392 WALLAWALLA. 



power the two can exert over the direction of the boat. These men, 

 from long training, become very expert, and acquire a coolness and 

 disregard of danger that claim admiration, and astonishes those who 

 are unused to such scenes. 



To all appearance, there is seldom to be found a more laborious set 

 of men ; nor one so willing, particularly when their remuneration of 

 no more than seventeen pounds sterling a year, and the fare they 

 receive, are considered. The latter would be considered with us 

 incapable of supporting any human being. It consists of coarse un- 

 bolted bread, dried salmon, fat (tallow), and dried peas. I am satis- 

 fied that no American would submit to such food: the Canadian and 

 Iroquois Indians use it without murmuring, except to strangers, to 

 whom they complain much of their scanty pay and food. The dis- 

 cipline is strict, and of an arbitrary kind ; yet they do not find fault 

 with it. In Appendix XV., will be found one of the agreements of 

 the Hudson Bay Company. Very few of those who embark or join 

 this Company's service ever leave the part of the country they have 

 been employed in ; for after the expiration of the first five years, they 

 usually enlist for three more. This service of eight years in a life of 

 so much adventure and hazard, attaches them to it, and they generally 

 continue until they become old men ; when, being married, and 

 having families by Indian women, they retire under the auspices of 

 the Company, to some small farm, either on the Red or Columbia 

 rivers. There is no allowance stipulated for their wives or children ; 

 but one is usually made, if they have been useful. If a man dies, 

 leaving a family, although the Company is not under any obligation to 

 provide for them, they are generally taken care of. The officers of 

 the Company are particularly strict in preventing its servants from 

 deserting their wives ; and none can abandon them without much 

 secresy and cunning. In cases of this sort, the individual is arrested 

 and kept under restraint until he binds himself with security not to 

 desert his family. The chief officers of the Company hold the power 

 of magistrates over their own people ; and are bound to send fugitives 

 or criminals back to Canada for trial, where the courts take cogni- 

 zance of the offences. This perhaps is as salutary and effectual a 

 preventive against crime, as could be found, even if the courts were 

 at hand; for whether innocent or guilty, the individual must suffer 

 great loss by being dragged from the little property he possesses. 

 The community of old voyageurs, settled in Oregon, are thus con- 

 strained to keep a strict watch upon their behaviour; and, although 

 perhaps against their inclinations, are obliged to conform to the wishes 

 of those whose employ they have left. 



