beauty, and now had their fill of that kind of enjoyment, which is derived from contemplating her in her mildest mood and loveliest dress.

About the middle of the day they arrived at their destination, the ladies somewhat wearied with their long ride. Passing round the corner of a wood, they came in view of a large log house, at which a boy, who had met them on their way, pointed, saying, in broken English, "dat de mission.'

As they approached, a tall, fine looking man, in a brown linen frock, apparently about thirty-five years of age, came from the house. He started back on seeing them, and the blood rushed to his face, but it was too late to retreat, and he accordingly advanced to meet them. herd ?" mischievously whispered Mrs. Downing, Mr. Shepherd's bride elect. Daniel Lee," returned she. However, she soon introduced him as Mr. Shepherd.

"Is that Mr. ShepHinckley to Miss "It must be Mr.

The contrast in the dress of the two was laughably striking, and the purturbed face of the gentleman showed that he was aware of it. She had attired herself neatly and prettily, while he was clothed as I have mentioned. However, his apology was that he was not aware that they were quite so near. There were no ladies at the mission, so that he was obliged to make all the preparations for the expected arrival, and had apparelled himself according to his business.

The day was an era in the lives of our friends, and had not the number of sick demanded all their attention, their minds would have been engrossed by the reflection that their two thousand two hundred miles' journey was at length ended, and sombre forests and wide prairie were now to be their home for years, if not for life.

They had often wondered, as the two Lees and Mr. Shep

herd had kept bachelor's hall for several years, whether they would not be embarrassed in their arrangements, by the presence of ladies, and the thoughts again returned to their minds, as they awaited the dinner hour. The table was laid with a tidy brown linen cloth, bright tin plates, knives and forks, and they partook with much zest of fried venison, sausages, cheese, unbolted bread, butter and fried cakes, all of Mr. Shepherd's manufacture, and very nice. At dessert they were regaled with a bountiful dish of strawberries.

CHAPTER VIII.

Mr. Daniel Lee-Stroll in the garden-Its beauty-Accommodations -Mission children-Names-Sufferings of the chief-Improvements Miss Pitman and Mr. Lee-The two marriages.

JUST as they were sitting down to dinner, Mr. Daniel Lee entered the house and gave them a warm greeting. As he had been watching with the sick the night previous, thinking to shake off his dullness, he had wandered into the prairie, and after plucking a few berries, had thrown himself down under a tree and fallen asleep, where he had remained several hours, which was the reason for his not making his appearance sooner. His language was enthusiastic, as he spoke of the benefit likely to accrue from the reinforcement to the mission, and his glowing expressions cheered and encouraged them in no small degree. This gentleman was the nephew of Jason Lee, and had accompanied him on his first expedition to the Rocky Mountains; these two being the first missionaries ever sent to that country.

After the repast, they rambled through the garden, accompanied by Mr. Lee and half a dozen of the mission children. It was kept with more taste and neatness than the one at the fort, although that was older, and therefore its fruits more advanced; but the vegetables and flowers were quite as luxuriant and various. They were afterwards often amused by Gov. McLaughlin sending a huge beet, or a few rare specimens of fruit to Mr. Shepherd, challenging him to

produce their equal, which he more frequently excelled than otherwise.

The sick were strewed about the floor of the house on mats and blankets, from which might be inferred that they were not well accommodated; but their conveniences were as good as could be supplied in the small space occupied, for there were fifty-four whites and Indians together, under the roof, during the summer months, and the mansion was not of extraordinary dimensions, being forty feet by eighteen. It would be supposed that the general health would suffer in consequence; but it did not.

The mission children have been mentioned, and we will now return to them. There were, at that time, thirty-eight of them, principally orphans, which these benevolent men had rescued from great destitution, and were educating and instructing in the arts of civilized life, and some of them had made considerable advancement. For a time after their instalment with the whites, it was said they would exhibit all the restlessness characteristic of the race, and wander off to the prairies, often causing their kind protectors more trouble to retain than to feed and clothe them. Several were named after very grave individuals, such as Elijah Hedding, William Brooks, Nathan Bangs and Wilber Fisk. The careers of some of these were very eventful, especially William Brooks, who died in the states, and Elijah Hedding; but I will speak of them more fully another time. The night after the arrival of the new recruit, Dr. White was called to minister to a great chief, named Sonick, about two miles distant, who had been shot, while sleeping, by a slave; one ball carrying away a part of the under jaw, another wounding his breast, and a third entering his elbow and lodging in the palm of the hand. He was terribly mutila

ted, and all excepting the doctor despaired of his life, and he only entertaining a hope from his losing such a quantity of blood, thereby preventing inflammation. His physical sufferings were great, but his mental torture inexpressible, being in continual fear that his enemy would yet hunt him out and murder him. He lingered a long time and finally recovered, but a most pitiable looking object. A few weeks subsequent, a sickness began to be prevalent; and the doctor suspecting that it was caused by impure atmosphere, on carefully examining, found that large quantities of vegetable matter, which had been washed up by a river freshet, was in a state of decomposition. Also, about three hundred yards in front of the house, was a thick clump of wood, which prevented a free circulation of air from the prairie in its rear. With the help of the boys this was remedied, and the general health soon improved. They did not remove the timber entirely, but climbed into the trees, and with their hatchets lopped the branches, thereby accomplishing the object, and sparing the noble trees, which they were unwilling to sacrifice.

This grove has connected with it many interesting associations. Among them are the marriages of Mr. Lee and Miss Pitman, Mr. Shepherd and Miss Downing. From the moment that Mr. Lee and Miss Pitman so tamely submitted to Capt. Hinckey's orders at Fort Vancouver, an attachment sprang up between them. They were much in each other's society, and often indulged themselves in long rides on the prairies; notwithstanding all this, with so much secrecy were their affairs managed, that none knew whether there was anything more serious in the future, or not. With Miss Downing and Mr. Shepherd, it was different; all was open and frank; there was no difficulty in understanding their