United States, where he was certain she would be to him of immense value, as, never within his knowledge, had such a wonder been exhibited there. He accomplished the business so far as getting the corpse from the tree, and even conveying it to Astoria, where Mr. Birney was fearful of the consequences, if the act was detected. The sequel showed his apprehensions were justifiable; for, in a day or two, the brother, on his first visit to the tree, discovered that the canoe was vacant, and immediately suspected Dr. Townsend, or some of the whites, for none of his own race would be guilty of disturbing the repose of the dead. Transported with rage and grief, he immediately assembled a band of braves, and, armed and horridly painted, they presented themselves at the door of the fort, and he demanded the body of his sister. At first Dr. Townsend disclaimed all knowledge of it, but upon Mr. Birney's representing to him the danger they incurred, himself especially, as they firmly declared they would sacrifice him to their vengeance, he reluctantly consented to its delivery. They received the corpse with every demonstration of reverence, and, carrying it back, deposited it in its former resting place, where it was not again disturbed. It was now supposed that the situation of the body, so high in the air, and the sea at no great distance, the saltness of the atmosphere prevented putrescency having any power over it, CHAPTER VII. Indian Village-Kindness of an Indian Woman-New kind of Umbrella-Accident-Meeting with Dr. Talmie-Killing an EagleArrival at the Fort--Garden and Plantation-Arrival of the DianaMr. Jason Lee-Raillery of Miss Pitman-Mr. Lee's IntroductionLeaving the Fort-Captain Hinckley's officiousness-Laughable arrangement-Boat races-Conclusion respecting Mr. Lee-Putting in for the night-Supper and walk-Pond-Pleasant sail-Willamette Falls-A tradition-Bargain-Portage-Elk Bluff-Pudding River-Arrival at Battens de porte McKoys-Letter-Departure for the Mission-Delightful journey-Arrival at their destination-Miss Downing and Mr. Shepherd-His appearance-Two thousand two hundred miles journey ended-First dinner. NEAR the tree connected with the foregoing tale, the river abounded in small islands, which, during the June freshets and flood tides, were nearly hidden from sight. The valley or bottom of the river here was wide, but the channel narrow, winding and difficult. Towards noon, the voyagers arrived in sight of an Indian hamlet, which consisted of a row of buildings, if I may so call them, not less than a hundred feet in length, and perhaps thirty in width, formed by planting in the ground poles, perhaps twenty-five feet long, notching the ends, with others extending from each to each, and placing against them barks, the whole resembling the roof of a house. Towards this pilot George directed the crew to row, and as they approached the shore, large numbers of both sexes and all sizes, flocked to the beach. They seemed to be in a state of great poverty and destitution. Their slight clothing was of skins, and almost their only food salmon. One of the women seeing the child, came forward with a large piece of fish in her hand, the grease trickling through her brown fingers, and offered it to him. After some little repugnance, Mrs. White took it and gave it to Silas, who, with less fastidiousness than his mother, eagerly devoured it. They tarried here but a short time, and had been on the river an hour longer, when the heat was so excessive, that Mrs. White suffered extremely with sickness and head-ache. They now felt the need of an umbrella, which they had been unable to get from the vessel, for they were destitute of any screen to shield them from the scorching rays. They pushed to the shore, and, procuring branches of the yew, fastened them to a staff. From the shade of this they experienced sensible relief, and the Indians chaunting a low, mellow song, a drowsiness crept over the senses of Mrs. White, and, yielding to the soothing influence, she fell into a refreshing sleep. Towards evening a light breeze sprang up, and they hoisted a sail. This was done by fastening a blanket to a long pole, in imitation of the mainmast of a ship. As the wind freshened, they raised another similar, which very much increased their speed. As they were passing round a sharp point, a puff of wind struck one of the sails, and, loosening a corner, turned the canoe far on its side, imminently endangering the safety of its occupants, and giving them a hearty fright. At this moment Dr. Talmie, from the fort above, hove in sight, on his way to the Cowerlitz settlement. He saw the accident, and hastened to the spot, without the expectation of finding a single survivor, and assuring them that it was little less than a miracle that they were saved. They found him a pleasant, intelligent young man. His cordiality and friendship interested them much; and their past danger was forgotten in the happiness of meeting him. He informed them that they were about thirty miles from their destination, and after a cheerful chat with him, they separated, much pleased with their short interview. The river now gradually widened; the hills were not so high, and they passed many ash and elm swamps, which, like the islands during the June freshets, were completely inundated. During the other parts of the year, they are very valuable for grazing purposes, as rushes grow there in great abundance, but are nearly useless for cultivation. As they sailed on, they saw, far up the river, a speck in the sky, which they observed with much curiosity; it enlarged as it neared them, and finally proved to be an eagle, the first they had seen. It alighted on a large tree at some distance, and the Indians paddled swiftly towards it, till within fifty or sixty yards, when, with characteristic Indian stealthiness, they floated silently a few moments, while one of them prepared his gun to fire. The noble bird sat proudly in his lofty station, unaware of approaching danger, and our friends looked on him with pity, as he received the deadly contents of the weapon. For a moment he sat motionless, when he suddenly toppled and wavered, and then came hurtling over and over through the air to the ground. With a shout of triumph, his destroyer leaped ashore to secure his prize. This, however, he did not find easy; for the bird was yet alive, and, even in his death-throes, singularly strong, and fought desperately a long time. At last he succeeded in killing him, and they found him unusually large, meas uring from tip to tip of his extended wings, nearly nine feet. His piercing eyes, noble white head, and majestic form, interested the spectators. They an- The shades of evening were now falling around them, and they sped rapidly towards the fort, which they reached about midnight, thoroughly wearied; the monotony of the solitary, gloomy evening's journey, unbroken, save by the repeated firing of heavy muskets, to apprise its inhabitants of their approach. The noise rolled and reverberated like thunder through the hills, awakening the echoes, and returning with singular effect. The crew took possession of their effects, and pilot George led the way to the gate, little more than half a mile distant. They rapped loudly at the portal, and were answered from within by the barking of dogs. In a few moments they heard a heavy step, and a gruff voice roughly demanded "who's there!" swered that they were strangers from the states. was thrown open, and they were admitted by Captain Holmes, commander of the ship Vancouver, who was afterwards drowned in the pilot boat at Fort George. They were next politely introduced to John McLaughlin, president of the Hudson's Bay Company west of the Rocky Mountains. This dignified, white-headed old gentleman, was kind and affable in his manners, and had a thousand questions to ask, particularly of the difficulty between the United States and England, upon the Maine question, which was just then breaking out. Refreshments were ordered, and they sat down to a plain but excellent board; after which the steward spread their mats and blankets upon the birth-like fixtures, then the only beds of the country, and they retired for the night. The next morning they rose early, and on leaving the |