The Home of the Wolverene and Beaver. 121 



man, barely two-and-twenty, and many a time has 

 he described to me that trip down the American 

 rivers. The Yankees rubbed their eyes with as- 

 tonishment as the strange craft swept down the 

 Hudson, the paddles flashing in the sunshine, and 

 the echoes ringing to the eliansons of the crew, who 

 in their blanket capotes, striped shirts, moccassins 

 and variegated belts, looked utter savages to the 

 sober farmers. And when they reached New York, 

 and paddled like lightning round the harbour, the 

 delight of the citizens knew no bounds, and their 

 amazement was increased when the canoe touched 

 the shore, and the crew having jumped out, my 

 father and another voyageur tossed her on to their 

 shoulders and walked her up to Mr. Astor's house, 

 as though she had been a feather. 



" Tht name of the vessel that was to transport 

 the sea party to the Columbia River was the 

 Tonquin, a ship of 300 tons, mounting several 

 guns, and commanded by Captain Thorn, a name 

 my poor father disliked even to hear mentioned. 

 On the 6th of September, 18 10, the Tonquin sailed 

 from New York, having on board fifty-five souls — 

 twenty-two belonging to the ship, the remaining 

 thirty-three passengers. Hardly had the vessel got 

 into blue water before the tyrannical disposition 

 of the captain manifested itself in bis ordering all 



