Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 18.djvu/154



126 Fred Wilbur Powell

At the landing, the faithful Indian received of my property a fine horse, saddle and bridle, a sahnon knife and a scarlet velvet sash, and was satisfied.*® Rondeau, whom the Captam had appointed to be my attendant and guide, was ready at the bank to conduct me, a few miles distant, to the camp of my new party. I mounted with a little help, and rode off, feeling like a new man.

"My journeying in that wilderness was full of interesting incidents and things terrible."*^

"On the 27th of October, I reached the end of a perilous journey of over 6000 miles — most of the distance without trav- eling companions ; and more than half, in wilderness or savage countries. Hardships had almost worn me out. Landed in front of Fort Vancouver. Capt. La Framboise assisted me out of the boat. With the help of his arm, I walked slowly and feebly to the fort, and entered a room at one end of the man- sion-house, opening from the court. After a few minutes, the chief factor, Mr. McLaughlin, came in — ^made a few inquiries about my health and business, and, ordering some refreshments, retired. None of his household, none of his American guests called, nor had any of them been seen at the river, or on the way to the fort No countryman, though many were in the house, came to sympathize in my afflictions or to greet my coming.

"After I had taken an hour of repose on a bed which was in the room, the Captain entered with compliments of Mr. McLaughlin, saying it would be inconvenient to accommodate with a room inside the fort, as they were all occupied, but I could have a room outside, and a man to attend upon me. Again, sustained by the arm of my friend, I was led to the place assigned me outside the stockade; and so was cast out from the fort, as though unworthy to breathe the same air, or to tread the same ground with its proud and cowardly in- mates. The house had one room, with a shed adjoining. The

19 "Which shows that he did not know how to trade with the Indians." — ^Ban- croft, Northwest Coast, II, 549 n.

9oSfttUm€nt of Orsgon^ 17-9; Msmorial, 1848: 14-5.