With this worthy tribe of Chinooks the two partners passed a part of the day very agreeably.  M’Dougal, who was somewhat vain of his official rank, had given it to be understood that they were two chiefs of a great trading company, about to be established here, and the quick-sighted, though one-eyed chief, who was somewhat practiced in traffic with white men, immediately perceived the policy of cultivating the friendship of two such important visitors.  He regaled them, therefore, to the best of his ability, with abundance of salmon and wappatoo.  The next morning, April 7th, they prepared to return to the vessel, according to promise.  They had eleven miles of open bay to traverse; the wind was fresh, the waves ran high.  Comcomly remonstrated with them on the hazard to which they would be exposed.  They were resolute, however, and launched their boat, while the wary chieftain followed at some short distance in his canoe.  Scarce had they rowed a mile, when a wave broke over their boat and upset it.  They were in imminent peril of drowning, especially Mr. M’Dougal, who could not swim.  Comcomly, however, came bounding over the waves in his light canoe, and snatched them from a watery grave.

They were taken on shore and a fire made, at which they dried their clothes, after which Comcomly conducted them back to his village.  Here everything was done that could be devised for their entertainment during three days that they were detained by bad weather.  Comcomly made his people perform antics before them; and his wives and daughters endeavored, by all the soothing and endearing arts of women, to find favor in their eyes.  Some even painted their bodies with red clay, and anointed themselves with fish oil, to give additional lustre to their charms.  Mr. M’Dougal seems to have had a heart susceptible to the influence of the gentler sex.  Whether or no it was first touched on this occasion we do not learn; but it will be found, in the course of this work, that one of the daughters of the hospitable Comcomly eventually made a conquest of the great eri of the American Fur Company.

When the weather had moderated and the sea became tranquil, the one-eyed chief of the Chinooks manned his state canoe, and conducted his guests in safety to the ship, where they were welcomed with joy, for apprehensions had been felt for their safety.  Comcomly and his people were then entertained on board of the Tonquin, and liberally rewarded for their hospitality and services.  They returned home highly satisfied, promising to remain faithful friends and allies of the white men.

CHAPTER IX.

     Point George—­Founding of Astoria—­Indian Visitors.—­Their
     Reception.—­The Captain Taboos the Ship.—­Departure of the
     Tonquin.—­Comments on the Conduct of Captain Thorn.

From the report made by the two exploring partners, it was determined that Point George should be the site of the trading house.  These gentlemen, it is true, were not perfectly satisfied with the place, and were desirous of continuing their search; but Captain Thorn was impatient to land his cargo and continue his voyage, and protested against any more of what he termed “sporting excursions.”