or thirty Indian men and women, with all their belongings and household furniture aboard, would start seaward from Cathlamet.
Mrs. Birnie, all fire and energy, would be in command, and no woman on the river could command better.To the dip of the paddles and the Indian chant, the big canoe, enforcing respect everywhere, would pass the Chinook villages into Chinook River to the portage. Here the expedition would be taken over to the Nasel River and from there would pass into Shoalwater Bay. After a few weeks of hunting and fishing the party, with its spoils, would return by the same route.
Disposing of her gatherings and scattering her party, Mrs. Birnie would doff her Indian character and again assume her role as the grand dame of Birnie hall.
