia，practiceit;buttheyallspeaktheChinooklanguage，andprobablyoriginatedfromthesamestock。Asfaraswecanlearn，theremotertribes，whichspeakanentirelydifferentlanguage，donotflattenthehead。Thisabsurdcustomdeclines，also，inrecedingfromtheshoresofthePacific;fewtracesofitaretobefoundamongthetribesoftheRockyMountains，andaftercrossingthemountainsitdisappearsaltogether。ThoseIndians，therefore，abouttheheadwatersoftheColumbia，andinthesolitarymountainregions，whoareoftencalledFlatheads，mustnotbesupposedtobecharacterizedbythisdeformity。Itisanappellationoftengivenbythehunterseastofthemountainchain，toallwesternIndians，exceptingtheSnakes。
Thereligiousbeliefofthesepeoplewasextremelylimitedandconfined;orrather，inallprobability，theirexplanationswerebutlittleunderstoodbytheirvisitors。Theyhadanideaofabenevolentandomnipotentspirit，thecreatorofallthings。Theyrepresenthimasassumingvariousshapesatpleasure，butgenerallythatofanimmensebird。Heusuallyinhabitsthesun，butoccasionallywingshiswaythroughtheaerialregions，andseesallthatisdoinguponearth。Shouldanythingdispleasehim，heventshiswrathinterrificstormsandtempests，thelightningbeingtheflashesofhiseyes，andthethundertheclappingofhiswings。Topropitiatehisfavortheyoffertohimannualsacrificesofsalmonandvenison，thefirstfruitsoftheirfishingandhunting。
Besidesthisaerialspirittheybelieveinaninferiorone，whoinhabitsthefire，andofwhomtheyareinperpetualdread，as，thoughhepossessesequallythepowerofgoodandevil，theevilisapttopredominate。Theyendeavor，therefore，tokeephimingoodhumorbyfrequentofferings。Heissupposedalsotohavegreatinfluencewiththewingedspirit，theirsovereignprotectorandbenefactor。Theyimplorehim，therefore，toactastheirinterpreter，andprocurethemalldesirablethings，suchassuccessinfishingandhunting，abundanceofgame，fleethorses，obedientwives，andmalechildren。
TheseIndianshavelikewisetheirpriests，orconjurers，ormedicinemen，whopretendtobeintheconfidenceofthedeities，andtheexpoundersandenforcersoftheirwill。Eachofthesemedicinemenhashisidolscarvedinwood，representingthespiritsoftheairandofthefire，undersomerudeandgrotesqueformofahorse，abear，abeaver，orotherquadruped，orthatofbirdorfish。Theseidolsarehungroundwithamuletsandvotiveofferings，suchasbeavers’teeth，andbears’andeagles’claws。
Whenanychiefpersonageisonhisdeath-bed，ordangerouslyill，themedicinemenaresentfor。Eachbringswithhimhisidols，withwhichheretiresintoacanoetoholdaconsultation。Asdoctorsarepronetodisagree，sothesemedicinemenhavenowandthenaviolentaltercationastothemaladyofthepatient，orthetreatmentofit。Tosettlethistheybeattheiridolssoundlyagainsteachother;whicheverfirstlosesatoothoraclawisconsideredasconfuted，andhisvotaryretiresfromthefield。
Polygamyisnotonlyallowed，butconsideredhonorable，andthegreaternumberofwivesamancanmaintain，themoreimportantisheintheeyesofthetribe。Thefirstwife，however，takesrankofalltheothers，andisconsideredmistressofthehouse。Stillthedomesticestablishmentisliabletojealousiesandcabals，andthelordandmasterhasmuchdifficultyinmaintainingharmonyinhisjanglinghousehold。
Inthemanuscriptfromwhichwedrawmanyoftheseparticulars，itisstatedthathewhoexceedshisneighborsinthenumberofhiswives，malechildren，andslaves，iselectedchiefofthevillage;atitletoofficewhichwedonotrecollecteverbeforetohavemetwith。
Feudsarefrequentamong，thesetribes，butarenotverydeadly。
Theyhaveoccasionallypitchedbattles，foughtonappointeddays，andatspecificplaces，whicharegenerallythebanksofarivulet。Theadversepartiespostthemselvesontheoppositesidesofthestream，andatsuchdistancesthatthebattlesoftenlastalongwhilebeforeanybloodisshed。Thenumberofkilledandwoundedseldomexceedhalfadozen。Shouldthedamagebeequaloneachside，thewarisconsideredashonorablyconcluded;
shouldonepartylosemorethantheother，itisentitledtoacompensationinslavesorotherproperty，otherwisehostilitiesareliabletoberenewedatafutureday。Theyarealsogiventopredatoryinroadsintotheterritoriesoftheirenemies，andsometimesoftheirfriendlyneighbors。Shouldtheyfalluponabandofinferiorforce，oruponavillage，weaklydefended，theyactwiththeferocityoftruepoltroons，slayingallthemen，andcarryingoffthewomenandchildrenasslaves。Astotheproperty，itispackeduponhorseswhichtheybringwiththemforthepurpose。Theyaremeanandpaltryaswarriors，andaltogetherinferiorinheroicqualitiestothesavagesofthebuffaloplainsontheeastsideofthemountains。
Agreatportionoftheirtimeispassedinrevelry，music，dancing，andgambling。Theirmusicscarcelydeservesthename;
theinstrumentsbeingoftherudestkind。Theirsingingisharshanddiscordant;thesongsarechieflyextempore，relatingtopassingcircumstances，thepersonspresent，oranytriflingobjectthatstrikestheattentionofthesinger。Theyhaveseveralkindsofdances，someofthemlivelyandpleasing。Thewomenarerarelypermittedtodancewiththemen，butformgroupsapart，dancingtothesameinstrumentandsong。
Theyhaveagreatpassionforplay，andavarietyofgames。Tosuchapitchofexcitementaretheysometimesroused，thattheygambleawayeverythingtheypossess，eventotheirwivesandchildren。Theyarenotoriousthieves，also，andproudoftheirdexterity。Hewhoisfrequentlysuccessful，gainsmuchapplauseandpopularity;buttheclumsythief，whoisdetectedinsomebunglingattempt，isscoffedatanddespised，andsometimesseverelypunished。
SuchareafewleadingcharacteristicsofthenativesintheneighborhoodofAstoria。Theyappeartousinferiorinmanyrespectstothetribeseastofthemountains，theboldroversoftheprairies;andtopartakemuchofEsquimauxcharacter;
elevatedinsomedegreebyamoregenialclimateandmorevariedlivingstyle。
ThehabitsoftrafficengenderedatthecataractsoftheColumbia，havehadtheirinfluencealongthecoast。TheChinooksandotherIndiansatthemouthoftheriver，soonprovedthemselveskeentraders，andintheirearlydealingswiththeAstoriansneverhesitatedtoaskthreetimeswhattheyconsideredtherealvalueofanarticle。Theywereinquisitive，also，intheextreme，andimpertinentlyintrusive;andwerepronetoindulgeinscoffingandridiculeattheexpenseofthestrangers。
Inonething，however，theyshowedsuperiorjudgmentandself-
commandtomostoftheirrace;thiswas，intheirabstinencefromardentspirits，andtheabhorrenceanddisgustwithwhichtheyregardedadrunkard。OnoneoccasionasonofComcomlyhadbeeninducedtodrinkfreelyatthefactory，andwenthomeinastateofintoxication，playingallkindsofmadpranks，untilhesankintoastupor，inwhichheremainedfortwodays。Theoldchieftainrepairedtohisfriend，M’Dougal，withindignationflaminginhiscountenance，andbitterlyreproachedhimforhavingpermittedhissontodegradehimselfintoabeast，andtorenderhimselfanobjectofscornandlaughtertohisslave。
CHAPTERXLI。
SpringArrangementsatAstoria-VariousExpeditionsSetOut-
TheLongNarrows-PilferingIndians-ThievishTribeatWish-
ram-PortageattheFalls-PortagebyMoonlight-AnAttack，aRoute，andaRobbery-IndianCureforCowardice-AParleyandCompromise-TheDespatchPartyTurnBack-MeetCrooksandJohnDay-TheirSufferings-IndianPerfidy-ArrivalatAstoria。
ASthespringopened，thelittlesettlementofAstoriawasinagitation，andpreparedtosendforthvariousexpeditions。
Severalimportantthingsweretobedone。ItwasnecessarytosendasupplyofgoodstothetradingpostofMr。DavidStuart，establishedintheprecedingautumnontheOakinagan。Thecache，orsecretdeposit，madebyMr。HuntattheCaldronLinn，waslikewisetobevisited，andthemerchandiseandothereffectsleftthere，tobebroughttoAstoria。AthirdobjectofmomentwastosenddespatchesoverlandtoMr。AstoratNewYork，informinghimofthestateofaffairsatthesettlement，andthefortunesoftheseveralexpeditions。
ThetaskofcarryingsuppliestoOakinaganwasassignedtoMr。
RobertStuart，aspiritedandenterprisingyoungman，nephewtotheonewhohadestablishedthepost。Thecachewastobesoughtoutbytwooftheclerks，namedRussellFarnhamandDonaldM’Gilles，conductedbyaguide，andaccompaniedbyeightmen，toassistinbringinghomethegoods。
Astothedespatches，theywereconfidedtoMr。JohnReed，theclerk，thesamewhohadconductedoneoftheexploringdetachmentsofSnakeRiver。Hewasnowtotracebackhiswayacrossthemountainsbythesameroutebywhichhehadcome，withnoothercompanionsorescortthanBenJones，theKentuckyhunter，andtwoCanadians。AsitwasstillhopedthatMr。Crooksmightbeinexistence，andthatMr。Reedandhispartymightmeetwithhiminthecourseoftheirroute，theywerechargedwithasmallsupplyofgoodsandprovisions，toaidthatgentlemanonhiswaytoAstoria。
WhentheexpeditionofReedwasmadeknown，Mr。M’Lellanannouncedhisdeterminationtoaccompanyit。Hehadlongbeendissatisfiedwiththesmallnessofhisinterestinthecopartnership，andhadrequestedanadditionalnumberofshares;
hisrequestnotbeingcompliedwith，heresolvedtoabandonthecompany。M’Lellanwasamanofasingularlyself-willedanddecidedcharacter，withwhompersuasionwasuseless;hewaspermitted，therefore，totakehisowncoursewithoutopposition。
AstoReed，hesetaboutpreparingforhishazardousjourneywiththezealofatrueIrishman。Hehadatincasemade，inwhichthelettersandpapersaddressedtoMr。Astorwerecarefullysolderedup。Thiscaseheintendedtostrapuponhisshoulders，soastobearitaboutwithhim，sleepingandwaking，inallchangesandchances，bylandorbywater，andnevertopartwithitbutwithhislife！
AstherouteoftheseseveralpartieswouldbethesamefornearlyfourhundredmilesuptheColumbia，andwithinthatdistancewouldliethroughthepiraticalpassoftherapids，andamongthefreebootingtribesoftheriver，itwasthoughtadvisabletostartaboutthesametime，andtokeeptogether。
Accordingly，onthe22dofMarch，theyallsetoff，tothenumberofseventeenmen，intwocanoes-andherewecannotbutpausetonoticethehardihoodoftheseseveralexpeditions，soinsignificantinpointofforce，andseverallydestinedtotraverseimmensewildernesseswherelargerpartieshadexperiencedsomuchdangeranddistress。WhenrecruitsweresoughtintheprecedingyearamongexperiencedhuntersandvoyageursatMontrealandSt。Louis，itwasconsidereddangeroustoattempttocrosstheRockyMountainswithlessthansixtymen;
andyetherewefindReedreadytopushhiswayacrossthosebarrierswithmerelythreecompanions。Suchisthefearlessness，theinsensibilitytodanger，whichmenacquirebythehabitudeofconstantrisk。Themind，likethebody，becomescallousbyexposure。
Thelittleassociatedbandproceededuptheriver，underthecommandofMr。RobertStuart，andarrivedearlyinthemonthofAprilattheLongNarrows，thatnotoriousplunderingplace。Hereitwasnecessarytounloadthecanoes，andtotransportboththemandtheircargoestotheheadoftheNarrowsbyland。Theirpartywastoofewinnumberforthepurpose。Theywereobliged，therefore，toseektheassistanceoftheCathlascoIndians，whoundertooktocarrythegoodsontheirhorses。Forwardthentheyset，theIndianswiththeirhorseswellfreighted，andthefirstloadconvoyedbyReedandfivemen，wellarmed;thegallantIrishmanstridingalongatthehead，withhistincaseofdespatchesglitteringonhisback。Inpassing，however，througharockyandintricatedefile，someofthefreebootingvagrantsturnedtheirhorsesupanarrowpathandgallopedoff，carryingwiththemtwobalesofgoods，andanumberofsmallerarticles。
Tofollowthemwasuseless;indeed，itwaswithmuchadothattheconvoygotintoportwiththeresidueofthecargoes;forsomeoftheguardswerepillagedoftheirknivesandpockethandkerchiefs，andthelustroustincaseofMr。JohnReedwasinimminentjeopardy。
Mr。Stuartheardofthesedepredations，andhastenedforwardtothereliefoftheconvoy，butcouldnotreachthembeforedusk，bywhichtimetheyhadarrivedatthevillageofWish-ram，alreadynotedforitsgreatfishery，andtheknavishpropensitiesofitsinhabitants。Heretheyfoundthemselvesbenightedinastrangeplace，andsurroundedbysavagesbentonpilfering，ifnotuponopenrobbery。Notknowingwhatactivecoursetotake，theyremainedunderarmsallnight，withoutclosinganeye，andattheveryfirstpeepofdawn，whenobjectswereyetscarcevisible，everythingwashastilyembarked，and，withoutseekingtorecoverthestoleneffects，theypushedofffromshore，“gladtobidadieu。”astheysaid，“tothisabominablenestofmiscreants。”
TheworthiesofWish-ram，however，werenotdisposedtopartsoeasilywiththeirvisitors。Theircupidityhadbeenquickenedbytheplunderwhichtheyhadalreadytaken，andtheirconfidenceincreasedbytheimpunitywithwhichtheiroutragehadpassed。
Theyresolved，therefore，totakefurthertollofthetravellers，and，ifpossible，tocapturethetincaseofdespatches;whichshiningconspicuouslyfromafar，andbeingguardedbyJohnReedwithsuchespecialcare，must，astheysupposed，be“agreatmedicine。”
Accordingly，Mr。Stuartandhiscomradeshadnotproceededfarinthecanoes，whentheybeheldthewholerabbleofWishramstringingingroupsalongthebank，whoopingandyelling，andgibberingintheirwildjargon，andwhentheylandedbelowthefalls，theyweresurroundedbyupwardsoffourhundredoftheseriverruffians，armedwithbowsandarrows，warclubs，andothersavageweapons。Thesenowpressedforward，withofferstocarrythecanoesandeffectsuptheportage。MrStuartdeclinedforwardingthegoods，allegingthelatenessofthehour;but，tokeepthemingoodhumor，informedthem，that，iftheyconductedthemselveswell，theirofferedservicesmightprobablybeacceptedinthemorning;inthemeanwhile，hesuggestedthattheymightcarryupthecanoes。Theyaccordinglysetoffwiththetwocanoesontheirshoulders，accompaniedbyaguardofeightmenwellarmed。
Whenarrivedattheheadofthefalls，themischievousspiritofthesavagesbrokeout，andtheywereonthepointofdestroyingthecanoes，doubtlesswithaviewtoimpedethewhitemenfromcarryingforwardtheirgoods，andlayingthemopentofurtherpilfering。Theywerewithsomedifficultypreventedfromcommittingthisoutragebytheinterferenceofanoldman，whoappearedtohaveauthorityamongthem;and，inconsequenceofhisharangue，thewholeofthehostileband，withtheexceptionofaboutfifty，crossedtothenorthsideoftheriver，wheretheylayinwait，readyforfurthermischief。
Inthemeantime，Mr。Stuart，whohadremainedatthefootofthefallswiththegoods，andwhoknewthattheprofferedassistanceofthesavageswasonlyforthepurposeofhavinganopportunitytoplunder，determined，ifpossible，tostealamarchuponthem，anddefeattheirmachinations。Inthedeadofthenight，therefore，aboutoneo’clock，themoonshiningbrightly，herousedhisparty，andproposedthattheyshouldendeavortotransportthegoodsthemselves，abovethefalls，beforethesleepingsavagescouldbeawareoftheiroperations。Allhandssprangtotheworkwithzeal，andhurrieditoninthehopeofgettingalloverbeforedaylight。Mr。Stuartwentforwardwiththefirstloads，andtookhisstationattheheadoftheportage，whileMr。ReedandMr。M’Lellanremainedatthefoottoforwardtheremainder。
Thedaydawnedbeforethetransportationwascompleted。SomeofthefiftyIndianswhohadremainedonthesouthsideoftheriver，perceivedwhatwasgoingon，and，feelingthemselvestooweakforanattack，gavethealarmtothoseontheoppositeside，upwardsofahundredofwhomembarkedinseverallargecanoes。
Twoloadsofgoodsyetremainedtobebroughtup。Mr。Stuartdespatchedsomeofthepeopleforoneoftheloads，witharequesttoMr。Reedtoretainwithhimasmanyofthemenashethoughtnecessarytoguardtheremainingload，ashesuspectedhostileintentionsonthepartoftheIndians。Mr。Reed，however，refusedtoretainanyofthem，sayingthatM’Lellanandhimselfweresufficienttoprotectthesmallquantitythatremained。Themenaccordinglydepartedwiththeload，whileMr。ReedandM’Lellancontinuedtomountguardovertheresidue。Bythistime，anumberofthecanoeshadarrivedfromtheoppositeside。Astheyapproachedtheshore，theunluckytinboxofJohnReed，shiningafarlikethebrillianthelmetofEuryalus，caughttheireyes。Nosoonerdidthecanoestouchtheshore，thantheyleapedforwardontherocks，setupawar-whoop，andsprangforwardtosecuretheglitteringprize。Mr。M’Lellan，whowasattheriverbank，advancedtoguardthegoods，whenoneofthesavagesattemptedtohoodwinkhimwithhisbuffalorobewithonehand，andtostabhimwiththeother。M’Lellansprangbackjustfarenoughtoavoidtheblow，andraisinghisrifle，shottheruffianthroughtheheart。
Inthemeantime，Reed，whowiththewantofforethoughtofanIrishman，hadneglectedtoremovetheleatherncoverfromthelockofhisrifle，wasfumblingatthefastenings，whenhereceivedablowontheheadwithawarclubthatlaidhimsenselessontheground。Inatwinklinghewasstrippedofhisrifleandpistols，andthetinbox，thecauseofallthisonslaught，wasborneoffintriumph。
Atthiscriticaljuncture，Mr。Stuart，whohadheardthewar-
whoop，hastenedtothesceneofactionwithBenJones，andsevenothersofthemen。Whenhearrived，Reedwaswelteringinhisblood，andanIndianstandingoverhimandabouttodespatchhimwithatomahawk。Stuartgavetheword，whenBenJonesleveledhisrifle，andshotthemiscreantonthespot。Thementhengaveacheer，andchargeduponthemainbodyofthesavages，whotooktoinstantflight。Reedwasnowraisedfromtheground，andbornesenselessandbleedingtotheupperendoftheportage。
Preparationsweremadetolaunchthecanoesandembarkinallhaste，whenitwasfoundthattheyweretooleakytobeputinthewater，andthattheoarshadbeenleftatthefootofthefalls。Asceneofconfusionnowensued。TheIndianswerewhoopingandyelling，andrunningaboutlikefiends。Apanicseizeduponthemen，atbeingthussuddenlychecked，theheartsofsomeoftheCanadiansdiedwithinthem，andtwoyoungmenactuallyfaintedaway。Themomenttheyrecoveredtheirsenses，Mr。Stuartorderedthattheyshouldbedeprivedoftheirarms，theirundergarmentstakenoff，andthatapieceofclothshouldbetiedroundtheirwaists，inimitationofasquaw;anIndianpunishmentforcowardice。Thusequipped，theywerestowedawayamongthegoodsinoneofthecanoes。Thisludicrousaffairexcitedthemirthofthebolderspirits，eveninthemidstoftheirperils，androusedtheprideofthewavering。TheIndianshavingcrossedbackagaintothenorthside，orderwasrestored，someofthehandsweresentbackfortheoars，otherssettoworktocalkandlaunchthecanoes，andinalittlewhileallwereembarkedandwerecontinuingtheirvoyagealongthesouthernshore。
Nosoonerhadtheydeparted，thantheIndiansreturnedtothesceneofaction，boreofftheirtwocomradeswhohadbeenshot，oneofwhomwasstillliving，andreturnedtotheirvillage。
Heretheykilledtwohorses;anddrankthehotbloodtogivefiercenesstotheircourage。Theypaintedandarrayedthemselveshideouslyforbattle;performedthedeaddanceroundtheslain，andraisedthewarsongofvengeance。Thenmountingtheirhorsestothenumberoffourhundredandfiftymen，andbrandishingtheirweapons，theysetoffalongthenorthernbankoftheriver，togetaheadofthecanoes，lieinwaitforthem，andtakeaterriblerevengeonthewhitemen。
Theysucceededingettingsomedistanceabovethecanoeswithoutbeingdiscovered，andwerecrossingtherivertopostthemselvesonthesidealongwhichthewhitemenwerecoasting，whentheywerefortunatelydescried。Mr。Stuartandhiscompanionswereimmediatelyonthealert。Astheydrewneartotheplacewherethesavageshadcrossed，theyobservedthempostedamongsteepandoverhangingrocks，closealongwhich，thecanoeswouldhavetopass。Findingthattheenemyhadtheadvantageoftheground，thewhitesstoppedshortwhenwithinfivehundredyardsofthem，anddischargedandreloadedtheirpieces。Theythenmadeafire，anddressedthewoundsofMr。Reed，whohadreceivedfiveseveregashesinthehead。Thisbeingdone，theylashedthecanoestogether，fastenedthemtoarockatasmalldistancefromtheshore，andthereawaitedthemenacedattack。
Theyhadnotbeenlongpostedinthismanner，whentheysawacanoeapproaching。Itcontainedthewar-chiefofthetribe，andthreeofhisprincipalwarriors。Hedrewnear，andmadealongharangue，inwhichheinformedthemthattheyhadkilledoneandwoundedanotherofhisnation;thattherelationsoftheslaincriedoutforvengeance，andhehadbeencompelledtoleadthemtofight。Stillhewishedtospareunnecessarybloodshed;heproposed，therefore，thatMr。Reed，who，heobserved，waslittlebetterthanadeadman，mightbegivenuptobesacrificedtothemanesofthedeceasedwarrior。Thiswouldappeasethefuryofhisfriends;thehatchetwouldthenbeburied，andallthenceforwardwouldbefriends。Theanswerwasasternrefusalandadefiance，andthewar-chiefsawthatthecanoeswerewellpreparedforavigorousdefense。Hewithdrew，therefore，andreturningtohiswarriorsamongtherocksheldlongdeliberations。BloodforbloodisaprincipleinIndianequityandIndianhonor;butthoughtheinhabitantsofWish-ramweremenofwar，theywerelikewisemenoftraffic，anditwassuggestedthathonorforoncemightgivewaytoprofit。Anegotiationwasaccordinglyopenedwiththewhitemen，andaftersomediplomacy，thematterwascompromisedforablankettocoverthedead，andsometobaccotobesmokedbytheliving。Thisbeinggranted，theheroesofWish-ramcrossedtheriveroncemore，returnedtotheirvillagestofeastuponthehorseswhosebloodtheyhadsovaingloriouslydrunk，andthetravellerspursuedtheirvoyagewithoutfurthermolestation。
Thetincase，however，containingtheimportantdespatchesforNewYork，wasirretrievablylost;theveryprecautiontakenbytheworthyHiberniantosecurehismissives，had，byrenderingthemconspicuous，producedtheirrobbery。Theobjectofhisoverlandjourney，therefore，beingdefeated，hegaveuptheexpedition。ThewholepartyrepairedwithMr。RobertStuarttotheestablishmentofMr。DavidStuart，ontheOakinaganRiver。
Afterremainingheretwoorthreedays，theyallsetoutontheirreturntoAstoriaaccompaniedbyMr。DavidStuart。Thisgentlemanhadalargequantityofbeaverskinsathisestablishment，butdidnotthinkitprudenttotakethemwithhim。fearingthelevyof“blackmail“atthefalls。
Ontheirwaydown，whenbelowtheforksoftheColumbia，theywerehailedonedayfromtheshoreinEnglish。Lookingaround，theydescriedtwowretchedmen，entirelynaked。Theypulledtoshore;themencameupandmadethemselvesknown。TheyprovedtobeMr。Crooksandhisfaithfulfollower，JohnDay。
ThereaderwillrecollectthatMr。Crooks，withDayandfourCanadians，hadbeensoreducedbyfamineandfatigue，thatMr。
Huntwasobligedtoleavethem，inthemonthofDecember，onthebanksoftheSnakeRiver。Theirsituationwasthemorecritical，astheywereintheneighborhoodofabandofShoshonies，whosehorseshadbeenforciblyseizedbyMr。Hunt’spartyforprovisions。Mr。Crooksremainedheretwentydays，detainedbytheextremelyreducedstateofJohnDay，whowasutterlyunabletotravel，andwhomhewouldnotabandon，asDayhadbeeninhisemployontheMissouri，andhadalwaysprovedhimselfmostfaithful。FortunatelytheShoshoniesdidnotoffertomolestthem。Theyhadneverbeforeseenwhitemen，andseemedtoentertainsomesuperstitionswithregardtothem，forthoughtheywouldencampneartheminthedaytime，theywouldmoveoffwiththeirtentsinthenight;andfinallydisappeared，withouttakingleave。
WhenDaywassufficientlyrecoveredtotravel，theykeptfeeblyon，sustainingthemselvesaswellastheycould，untilinthemonthofFebruary，whenthreeoftheCanadians，fearfulofperishingwithwant，leftMr。Crooksonasmallriver，ontheroadbywhichMrHunthadpassedinquestofIndians。Mr。CrooksfollowedMr。Hunt’strackinthesnowforseveraldays，sleepingasusualintheopenair，andsufferingallkindsofhardships。
Atlength，comingtoalowprairie，helosteveryappearanceOfthe“trail。”andwanderedduringtheremainderofthewinterinthemountains，subsistingsometimesonhorsemeat，sometimesonbeaversandtheirskins，andapartofthetimeonroots。
AboutthelastofMarch，theotherCanadiangaveoutandwasleftwithalodgeofShoshonies;butMr。CrooksandJohnDaystillkepton，andfindingthesnowsufficientlydiminished，undertook，fromIndianinformation，tocrossthelastmountainridge。Theyhappilysucceeded，andafterwardsfellinwiththeWallah-
Wallahs，atribeofIndiansinhabitingthebanksofariverofthesamename，andreputedasbeingfrank，hospitable，andsincere。Theyprovedworthyofthecharacter，fortheyreceivedthepoorwandererskindly，killedahorseforthemtoeat，anddirectedthemontheirwaytotheColumbia。TheystrucktheriveraboutthemiddleofApril，andadvanceddownitonehundredmiles，untiltheycamewithinabouttwentymilesofthefalls。
Heretheymetwithsomeofthe“chivalry“ofthatnotedpass，whoreceivedtheminafriendlyway，andsetfoodbeforethem;but，whiletheyweresatisfyingtheirhunger，perfidiouslyseizedtheirrifles。Theythenstrippedthemnaked，anddrovethemoff，refusingtheentreatiesofMr。Crooksforaflintandsteelofwhichtheyhadrobbedhim;andthreateninghislifeifhedidnotinstantlydepartInthisforlornplight，stillworseoffthanbefore，theyrenewedtheirwanderings。TheynowsoughttofindtheirwaybacktothehospitableWallah-Wallahs，andhadadvancedeightymilesalongtheriver，whenfortunately，ontheverymorningthattheyweregoingtoleavetheColumbiaandstrikeinland，thecanoesofMr。
Stuarthoveinsight。
Itisneedlesstodescribethejoyofthesepoormenatoncemorefindingthemselvesamongcountrymenandfriends，orofthehonestandheartywelcomewithwhichtheywerereceivedbytheirfellowadventurers。Thewholepartynowcontinueddowntheriver，passedallthedangerousplaceswithoutinterruption，andarrivedsafelyatAstoriaonthe11thofMay。
CHAPTERXLII
ComprehensiveViews-ToSupplytheRussianFurEstablishment-
AnAgentSenttoRussia-ProjectofanAnnualShip-TheBeaverFittedOut-HerEquipmentandCrew-InstructionstotheCaptain-TheSandwichIslands。RumorsoftheFateoftheTonquin-PrecautionsonReachingtheMouthoftheColumbia。
HAVINGtracedthefortunesofthetwoexpeditionsbyseaandlandtothemouthoftheColumbia，andpresentedaviewofaffairsatAstoria，wewillreturnforamomenttothemasterspiritoftheenterprise，whoregulatedthespringsofAstoria，athisresidenceinNewYork。
Itwillberemembered，thatapartoftheplanofMr。AstorwastofurnishtheRussianfurestablishmentonthenorthwestcoastwithregularsupplies，soastorenderitindependentofthosecasualvesselswhichcutupthetradeandsuppliedthenativeswitharms。Thisplanhadbeencountenancedbyourowngovernment，andlikewisebyCountPahlen，theRussianministeratWashington。
Asitsviews，however，wereimportantandextensive，andmighteventuallyaffectawidecourseofcommerce，MrAstorwasdesirousofestablishingacompletearrangementonthesubjectwiththeRussianAmericanFurCompany，underthesanctionoftheRussiangovernment。Forthispurpose，inMarch1811，hedespatchedaconfidentialagenttoSt。Petersburg，fullempoweredtoenterintotherequisitenegotiations。ApassagewasgiventothisgentlemanbythegovernmentoftheUnitedStatesintheJohnAdams，anarmedvessel，boundforEurope。
ThenextstepofMr。Astorwas，todespatchtheannualshipcontemplatedonhisgeneralplan。Hehadasyetheardnothingofthesuccessofthepreviousexpeditions，andhadtoproceeduponthepresumptionthateverythinghadbeeneffectedaccordingtohisinstructions。Heaccordinglyfittedoutafineshipoffourhundredandninetytons，calledtheBeaver，andfreightedherwithavaluablecargodestinedforthefactoryatthemouthoftheColumbia，thetradealongthecoast，andthesupplyoftheRussianestablishment。Inthisshipembarkedareinforcement，consistingofapartner，fiveclerks，fifteenAmericanlaborers，andsixCanadianvoyageurs。Inchoosinghisagentsforhisfirstexpedition，Mr。AstorhadbeenobligedtohaverecoursetoBritishsubjectsexperiencedintheCanadianfurtrade;
henceforthitwashisintention，asmuchaspossible，toselectAmericans，soastosecureanascendencyofAmericaninfluenceinthemanagementofthecompany，andtomakeitdecidedlynational。
Accordingly，Mr。JohnClarke，thepartnerwhotooktheleadinthepresentexpedition，wasanativeoftheUnitedStates，thoughhehadpassedmuchofhislifeinthenorthwest，havingbeenemployedinthetradesincetheageofsixteen。MostoftheclerkswereyounggentlemenofgoodconnectionsintheAmericancities，someofwhomembarkedinthehopeofgain，othersthroughthemerespiritofadventureincidenttoyouth。
TheinstructionsgivenbyMr。AstortoCaptainSowle，thecommanderoftheBeaver，were，insomerespects，hypothetical，inconsequenceoftheuncertaintyrestinguponthepreviousstepsoftheenterprise。
HewastotouchattheSandwichIslands，inquireaboutthefortunesoftheTonquin，andwhetheranestablishmenthadbeenformedatthemouthoftheColumbia。Ifso，hewastotakeasmanySandwichIslandersashisshipcouldaccommodate，andproceedthither。Onarrivingattheriver，hewastoobservegreatcaution，forevenifanestablishmentshouldhavebeenformed，itmighthavefallenintohostilehands。Hewas，therefore，toputinasifbycasualtyordistress，togivehimselfoutasacoastingtrader，andtosaynothingabouthisshipbeingownedbyMr。Astor，untilhehadascertainedthateverythingwasright。Inthatcase，hewastolandsuchpartofhiscargoaswasintendedfortheestablishment，andtoproceedtoNewArchangelwiththesuppliesintendedfortheRussianpostatthatplace，wherehecouldreceivepeltriesinpayment。WiththesehewastoreturntoAstoria;takeinthefurscollectedthere，and，havingcompletedhiscargobytradingalongthecoast，wastoproceedtoCanton。ThecaptainreceivedthesameinjunctionsthathadbeengiventoCaptainThornoftheTonquin，ofgreatcautionandcircumspectioninhisintercoursewiththenatives，andthatheshouldnotpermitmorethanoneortwotobeonboardatatime。
TheBeaversailedfromNewYorkonthe10thofOctober，1811，andreachedtheSandwichIslandswithoutanyoccurrenceofmoment。
HerearumorwasheardofthedisastrousfateoftheTonquin。
Deepsolicitudewasfeltbyeveryoneonboardforthefateofbothexpeditions，byseaandland。DoubtswereentertainedwhetheranyestablishmenthadbeenformedatthemouthoftheColumbia，orwhetheranyofthecompanywouldbefoundthere。
Aftermuchdeliberation，theCaptaintooktwelveSandwichIslandersonboard，fortheserviceofthefactory，shouldtherebeoneinexistence，andproceededonhisvoyage。
Onthe6thofMay，hearrivedoffthemouthoftheColumbiaandrunningasnearaspossible，firedtwosignalguns。Noanswerwasreturned，norwasthereanysignaltobedescried。Nighcomingon，theshipstoodouttosea，andeveryheartdroopedasthelandfadedaway。Onthefollowingmorningtheyagainraninwithinfourmilesofshore，andfiredothersignalguns，butstillwithoutreply。Aboatwasthendespatched，tosoundthechannel，andattemptanentrance;butreturnedwithoutsuccesstherebeingatremendousswell，andbreakers。Signalgunswerefiredagainintheevening，butequallyinvain，andoncemoretheshipstoodofftoseaforthenight。Thecaptainnowgaveupallhopeoffindinganyestablishmentattheplace，andindulgedinthemostgloomyapprehensions。Hefearedhispredecessorhadbeenmassacredbeforetheyhadreachedtheirplaceofdestination;oriftheyshouldhaveerectedafactory，thatithadbeensurprisedanddestroyedbythenatives。
Inthismomentofdoubtanduncertainty，Mr。Clarkeannouncedhisdetermination，incaseoftheworst，tofoundanestablishmentwiththepresentparty，andallhandsbravelyengagedtostandbyhimintheundertaking。Thenextmorningtheshipstoodinforthethirdtime，andfiredthreesignalguns，butwithlittlehopeofreply。Tothegreatjoyofthecrew，threedistinctgunswereheardinanswer。TheapprehensionsofallbutCaptainSowlewerenowatrest。ThatcautiouscommanderrecollectedtheinstructionsgivenhimbyMr。Astor，anddeterminedtoproceedwithgreatcircumspection。HewaswellawareofIndiantreacheryandcunning。Itwasnotimpossible，heobserved，thatthesecannonmighthavebeenfiredbythesavagesthemselves。Theymighthavesurprisedthefort，massacreditsinmates;andthesesignalgunsmightonlybedecoystolurehimacrossthebar，thattheymighthaveachanceofcuttinghimoff，andseizinghisvessel。
AtlengthawhiteflagwasdescriedhoistedasasignalonCapeDisappointment。Thepassengerspointedtoitintriumph，butthecaptaindidnotyetdismisshisdoubts。Abeaconfireblazedthroughthenightonthesameplace，butthecaptainobservedthatallthesesignalsmightbetreacherous。
Onthefollowingmorning，May9th，thevesselcametoanchoroffCapeDisappointment，outsideofthebar。TowardsnoonanIndiancanoewasseenmakingfortheshipandallhandswereorderedtobeonthealert。Afewmomentsafterwards，abargewasperceivedfollowingthecanoe。Thehopesandfearsofthoseonboardoftheshipwereintumultuousagitation，astheboatdrewnighthatwastoletthemknowthefortunesoftheenterprise，andthefateoftheirpredecessors。Thecaptain，whowashauntedwiththeideaofpossibletreachery，didnotsufferhiscuriositytogetthebetterofhiscaution，butorderedapartyofhismenunderarms，toreceivethevisitors。Thecanoecamefirstalongside，inwhichwereComcomlyandsixIndians;inthebargewereM’Dougal，M’Lellan，andeightCanadians。Alittleconversationwiththesegentlemendispelledallthecaptain’sfears，andtheBeavercrossingthebarundertheirpilotage，anchoredsafelyinBaker’sBay。
