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The Americans groaned in spirit. Some opponent unknown had passed from house to house in old Champoeg and said to the Canadians, "Vote no, vote no, vote no to everything," The Canadians were out in force hope flickered against hope that some of them might favor American institutions.
They stood in the open air. The river ran by and laughed, as when the red man held his councils on the bluff. The report of the committee was read.
"Shall we accept the report? "said the chairman.
"No! "thundered the Canadians as one man.
The hearts of the Americans thumped against their ribs. Confusion prevailed. The eye of the Secretary measured the crowd "We can risk it; let us divide and count! "
Scarce had the second passed when Jo Meek the trapper stepped forward with stentorian call: "Who 's for a divide? All in favor of the report and organization, follow me! "
The lines marched apart, swayed a moment, hesitated at deadlock then after a moment of heart-throbs two Canadians crossed to the American side. Fiftytwo against fifty!
"Three cheers for freedom! "again rang out the trappers' call. A shout went up that summoned the dusky dames to their doors a mile back on French Prairie. The river ran by and laughed, but Oregon was not the same.
"These Americans fatten on politics," said the clerks at Fort Vancouver. "Why, it was as good as ' Punch and Judy' to see the fun go on. And they were so solemn and earnest about it, too."
The Canadians looked on and wondered. Dr. McLoughlin could hardly realize that out of these appar
