Alifeofthisunsettledandprecariouskindisapttorendermanselfish，andsuchMr。Clarkefoundtheinhabitantsofthisvillage，whoweredeficientintheusualhospitalityofIndians;
partingwitheverythingwithextremereluctance，andshowingnosensibilitytoanyactofkindness。Atthetimeofhisarrival，theywerealloccupiedincatchingandcuringsalmon。Themenwerestout，robust，active，andgoodlooking，andthewomenhandsomerthanthoseofthetribesnearertothecoast。
ItwastheplanofMr。Clarketolayuphisboatshere，andproceedbylandtohisplaceofdestination，whichwasamongtheSpokantribeofIndians，aboutahundredandfiftymilesdistant。
Heaccordinglyendeavoredtopurchasehorsesforthejourney，butinthishehadtocontendwiththesordiddispositionofthesepeople。Theyaskedhighpricesfortheirhorses，andweresodifficulttodealwith，thatMr。Clarkewasdetainedsevendaysamongthembeforehecouldprocureasufficientnumber。Duringthattimehewasannoyedbyrepeatedpilferings，forwhichhecouldgetnoredress。Thechiefpromisedtorecoverthestolenarticles;butfailedtodoso，allegingthatthethievesbelongedtoadistanttribe，andhadmadeoffwiththeirbooty。WiththisexcuseMr。Clarkewasfaintocontenthimself，thoughhelaidupinhisheartabittergrudgeagainstthewholePierced-noserace，whichitwillbefoundhetookoccasionsubsequentlytogratifyinasignalmanner。
Havingmadearrangementsforhisdeparture，Mr。Clarkelaiduphisbargeandcanoesinashelteredplace，onthebanksofasmallbay，overgrownwithshrubsandwillows，confidingthemtothecareoftheNezPercechief，who，onbeingpromisedanamplecompensation，engagedtohaveaguardianeyeuponthem;thenmountinghissteed，andputtinghimselfattheheadofhislittlecaravan，heshookthedustoffhisfeetasheturnedhisbackuponthisvillageofroguesandharddealers。Weshallnotfollowhimminutelyinhisjourney;whichlayattimesoversteepandrockyhills，andamongcragsandprecipices;atothertimesovervastnakedandsunburntplains，aboundingwithrattlesnakes，intraversingwhich，bothmenandhorsessufferedintolerablyfromheatandthirst。Theplaceonwhichhefixedforatradingpost，wasafinepointofland，atthejunctionofthePointedHeartandSpokanRivers。HisestablishmentwasintendedtocompetewithatradingpostoftheNorthwestCompany，situatedatnogreatdistance，andtorivalitinthetradewiththeSpokanIndians;
aswellaswiththeCootonaisandFlatheads。Inthisneighborhoodweshallleavehimforthepresent。
Mr。M’Kenzie，whoconductedthethirdpartyfromtheWallah-
Wallah，navigatedforseveraldaysupthesouthbranchoftheColumbia，namedtheCamoenumbythenatives，butcommonlycalledLewisRiver，inhonorofthefirstexplorer。Wanderingbandsofvarioustribeswereseenalongthisriver，travellinginvariousdirections;fortheIndiansgenerallyarerestless，rovingbeings，continuallyintentonenterprisesofwar，traffic，andhunting。Someofthesepeopleweredrivinglargegangsofhorses，asiftoadistantmarket。HavingarrivedatthemouthoftheShahaptan，heascendedsomedistanceupthatriver，andestablishedhistradingpostuponitsbanks。ThisappearedtobeagreatthoroughfareforthetribesfromtheneighborhoodoftheFallsoftheColumbia，intheirexpeditionstomakewaruponthetribesoftheRockyMountains;tohuntbuffaloontheplainsbeyond，ortotrafficforrootsandbuffalorobes。Itwastheseasonofmigration，andtheIndiansfromvariousdistantpartswerepassingandrepassingingreatnumbers。
Mr。M’Kenzienowdetachedasmallband，undertheconductofMr。
JohnReed，tovisitthecachesmadebyMr。HuntattheCaldronLinn，andtobringthecontentstohispost;ashedepended，insomemeasure，onthemforhissuppliesofgoodsandammunition。
Theyhadnotbeengoneaweek，whentwoIndiansarrivedofthePallatapallatribe，wholiveuponariverofthesamename。Thesecommunicatedtheunwelcomeintelligencethatthecacheshadbeenrobbed。Theysaidthatsomeoftheirtribehad，inthecourseoftheprecedingspring，beenacrossthemountains，whichseparatedthemfromSnakeRiver，andhadtradedhorseswiththeSnakesinexchangeforblankets，robesandgoodsofvariousdescriptions。
ThesearticlestheSnakeshadprocuredfromcachestowhichtheywereguidedbysomewhitemenwhoresidedamongthem，andwhoafterwardsaccompaniedthemacrosstheRockyMountains。ThisintelligencewasextremelyperplexingtoMr。M’Kenzie，butthetruthofpartofitwasconfirmedbythetwoIndians，whobroughtthemanEnglishsaddleandbridle，whichwasrecognizedashavingbelongedtoMr。Crooks。Theperfidyofthewhitemenwhorevealedthesecretofthecaches，was，however，perfectlyinexplicable。
WeshallpresentlyaccountforitinnarratingtheexpeditionofMr。Reed。
ThatworthyHibernianproceededonhismissionwithhisusualalacrity。Hisforlorntravelsoftheprecedingwinterhadmadehimacquaintedwiththetopographyofthecountry，andhereachedSnakeRiverwithoutanymaterialdifficulty。Here，inanencampmentofthenatives，hemetwithsixwhitemen，wanderersfromthemainexpeditionofMr。Hunt，who，afterhavinghadtheirrespectivesharesofadventuresandmishaps，hadfortunatelycometogetheratthisplace。ThreeofthesemenwereTurcotte，LaChapelle，andFrancisLandry;thethreeCanadianvoyageurswho，itmayberecollected，hadleftMr。CrooksinFebruary，intheneighborhoodofSnakeRiver，beingdismayedbytheincreasinghardshipsofthejourney，andfearfulofperishingofhunger。
TheyhadreturnedtoaSnakeencampment，wheretheypassedtheresidueofthewinter。
Earlyinthespring，beingutterlydestitute，andingreatextremity，andhavingwornoutthehospitalityoftheSnakes，theydeterminedtoavailthemselvesoftheburiedtreasureswithintheirknowledge。TheyaccordinglyinformedtheSnakechieftainsthattheyknewwhereagreatquantityofgoodshadbeenleftincaches，enoughtoenrichthewholetribe;andofferedtoconductthemtotheplace，onconditionofbeingrewardedwithhorsesandprovisions。ThechieftainspledgedtheirfaithandhonorasgreatmenandSnakes，andthethreeCanadiansconductedthemtotheplaceofdepositattheCaldronLinn。Thisisthewaythatthesavagesgotknowledgeofthecaches，andnotbyfollowingthetracksofwolves，asMr。Stuarthadsupposed。
Neverdidmoneydiggersturnupamiser’shoardwithmoreeagerdelight，thandidthesavageslayopenthetreasuresofthecaches。Blanketsandrobes，brasstrinketsandbluebeadsweredrawnforthwithchucklingexultation，andlongstripsofscarletclothproducedyellsofecstasy。
Theriflingofthecacheseffectedachangeinthefortunesanddeportmentofthewholeparty。TheSnakeswerebettercladandequippedthaneverwereSnakesbefore，andthethreeCanadians，suddenlyfindingthemselveswithhorsetorideandweapontowear，werelikebeggarsonhorseback，readytorideonanywildscamper。Anopportunitysoonpresented。TheSnakesdeterminedonahuntingmatchonthebuffaloprairies，tolayinasupplyofbeef，thattheymightliveinplenty，asbecamemenoftheirimprovedcondition。Thethreenewlymountedcavaliers，mustfainaccompanythem。TheyalltraversedtheRockyMountainsinsafety，descendedtotheheadwatersoftheMissouri，andmadegreathavocamongthebuffaloes。
Theirhuntingcampwasfullofmeat;theyweregorgingthemselves，liketrueIndians，withpresentplenty，anddryingandjerkinggreatquantitiesforawinter’ssupply。Inthemidstoftheirrevelryandgoodcheer，thecampwassurprisedbytheBlackfeet。SeveraloftheSnakeswereslainonthespot;theresidue，withtheirthreeCanadianallies，fledtothemountains，strippedofhorses，buffalomeat，everything;andmadetheirwaybacktotheoldencampmentonSnakeRiver，poorerthanever，butesteemingthemselvesfortunateinhavingescapedwiththeirlives。TheyhadnotbeenlongtherewhentheCanadianswerecheeredbythesightofacompanioninmisfortune，Dubreull，thepoorvoyageurwhohadleftMr。CrooksinMarch，beingtoomuchexhaustedtokeeponwithhim。Notlongafterwards，threeotherstragglingmembersofthemainexpeditionmadetheirappearance。
ThesewereCarson，St。Michael，andPierreDelaunay，threeofthetrapperswho，incompanywithPierreDetaye，hadbeenleftamongthemountainsbyMr。Hunt，totrapbeaver，intheprecedingmonthofSeptember。Theyhaddepartedfromthemainbodywellarmedandprovided，withhorsestoride，andhorsestocarrythepeltriestheyweretocollect。TheycamewanderingintotheSnakecampasraggedanddestituteastheirpredecessors。Itappearsthattheyhadfinishedtheirtrapping，andweremakingtheirwayinthespringtotheMissouri，whentheyweremetandattackedbyapowerfulbandoftheall-pervadingCrows。Theymadeadesperateresistance，andkilledsevenofthesavages，butwereoverpoweredbynumbers。PierreDetayewasslain，therestwererobbedofhorsesandeffects，andobligedtoturnback，whentheyfellinwiththeiroldcompanionsasalreadymentioned。
Weshouldobserve，thatattheheelsofPierreDelaunaycamedragglinganIndianwife，whomhehadpickedupinhiswanderings;havinggrownwearyofcelibacyamongthesavages。
Thewholesevenofthisforlornfraternityofadventurers，thusaccidentallycongregatedonthebanksofSnakeRiver，weremakingarrangementsoncemoretocrossthemountains，whensomeIndianscoutsbroughtwordoftheapproachofthelittlebandheadedbyJohnReed。
Thelatter，havingheardtheseveralstoriesofthesewanderers，tookthemallintohisparty，andsetoutfortheCaldronLinn，toclearouttwoorthreeofthecacheswhichhadnotbeenrevealedtotheIndians。
AtthatplacehemetwithRobinson，theKentuckyveteran，who，withhistwocomrades，ReznerandHoback，hadremainedtherewhenMr。Stuartwenton。Thisadventuroustriohadbeentrappinghigheruptheriver，butRobinsonhadcomedowninacanoe，toawaittheexpectedarrivaloftheparty，andobtainhorsesandequipments。HetoldReedthestoryoftherobberyofhispartybytheArapahays，butitdiffered，insomeparticulars，fromtheaccountgivenbyhimtoMr。Stuart。Inthat，hehadrepresentedCassashavingshamefullydesertedhiscompanionsintheirextremity，carryingoffwithhimahorse;intheonenowgiven，hespokeofhimashavingbeenkilledintheaffraywiththeArapahays。Thisdiscrepancy，ofwhich，ofcourse，Reedcouldhavehadnoknowledgeatthetime，concurredwithothercircumstances，tooccasionafterwardssomemysteriousspeculationsanddarksurmisesastotherealfateofCass;butasnosubstantialgroundswereeveradducedforthem，weforbeartothrowanydeepershadesintothisstoryofsufferingsinthewilderness。
Mr。Reed，havinggatheredtheremainderofthegoodsfromthecaches，puthimselfattheheadofhisparty，nowaugmentedbythesevenmenthuscasuallypickedup，andthesquawofPierreDelaunay，andmadehiswaysuccessfullytoM’Kenzie’sPost，onthewatersoftheShahaptan。
CHAPTERLIII。
DepartureofMr。HuntintheBeaver-PrecautionsattheFactory-
DetachmenttotheWollamut-GloomyApprehensions-ArrivalofM’Kenzie-AffairsattheShahaptan-NewsofWar-DismayofM’Dougal-DeterminationtoAbandonAstoria-DepartureofM’KenziefortheInterior-AdventureattheRapids-VisittotheRuffiansofWish-ram-APerilousSituation-MeetingWithM’TavishandHisParty-ArrivalattheShahaptan-PlunderedCaches-DeterminationoftheWinteringPartnersNottoLeavetheCountry-ArrivalofClarkeAmongtheNezPerces-TheAffairoftheSilverGoblet-HangingofAnIndian-ArrivaloftheWinteringPartnersatAstoria。
AFTERthedepartureofthedifferentdetachments，orbrigades，astheyarecalledbythefurtraders，theBeaverpreparedforhervoyagealongthecoast，andhervisittotheRussianestablishment，atNewArchangel，whereshewastocarrysupplies。
IthadbeendeterminedinthecouncilofpartnersatAstoria，thatMr。Huntshouldembarkinthisvessel，forthepurposeofacquaintinghimselfwiththecoastingtrade，andofmakingarrangementswiththecommanderoftheRussianpost，andthatheshouldbere-landedinOctober，atAstoria，bytheBeaver，onherwaytotheSandwichIslandsandCanton。
TheBeaverputtoseainthemonthofAugust。Herdepartureandthatofthevariousbrigades，leftthefortressofAstoriabutslightlygarrisoned。ThiswassoonperceivedbysomeoftheIndiantribes，andtheconsequencewasincreasedinsolenceofdeportment，andadispositiontohostility。Itwasnowthefishingseason，whenthetribesfromthenortherncoastdrewintotheneighborhoodoftheColumbia。Thesewerewarlikeandperfidiousintheirdispositions;andnotedfortheirattemptstosurprisetradingships。AmongthemwerenumbersoftheNeweetees，theferocioustribethatmassacredthecrewoftheTonquin。
Greatprecautions，therefore，weretakenatthefactory，toguardagainstsurprisewhilethesedangerousintruderswereinthevicinity。Gallerieswereconstructedinsideofthepalisades;thebastionswereheightened，andsentinelswereposteddayandnight。Fortunately，theChinooksandothertribesresidentinthevicinitymanifestedthemostpacificdisposition。OldComcomly，whoheldswayoverthem，wasashrewdcalculator。Hewasawareoftheadvantagesofhavingthewhitesasneighborsandallies，andoftheconsequencederivedtohimselfandhispeoplefromactingasintermediatetradersbetweenthemandthedistanttribes。Hehad，therefore，bythistime，becomeafirmfriendoftheAstorians，andformedakindofbarrierbetweenthemandthehostileintrudersfromthenorth。
Thesummerof1812passedawaywithoutanyofthehostilitiesthathadbeenapprehended;theNeweetees，andotherdangerousvisitorstotheneighborhood，finishedtheirfishingandreturnedhome，andtheinmatesofthefactoryoncemorefeltsecurefromattack。
Itnowbecamenecessarytoguardagainstotherevils。Theseasonofscarcityarrived，whichcommencesinOctober，andlastsuntiltheendofJanuary。Toprovideforthesupportofthegarrison，theshallopwasemployedtoforageabouttheshoresoftheriver。
Anumberofthemen，also，underthecommandofsomeoftheclerks，weresenttoquarterthemselvesonthebanksoftheWollamuttheMultnomahofLewisandClarke，afineriverwhichdisemboguesitselfintotheColumbia，aboutsixtymilesaboveAstoria。Thecountryborderingontheriverisfinelydiversifiedwithprairiesandhills，andforestsofoak，ash，maple，andcedar。Itabounded，atthattime，withelkanddeer，andthestreamswerewellstockedwithbeaver。Heretheparty，aftersupplyingtheirownwants，wereenabledtopackupquantitiesofdriedmeat，andsenditbycanoestoAstoria。
ThemonthofOctoberelapsedwithoutthereturnoftheBeaver。
November，December，January，passedaway，andstillnothingwasseenorheardofher。Gloomyapprehensionsnowbegantobeentertained:shemighthavebeenwreckedinthecourseofhercoastingvoyage，orsurprised，liketheTonquin，bysomeofthetreacheroustribesofthenorth。
NooneindulgedmoreintheseapprehensionsthanM’Dougal，whohadnowthechargeoftheestablishment。Henolongerevincedthebustlingconfidenceandbuoyancywhichoncecharacterizedhim。
Commandseemedtohavelostitscharmsforhim，orrather，hegavewaytothemostabjectdespondency，decryingthewholeenterprise，magnifyingeveryuntowardcircumstance，andforebodingnothingbutevil。
Whileinthismoodystate，hewassurprised，onthe16thofJanuary，bythesuddenappearanceofM’Kenzie，waywornandweather-beatenbyalongwintryjourneyfromhispostontheShahaptan，andwithafacetheveryfrontispieceforavolumeofmisfortune。M’Kenziehadbeenheartilydisgustedanddisappointedathispost。ItwasinthemidstoftheTushepaws，apowerfulandwarlikenation，dividedintomanytribes，underdifferentchiefs，whopossessedinnumerablehorses，but，nothavingturnedtheirattentiontobeavertrapping，hadnofurstooffer。AccordingtoM’Kenzie，theywerebuta“rascallytribe;“fromwhichwemayinferthattheywerepronetoconsulttheirowninterestsmorethancomportedwiththeinterestsofagreedyIndiantrader。
Gamebeingscarce，hewasobligedtorely，forthemostpart，onhorse-fleshforsubsistence，andtheIndiansdiscoveringhisnecessities，adoptedapolicyusualincivilizedtrade，andraisedthepriceofhorsestoanexorbitantrate，knowingthatheandhismenmusteatordie。Inthisway，thegoodshehadbroughttotradeforbeaverskins，werelikelytobebarteredforhorseflesh，andalltheproceedsdevoureduponthespot。
Hehaddespatchedtrappersinvariousdirections，butthecountryarounddidnotoffermorebeaverthanhisownstation。Inthisemergencyhebegantothinkofabandoninghisunprofitablepost，sendinghisgoodstothepostsofClarkeandDavidStuart，whocouldmakeabetteruseofthem，astheywereinagoodbeavercountry，andreturningwithhispartytoAstoria，toseeksomebetterdestination。WiththisviewherepairedtothepostofMr。
Clarke，toholdaconsultation。WhilethetwopartnerswereinconferenceinMr。Clarke’swigwam，anunexpectedvisitorcamebustlinginuponthem。
ThiswasMr。JohnGeorgeM’Tavish，apartneroftheNorthwestCompany，whohadchargeoftherivaltradingpostsestablishedinthatneighborhood。Mr。M’Tavishwasthedelightedmessengerofbadnews。HehadbeentoLakeWinnipeg，wherehereceivedanexpressfromCanada，containingthedeclarationofwar，andPresidentMadison’sproclamation，whichhehandedwiththemostofficiouscomplaisancetoMessrs。ClarkeandM’Kenzie。HemoreovertoldthemthathehadreceivedafreshsupplyofgoodsfromtheNorthwestpostsontheothersideoftheRockyMountains，andwaspreparedforvigorousoppositiontotheestablishmentoftheAmericanCompany。Hecappedtheclimaxofthisobligingbutbelligerentintelligence，byinformingthemthatthearmedship，IsaacTodd，wastobeatthemouthoftheColumbiaaboutthebeginningofMarch，togetpossessionofthetradeoftheriver，andthathewasorderedtojoinherthereatthattime。
ThereceiptofthisnewsdeterminedM’Kenzie。HeimmediatelyreturnedtotheShahaptan，brokeuphisestablishment，depositedhisgoodsincache，andhastenedwithallhispeopletoAstoria。
Theintelligencethusbrought，completedthedismayofM’Dougal，andseemedtoproduceacompleteconfusionofmind。HeheldacouncilofwarwithM’Kenzie，atwhichsomeoftheclerkswerepresent，butofcoursehadnovotes。TheygaveupallhopeofmaintainingtheirpostatAstoria。TheBeaverhadprobablybeenlost;theycouldreceivenoaidfromtheUnitedStates，asalltheportswouldbeblockaded。FromEnglandnothingcouldbeexpectedbuthostility。Itwasdetermined，therefore，toabandontheestablishmentinthecourseofthefollowingspring，andreturnacrosstheRockyMountains。Inpursuanceofthisresolution，theysuspendedalltradewiththenatives，exceptforprovisions，havingalreadymorepeltriesthantheycouldcarryaway，andhavingneedofallthegoodsfortheclothingandsubsistenceoftheirpeople，duringtheremainderoftheirsojourn，andontheirjourneyacrossthemountains，ThisintentionofabandoningAstoriawas，however，keptsecretfromthemen，lesttheyshouldatoncegiveupalllabor，andbecomerestlessandinsubordinate。
Inthemeantime，M’KenziesetoffforhispostattheShahaptan，togethisgoodsfromthecaches，andbuyhorsesandprovisionswiththemforthecaravanacrossthemountains。HewaschargedwithdespatchesfromM’DougaltoMessrs。StuartandClarke，appraisingthemoftheintendedmigration，thattheymightmaketimelypreparations。
M’Kenziewasaccompaniedbytwooftheclerks，Mr。JohnReed，theIrishman，andMr。AlfredSeton，ofNewYork。Theyembarkedintwocanoes，mannedbyseventeenmen，andascendedtheriverwithoutanyincidentofimportance，untiltheyarrivedintheeventfulneighborhoodoftherapids。Theymadetheportageofthenarrowsandthefallsearlyintheafternoon，and，havingpartakenofascantymeal，hadnowalongeveningontheirhands。
OntheoppositesideoftheriverlaythevillageofWish-ram，offreebootingrenown。HerelivedthesavageswhohadrobbedandmaltreatedReed，whenbearinghistinboxofdespatches。Itwasknownthattherifleofwhichhewasdespoiledwasretainedasatrophyatthevillage。M’Kenzieofferedtocrosstheriver，anddemandtherifle，ifanyonewouldaccompanyhim。Itwasahare-
brainedproject，forthesevillageswerenotedfortheruffiancharacteroftheirinhabitants;yettwovolunteerspromptlysteppedforward;AlfredSeton，theclerk，andJoedelaPierre，thecook。Thetriosoonreachedtheoppositesideoftheriver。
Onlanding，theyfreshlyprimedtheirriflesandpistols。Apathwindingforaboutahundredyardsamongrocksandcrags，ledtothevillage。Nonoticeseemedtobetakenoftheirapproach。Notasolitarybeing，man，woman，orchild，greetedthem。
Theverydogs，thosenoisypestsofanIndiantown，keptsilence。
Onenteringthevillage，aboymadehisappearance，andpointedtoahouseoflargerdimensionsthantherest。Theyhadtostooptoenterit;assoonastheyhadpassedthethreshold，thenarrowpassagebehindthemwasfilledupbyasuddenrushofIndians，whohadbeforekeptoutofsight。
M’Kenzieandhiscompanionsfoundthemselvesinarudechamberofabouttwenty-fivefeetlongandtwentywide。Abrightfirewasblazingatoneend，nearwhichsatthechief，aboutsixtyyearsold。AlargenumberofIndians，wrappedinbuffalorobes，weresquattedinrows，threedeep，formingasemicircleroundthreesidesoftheroom。Asingleglancearoundsufficedtoshowthemthegrimanddangerousassemblyintowhichtheyhadintruded，andthatallretreatwascutoffbythemasswhichblockeduptheentrance。
Thechiefpointedtothevacantsideoftheroomoppositetothedoor，andmotionedforthemtotaketheirseats。Theycomplied。A
deadpauseensued。Thegrimwarriorsaroundsatlikestatues;
eachmuffledinhisrobe，withhisfierceeyesbentontheintruders。Thelatterfelttheywereinaperilouspredicament。
“KeepyoureyesonthechiefwhileIamaddressinghim。”saidM’Kenzietohiscompanions。“Shouldhegiveanysigntohisband，shoothim，andmakeforthedoor。”
M’Kenzieadvanced，andofferedthepipeofpeacetothechief，butitwasrefused。Hethenmadearegularspeech，explainingtheobjectoftheirvisit，andproposingtogiveinexchangefortherifletwoblankets，anaxe，somebeadsandtobacco。
Whenhehaddone，thechiefrose，begantoaddresshiminalowvoice，butsoonbecameloudandviolent，andendedbyworkinghimselfupintoafuriouspassion。Heupbraidedthewhitemenfortheirsordidconductinpassingandrepassingthroughtheirneighborhood，withoutgivingthemablanketoranyotherarticleofgoods，merelybecausetheyhadnofurstobarterinexchange，andhealluded，withmenacesofvengeance，tothedeathoftheIndiankilledbythewhitesintheskirmishatthefalls。
Matterswerevergingtoacrisis。Itwasevidentthesurroundingsavageswereonlywaitingasignalfromthechieftospringupontheirprey。M’Kenzieandhiscompanionshadgraduallyrisenontheirfeetduringthespeech，andhadbroughttheirriflestoahorizontalposition，thebarrelsrestingintheirlefthands;themuzzleofM’Kenzie’spiecewaswithinthreefeetofthespeaker’sheart。Theycockedtheirrifles;theclickofthelocksforamomentsuffusedthedarkcheekofthesavage，andtherewasapause。Theycoolly，butpromptly，advancedtothedoor;theIndiansfellbackinawe，andsufferedthemtopass。Thesunwasjustsetting，astheyemergedfromthisdangerousden。Theytooktheprecautiontokeepalongthetopsoftherocksasmuchaspossibleontheirwaybacktothecanoe，andreachedtheircampinsafety，congratulatingthemselvesontheirescape，andfeelingnodesiretomakeasecondvisittothegrimwarriorsofWish-
ram。
M’Kenzieandhispartyresumedtheirjourneythenextmorning。AtsomedistanceabovethefallsoftheColumbia，theyobservedtwobarkcanoes，filledwithwhitemen，comingdowntheriver，tothefullchantofasetofCanadianvoyageurs。Aparleyensued。ItwasadetachmentofNorthwesters，underthecommandofMr。JohnGeorgeM’Tavish，bound，fullofsongandspirit，tothemouthoftheColumbia，toawaitthearrivaloftheIsaacTodd。
Mr。M’KenzieandM’Tavishcametoahalt，andlanding，encampedforthenight。Thevoyageursofeitherpartyhailedeachotherasbrothers，andold“comrades。”andtheymingledtogetherasifunitedbyonecommoninterest，insteadofbelongingtorivalcompanies，andtradingunderhostileflags。
Inthemorningtheyproceededontheirdifferentways，instylecorrespondingtotheirdifferentfortunes:theonetoilingpainfullyagainstthestream，theothersweepingdowngaylywiththeCurrent。
M’KenziearrivedsafelyathisdesertedpostontheShahaptan，butfound，tohischagrin，thathiscacheshadbeendiscoveredandrifledbytheIndians。Herewasadilemma，foronthestolengoodshehaddependedtopurchasehorsesoftheIndians。Hesentoutmeninalldirectionstoendeavortodiscoverthethieves，anddespatchedMr。ReedtothepostsofMessrs。ClarkeandDavidStuart，withthelettersofMr。M’Dougal。
Theresolutionannouncedintheseletters，tobreakupanddepartfromAstoria，wascondemnedbybothClarkeandStuart。Thesetwogentlemenhadbeenverysuccessfulattheirposts，andconsidereditrashandpusillanimoustoabandon，onthefirstdifficulty，anenterpriseofsuchgreatcostandamplepromise。Theymadenoarrangements，therefore，forleavingthecountry，butactedwithaviewtothemaintenanceoftheirnewandprosperousestablishments。
Theregulartimeapproached，whenthepartnersoftheinterior-
postsweretorendezvousatthemouthoftheWallah-Wallah，ontheirwaytoAstoria，withthepeltriestheyhadcollected。Mr。
Clarkeaccordinglypackedallhisfursontwenty-eighthorses，and，leavingaclerkandfourmentotakechargeofthepost，departedonthe25thofMaywiththeresidueofhisforce。
Onthe30th，hearrivedattheconfluenceofthePavionandLewisrivers，wherehehadlefthisbargeandcanoes，intheguardianshipoftheoldPierced-nosedchieftain。ThatdignitaryhadacquittedhimselfmorefaithfullytohischargethanMr。
Clarkehadexpected，andthecanoeswerefoundinverytolerableorder。Somerepairswerenecessary，and，whiletheyweremaking，thepartyencampedclosebythevillage。Havinghadrepeatedandvexatiousproofsofthepilferingpropensitiesofthistribeduringhisformervisit，Mr。Clarkeorderedthatawaryeyeshouldbekeptuponthem。
Hewasatall，good-lookingman，andsomewhatgiventopompandcircumstance，whichmadehimanobjectofnoteintheeyesofthewonderingsavages。Hewasstately，too，inhisappointments，andhadasilvergobletordrinkingcup，outofwhichhewoulddrinkwithamagnificentair，andthenlockitupinalargegardevin，whichaccompaniedhiminhistravels，andstoodinhistent。ThisgoblethadoriginallybeensentasapresentfromMr。AstortoMr。M’Kay，thepartnerwhohadunfortunatelybeenblownupintheTonquin。AsitreachedAstoriaafterthedepartureofthatgentleman，ithadremainedinthepossessionofMr。Clarke。
AsilvergobletwastooglitteringaprizenottocatchtheeyeofaPierced-nose。ItwasliketheshiningtincaseofJohnReed。
Suchawonderhadneverbeenseeninthelandbefore。TheIndianstalkedaboutittooneanother。Theymarkedthecarewithwhichitwasdepositedinthegardevin，likearelicinitsshrine，andconcludedthatitmustbea“greatmedicine。”ThatnightMr。
Clarkeneglectedtolockuphistreasure;inthemorningthesacredcasketwasopen-thepreciousrelicgone！
Clarkewasnowoutrageous。Allthepastvexationsthathehadsufferedfromthispilferingcommunityrosetomind，andhethreatenedthat，unlessthegobletwaspromptlyreturned，hewouldhangthethief，shouldheeventuallydiscoverhim。Thedaypassedaway，however，withouttherestorationofthecup。Atnightsentinelsweresecretlypostedaboutthecamp。Withalltheirvigilance，aPierced-nosecontrivedtogetintothecampunperceived，andtoloadhimselfwithbooty;itwasonlyonhisretreatthathewasdiscoveredandtaken。
Atdaybreaktheculpritwasbroughttotrial，andpromptlyconvicted。Hestoodresponsibleforallthespoliationsofthecamp，thepreciousgobletamongthenumber，andMr。Clarkepassedsentenceofdeathuponhim。
Agibbetwasaccordinglyconstructedofoars;thechiefofthevillageandhispeoplewereassembled，andthe，culpritwasproduced，withhislegsandarmspinioned。Clarkethenmadeaharangue。Heremindedthetribeofthebenefitshehadbestoweduponthemduringhisformervisits，andthemanytheftsandothermisdeedswhichhehadoverlooked。Theprisoner，especially，hadalwaysbeenpeculiarlywelltreatedbythewhitemen，buthadrepeatedlybeenguiltyofpilfering。Hewastobepunishedforhisownmisdeeds，andasawarningtohistribe。
TheIndiansnowgatheredroundMr。Clarke，andintercededfortheculprit。Theywerewillingheshouldbepunishedseverely，butimploredthathislifemightbespared。Thecompanions，too，ofMr。Clarke，consideredthesentencetoosevere，andadvisedhimtomitigateit;buthewasinexorable。Hewasnotnaturallyasternorcruelman;butfromhisboyhoodhehadlivedintheIndiancountryamongIndiantraders，andheldthelifeofasavageextremelycheap。Hewas，moreover，afirmbelieverinthedoctrineofintimidation。
Farnham，aclerk，atall“GreenMountainboy“fromVermont，whohadbeenrobbedofapistol，actedasexecutioner。Thesignalwasgiven，andthepoorPierced-noseresisting，struggling，andscreaming，inthemostfrightfulmanner，waslaunchedintoeternity。TheIndiansstoodroundgazinginsilenceandmuteawe，butmadenoattempttoopposetheexecution，nortestifiedanyemotionwhenitwasover。Theylockeduptheirfeelingswithintheirbosomsuntilanopportunityshouldarrivetogratifythemwithabloodyactofvengeance。
Tosaynothingoftheneedlessseverityofthisact，itsimpolicywasglaringlyobvious。Mr。M’Lennanandthreemenweretoreturntothepostwiththehorses，theirloadshavingbeentransferredtothecanoes。Theywouldhavetopassthroughatractofcountryinfestedbythistribe，whowereallhorsemenandhardriders，andmightpursuethemtotakevengeanceforthedeathoftheircomrade。M’Lennan，however，wasaresolutefellow，andmadelightofalldangers。Heandhisthreemenwerepresentattheexecution，andsetoffassoonaslifewasextinctinthevictim;
but，tousethewordsofoneoftheircomrades，“theydidnotletthegrassgrowundertheheelsoftheirhorses，astheyclatteredoutofthePierced-nosecountry。”andweregladtofindthemselvesinsafetyatthepost。
Mr。Clarkeandhispartyembarkedaboutthesametimeintheircanoes，andearlyonthefollowingdayreachedthemouthoftheWallah-Wallah，wheretheyfoundMessrs。StuartandM’Kenzieawaitingthem;thelatterhavingrecoveredpartofthegoodsstolenfromhiscache。ClarkeinformedthemofthesignalpunishmenthehadinflictedonthePierced-nose，evidentlyexpectingtoexcitetheiradmirationbysuchahardyactofjustice，performedintheverymidstoftheIndiancountry，butwasmortifiedatfindingitstronglycensuredasinhuman，unnecessary，andlikelytoprovokehostilities。
Thepartiesthusunitedformedasquadronoftwoboatsandsixcanoes，withwhichtheyperformedtheirvoyageinsafetydowntheriver，andarrivedatAstoriaonthe12thofJune，bringingwiththemavaluablestockofpeltries。
Abouttendayspreviously，thebrigadewhichhadbeenquarteredonthebanksoftheWollamut，hadarrivedwithnumerouspacksofbeaver，theresultofafewmonths’sojournonthatriver。Thesewerethefirstfruitsoftheenterprise，gatheredbymenasyetmerestrangersintheland;buttheyweresuchastogivesubstantialgroundsforsanguineanticipationsofprofit，whenthecountryshouldbemorecompletelyexplored，andthetradeestablished。
CHAPTERLIV。
ThePartnersDispleasedWithM’Dougal-EquivocalConductofThatGentleman-PartnersAgreetoAbandonAstoria-SaleofGoodstoM’Tavish-ArrangementsfortheYear-ManifestoSignedbythePartners-DepartureofM’TavishfortheInterior。
THEpartnersfoundMr。M’Dougalinallthebustleofpreparation;
havingaboutninedayspreviouslyannouncedatthefactory，hisintentionofbreakinguptheestablishment，andfixeduponthe1stofJulyforthetimeofdeparture。Messrs。StuartandClarkefelthighlydispleasedathistakingsoprecipitateastep，withoutwaitingfortheirconcurrence，whenhemusthaveknownthattheirarrivalcouldnotbefardistant。
Indeed，thewholeconductofMr。M’Dougalwassuchastoawakenstrongdoubtsastohisloyaldevotiontothecause。HisoldsympathieswiththeNorthwestCompanyseemtohaverevived。HehadreceivedM’Tavishandhispartywithuncalledforhospitality，asthoughtheywerefriendsandallies，insteadofbeingapartyofobservation，cometoreconnoitrethestateofaffairsatAstoria，andtoawaitthearrivalofahostileship。
Hadtheybeenlefttothemselves，theywouldhavebeenstarvedoffforwantofprovisions，ordrivenawaybytheChinooks，whoonlywantedasignalfromthefactorytotreatthemasintrudersandenemies。M’Dougal，onthecontrary，hadsuppliedthemfromthestoresofthegarrison，andhadgainedthemthefavoroftheIndians，bytreatingthemasfriends。
HavingsethismindfixedlyontheprojectofbreakinguptheestablishmentatAstoria，inthecurrentyear，M’DougalwassorelydisappointedatfindingthatMessrs。StuartandClarkehadomittedtocomplywithhisrequesttopurchasehorsesandprovisionsforthecaravanacrossthemountains。Itwasnowtoolatetomakethenecessarypreparationsintimefortraversingthemountainsbeforewinter，andtheprojecthadtobepostponed。
Inthemeantime，thenon-arrivaloftheannualship，andtheapprehensionsentertainedofthelossoftheBeaverandofMr。
Hunt，hadtheireffectuponthemindsofMessrs。StuartandClarke。TheybegantolistentothedespondingrepresentationsofM’Dougal，secondedbyM’Kenzie，whoinveighedagainsttheirsituationasdesperateandforlorn;lefttoshiftforthemselves，orperishuponabarbarouscoast;neglectedbythosewhosentthemthere;andthreatenedwithdangersofeverykind。Inthiswaytheywerebroughttoconsenttotheplanofabandoningthecountryintheensuingyear。
Aboutthistime，M’TavishappliedatthefactorytopurchaseasmallsupplyofgoodswherewithtotradehiswaybacktohispostontheupperwatersoftheColumbia，havingwaitedinvainforthearrivaloftheIsaacTodd。Hisrequestbroughtonaconsultationamongthepartners。M’Dougalurgedthatitshouldbecompliedwith。Hefurthermoreproposed，thattheyshouldgiveuptoM’Tavish，foraproperconsideration，thepostontheSpokan，andallitsdependencies，astheyhadnotsufficientgoodsonhandtosupplythatpostthemselves，andtokeepupacompetitionwiththeNorthwestCompanyinthetradewiththeneighboringIndians。Thislastrepresentationhassincebeenprovedincorrect。Byinventories，itappearsthattheirstockinhandforthesupplyoftheinteriorposts，wassuperiortothatoftheNorthwestCompany;sothattheyhadnothingtofearfromcompetition。
ThroughtheinfluenceofMessrs。M’DougalandM’Kenzie，thispropositionwasadopted，andwaspromptlyacceptedbyM’Tavish。
Themerchandisesoldtohimamountedtoeighthundredandfifty-
eightdollars，tobepaidfor，inthefollowingspring，inhorses，orinanyothermannermostacceptabletothepartnersatthatperiod。
Thisagreementbeingconcluded，thepartnersformedtheirplansfortheyearthattheywouldyethavetopassinthecountry。
Theirobjectswere，chiefly，presentsubsistence，andthepurchaseofhorsesforthecontemplatedjourney，thoughtheywerelikewisetocollectasmuchpeltriesastheirdiminishedmeanswouldcommand。Accordingly，itwasarrangedthatDavidStuartshouldreturntohisformerpostontheOakinagan，andMr。ClarkeshouldmakehissojournamongtheFlatheads。JohnReed，thesturdyHibernian，wastoundertaketheSnakeRivercountry，accompaniedbyPierreDorionandPierreDelaunay，ashunters，andFrancisLandry，JeanBaptisteTurcotte，AndrelaChapelle，andGillesleClerc，Canadianvoyageurs。
Astoria，however，wasthepostaboutwhichtheyfeltthegreatestsolicitude，andonwhichtheyallmoreorlessdepended。Themaintenanceofthisinsafetythroughoutthecomingyear，was，therefore，theirgrandconsideration。Mr。M’Dougalwastocontinueincommandofit，withapartyoffortymen。Theywouldhavetodependchieflyupontheneighboringsavagesfortheirsubsistence。These，atpresent，werefriendly，butitwastobefearedthat，whentheyshoulddiscovertheexigenciesofthepost，anditsrealweakness，theymightproceedtohostilities;
or，atanyrate，mightceasetofurnishtheirusualsupplies。Itwasimportant，therefore，torendertheplaceasindependentaspossible，ofthesurroundingtribesforitssupport;anditwasaccordinglyresolvedthatM’Kenzie，withfourhunters，andeightcommonmen，shouldwinterintheabundantcountryofWollamut，fromwhencetheymightbeenabledtofurnishaconstantsupplyofprovisionstoAstoria。
Astherewastoogreataproportionofclerksforthenumberofprivatesintheservice，theengagementsofthreeofthem，RossCox，Ross，andM’Lennan，weresurrenderedtothem，andtheyimmediatelyenrolledthemselvesintheserviceoftheNorthwestCompany;glad，nodoubt，toescapefromwhattheyconsideredasinkingship。
Havingmadeallthesearrangements，thefourpartners，onthefirstofJuly，signedaformalmanifesto，statingthealarmingstateoftheiraffairs，fromthenon-arrivaloftheannualship，andtheabsenceandapprehendedlossoftheBeaver，theirwantofgoods，theirdespairofreceivinganyfurthersupply，theirignoranceofthecoast，andtheirdisappointmentastotheinteriortrade，whichtheypronouncedunequaltotheexpensesincurred，andincompetenttostandagainstthepowerfuloppositionoftheNorthwestCompany。Andasbythe16tharticleofthecompany’sagreement，theywereauthorizedtoabandonthisundertaking，anddissolvetheconcern，ifbeforetheperiodoffiveyearsitshouldbefoundunprofitable，theynowformallyannouncedtheirintentiontodosoonthe1stdayofJune，oftheensuingyear，unlessintheinterimtheyshouldreceivethenecessarysupportandsuppliesfromMr。Astor，orthestockholders，withorderstocontinue。
Thisinstrument，accompaniedbyprivatelettersofsimilarimport，wasdeliveredtoMr。M’Tavish，whodepartedonthe5thofJuly。HeengagedtoforwardthedespatchestoMr。Astor，bytheusualwinterexpresssentoverlandbytheNorthwestCompany。
ThemanifestowassignedwithgreatreluctancebyMessrs。ClarkeandD。Stuart，whoseexperiencebynomeansjustifiedthediscouragingaccountgiveninitoftheinternaltrade，andwhoconsideredthemaindifficultiesofexploringanunknownandsavagecountry，andofascertainingthebesttradingandtrappinggrounds，inagreatmeasureovercome。Theywereoverruled，however，bytheurgentinstancesofM’DougalandM’Kenzie，who，havingresolveduponabandoningtheenterprise，weredesirousofmakingasstrongacaseaspossibletoexcusetheirconducttoMr。Astorandtotheworld。
CHAPTERLV。
AnxietiesofMr。Astor-MemorialoftheNorthwestCompany-
TidingsofaBritishNavalExpeditionAgainstAstoria-Mr。
AstorAppliestoGovernmentforProtection-TheFrigateAdamsOrderedtobeFittedOut-BrightNewsFromAstoria-SunshineSuddenlyOverclouded。
WHILEdifficultiesanddisastershadbeengatheringabouttheinfantsettlementofAstoria，themindofitsprojectoratNewYorkwasapreytogreatanxiety。TheshipLark，despatchedbyhimwithsuppliesfortheestablishment，sailedonthe6thofMarch，1813。Withinafortnightafterwards，hereceivedintelligencewhichjustifiedallhisapprehensionsofhostilityonthepartoftheBritish。TheNorthwestCompanyhadmadeasecondmemorialtothatgovernment，representingAstoriaasanAmericanestablishment，statingthevastscopeofitscontemplatedoperations，magnifyingthestrengthofitsfortifications，andexpressingtheirfearsthat，unlesscrushedinthebud，itwouldeffectthedownfalloftheirtrade。
Influencedbytheserepresentations，theBritishgovernmentorderedthefrigatePhoebetobedetachedasaconvoyforthearmedship，IsaacTodd，whichwasreadytosailwithmenandmunitionsforforminganewestablishment。TheyweretoproceedtogethertothemouthoftheColumbia，captureordestroywhateverAmericanfortresstheyshouldfindthere，andplanttheBritishflagonitsruins。
Informedofthesemovements，Mr。Astorlostnotimeinaddressingasecondlettertothesecretaryofstate，communicatingthisintelligence，andrequestingitmightbelaidbeforethePresident;asnonotice，however，hadbeentakenofhispreviousletter，hecontentedhimselfwiththissimplecommunication，andmadenofurtherapplicationforaid。
AwakenednowtothedangerthatmenacedtheestablishmentatAstoria，andawareoftheimportanceofprotectingthisfootholdofAmericancommerceandempireontheshoresofthePacific，thegovernmentdeterminedtosendthefrigateAdams，CaptainCrane，uponthisservice。Onhearingofthisdetermination，Mr。AstorimmediatelyproceededtofitoutashipcalledtheEnterprise，tosailincompanywiththeAdams，freightedwithadditionalsuppliesandreinforcementsforAstoria。
AboutthemiddleofJune，whileinthemidstofthesepreparations，Mr。AstorreceivedaletterfromMr。R。Stuart，datedSt。Louis，May1st，confirmingtheintelligencealreadyreceivedthroughthepublicnewspapers，ofhissafereturn，andofthearrivalofMr。HuntandhispartyatAstoria，andgivingthemostflatteringaccountsoftheprosperityoftheenterprise。
SodeephadbeentheanxietyofMr。Astor，forthesuccessofthisobjectofhisambition，thatthisgleamofgoodnewswasalmostoverpowering。“Ifeltready。”saidhe，“tofalluponmykneesinatransportofgratitude。”
AtthesametimeheheardthattheBeaverhadmadegoodhervoyagefromNewYorktotheColumbia。Thiswasadditionalgroundofhopeforthewelfareofthelittlecolony。Thepostbeingthusrelievedandstrengthened，withanAmericanatitshead，andashipofwarabouttosailforitsprotection，theprospectforthefutureseemedfullofencouragement，andMr。Astorproceededwithfreshvigortofitouthismerchantship。
UnfortunatelyforAstoria，thisbrightgleamofsunshinewassoonoverclouded。justastheAdamshadreceivedhercomplementofmen，andthetwovesselswerereadyforsea，newscamefromCommodoreChauncey，commandingonLakeOntario，thatareinforcementofseamenwaswantedinthatquarter。Thedemandwasurgent，thecrewoftheAdamswasimmediatelytransferredtothatservice，andtheshipwaslaidup。
Thiswasamostill-timedanddiscouragingblow，butMr。Astorwouldnotyetallowhimselftopauseinhisundertaking。HedeterminedtosendtheEnterprisetoseaalone，andlethertakethechanceofmakingherunprotectedwayacrosstheocean。Justatthistime，however，aBritishforcemadeitsappearanceofftheHook;andtheportofNewYorkwaseffectuallyblockaded。Tosendashiptoseaunderthesecircumstances，wouldbetoexposehertoalmostcertaincapture。TheEnterprisewas，therefore，unloadedanddismantled，andMr。AstorwasobligedtocomforthimselfwiththehopethattheLarkmightreachAstoriainsafetyand，that，aidedbyhersupplies，andbythegoodmanagementofMr。Huntandhisassociates，thelittlecolonymightbeabletomaintainitselfuntilthereturnofpeace。
CHAPTERLVI。
AffairsofStateatAstoria-M’DougalProposesfortheHandofAnIndianPrincess-MatrimonialEmbassytoComcomly-MatrimonialNotionsAmongtheChinooks-SettlementsandPin-Money-TheBringingHomeoftheBride-AManagingFather-in-Law-ArrivalofMr。HuntatAstoria。
WEhavehithertohadsomuchtorelateofagloomyanddisastrousnature，thatitiswithafeelingofmomentaryreliefweturntosomethingofamorepleasingcomplexion，andrecordthefirst，andindeedonlynuptialsinhighlifethattookplaceintheinfantsettlementofAstoria。
M’Dougal，whoappearstohavebeenamanofathousandprojects，andofgreat，thoughsomewhatirregularambition，suddenlyconceivedtheideaofseekingthehandofoneofthenativeprincesses，adaughteroftheone-eyedpotentateComcomly，whoheldswayoverthefishingtribeoftheChinooks，andhadlongsuppliedthefactorywithsmeltsandsturgeons。
Someaccountsgiveratheraromanticorigintothisaffair，tracingittothestormynightwhenM’Dougal，inthecourseofanexploringexpedition，wasdrivenbystressofweathertoseekshelterintheroyalabodeofComcomly。Thenandtherehewasfirststruckwiththecharmsofthepiscatoryprincess，assheexertedherselftoentertainherfather’sguest。
The“journalofAstoria。”however，whichwaskeptunderhisowneye，recordsthisunionasahighstatealliance，andgreatstrokeofpolicy。Thefactoryhadtodepend，inagreatmeasure，ontheChinooksforprovisions。Theywereatpresentfriendly，butitwastobefearedtheywouldproveotherwise，shouldtheydiscovertheweaknessandtheexigenciesofthepost，andtheintentiontoleavethecountry。Thisalliance，therefore，wouldinfalliblyrivetComcomlytotheinterestsoftheAstorians，andwithhimthepowerfultribeoftheChinooks。Bethisasitmay，anditishardtofathomtherealpolicyofgovernorsandprinces，M’Dougaldespatchedtwooftheclerksasambassadorsextraordinary，towaitupontheone-eyedchieftain，andmakeoverturesforthehandofhisdaughter。
TheChinooks，thoughnotaveryrefinednation，havenotionsofmatrimonialarrangementsthatwouldnotdisgracethemostrefinedsticklersforsettlementsandpin-money。Thesuitorrepairsnottothebowerofhismistress，buttoherfather’slodge，andthrowsdownapresentathisfeet。Hiswishesarethendisclosedbysomediscreetfriendemployedbyhimforthepurpose。Ifthesuitorandhispresentfindfavorintheeyesofthefather，hebreaksthemattertohisdaughter，andinquiresintothestateofherinclinations。Shouldheranswerbefavorable，thesuitisacceptedandtheloverhastomakefurtherpresentstothefather，ofhorses，canoes，andothervaluables，accordingtothebeautyandmeritsofthebride;lookingforwardtoareturninkindwhenevertheyshallgotohousekeeping。
Wehavemorethanoncehadoccasiontospeakoftheshrewdness，ofComcomly;butneverwasitexertedmoreadroitlythanonthisoccasion。HewasagreatfriendofM’Dougal，andpleasedwiththeideaofhavingsodistinguishedason-in-law;butsofavorableanopportunityofbenefitinghisownfortunewasnotlikelytooccurasecondtime，andhedeterminedtomakethemostofit。
Accordingly，thenegotiationwasprotractedwithtruediplomaticskill。Conferenceafterconferencewasheldwiththetwoambassadors。Comcomlywasextravagantinhisterms;ratingthecharmsofhisdaughteratthehighestprice，andindeedsheisrepresentedashavingoneoftheflattestandmostaristocraticalheadsinthetribe。Atlengththepreliminarieswereallhappilyadjusted。Onthe20thofJuly，earlyintheafternoon，asquadronofcanoescrossedoverfromthevillageoftheChinooks，bearingtheroyalfamilyofComcomly，andallhiscourt。
Thatworthysachemlandedinprincelystate，arrayedinabrightblueblanketandredbreechclout，withanextraquantityofpaintandfeathers，attendedbyatrainofhalf-nakedwarriorsandnobles。Ahorsewasinwaitingtoreceivetheprincess，whowasmountedbehindoneoftheclerks，andthusconveyed，coybutcompliant，tothefortress。Hereshewasreceivedwithdevout，thoughdecentjoy，byherexpectingbridegroom。
Herbridaladornments，itistrue，atfirstcausedsomelittledismay，havingpaintedandanointedherselffortheoccasionaccordingtotheChinooktoilet;bydint，however，ofcopiousablutions，shewasfreedfromalladventitioustintandfragrance，andenteredintothenuptialstate，thecleanestprincessthathadeverbeenknown，ofthesomewhatunctuoustribeoftheChinooks。
Fromthattimeforward，Comcomlywasadailyvisitoratthefort，andwasadmittedintothemostintimatecouncilsofhisson-in-
law。Hetookaninterestineverythingthatwasgoingforward，butwasparticularlyfrequentinhisvisitstotheblacksmith’sshop;taskingthelaborsoftheartificerinironforeverystate，insomuchthatthenecessarybusinessofthefactorywasoftenpostponedtoattendtohisrequisitions。
Thehoney-moonhadscarcepassedaway，andM’DougalwasseatedwithhisbrideinthefortressofAstoria，when，aboutnoonofthe20thofAugust，Gassacop，thesonofComcomly，hurriedintohispresencewithgreatagitation，andannouncedashipatthemouthoftheriver。Thenewsproducedavastsensation。Wasitashipofpeaceorwar？WasitAmericanorBritish？WasittheBeaverortheIsaacTodd？M’Dougalhurriedtothewaterside，threwhimselfintoaboat，andorderedthehandstopullwithallspeedforthemouthoftheharbor。Thoseinthefortremainedwatchingtheentranceoftheriver，anxioustoknowwhethertheyweretoprepareforgreetingafriendorfightinganenemy。Atlengththeshipwasdescriedcrossingthebar，andbendinghercoursetowardsAstoria。Everygazewasfixeduponherinsilentscrutiny，untiltheAmericanflagwasrecognized。Ageneralshoutwasthefirstexpressionofjoy，andnextasalutationwasthunderedfromthecannonofthefort。
Thevesselcametoanchorontheoppositesideoftheriver，andreturnedthesalute。TheboatofMr。M’Dougalwentonboard，andwasseenreturninglateintheafternoon。TheAstorianswatchedherwithstrainingeyes，todiscoverwhowereonboard，butthesunwentdown，andtheeveningclosedin，beforeshewassufficientlynear。Atlengthshereachedtheland，andMr。Huntsteppedonshore。Hewashailedasonerisenfromthedead，andhisreturnwasasignalformerrimentalmostequaltothatwhichprevailedatthenuptialsofM’Dougal。
Wemustnowexplainthecauseofthisgentleman’slongabsence，whichhadgivenrisetosuchgloomyanddispiritingsurmises。
CHAPTERLVII。
VoyageoftheBeavertoNewArchangel-ARussianGovernor-
RoysteringRule-TheTyrannyoftheTable-HardDrinkingBargainings-VoyagetoKamtschatka-SealCatchingEstablishmentatSt。Paul’s-StormsatSea-Mr。HuntLeftattheSandwichIslands-TransactionsoftheBeaveratCanton-ReturnofMr。
HunttoAstoria。
ITwillberecollectedthatthedestinationoftheBoston，whenshesailedfromAstoriaonthe4thofAugustin1812，wastoproceednorthwardlyalongthecoasttoSheetka，orNewArchangel，theretodisposeofthatpartofhercargointendedforthesupplyoftheRussianestablishmentatthatplace，andthentoreturntoAstoria，whereitwasexpectedshewouldarriveinOctober。
NewArchangelissituatedinNorfolkSound，lat。57deg2’N。，long。135deg50’W。Itwasthehead-quartersofthedifferentcoloniesoftheRussianFurCompany，andthecommonrendezvousoftheAmericanvesselstradingalongthecoast。
TheBeavermetwithnothingworthyofparticularmentioninhervoyage，andarrivedatNewArchangelonthe19thofAugust。TheplaceatthattimewastheresidenceofCountBaranoff，thegovernorofthedifferentcolonies;arough，rugged，hospitable，hard-drinkingoldRussian;somewhatofasoldier;somewhatofatrader;aboveall，abooncompanionoftheoldroysteringschool，withastrongcrossofthebear。
Mr。Huntfoundthishyperboreanveteranensconcedinafortwhichcrestedthewholeofarockypromontory。Itmountedonehundredguns，largeandsmall，andwasimpregnabletoIndianattack，unaidedbyartillery。HeretheoldgovernorlordeditoversixtyRussians，whoformedthecorpsofthetradingestablishment，besidesanindefinitenumberofIndianhuntersoftheKodiaktribe，whowerecontinuallycomingandgoing，orloungingandloiteringaboutthefortlikesomanyhoundsroundasportsman’shuntingquarters。Thoughalooseliveramonghisguests，thegovernorwasastrictdisciplinarianamonghismen;keepingtheminperfectsubjection，andhavingsevenonguardnightandday。
Besidesthoseimmediateserfsanddependentsjustmentioned，theoldRussianpotentateexertedaconsiderableswayoveranumerousandirregularclassofmaritimetraders，wholookedtohimforaidandmunitions，andthroughwhomhemaybesaidtohave，insomedegree，extendedhispoweralongthewholenorthwestcoast。
ThesewereAmericancaptainsofvesselsengagedinaparticulardepartmentofthetrade。Oneofthesecaptainswouldcome，inamanner，empty-handedtoNewArchangel。HerehisshipwouldbefurnishedwithaboutfiftycanoesandahundredKodiakhunters，andfittedoutwithprovisions，andeverythingnecessaryforhuntingthesea-otteronthecoastofCalifornia，wheretheRussianshaveanotherestablishment。TheshipwouldplyalongtheCaliforniacoastfromplacetoplace，droppingpartiesofotterhuntersintheircanoes，furnishingthemonlywithwater，andleavingthemtodependupontheirowndexterityforamaintenance。Whenasufficientcargowascollected，shewouldgatheruphercanoesandhunters，andreturnwiththemtoArchangel;wherethecaptainwouldrenderinthereturnsofhisvoyage，andreceiveonehalfoftheskinsforhisshare。
Overthesecoastingcaptains，aswehavehinted，theveterangovernorexertedsomesortofsway，butitwasofapeculiarandcharacteristickind;itwasthetyrannyofthetable。Theywereobligedtojoinhiminhis“prosnics“orcarousals，andtodrink“potationspottledeep。”Hiscarousals，too，werenotofthemostquietkind，norwerehispotationsasmildasnectar。“Heiscontinually。”saidMr。Hunt，“givingentertainmentsbywayofparade，andifyoudonotdrinkrawrum，andboilingpunchasstrongassulphur，hewillinsultyouassoonashegetsdrunk，whichisveryshortlyaftersittingdowntotable。”
Astoany“temperancecaptain“whostoodfasttohisfaith，andrefusedtogiveuphissobriety，hemightgoelsewhereforamarket，forhestoodnochancewiththegovernor。Rarely，however，didanycold-watercaitiffofthekinddarkenthedoorsofoldBaranoff;thecoastingcaptainsknewtoowellhishumorandtheirowninterests;theyjoinedinhisrevels，theydrank，andsang，andwhooped，andhiccuped，untiltheyallgot“halfseasover。”andthenaffairswentonswimmingly。
Anawfulwarningtoall“flinchers“occurredshortlybeforeMr。
Hunt’sarrival。Ayoungnavalofficerhadrecentlybeensentoutbytheemperortotakecommandofoneofthecompany’svessels。
Thegovernor，asusual，hadhimathis“prosnics。”andpliedhimwithfierypotations。Theyoungmanstoodonthedefensiveuntiltheoldcount’sirewascompletelykindled;hecarriedhispoint，andmadethegreenhorntipsy，willynilly。Inproportionastheygrewfuddledtheygrewnoisy，theyquarrelledintheircups;theyoungsterpaidoldBaranoffinhisowncoinbyratinghimsoundly;inrewardforwhich，whensober，hewastakentheroundsoffourpickets，andreceivedseventy-ninelashes，taledoutwithRussianpunctualityofpunishment。
SuchwastheoldgrizzledbearwithwhomMr。Hunthadtodohisbusiness。Howhemanagedtocopewithhishumor;whetherhepledgedhimselfinrawrumandblazingpunch，and“clinkedthecan“withhimastheymadetheirbargains，doesnotappearuponrecord;wemustinfer，however，fromhisgeneralobservationsontheabsoluteswayofthishard-drinkingpotentate，thathehadtoconformtothecustomsofhiscourt，andthattheirbusinesstransactionspresentedamaudlinmixtureofpunchandpeltry。
ThegreatestannoyancetoMr。Hunt，however，wasthedelaytowhichhewassubjected，indisposingofthecargooftheship，andgettingtherequisitereturns。Withallthegovernor’sdevotionstothebottle，heneverobfuscatedhisfacultiessufficientlytolosesightofhisinterest，andisrepresentedbyMr。Huntaskeen，nottosaycrafty，atabargain，asthemostarrantwaterdrinker。Alongtimewasexpendednegotiatingwithhim，andbythetimethebargainwasconcluded，themonthofOctoberhadarrived。Toaddtothedelayhewastobepaidforhiscargoinsealskins。NowitsohappenedthattherewasnoneofthiskindofpeltryatthefortofoldBaranoff。Itwasnecessary，therefore，forMr。Hunttoproceedtoaseal-catchingestablishment，whichtheRussiancompanyhadattheislandofSt。
Paul，intheSeaofKamtschatka。Heaccordinglysetsailonthe4thofOctober，afterhavingspentforty-fivedaysatNewArchangelboosingandbargainingwithitsroysteringcommander，andrightgladwashetoescapefromtheclutchesof“thisoldmanofthesea。”
TheBeaverarrivedatSt。Paul’sonthe31stofOctober;bywhichtime，accordingtoarrangement，heoughttohavebeenbackatAstoria。TheislandofSt。Paulisinlatitude57degN。，longitude170degor171degW。Itsshores，incertainplaces，andatcertainseasons，arecoveredwithseals，whileothersareplayingaboutinthewater。Ofthese，theRussianstakeonlythesmallones，fromseventotenmonthsold，andcarefullyselectthemales，givingthefemalestheirfreedom，thatthebreedmaynotbediminished。Theislanders，however，killthelargeonesforprovisions，andforskinswherewithtocovertheircanoes。
Theydrivethemfromtheshoreovertherocks，untilwithinashortdistanceoftheirhabitations，wheretheykillthem。Bythismeans，theysavethemselvesthetroubleofcarryingtheskinsandhavethefleshathand。Thisisthrowninheaps，andwhentheseasonforskinningisover，theytakeouttheentrailsandmakeoneheapoftheblubber。This，withdrift-wood，servesforfuel，fortheislandisentirelydestituteoftrees。Theymakeanotherheapoftheflesh，which，withtheeggsofsea-
fowls，preservedinoil，anoccasionalsea-lion，afewducksinwinter，andsomewildroots，composetheirfood。
Mr。HuntfoundseveralRussiansattheisland，andonehundredhunters，nativesofOonalaska，withtheirfamilies。Theylivedincabinsthatlookedlikecanoes;being，forthemostpartformedofthejaw-boneofawhale，putupasrafters，acrosswhichwerelaidpiecesofdriftwoodcoveredoverwithlonggrass，theskinsoflargeseaanimals，andearth;soastobequitecomfortable，indespiteoftherigorsoftheclimate;thoughwearetoldtheyhadasancientandfish-likeanodor，“ashadthequartersofJonah，whenhelodgedwithinthewhale。”
Inoneoftheseodoriferousmansions，Mr。Huntoccasionallytookuphisabode，thathemightbeathandtohastentheloadingoftheship。Theoperation，however，wassomewhatslow，foritwasnecessarytooverhaulandinspecteverypacktopreventimposition，andthepeltrieshadthentobeconveyedinlargeboats，madeofskins，totheship，whichwassomelittledistancefromtheshore，standingoffandon。
Onenight，whileMr。Huntwasonshore，withsomeothersofthecrew，therearoseaterriblegale。Whenthedaybroke，theshipwasnottobeseen。Hewatchedforherwithanxiouseyesuntilnight，butinvain。Dayafterdayofboisterousstorms，andhowlingwintryweather，werepassedinwatchfulnessandsolicitude。Nothingwastobeseenbutadarkandangrysea，andascowlingnorthernsky;andatnightheretiredwithinthejawsofthewhale，andnestleddisconsolatelyamongsealskins。
Atlength，onthe13thofNovember，theBeavermadeherappearance;muchtheworseforthestormyconflictswhichshehadsustainedinthosehyperboreanseas。Shehadbeenobligedtocarryapressofsailinheavygalestobeabletoholdherground，andhadconsequentlysustainedgreatdamageinhercanvasandrigging。Mr。Huntlostnotimeinhurryingtheresidueofthecargoonboardofher;then，biddingadieutohisseal-fishingfriends，andhiswhalebonehabitation，heputforthoncemoretosea。
HewasnowformakingthebestofhiswaytoAstoria，andfortunatewouldithavebeenfortheinterestsofthatplace，andtheinterestsofMr。Astor，hadhedoneso;but，unluckily，aperplexingquestionroseinhismind。ThesailsandriggingoftheBeaverhadbeenmuchrentandshatteredinthelatestorm;
wouldshebeabletostandthehardgalestobeexpectedinmakingColumbiaRiveratthisseason？Wasitprudent，also，atthisboisteroustimeoftheyeartoriskthevaluablecargowhichshenowhadonboard，bycrossingandrecrossingthedangerousbarofthatriver？ThesedoubtswereprobablysuggestedorenforcedbyCaptainSowle，who，ithasalreadybeenseen，wasanover-cautious，orrather，atimidseaman，andtheymayhavehadsomeweightwithMr。Hunt;buttherewereotherconsiderations，whichmorestronglyswayedhismind。Thelatenessoftheseason，andtheunforeseendelaystheshiphadencounteredatNewArchangel，andbybeingobligedtoproceedtoSt。Paul’s，hadputhersomuchbackinhercalculatedtime，thattherewasariskofherarrivingsolateatCanton，astocometoabadmarket，bothforthesaleofherpeltries，andthepurchaseofareturncargo。
Heconsideredittotheinterestofthecompany，therefore，thatheshouldproceedatoncetotheSandwichIslands;therewaitthearrivaloftheannualvesselfromNewYork，takepassageinhertoAstoria，andsuffertheBeavertocontinueontoCanton。
Ontheotherhand，hewasurgedtotheothercoursebyhisengagements;bytheplanofthevoyagemarkedoutfortheBeaver，byMr。Astor;byhisinclination，andthepossibilitythattheestablishmentmightneedhispresence，andbytherecollectionthattheremustalreadybealargeamountofpeltriescollectedatAstoria，andwaitingforthereturnoftheBeaver，toconveythemtomarket。
Theseconflictingquestionsperplexedandagitatedhismindandgaverisetomuchanxiousreflection，forhewasaconscientiousmanthatseemsevertohaveaimedatafaithfuldischargeofhisduties，andtohavehadtheinterestsofhisemployersearnestlyatheart。Hisdecisioninthepresentinstancewasinjudicious，andprovedunfortunate。Itwas，tobearawayfortheSandwichIslands。Hepersuadedhimselfthatitwasamatterofnecessity，andthatthedistressedconditionoftheshiplefthimnootheralternative;butwerathersuspecthewassopersuadedbytherepresentationsofthetimidcaptain。TheyaccordinglystoodfortheSandwichIslands，arrivedatWoahoo，wheretheshipunderwentthenecessaryrepairs，andagainputtoseaonthe1stofJanuary，1813;leavingMr。Huntontheisland。
WewillfollowtheBeavertoCanton，asherfortunes，insomemeasure，exemplifytheevilofcommandersofshipsactingcontrarytoorders;andastheyformapartofthetissueofcrosspurposesthatmarredthegreatcommercialenterprisewehaveundertakentorecord。
TheBeaverarrivedsafeatCanton，whereCaptainSowlefoundtheletterofMr。Astor，givinghiminformationofthewaranddirectinghimtoconveytheintelligencetoAstoria。Hewroteareply，dictatedeitherbytimidityorobstinacy，inwhichhedeclinedcomplyingwiththeordersofMr。Astor，butsaidhewouldwaitforthereturnofpeace，andthencomehome。TheotherproceedingsofCaptainSowlewereequallywrongheadedandunlucky。HewasofferedonehundredandfiftythousanddollarsforthefurhehadtakenonboardatSt。Paul’s。Thegoodsforwhichithadbeenprocuredcostbuttwenty-fivethousanddollarsinNewYork。Hadheacceptedthisoffer，andre-investedtheamountinnankeens，whichatthattime，inconsequenceoftheinterruptiontocommercebythewar，wereattwothirdsoftheirusualprice，thewholewouldhavebroughtthreehundredthousanddollarsinNewYork。Itistrue，thewarwouldhaverendereditunsafetoattemptthehomewardvoyage，buthemighthaveputthegoodsinstoreatCanton，untilafterthepeace，andhavesailedwithoutriskofcapturetoAstoria;bringingtothepartnersatthatplacetidingsofthegreatprofitsrealizedontheoutwardcargo，andthestillgreatertobeexpectedfromthereturns。Thenewsofsuchabrilliantcommencementtotheirundertakingwouldhavecounterbalancedthegloomytidingsofthewar;itwouldhaveinfusednewspiritintothemall，andgiventhemcourageandconstancytopersevereintheenterprise。CaptainSowle，however，refusedtheofferofonehundredandfiftythousanddollars，andstoodwaveringandchafferingforhigherterms。Thefursbegantofallinvalue;thisonlyincreasedhisirresolution;theysunksomuchthathefearedtosellatall;heborrowedmoneyonMr。
Astor’saccountataninterestofeighteenpercent，andlaiduphisshiptoawaitthereturnofpeace。
Inthemeanwhile，Mr。Huntsoonsawreasontorepenttheresolutionhehadadoptedinalteringthedestinationoftheship。HisstayattheSandwichIslandswasprolongedfarbeyondexpectation。Helookedinvainfortheannualshipinthespring。
Monthaftermonthpassedby，andstillshedidnotmakeherappearance。He，too，provedthedangerofdepartingfromorders。
HadhereturnedfromSt。Paul’stoAstoria，alltheanxietyanddespondencyabouthisfate，andaboutthewholecourseoftheundertaking，wouldhavebeenobviated。TheBeaverwouldhavereceivedthefurscollectedatthefactoryandtakenthemtoCanton，andgreatgains，insteadofgreatlosses，wouldhavebeentheresult。Thegreatestblunder，however，wasthatcommittedbyCaptainSowle。
Atlength，aboutthe20thofJune，theshipAlbatross，CaptainSmith，arrivedfromChina，andbroughtthefirsttidingsofthewartotheSandwichIslands。Mr。Huntwasnolongerindoubtandperplexityastothereasonofthenon-appearanceoftheannualship。HisfirstthoughtswereforthewelfareofAstoria，and，concludingthattheinhabitantswouldprobablybeinwantofprovisions，hecharteredtheAlbatrossfortwothousanddollars，tolandhim，withsomesupplies，atthemouthoftheColumbia，wherehearrived，aswehaveseen，onthe20thofAugust，afterayear’sseafaringthatmighthavefurnishedachapterinthewanderingsofSinbad。