Page:History of Oregon volume 1.djvu/84

Rh tlers. Allan, a brother clerk, says he was sometimes styled Bardolph at the fort, from the color and size of his nose; that he was fond of talking, and would address himself to the governor in all humors when others stood aloof, bearding the lion in his den, as the clerks called it, and being met sometimes with a growl. "Frank," said the governor, "does nothing but bow, wow, wow!"

One of the most noted story-tellers of the bachelor's hall was Thomas McKay, a step-son of McLoughlin—for the doctor's wife was an Ojibway woman, formerly the wife of Alexander McKay, who was lost on the Tonquin. Thomas McKay acquired a reputation for daring which made him the terror of the Indians. Townsend, who met him at Fort Vancouver, said he often spoke of the death of his father with the bitter animosity and love of vengeance inherited from his Indian mother; and that he declared he would yet be known on this coast as the avenger of blood. But had he been in truth so bloody-minded he could hardly have been so successful a trader. He was undoubtedly brave, and led many a trading party into the dreaded Blackfoot country; and was accustomed to amuse the clerks at Fort Vancouver with his wonderful adventures. In telling a story, says Allan, he invariably commenced, "It rained, it rained; and it blew, it blew"—often throwing in by way of climax, "and, my God, how it did snow! "quite regardless of the unities.

McKay was tall, dark, and powerful in appearance, and often strange in his deportment. Perhaps the tragical fate of his father had impressed him, as well as the recollection that in his own veins ran savage blood. His first wife was a Chinook, the mother of William McKay of Pendleton, who was brought up