Page:History of Oregon volume 1.djvu/317

266 ment appointment, Hastings may have thought that his ambition would be more fully gratified by seeking fresh fields. Wherever Hastings went his adherents were willing to follow, and the result was that he started for California in the spring with about a third of the adult male members of the original company, together with a number of women and children. The party rendezvoused at Champoeg, and began their march on the 30th of May. Nothing occurred to interrupt their journey until Rogue River was reached, where the savages crowded about them in large numbers, proffering the use of their canoes in crossing. The travellers accepted the offer, but prudently divided their armed men into two parties, half being on the farther side to receive and protect the goods, and half left to protect the families which had not yet crossed. In this manner, by great watchfulness, and occasionally driving the natives back by discharging a gun, this dangerous point was safely passed.

Several days' travel below Rogue River they encountered a company en route to Oregon, headed by J. P. Leese and John McClure. The meeting was the occasion of serious discussion, both parties encamping in order to consider the relative merits of the two countries. The result was, that about one third of Hastings' party turned back to Oregon with Leese and McClure. Hastings' company, reduced to six-