Peter Skene Ogden, Fur Trader. 237 land, a very superb vessel intended for the coast. In this Skokum Ship, as the Chinooks call her, the Isle a la Crosse Gents and myself were treated with a delightful cruise round the mouth of the Wilamette before her final departure for the coast of Finlayson." This refers, of course, to the trial trip of the steamer Beaver on the Columbia river in 1836. By far the most picturesque and at the same time quite ac- curate account of conditions in general and Mr. Ogden in particular at Isle a la Crosse is the one inscribed by that red- headed artist with the pen, Ross Cox, in his book entitled, "Adventures on the Columbia River." Ross Cox in the spring of 181 7 journeyed East with the express from Ft. George on the Columbia to Fort William and Montreal. He wrote : "June 26th (1817). Beaver River at this place branches into several channels. We took the principal one, and at eleven A. M. arrived at its termination, where it enters the lake of Isle a la Crosse, nearly opposite the fort. Stopped here for half an hour pour se faire la barbe, and make other little arrangements connected with the toilet. These being completed, we embarked, but having the fear of the Crees before our eyes our progress was slow and cautious across the lake, until our avant-couriers announced to us that the flag of the Northwest Company floated from the bastions, and that all was safe. The Chanson a l'aviron was instantly struck up, and at one P. M. we reached the wharf, where we were met by Messrs. M'Murray and Ogden, who were in charge of the fort. Those gentlemen had also heard the rumoured intention of the Crees to attack the establishment, but they were of opin- ion that the attempt would not be made. They had only eight men under their command; but the place was surrounded by strong palisades, and flanked by two bastions, which, although not very beautiful specimens of fortification, would have puz- zled a battalion of Indians to take. The Hudson's Bay Com- pany had a fort on a point of land running into the lake, which was not more than a quarter of a mile distant from our establishment. It had been taken the preceding winter by
