CHAPTER VI.

Size of Astoria-The Diana still aground-Preparations to go to Fort Vancouver-One eyed Pilot George-Remonstrances of FriendsMrs. White's Resolution-Leaving Astoria-Singing of the CrewBeauty of the Shores-Reflections-Seeking for a place to CampStartling Incident-Camping---Tale of the "Petrified Sister."

FROM the fame of Astoria, they supposed it to be a fort of considerable strength; and great was their disappointment at finding, besides Mr. Birney's, but two other houses, and those built of logs, and enclosed by rail fences. However, the place occupied a very beautiful site, commanding a fine view of a romantic country, and also of the noble river, which was here two miles wide. Till four o'clock in the afternoon, they anxiously awaited the arrival of the ship, that they might proceed on to Fort Vancouver. But there was no prospect of her immediate release from her perilous situation; and it was proposed to despatch an express to the fort, and Dr. White was informed that himself and another could accompany it if they chose, and he decided on doing so.

The guide is worthy of a passing notice, although not a dignitary of the highest standing. He was a brawny, athletic Indian, with but one eye; and from his partiality for England and its monarch, they called him "pilot George." Notwithstanding his unfortunate deformity, he probably understood his business better than any man on the river. Unlike his race generally, he was'not at all taciturn, and was the most able linguist of his color in the section, having a

smattering of French and English, and many of the tongues of his country. Excepting him, they could not converse with one of the crew save by signs. All the missionaries shrank from accompanying the doctor, and remonstrated warmly against his thus jeopardizing his safety, by venturing, unguarded, through a strange country, not knowing the dangers to which he might be exposed, and affirming they had no confidence in the fidelity of his companions.

He remained unshaken in his decision, and Mrs. W., notwithstanding repeated dissuasions, and the descriptions she had read and heard of the treachery peculiar to the Indian character, overcame her natural womanly timidity, and firmly expressed her determination to share with her husband the perils of the voyage.

Their preparations were soon made, and they were but small and hasty; and at five o'clock, having taken leave of Mr. Birney and their friends, seated themselves in their little bark, those they left behind watching them with tearful eyes and swelling hearts.

As they receded from the shore, the crew began singing cheerily a native song, till the shore rang again with the melody, keeping as exact time with their paddles as could the most scientific of New England singing masters. In about twenty minutes they rounded Tongue Point, two miles distant from Astoria, and were hidden from the gazers on shore. For several miles they passed rapidly along, feasting their eyes upon the most imposing and romantic scenery. On either side were towering mountains, solemn forests and pleasant glades, where the beams of the setting sun crept gently, and rested lovingly on the soft greensward. Involuntarily their thoughts wandered back to the time when our country, untenanted by the palefaces, with all its picturesque love

liness, was the home and property of the red man; when he roamed through its vast solitudes, undaunted by fears of a race then unknown to him, which has since become his pitiless persecutor. They caught themselves gazing pityingly at their companions, almost fancying that their musings partook of a similar nature, for their dark faces were grave and thoughtful, and their song had died on their lips. Twilight stole upon them, and with it thoughts and scenes of things far distant, home and kindred, and they were silent, for their fancies would not clothe themselves in words.

The voice of the pilot broke the stillness, as he proposed seeking some spot on shore, on which to pass the night. They acquiesced, and the men paddled more slowly, while he searched from side to side for a landing place. Suddenly he pointed in a certain direction, and whispered between his closed teeth, hist! and following with their eyes, they saw a light smoke rising from the tops of the trees. He consulted the men in whispers a few moments, and then turned the head of the canoe, towards the spot. Slowly and cautiously they floated on, and a sort of panic seized upon the two spectators, and their recollection called before them deeds of horror, done in places and under circumstances less suited to their performance than this. At length they shot into a little nook, and the men rested upon their paddles. Before them, near a large fire, sat an Indian man and woman, so intent upon what seemed to be cooking, that the intruders dropped noiselessly along to within thirty yards of them before they were discovered. When their eyes rested upon them, they started to their feet, and a loud, sharp 'ugh!' rang through the forest. With his rifle pointed at the boat, the man glided to a tree, and skulked from one to another till quite near it, when he sprang into a thicket and disap

peared, much to their relief, for they had each instant expected that one of the party would fall by the deadly aim of the savage. It would have been a rich subject for Cooper, with his peculiar genius, to dwell upon. The crew seemed perfectly undisturbed by the aspect of affairs, sitting quietly through the scene, and then walking composedly towards the fire, where they were in a few moments joined by the strange Indian. They stood together for several moments, apparently without speaking, when the pilot went to the shore, and motioned the occupants of the boat to come forward. The strangers watched them closely, but allowed them to advance without interruption, probably convinced of their inoffensiveness. After a time, the woman stole out from among the trees, and, seating herself beside her husband, they were both soon quite friendly. They presented their visitors with some wapatoes, which they had roasted, which, although they were not as delicious as the best of potatoes, as their appetites were sharpened, tasted well.

After supper, they were sufficiently wearied to sleep, and therefore drew the canoe ashore, and in it composed themselves to rest under the shelter of blankets. They slept sweetly and undisturbed till nearly sunrise, when they were awakened by the rocking of the boat, and found that by the rising of the tide, they were almost afloat.

After breakfast they were again on their way, and had not been long on the river, when they passed the tree, high in the branches of which, was lodged the body of the "petrified or preserved sister." The story, although it carried with it a strong appearance of improbability, the doctor had no inclination to disbelieve, as he afterwards heard it repeatedly from Mr. Birney and Dr. Townsend, who were at the time travelling through the country with Mr. Nutall, the

famous botanist, and others who were acquainted with the facts, for a tale of truth.

Near the place, several years previous, had lived an Indian family, of which little was known, save the following

circumstance:

A daughter, perhaps between sixteen and eighteen years of age, was afflicted with a long and painful illness. She had a brother, by whom she was passionately beloved, who would sit hours by her bedside, clasping her hand in his, and bending upon her looks of pity and affection. When she died, his distress and grief knew no bounds, and he had her obsequies performed in a manner entirely differing from the usual custom of the tribe. She was dressed in her holyday robes and ornaments, placed carefully upon mats in a canoe, and suspended in the topmost boughs of an alder. So far as can be learned, this people are unacquainted with any art of embalming, and there is, therefore, no reason for supposing that the youth resorted to such means; but certain it is, that he visited her weekly, mourning over the dear remains; and after some time elapsed, he announced that he did not believe his sister was dead, as she had not begun to decay in the least. The friends repaired to the spot, and found it as he had said, that not the slightest trace of decomposition could be discovered. This phenomenon continued for seven or eight years, at which time Dr. Townsend happening to hear the wonderful stories of the "young girl who had been petrified by a brother's tears," determined to obtain a sight of her. This he succeeded in doing unobserved, and found the body in a most perfect state of preservation, wearing, in every particular, a semblance of youth and freshness. He was stricken with amazement, and immediately resolved to steal her away and bring her to the