i65 



CHAPTER VIII. 



THINK, Monsieur Paul, that I left 

 off last night having brought the 

 To7iqinn safely to an anchor in the 

 Columbia River. Well, for sorae 

 days the adventurers looked about for 

 a suitable spot on which to build the depot, 

 and finally selected a rising piece of ground 

 distant about twelve miles from the bar 

 that had proved fatal to eight of their number. 

 On the 1 2th of April, 1811, the whole party 

 joyfully quitted the ship and the iron rule of 

 Captain Thorn, to encamp on shore. I say joy- 

 fully only insomuch as it applies to escaping 

 from the tyranny of the captain, for the recent 

 disasters had cast a gloom over all, and even my 

 father's light heart was oppressed by melancholy 

 forebodings, which the character of the surrounding 

 country was little calculated to allay. In front lay 

 the inlet with its frowning and rocky shores, whilst 

 the ever-foaming breakers on the distant bar were 

 clearly visible to the west. On the other hand the 



