Page:History of Oregon volume 1.djvu/104

Rh to know why a cow's tail grows downward, I cannot tell you; I can only cite the fact."

Up went the governor's cane of its own volition, and before McLoughlin was aware of it he had bestowed a good sound blow upon the shoulders of the impudent divine. Beaver shouted to his wife for his pistols, long-barrelled flintlocks; but on reflection concluded he would not kill the doctor just then. Next day there was an auction of the effects of Captain Home, drowned in the Columbia; and while the people were gathered there, McLoughlin, by the magnanimity of his nature, was constrained to do penance. "Mr Beaver," said he, stepping up to the chaplain before them all, "I make this public apology for the indignity I laid upon you yesterday." "Sir, I will not accept your apology," exclaimed the chaplain, turning upon his heel. Beaver went back to England, and the company sent no more chaplains to Fort Vancouver.