Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 5.djvu/360

 350 JOURNAL AND LETTERS OF DAVID DOUGLAS. specimen was spoiled by the size of the shot, which, in my haste to secure the animal, and recover my inkstand, I did not take time to change; but a female of the same sort venturing to return some hours after, I handed it a smaller shot, which did not destroy the skin. It was in all respects like the other, except being a little smaller. I am informed that these rats abound in the Rocky Moun- tains, particularly to the north, near the Mackenzie and Peace rivers, where, during the winter, they destroy al- most everything that comes in their way. On Saturday, the 17th, my guide did not arrive on the camp until 8 A. M., and I was uncertain whether he would come at all. The horses were not brought from' the meadow, nor the provisions put up. Considerable time was lost in explaining to the man the nature of my jour- ney, which was thus effected. I told it to Mr. Black, in English, and he translated it in French to his Canadian interpreter, who again communicated it to the Indian in the language of the Kyemuse tribe, to which the latter belongs. As a proof of the fickle disposition and keen- ness at making a 'bargain of these people, he no sooner had ascertained the proposed route, and his future re- muneration, than he began stating difficulties, in preface to a list [of] present wants, among which were food for his family, who had been starving, as he assured us, for two months, owing to the failure of the salmon fishery ; then shoes for himself, and as his leggings were much worn, leather for new ones. Then followed a request for a stalk- ing-knife, a piece of tobacco, a strip of red cloth for an ornamental cap. This bargain occupied two hours, and was sealed by volumes of smoke from a large stone pipe. Mr. Black offered kindly to se.nd a boy, twelve years old, called the Young Wasp, the son of his own interpreter, with me, who, understanding a little French, might com municate my wishes to the guide, a proposal which I