Page:Hawaiians in Early Oregon.djvu/9

30 were among his men. There was an "Owyhee Church" in the stockade inclosure at Fort Vancouver located between the jail and the kitchen on the north side and not far from the house of the chief factor. It was at one time ministered to by the Reverend Kanaka William who held services there for his fellow countrymen.

The Hawaiians went out with almost every hunting and trading expedition. They accompanied Ogden or Work to the Snake River country and on the trips that took them into the Humboldt River region. They were with Work and other traders who led the expedition to the Umpqua and to California. On such trips they proved superior hunters as they were able to bring in game when others had failed. They could also act as boatmen when needed.

Unlike many other employes of the company, the Hawaiians were considered trustworthy and faithful servants. It is said that when John McLoughlin, Junior, was making the fight against his own men at Fort Stikine near the Alaska border in 1842, in which he lost his life, that Owyhees stood by him to the last man. They were also valued for their wit and humor and gave great amusement by their pantomimes, dances and singing. The performance might be ridiculous but would bring peals of laughter from their audiences. On the whole it may be said that the Hawaiians were frank and friendly in their behavior, well liked by their associates. Those in Oregon in this early period, now a century ago, showed ability to learn quickly and profited by their intercourse with the white race.

The numbers of Hawaiians in old Oregon and employed by the Hudson's Bay Company at the height of its activity can not be definitely stated. Of the 250 and more employes listed by the company for 1846, as dairymen, carpenters, shepherds,