106

KLATSASSAN.

TLE, A, WS)

A S S A N.
A TRUE STORY OF COLONIAL AND MISSIONARY LIFE.

By THE Rey. R. C. Lunp1In Browy,

VICAR OF LYNEAL-CUM-COLMERE, SALOP;

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THE ATTACK BY T

I.
OUR FIRST MEETING.

N a lovely autumn day in 1861, I was riding
through the “forest primeval” which ex-
tends along the left bank of the Upper
Fraser River, in British Columbia. My
destination was Fort Alexander, where I
was to hold-service next day, which was Sunday. In the
morning I had left William’s Lake—that region of ideal
loveliness, with its glorious pastures, its superb trout-
streams and its neyer-to-be-forgotten mosquitoes; and
now, having travelled more than forty miles, and seeing
no signs of any white men’s habitation, I began to feel
curious as to where I should pass the night, for darkness
was coming on apace. Presently, at some distance off
the trail, I noticed a light flittering amongst the trees.
Towards this I proceeded, and found it to be the nicht-
fire of an Indian encampment. Two stalwart Indians
were sitting by it, who sprang to their feet as I ap-
proached ; the rest of the band were asleep in their tents.

I explained who I was, and how I came to be there,
and then asked them for something to eat. They were
uncommonly gruff and disagreeable, but still had enough

LATE MISSIONARY IN BRITISH COLUMBIA.

= INDIANS.

| of humanity to produce what food they had, consisting of
some rather dirty, dried service-berries. Of these I par-
took but sparingly, and then, perceiving that my hosts
were rot much disposed for conversation, I said good-
night, and lay down by the camp-fire to sleep. Natu-
rally, I took care to keep half an eye open, not knowing
| what the Indians might take it into their heads to do:
although, in general, I feel tolerably safe amongst
Indians. Many a solitary traveller, indeed, has. been cut
| off by them for the sake of his blankets or what coin he
/might have on him, or to avenge some Redskin. But
| they rarely touch any one who is known in the country,
and whose death would be noticed and avenged ; least of
all a clergyman, for, like all men, they have a veneration
| for the office: call it superstition or call it natural reli-
| gion, the fact is undeniable.

Next morning I reached Fort Alexander. The canoe
in which I was paddled across the Fraser River was one
of the tiniest, and I was commanded to sit right in the

| bottom, to prevent her capsizing. The horse I towed
| behind, and right gallantly did he breast the powerful
| current. We landed close wnder the fort.

Fort Alexander is the chief post of the Hudson Bay