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/72

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  • gaged in the Company's employment had received

permission to spend a day on shore: as they did not return that night, I accompanied Mr. Clarke the following morning in search of them; and after wandering about for some time, we discovered the party descending a hill near the village, each with a lass under his arm, their hats decorated with flowers, ribbons, and handkerchiefs, and a fifer and fiddler at their head, playing away merrily. They were all nearly "half-seas over," and were on their way to the ship when they perceived us. They insisted in an humble good-natured manner on our taking the lead; and as we were anxious to get them on board, we accordingly joined them, and marched on at their head. We had not proceeded far when the Eooranee met us, and he appeared so much pleased with the procession, that he fell into the ranks. As we approached the wharf, several of the natives, who had been drawn by the sound of the music to the party, retired on seeing the young prince; but one unfortunate rascal, who was quite drunk, annoyed us as we passed him, by pushing us and pulling our clothes; and as the king's son was dressed like an European, he treated him in the same manner; but I never saw consternation so