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XXXII

McLOUGHLIN AND THE IMMIGRANTS 1844

T3OTH parties watched for the immigration of 1844. -* * The Americans wanted news from the States. The Hudson's Bay ship brought word of impending war with the United States. With an incoming army of hostile immigrants what might not happen at Fort Vancouver? "If they are destitute as last year, they will pillage the fort," said Douglas.

Dr. McLoughlin set his Canadians to building another bastion, and strengthened again the ever decaying stockade. "What for do you this?" asked a Canadian.

"To guard against the savages," Black Douglas answered with a frown. The Canadian nodded his head. " Sabages prom de Rocky Mountain! "

"They are afraid of us over at Fort Vancouver," was whispered in the valley. "Nay, indeed, they are preparing to make war on us," answered another. Still, when the first wagons appeared, far up the Columbia came McLoughlin's word "Do not let the poor people suffer. Help them along. Teach the Indians to do so also." The men of 1 844 started with extravagant dreams of the velvet prairies by the sea. That blessed country! " The trees forever bend with fruit," they said. " Camas-bread grows in the ground." "Salmon crowd