CHAPTER XII.
Gloom at Astoria--An Ingenious Stratagem .-- The Small-Pox Chief .-- Launching of the Dolly.-An Arrival .-- A Canadian Trapper.-A Freeman of the Forest--An Iroquois Hunter .-- Winter on the Columbia.-Festivities of New Year.
THE tidings of the loss of the Tonquin, and the massacre of her crew, struck dismay into the hearts of the Astorians.

They found themselves a mere handful of men, on a savage coast, surrounded by hostile tribes, who would doubtless be incited and encouraged to deeds of violence by the late fearful catastrophe.

In this juncture Mr.M'Dougal, we are told, had recourse to a stratagem by which to avail himself of the ignorance and credulity of the savages, and which certainly does credit to his ingenuity.
The natives of the coast, and, indeed, of all the regions west of the mountains, had an extreme dread of the small-pox; that terrific scourge having, a few years previously, appeared among them, and almost swept off entire tribes.

Its origin and nature were wrapped in mystery, and they conceived it an evil inflicted upon them by the Great Spirit, or brought among them by the white men.

The last idea was seized upon by Mr.M'Dougal.