The Hovie of the Wolverene and Beaver. 199 



hostility it should be uncorked, and the afifrighted 

 natives departed, having bestowed upon the wily 

 Scotchman the title of "the great small-pox chief." 



Danger being removed by this artifice, the settlers 

 continued building and strengthening their factory, 

 and. also put together the little schooner, whose 

 frame had been landed from the Touqiiin. She 

 was christened the Dolly, and launched with much 

 ceremony on the 2nd of October, 181 r. The 

 year gradually wore away, the winter rains beat 

 down pitilessly and furiously on Astoria, swelling 

 brooks into rivers, and the river into a mighty 

 surging sea. The last day of December came, and 

 still no relief had reached them, save only four 

 men whom gallant David Stuart hnd sent down 

 from the Oakanagan, remaining in that lonely 

 wilderness with only Mr. Ross and two other 

 subordinates. On that closing day of the year the 

 rain, as out of pity, ceased, and the new year was 

 heralded by a glorious sunshine, at sight of which 

 the hearts of the lonely men were warmed, and 

 with the aid of a little extra rum and flour a feast 

 and dance were got up, and amidst the firing of 

 cannon and other harmless festivities the infant 

 18 12 was ushered in. 



Into all the particulars of the overland expedition 

 under Mr. Hunt I am unable to enter here, but can 



