Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1846-09-23
THE MIDNIG HIT RID E..
A TALE OF OREGON.

Some years ago, when the American Fur
Company and the Hudson's Bay traders
carried on powerful opposition in the wild
and rocky Oregonterritory, little forts were
erected, whence a commence in peltries was
made with the Indians. One Of these, in d
beautiful valley, by little stream, near the
Grand Bayou Salade-a great resort for
game of all kind was called Spokan Fort.
Its owner and governor, James Nc Pherson,
a Scotchman, had left home poor lad, but
with the characteristic perseverance of his
tcountrymen, had acquired wealth. Pushing
into those wilds, his enterprise and sagacity
had enabled him to compete with all his
rivals in their exciting and hazardous trade.
1t is the constant study, Of opposition
companies and traders to out-general each
other, and these efforts give rise to super.
human exertion, tending to sharpen the
wits of oil concerned in sensible manner.
| He who shows the greatest knowledge Of
Indian tastes, of haunts. of the beaver and
buffalo, Of times to move, and times to- go
into winter quarters, is reto make the bes.
campaign.
[rltswas abouttwo years after the establish
ment Of the fort, and when all were ID
Ifnefivify and Bus: u, that Edward Ray, u
Louisianian, obtained an appointment under
the owner, and had conveyed from New
Orleans, cargo of merchandise for the
company In addition, he had taken to
rejoin her father, Miss Nc Pherson, with a
female attendant So long and peculiar
journey-up the Mississippi, and across the
bluffs and grassy plains, and over the Rocky
Mountains-necessarily made the young
people intimate, and unreAectingly,' a
mutual affection had arisen between them.
Arrived at their journeys end, Ray became
a clerk, and the heiress presided over her
fathers establishment. Whatever were
her feelings, the poor clerk never sought to
learn; and so reserved and taciturn was he,
that the young girl thought herself deceived
lin him. Ray was not of sanguine turn,
and seeing no means of raising to a level
with his master, he allowed despondency to
unnervehisspirit. Faithful to his trust, YET
he made no advances.
Some months after his arrival, a time ap-
preached for regular meeting with the In
dians, when the whole fortune of the year
would be decided. ltwas usual to appoint q
place for the natives to collect their beaver
and other skins, where tho traders repaired,
and whoever offered the best prices obtained
the best market. Two days before the ap.
pointed time, the inmates of the fort were
seated at their evening meal. Nc cPherson
his daughter, Ray, and three other clerks
were heartily discussing the wild deiicacies
spread before them, when hustle was
heard without, and soon halCbred huntel
appeared on the threshold. 81 l42 ,ts,is
4 "Whut news, Nickq" said Nc Pherson
who recognized in the intruder scout sen
out to learn the proceedings of the riva
traders.
iassBad," said Nick, "Master Sublette 90
ahead Of Spokan; Indians at camp plenty
of beaver. Master Sublette buy up all, bu
him got no tobacco, SO he send away t,
Brown for some-lhen smoke, and buy al
the beaver"
| "Why, that is good news" said the ira
der, "if Sublette has no tobacco, all is right
We have plenty /; and not an Indian will
sell skin till he has had a good puff atth'
pipe Of peace. So up my men! you mus
away and out-general Sublette, by taking
Johnson good supply Of the weed"
".All very fine," said Nick, shaking hi
head, shut Sublette know trick or two o
that; a hundred Blackfeet laying in th,
woods, not get through them till the marke
is over" ID. ..s,s. q.;.,. ,.,..
u "The Blackfeet9 then we are beat
n What's to be done 2" cried Nc Pherson.
"How many bales will doa'' said Ray.
"IfJohnson, our agent, had but one, re
piled the responding trader, ''all would b
: right. 1t is impossible, however, and thi
\. year is lost to me-" . $50, 81
ssBy no MEANS" said Ray rising, all hi
| native energy beaming in his eye, "Johr
son shall have a bale, or my scalp wi
hang. in Blackfoot hut before morning.
+ ssEdward!" exclaimed Mary MCPHERSON
r with an alarmed glance.