Columbia Falls—A canoe swamped—Suspicious behaviour of the Indians— Stratagem—Umatallow—Walla Walla—Great body of Indians—Harangues— Indian ceremonies—The great forks—Difference in the waters—Length of the forks—The British flag—Mr. Thompson’s design—Indian ideas— Salmon—European articles—Tummatapam—Departure from the Forks— Indian honesty—Eyakema—Marl hills—Dead children—Superstitions— Priest’s Rapid—Rattlesnakes—Appearance of the country— Kewaugh-chen—Perilous situation of a canoe—The two sisters—The old Indian—Hunting party—Horses—The priest—Piss-cows—Sopa—Great assemblage of Indians—The comet—Oakinacken—Distance from Astoria— Indian council—Resolve to winter—Some account of the place—The stolen watch—The priest dismissed—Voyage concluded—The two strangers—First building—Division of the party—Lonely winter—The lost party—Indian trade—Mr. Stuart’s adventures 131 CHAPTER IX Anxieties at Astoria—Indians depart—A schooner built—The _Dolly’s_ first trip—Criminal curiosity—The powder keg—The schooner condemned—Mr. Astor’s cargoes—His policy—Remarks on the North-West coast—Unwelcome rumours—Calpo’s statement—Rumours renewed—Hard cases—Joe Lapierre—Kasiascall’s account of the _Tonquin_—Strange Indian—Kasiascall’s conduct—His character—His design on Astoria—Remarks 159 {xi} CHAPTER X Land expedition—Hunt and M‘Kenzie—Montreal recruits—La Chine—Devout farewell—Mackina in 1810—Fur traders of the South—Frolic parties— Comparison between the South and North—Arrival at St. Louis— Recruiting service—Yankees—Canoemen—Delays at St. Louis— Difficulties—Mr. Miller—The Missouri—Canadian voyageurs—Winter quarters—Mr. Hunt revisits St. Louis—M‘Kenzie—Mr. Astor’s policy— The Yankees desert—Winter quarters broken up—Rocky Mountains— Pilot knobs—New scenes—Columbia River—The horses abandoned—Take to canoes—The canoes abandoned—Trappers—Mr. Miller—Party on foot— Hardships—Starvation—Conflicting councils—Gloomy prospects— Property _en cache_—The party divided—Three men perish—M‘Kenzie’s speech—He arrives at Astoria—Mr. Crooks and others left behind— Mr. Hunt’s arrival at Astoria—Voyage concluded 173 CHAPTER XI Doings at Astoria—Three parties on foot—Their object—M‘Lellan’s resolution—Hostile attack at the Long Narrows—Mr. Reed—Two Indians shot—Heroic conduct of M‘Lellan—Difficulties adjusted— Advance of the party—Remarks—Arrival at Oakinacken—Departure again for Astoria—Scene at Umatallow—Mr. Crook’s adventures and suffering—Yeck-a-tap-am—Umatallow left—Merit rewarded—Arrival of the party at Astoria—The ship _Beaver_ there also 186 CHAPTER XII