Page:The Columbia river , or, Scenes and adventures during a residence of six years on the western side of the Rocky Mountains among various tribes of Indians hitherto unknown (Volume 1).djvu/190

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set off at a smart trot in an easterly direction. We had not proceeded more than seven miles when I felt the bad effects of having eaten so much salmon after so long a fast. I had a severe attack of indigestion, and for two hours suffered extreme agony; and, but for the great attention of the kind Indians, I think it would have proved fatal. About an hour after recommencing our journey we arrived in a clear wood, in which, with joy unutterable, I observed our Canadians at work hewing timber. I rode between the two natives. One of our men named François Gardepie, who had been on a trading excursion, joined us on horseback. My deer-skin robe and sun-burnt features completely set his powers of recognition at defiance, and he addressed me as an Indian. I replied in French, by asking him how all our people were. Poor François appeared electrified, exclaimed "Saint Vierge!" and galloped into the wood, vociferating "O mes amis! mes amis! il est trouvé!—Oui, oui, il est trouvé!"—"Qui? qui?" asked his comrades. "Monsieur Cox! Monsieur Cox!" replied François. "Le voilà! le voilà!" pointing towards me. Away went saws, hatchets, and axes, and each man rushed forward to the tents, where we had by this time arrived. It is need-