{257} The moment Comecomly left Astoria, Laframboise, the interpreter, was called in, decked and painted in the full Chinook costume, and despatched to Cape Disappointment to report whether a vessel was to be seen, and if so, whether British or American.[89] In the mean time, M‘Dougall prepared to start the instant a ship was seen. Laframboise had scarcely reached the Cape when the ship hove in sight, and soon afterwards came dashing over the bar in fine style, and anchored in Baker’s Bay, within the Cape. Laframboise immediately returned, and on his way back met Mr. M‘Dougall, in a boat well manned, going to the ship, and told him that the new arrival was a British ship of war. M‘Dougall proceeded, and after remaining for about an hour on board returned to Astoria and reported the vessel to be the _Racoon_ British sloop of war, of twenty-six guns, Captain Black, commander. As soon as M‘Dougall had left the _Racoon_, his royal father-in-law, with a squad of followers, repaired to the ship to pay their homage to the British captain. Then the crafty old chief traduced the Americans and extolled the British; expressing his joy that he had lived long enough to see once more a great ship of his brother King George enter the river. Then, with a grin of contempt, he remarked, “The Americans have no ships to be compared to King George’s ships.” Saying this, he laid a fine sea-otter skin at Captain Black’s feet, and prepared to leave the ship. The captain called {258} him back, gave him a good bumper of wine, and in return for so much loyalty presented him with an old flag, a laced coat, cocked hat, and sword. His Chinook majesty then left the _Racoon_, and returned to shore as staunch a Briton as ever he had previously been an American partisan. But the best part of the farce was to see Comecomly sailing across, the very next day, to Astoria in full British uniform, with the Union Jack flying at the masthead. On board of the _Racoon_ was Mr. M‘Donald, one of the senior partners of the North-West Company, generally known by the name of Brascroche.[90] He assumed forthwith the direction of affairs at Astoria. Comecomly soon got into his sleeve; and before the former was twenty-four hours in office, the latter had a new chief’s suit on. On the second day after the _Racoon_ came to anchor, Captain Black and his officers landed at Astoria, and found they had been baulked in their expectations; the place being already in the possession of the North-West Company by an amicable arrangement. They laughed heartily at their own disappointment, for they had made up their minds that the capture of Astoria would yield them a rich prize; but in place of a golden egg they found only an empty shell. After visiting the place, Captain Black, turning round to one of his officers, said, “The Yankees are always beforehand with us.”