Chapter V

Preparations for landing—Site of the new emporium of the west—
Astor’s representative—Hard work—Huge trees—Natives—Comecomly—
Mode of felling the trees—Danger—Trying scenes—Three {ix} men
killed—Three wounded—Party reduced by sickness—Disaffection—
Conduct of the deputy—Desertion—Mr. Astor’s policy—Climate—Indian
rumours—Comecomly’s intrigues and policy—Trip to the cascades—Mr.
M‘Kay and north-west notions—Anecdote—Exploring party to the
north—Several persons killed—Hostile threats of the Indians—
Potatoes and other seeds planted—New building—Astoria—Departure
of the ship—Dangerous situation of the whites—Great assemblage of
Indians—People under arms—Blunderbuss accident—Alarming moment—
Two strangers arrive—Mr. Thompson at Astoria—M‘Dougall’s policy—
The two great functionaries 88