The Houie of the Wolverene and Beaver. 127 



the entreaties of the partners, the boat — a crazy, 

 unseaworthy little nutshell — was lowered and Mr. 

 Fox peremptorily ordered to proceed, in addition 

 to being taunted with his justifiable hesitation. 

 Before stepping into the boat the young man shook 

 hands with the partners, and said, ' My uncle was 

 drowned here not many years ago, and now I am 

 going to lay my bones with his.' And stepping 

 over the side he added, ' Farewell, my friends ; We 

 will perhaps meet again in the next world.' ^ 



" The sequel can be imagined. Mr. Fox, an 

 excellent sailor, was utterly unacquainted with the 

 language of the men under his command ; before 

 the boat had proceeded a hundred yards she be- 

 came unmanageable, presenting her broadside to 

 the sea, which threatened every moment to swallow 

 her up. Then the people in the ship, who were 

 anxiously watching her, saw a flag held up to 

 implore assistance. All the passengers crowded 

 round the captain and entreated him to save the 

 men ; his reply was an order to put the ship about, 

 and the boat was seen no more. 



" Mr. Gresham, my father was a good man, as 

 those who knew him best can testify — a good man, 

 a brave man, and one who would have scorned to 



* " Adventures of the first Settlers on the Oregon or Columbia 

 River," by Alexander Ross, one of the adventurers. — Page 55. 



