McLOUGHLIN AND THE IMMIGRANTS 281
away hungry," answered the boatmen. Some had cut off their buckskin pants time and again to mend their worn-out foot-gear, so with garments scarce covering their knees, with ragged blankets tied with a string about their necks, "tatterdemalions worse clad than the army in Flanders," they knocked at the gate.
"Where can we get some provisions?"
"Goo to Dooctor Maglooglin," was the Scotch warder's answer, pointing to the office.
A large and dignified elderly gentleman with magnificent head and benevolent countenance came immediately forward and shook one after another by the hand. " Are there many left behind? "he inquired, plucking some grapes and handing them to his guests.
"Hundreds, hundreds. This is only the vanguard," was the answer.
"So many?" exclaimed the doctor, nervously. " The season is late. I fear the poor people will suffer, but I will do what I can to prevent it. Come in. Come right in." Hurriedly turning into the office he sat down at a small table.
"Stand in a line," he said, tapping the desk with a quill pen. The men stepped into place the line reached nearly around the room.
"Last year," said the doctor, "I furnished the immigrants with food and clothing here at the fort, but now that we have established a trading-house at Oregon City, you can get most of your supplies there. Provisions for immediate necessity you can obtain here."
"But, sir," broke in several, "we have no money. We don't know when or how we can pay you."
"Tut, tut, tut! Never mind that. You can't suffer," said the doctor. Glancing at the head man, "Sir,
