The Enterprise was, therefore,
unloaded and dismantled, and Mr. Astor was obliged to comfort
himself with the hope that the Lark might reach Astoria in safety
and, that, aided by her supplies, and by the good management of
Mr. Hunt and his associates, the little colony might be able to
maintain itself until the return of peace.
CHAPTER LVI.
Affairs of State at Astoria.-M'Dougal Proposes for the Hand of An
Indian Princess- Matrimonial Embassy to Comcomly.- Matrimonial
Notions Among the Chinooks.- Settlements and Pin-Money.- The
Bringing Home of the Bride.- A Managing Father-in-Law.- Arrival
of Mr. Hunt at Astoria.
WE have hitherto had so much to relate of a gloomy and disastrous
nature, that it is with a feeling of momentary relief we turn to
something of a more pleasing complexion, and record the first,
and indeed only nuptials in high life that took place in the
infant settlement of Astoria.
M'Dougal, who appears to have been a man of a thousand projects,
and of great, though somewhat irregular ambition, suddenly
conceived the idea of seeking the hand of one of the native
princesses, a daughter of the one-eyed potentate Comcomly, who
held sway over the fishing tribe of the Chinooks, and had long
supplied the factory with smelts and sturgeons.
Some accounts give rather a romantic origin to this affair,
tracing it to the stormy night when M'Dougal, in the course of an
exploring expedition, was driven by stress of weather to seek
shelter in the royal abode of Comcomly. Then and there he was
first struck with the charms of the piscatory princess, as she
exerted herself to entertain her father's guest.
The "journal of Astoria," however, which was kept under his own
eye, records this union as a high state alliance, and great
stroke of policy. The factory had to depend, in a great measure,
on the Chinooks for provisions. They were at present friendly,
but it was to be feared they would prove otherwise, should they
discover the weakness and the exigencies of the post, and the
intention to leave the country. This alliance, therefore, would
infallibly rivet Comcomly to the interests of the Astorians, and
with him the powerful tribe of the Chinooks. Be this as it may,
and it is hard to fathom the real policy of governors and
princes, M'Dougal despatched two of the clerks as ambassadors
extraordinary, to wait upon the one-eyed chieftain, and make
overtures for the hand of his daughter.
The Chinooks, though not a very refined nation, have notions of
matrimonial arrangements that would not disgrace the most refined
sticklers for settlements and pin-money. The suitor repairs not
to the bower of his mistress, but to her father's lodge, and
throws down a present at his feet. His wishes are then disclosed
by some discreet friend employed by him for the purpose. If the
suitor and his present find favor in the eyes of the father, he
breaks the matter to his daughter, and inquires into the state of
her inclinations. Should her answer be favorable, the suit is
accepted and the lover has to make further presents to the
father, of horses, canoes, and other valuables, according to the
beauty and merits of the bride; looking forward to a return in
kind whenever they shall go to housekeeping.
We have more than once had occasion to speak of the shrewdness,
of Comcomly; but never was it exerted more adroitly than on this
occasion. He was a great friend of M'Dougal, and pleased with the
idea of having so distinguished a son-in-law; but so favorable an
opportunity of benefiting his own fortune was not likely to occur
a second time, and he determined to make the most of it.
Accordingly, the negotiation was protracted with true diplomatic
skill. Conference after conference was held with the two
ambassadors. Comcomly was extravagant in his terms; rating the
charms of his daughter at the highest price, and indeed she is
represented as having one of the flattest and most aristocratical
heads in the tribe. At length the preliminaries were all happily
adjusted. On the 20th of July, early in the afternoon, a squadron
of canoes crossed over from the village of the Chinooks, bearing
the royal family of Comcomly, and all his court.
That worthy sachem landed in princely state, arrayed in a bright
blue blanket and red breech clout, with an extra quantity of
paint and feathers, attended by a train of half-naked warriors
and nobles. A horse was in waiting to receive the princess, who
was mounted behind one of the clerks, and thus conveyed, coy but
compliant, to the fortress. Here she was received with devout,
though decent joy, by her expecting bridegroom.
Her bridal adornments, it is true, at first caused some little
dismay, having painted and anointed herself for the occasion
according to the Chinook toilet; by dint, however, of copious
ablutions, she was freed from all adventitious tint and
fragrance, and entered into the nuptial state, the cleanest
princess that had ever been known, of the somewhat unctuous tribe
of the Chinooks.
From that time forward, Comcomly was a daily visitor at the fort,
and was admitted into the most intimate councils of his son-in-
law. He took an interest in everything that was going forward,
but was particularly frequent in his visits to the blacksmith's
shop; tasking the labors of the artificer in iron for every
state, insomuch that the necessary business of the factory was
often postponed to attend to his requisitions.
The honey-moon had scarce passed away, and M'Dougal was seated
with his bride in the fortress of Astoria, when, about noon of
the 20th of August, Gassacop, the son of Comcomly, hurried into
his presence with great agitation, and announced a ship at the
mouth of the river.
