stroyed the greater part of the crops. Here, however,
notwithstanding the failure of our grain crops, we had abundance of
vegetables and a large stock of cattle, so that our fare was far
superior to that of the other _exiles_ in the district.

Mr. Ogden returned from Fort Vancouver about the usual time, and was
mortified to find that our grand agricultural experiment had so
completely failed. He, however, had brought a supply of flour
sufficient to afford each commander of posts a couple of bags, and
thus the inconvenience arising from our disappointment was, in some
degree, obviated.

From his first arrival amongst us, Mr. Ogden evinced the most earnest
desire to ameliorate the condition of his subordinates in this
wretched district, and all felt grateful to him for his benevolent
intentions. To Mr. Dease, however, the praise is due of having
introduced this new order of things: he it was who first introduced
cattle from Fort Vancouver; it was he who first introduced farming,
and recommended it to others.

Late in autumn, the natives being all about the post, the dread
influenza, that had made such fearful havoc among the Indians in other
quarters, broke out here also. The poor creatures had a great deal of
confidence in my medical skill, from the circumstance of my having
saved the life of a boy who had eaten some poisonous root, when
despaired of by their own mountebanks.

On the present occasion I tried my skill on one of the subjects best
able to bear my experiments, by administering a strong emetic and
purge, and causing him afterwards to drink a decoction of mint. He was
cured, and I afterwards prescribed the same medicine to many others
with a like success; so that my reputation as a disciple of AEsculapius
became firmly established.

Having last year applied to the Governor for permission to visit
head-quarters, for a purpose which will be noticed hereafter, I
received a favourable answer, and, in the month of February, set off
for the depot of the district preparatory to my departure, where I
remained for a month in company with Mr. Ogden and several
fellow-scribes.

CHAPTER XXI.

CLIMATE OF NEW CALEDONIA--SCENERY--NATURAL
PRODUCTIONS--ANIMALS--FISHES--NATIVES--THEIR MANNERS AND
CUSTOMS--DUELLING--GAMBLING--LICENTIOUSNESS--LANGUAGE.

Ere I proceed on my long journey, I must pause for a little to
describe more particularly the country, which I am about to quit,
perhaps for ever, and the mann