COLUMBIA RIVER. 



349 



march we first entered a wood of large pines, which had an under- 

 growth of various flowering shrubs. The old stumps in the road 

 were overgrown with the red honeysuckle, in full blossom. Lupines 

 and other flowers grow even in the roadway. 



We came in at the back part of the village, which consists of about 

 fifty comfortable log houses, placed in regular order on each side of 

 the road. They are inhabited by the Company's servants, and were 

 swarming with children, whites, half-breeds, and pure Indians. The 

 fort stands at some distance beyond the village, and to the eye ap- 

 pears like an upright wall of pickets, twenty-five feet high : this 

 encloses the houses, shops, and magazines of the Company. The 

 enclosure contains about four acres, which appear to be under full 

 cultivation. Beyond the fort, large granaries were to be seen. At one 

 end is Dr. M'Laughlin's house, built after the model of the French 

 Canadian, of one story, weather-boarded and painted white. It has a 

 piazza and small flower-beds, with grape and other vines, in front. 

 Between the steps are two old cannons on sea-carriages, with a few 

 shot, to speak defiance to the natives, who no doubt look upon them 

 as very formidable weapons of destruction. I mention these, as they 

 are the only warlike instruments to my knowledge that are within 

 the pickets of Vancouver, which diff"ers from all the other forts in 

 having no bastions, galleries, or loop-holes. Near by are the rooms 

 for the clerks and visiters, with the blacksmiths' and coopers' shops. 

 In the centre stands the Roman Catholic chapel, and near by the 

 flag-staff"; beyond these again are the stores, magazines of powder, 

 warerooms, and offices. 



&!i- 



JkiiMiMMmi^^b: 



FORT VANCOUVER. 



We went immediately to Dr. M'Laughlin's quarters. He was not 

 within, but we were kindly invited to enter, with the assurance that 

 he would soon return. Only a few minutes elapsed before Dr. 

 M'Laughlin came galloping up, having understood that we had pre- 



voL. IV. 88 



