CHAPTER XV

Arrival of a Number of Canoes of the Northwest Company--Sale of the Establishment at Astoria to that Company--{14} Canadian News--Arrival of the British Sloop-of-War “Raccoon”--Accident on Board that Vessel--The Captain takes Formal Possession of Astoria--Surprise and Discontent of the Officers and Crew--Departure of the “Raccoon” 294

Expeditions to the Interior--Return of Messrs. John Stuart and D. M’Kenzie--Theft committed by the Natives--War Party against the Thieves 303

Description of Tongue Point--A Trip to the _Willamet_--Arrival of W. Hunt in the Brig Pedlar--Narrative of the Loss of the Ship Lark--Preparations for crossing the Continent 312

Situation of the Columbia River--Qualities of its Soil--Climate, &c.--Vegetable and Animal Productions of the Country 317

Manners, Customs, Occupations, &c., of the Natives on the River Columbia 324

Manners and Customs of the Natives continued--Their Wars-- Their Marriages--Medicine Men--Funeral Ceremonies-- Religious Notions--Language 329