Walla. But Mrs. Osborne being ill, was able to go only
two miles, and for this reason, and from fear of the Indians,
they were compelled to conceal themselves during Tuesday,
suffering from hunger, cold, and every want. On Tuesday
night three miles was accomplished, and Wednesday spent
in concealment. That night the father took one of the
children and started again for the fort, which he reached
Thursday forenoon, being kindly received by McBean,
who, however, was disinclined at first to entertain him
and his family, and could not furnish horses to bring them
to the fort, -but insisted on their going to the Umatilla. 8
The arrival, about noon, of the Indian painter, J. M.
Stanley, from Fort Colville, 9 was a fortunate occurrence,
for he forthwith offered his horses to Osborne, with such
articles of clothing as were indispensable, and some pro
visions left over from his journey. With this example of
what might be expected of himself, McBean took courage
and furnished an Indian guide to assist Osborne in finding
his family, which was finally brought to the fort on Fri
day, in a famishing condition, and given such cold com
fort as a blanket on a bare floor, food, and fire could
impart, 10 and here the family remained until the day of
their deliverance..
8 Affidavit of Osborne in the Oregon American and Evangelical Unionist, July 19, 1848. The fugitives who sought refuge at the fort made complaints of their reception, and charged McBean s conduct to his religion ; but he was probably afraid of an attack on the fort, as his letter, given elsewhere, intimates. The Americans, in judging of the conduct of the Hudson's Bay Company s officers, never made sufficient allowance for the greater caution of the British subjects generally in all matters, and particu larly the long experience of the company with Indians. A number of times their forts had been attacked, and more than once their agents had been killed. C. B. Roberts, for mauy years confidential clerk at Vancouver, says in his Historical Recol lections, MS.: "As to McBean, I know very little to say in his favor. He was, I think, a half-breed from Red river a bigoted Catholic of narrow views and educa tion." That he changed his course seems sure evidence of a strong governing influence.
9 Stanley had a narrow escape, although unconscious of it at the time. He was stopped and questioned as to his nationality. Was he American? No. French? No. English? No. What then? A Buckeye. As his questioners knew nothing against or about Buckeyes, and as he offered them tobacco, he was allowed to pass.
10 Osbome charged two oblate priests, who were staying at the fort, with cruelty in not offering their bed to his sick wife. Mr. Stanley being called upon to give his evidence, testified as follows : "I occupied a room with two or more of
