Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1911-07-27

I WIS on my way on . canoe voy-
are ND the wide Columbia, not far
above the point where IL receives its.
greatest lower tributary, the VIII
lamette, when all at once \ heard the
see the cloud OF blue smoke still hang
ing over the surface Of the water.
Slowly there swung into view an
ocean-going vessel under steam and
auxiliary canvas. She made d gal
liant spectacle. But whose ship was
sheg I examined her colors anxiously
enough. caught the import of her
ensign. She dew the British Union
Jack!
England had won the race by sea!
Something of the ships outline
seemed to me familiar. / knew the
set of her short masts, the pitch OF
her smoke-staeks, the number of her
guns. Yes, she was the Modesto Of
the English navy-the same ship
which more than year before had
seen at anchor of Montreal!
News travels fast in wild countries,
and it took us little time to learn the
destination of the Modesto. She came
to anchor above Oregon City, and well
below Fort Vancouver At once, of
course, her officers made formal calls
upon DR. Mclaughlin, the factor at
Fort Vancouver, and accepted head of
the British elements whereabouts Two
weeks passed in rumors and counter
rumors, and vastly dangerous ten
sion existed in all the American set
Elements, because word was spread
that England had sent a ship to Gust
us. Then came to myself and certain
others at Oregon City messengers
from peace-loving DR.. Mclaughlin,
asking us to join him In little cele-
bration In honor of the arrival OF her
majesty's vessel.
Here at last was news; but 1t was
news not wholly to my liking which I
soon unearthed. The Modesto was
but one ship of Isl A feet OF LIS YES
sells, 400 guns, then lay in Puget sound
The watch-dogs of Great Britain were
at our doors. This question of mon
archy and the republic was not yet
settled, after all!
/ pass the story Of the banquet at
Fort Vancouver, because 1t is un-
pleasant to recite the difficulties of a
kindly host who finds himself with
iarring elements at his board Pre-
cisely this was the situation OF white
haired Dr. Mclaughlin of Fort Van
couver. IL was an incongruous as
sembly in the first place. The officers
OF the British navy attended In the
splendor of their uniforms, glittering
in braid and gold. Even DR. McLaugh-
lin made brave display, as was his
wont, in his regalia OF dark blue cloth
and shining buttons--his noble fea-
lures and long, snow-white hair ma
king him, the most lordly figure OF
them ALL AS for us Americans, lean
and brown, with hands hardened by
toll, our wardrobes scattered over a
thousand miles OF trail, buckskin
tunics made our coats, and moccasins
our boots. / have seen some noble
gentlemen 50 clad in my day.
It was. IS may be supposed, late In
the night when our somewhat discord-
ant banqueting party broke up. We
were all housed, az was the hospitable
fashion OF the country, In the scattered
log buildings which nearly always
hedge In western fur-trading post.
The quarters assigned me lay across
the open space, or what might be
called the parade ground OF Fort Van
couver, fianked by DR. McLaughlin's
four little cannon.
As / made my way home. stumbling
among the stnmps In the dark, passed
many semi-drunken Indians and yoy-
ageurs, TO whom special liberty had
been accorded IN view Of the occasion.
all OF them nov engaged In singing
the praises Of the "King George" men
as against the "Bostons."
was almost at nay cabin door ut
the edge OF the forest frontage at the
rear OF the old post. when / caught
glimpse. In the dim light, OF q hurry
ing figure, which in some way seemed
to be different from the blanket-cov-
cred sGuaws who stalked here and
there about the post grounds. She
passed steadily on toward 3 long and
low log cabin, located short dis
lance beyond the quarters which had
been assigned to me. saw her step
up to the door and heard her knock:
then there came food Of light-mor
light than was usual In the opening
door OF q frontier cabin. This dis
played the figure Of the night walker,
showing her tall and gaunt and little
stopped; so that, after all, took her
to be only one Of our American from
tier women, being quite sure that she
was not Indian or half-breed.
This emboldened me, on q mere
ehancean act whose mental origin
could not have traced to step up to
the door after II had been closed, and
myself to knock thereat
heard women's voices within, and
As knocked the door opened Just
trifie on Its chain saw appear at
the crack the face Of the woman
whom had followed.
She was, a. / had believed, old and
~ IN Ax4n@ m&S@ - &a~m !. .xx.x =