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into view, La Framboise in his Hudson's Bay buttons, Angelique as of old on her beaded palfrey, and all the long line of bearded men and butternut-colored belles like some far caravan on Arabian hills. Around the camp, fisher, beaver, and marten were stretched to dry, and through the door of a gypsy tent she caught a glimpse of Catharine Ermatinger lying on a couch of skins.
"Where have they all been to-day? "asked Eloise.
"On dress parade to Sonoma," she said.
So much they had to tell.
"Yes, my husband saw Captain Sutter and he is very angry," said Catharine. "He and the Americans think Sir George and Dr. McLoughlin are down here not only to monopolize the trade but to get possession of California. Do you know that Captain Sutter has bought the Russian post at Bodega Bay for $30,000?" added Catharine.
"Why," exclaimed Eloise, "the Russians offered that to the Hudson's Bay Company when we were at Sitka and Douglas thought the price too high."
"Money is no obstacle to Captain Sutter," said Catharine. "He has bought the post and hauled its cannon down' to his fort on the Sacramento."
"Catharine, are you not afraid here? "asked Eloise.
"Why should I be, with our people all around? "
"Because," answered Eloise, "they told us at Sonoma the mountains are full of banditti. When the missions broke up some of the Indian converts became servants, but the bolder ones fled to the mountains. They hate their Spanish oppressors and come down to steal their horses and cattle. Once they tried to kidnap Senora Vallejo's beautiful sister, but she was rescued. Now the Spanish lancers go out, and when th
