COLUBIBIA RIVER. 345 



made of thick planks and joists, about fifteen feet in length, set with 

 one end in the ground, to protect them from attack. 



The Indians of this region even now make war upon each other on 

 the most trivial occasion, and for the most part to satisfy individual 

 revenge. The Hudson Bay Company's officers possess and exert a 

 most salutary influence, endeavouring to preserve peace at all hazards. 

 It is now quite safe for a white man to pass in any direction through 

 the part of the country where their posts are, and in case of accident 

 to any white settler, a war-party is at once organized, and the offender 

 is hunted up. About a year previous to our arrival, an Indian was 

 executed at Astoria for the murder of a white man, whom he had 

 found asleep, killed, and stolen his property. 



He was taken, tried, found guilty, and executed in the presence of 

 most of the settlers. The culprit was a slave, and it was some time 

 before the chief to whom he belonged would give him up. It was 

 proved on the trial, and through the confession of the slave, that he 

 had stolen the property and committed the murder by orders of his 

 master, who took all the stolen goods. The master made his escape 

 when he found his agency had been discovered ; and I understood 

 that he kept himself aloof from all the Company's posts, until the 

 matter should be forgotten. 



As the tide had risen so much as to render it difficult to walk along 

 the beach, we returned to Mr. Frost's in a crazy canoe, and were 

 very near being upset. Had this accident happened, it must have 

 proved fatal to some of us in the strong tide that was running ; we 

 therefore felt much relieved to get again to the beach. After par- 

 taking of Mrs. Frost's good cheer, we returned to Astoria, much 

 pleased with our day's jaunt. 



On the Clatsop beach, we saw a great number of dead fish. Mr. 

 Burnie informed me, that they were thrown up in great numbers 

 during the autumn ; and were supposed to be killed by a kind of 

 worm, generated in their stomachs. 



On the 28th, the Company's barques Cowlitz and Columbia, were 

 in sight : the former bound for Oahu, the latter for Sitka. By the 

 former, we sent letters for home. 



Our Indians having recovered from their fatigue, I resolved to 

 proceed with Mr. Drayton to Vancouver, leaving Mr. Waldron to 

 await the arrival of the Peacock, and to recruit from his sickness. 

 We embarked at noon, having Mr. Burnie with us, to join the vessels 



VOL. IV. 87 



