plied instanter, without considering the sex of his listener, "Why, yes, feathers and all!" She laughed merrily at the oddity of the expression, and said in her own language, “O that is too bad, but I guess we can fix you something." Accordingly, the fowl was stripped, quartered, and prepared for the kettle; and although the fire burned briskly, it was then, if ever, that the hungry man realised the truth of the trite saying, "A watched pot never boils." When it was done, he seized upon it, and never was duck despatched in less time by one person; and it was a most delicious morsel, for it seemed but a morsel. While thus engaged, his kind friend prepared for him a bed in the canoe, and she afterwards used to laugh as she told that his head had hardly touched the blanket pillow, ere he was snoring lustily. They arrived at her residence about midnight, and had hardly stepped inside the door, when she called a slave boy, and commanded him to catch up the race-horse immediately. Meanwhile she set before her visitor, milk, pork, potatoes and bread, and he had just finished a hasty repast, when the horse galloped into the yard. Mrs. Bilake then led him to the door, and with a tearful eye, and quivering lip, said, "Mrs. White is not far from frightened to death about you. I have ordered a good horse for you, do not spare him, return to your family as fast as he can carry you." With a grateful heart he mounted; the gallant steed bounded off in the calm light of a full moon; and about three o'clock he arrived at the mission, and enjoyed the happiness of embracing his family, who had become very much alarmed at his prolonged absence.

CHAPTER XI.

Ladies' employments-Hard Fare-Mr. Leslie's arrival, and also Mr. Perkins's Close quarters-New house-Hearth-Wolves-Doctor White treed-Mrs. White's weapon-Cowardice of the animalsThe two species of wolves-Anecdotes-Antelope hunt or "circling"-Swarming-Marriage of Miss Johnson and Mr. Perkins— Winter rains-Missionary meeting-Political convention—Mr. Lee's return to the United States-Reasons-Missionary efforts at the Dalles-Revival at the mission-Startling report-Death of Mrs. Lee and her babe-Drowing of George-His former escape from death on the Seneca Lake-Mrs. Whitman's little girl drownedCoincidence.

DURING the summer the ladies divided their labors as follows: Miss Johnson taught the school, Mrs. Shepherd attended to the cutting, making, and repairing of the children's clothing. Mrs. White and Mrs. Lee were made overseers of the cooking, and other domestic matters; though the cooking was not very laborious or extensive, as the fare that season consisted of salt salmon, some pork, pea soup, and once a week bread, and as often butter. On the tenth of September, Mr. Leslie arrived at the mission with his wife and three interesting little daughters. He was accompanied by Mr. Perkins, to whom Miss Johnson was betrothed. There was some difficulty in accommodating the new comers, but they were obliged to enter the house with the old inmates, already numerous. This enlarged the family to sixty members, and made Mrs. White anxious to remove to their own house, which they did in a few days, al

though it was not in a fit condition for inhabitants. There was no chimney in it, and but roof enough to cover a bed; a few loose boards for a floor, and one side was entirely unenclosed. As nearly all their cooking utensils were yet at Fort Vancouver, they were obliged to boil the meat and. potatoes in a tin kettle, in the open air. However, the chimney was soon built, and as there was no suitable stone within several miles, the hearth was made of clay and ashes, which, after drying, became measurably, though not perfectly, hardened. But one of Mrs. White's greatest domestic privations was, that she could never wash her hearth, as in this country; for, even by sweeping, it would have to be removed every two or three months. In a few days the roof was completed, the house sided, and their dwelling made very comfortable.

After this, their greatest annoyance was the howling of wolves about the house during the nights. This seemed particularly frightful, as they were in rather a lonely situation, being at a mile's distance from any habitation, and the doctor was often absent. One night he left home to visit Mr. Shepherd, who was ill, and some of the sick mission children. At the time, Mrs. White was expecting his return about seven o'clock, she suddenly heard a burst of prolonged howls, in all their infernal variety, from the fine bark of the young to the hoarse yell of the elder wolves. She ran to the door and found that they came from the direction in which she supposed her husband to be. In the most absolute terror, she besought the two hired men to fly to his They laughed at her fears, and endeavored to reason her to composure. But the horrid din continued, and fancying she also heard a faint cry, she was unable to restrain her excited feelings, and snatching up a long pair of

rescue.

cooper's compasses, she sallied out into the prairie, accompanied by the men, armed with rifles. They ran swiftly, and in a few moments came near a large tree, around which were congregated a number of the monsters, in full chorus. At sight, the cowards retreated, and were soon beyond hearing, seemingly conscious of the approach of one possessing more lawful claim to their intended victim than themselvessneaking off, apparently ashamed and crest fallen. The doctor descended from his retreat, as much panic stricken as his rescuers. This he did not deny. He informed them that he had sat out from the mission determined to face every danger, with the fortitude becoming a man. On first starting, he picked up a large stick, and as he walked along, Quixote-like, brandished it valiently, with thoughts that it would be quite as well for the wolves to keep at respectful distance, if they wished to preserve unbroken heads. But when one of the dastards came within six feet of him, and by its call gathered others to the pursuit, he dropped his stick, and plied his heels with admirable dexterity, till the tree offered its friendly shelter, when he hallooed for help with all the force of his lungs. But in spite of his fears, he could not help smiling, when, on descending from the branches, he met Mrs. White, bearing the formidable weapon, with which she might have done such good service, if the varmints had only been in less haste to be gone.

The wolves of Oregon are divided into two classes: The prairie wolf is little larger than the common fox, somewhat resembling it, and is inoffensive, except in the destruction of poultry, pigs, and the young of herds. It is very common. The others are three or four times larger than this, and apparently altogether a different species. They are exceedingly voracious, and when banded together, in the night sea

son, fearfully formidable, often following herds of elk, wild horses, and buffaloes, as dogs do sheep in this country, seldom desisting till they have destroyed great numbers. One or two instances will serve to illustrate their indomitable per

severance:

One of these creatures pursued a noble stag, till overcome by fright and fatigue, it sought refuge in the mission yard, where the boys were milking. Another time, a party of seventy men of the Hudson's Bay Company, were at rendezvous, when a large, beautiful deer fled into the camp, chased by a wolf, and actually hid its head between the knees of one of the men, as if trustingly imploring protec

Its fear of the savage foe banishing its shyness of

thehuman race.

After the new arrivals, the old hive, as the mission house might be called, was too full for the convenience of its tenants, and sent forth several swarms in the course of a few weeks. Mr. Beers occupied a new house; Mr. Leslie another; leaving Mr. Whitcomb, and the families of Messrs. Lee and Shepherd, in sole possession of the mansion.

Mr. Perkins and Miss Johnson were soon married. The wedding took place at Mr. Leslie's, and was a very precise and genteel affair. The new couple took up their residence with Mr. Leslie. Thus they were all finally settled snugly in their new homes. The community was now quite large, and its members would have derived much enjoyment from each other's society, had not the falling of winter rains almost entirely cut off neighborly intercourse. Although the summers are so delightful and salubrious, the winters are extremely irksome and disagreeable, not from the falling of deep snow, as in this state, but the continuous, soaking rains.