ters' school had greatly increased, and a change for the better already taken place among the little half-breed girls confided to their care. Sister Loyola, the Superior, appeared de
lighted with their present conduct. Two Protestant families, among the most respectable in Oregon, Dr. Long and lady and judge Burnet and family, were received into the
bosom of the Catholic Church in Oregon City. Archbishop Blanchet and companions were anxiously expected; may the Lord speed them, and grant them a happy passage on the boisterous ocean - a route which, it appears, they have se
lected in order to reach their destined new homes. Oh, how large is the vineyard!- the Island of Vancouver alone contains upward of 2o,ooo Indians, ready to receive our missionaries - it has just been made a bishopric, and the Reverend Mr. Demers appointed to it - and an extensive field awaits the laborers, among the numerous nations of the
northwest coast. The visits paid to these various tribes, by the Black-gowns, and the affection and kindness with which they are received by the Indians, leave little doubt of the ultimate success of their holy enterprise.
In order to return to the upper missions, I started in the beginning of July [1846] from Fort Vancouver,' two days after the brigade of the Hudson Bay Company had left it. An accident, fortunately not attended with serious consequences, here occurred to me. A powder-horn exploded near me accidentally, scorching me severely and completely stripping the skin from my nose, cheeks and lips - leaving me to all appearances, after all my travels, a raw-faced
mountaineer. I procured an Indian canoe, well manned, 4 Fort Vancouver is the Hudson Bay Company's principal post west of the Rocky Mountains. It receives all the furs from the interior of
the country and furnishes the supplies for the various posts. The company has the following establishments on the Columbia river: Forts Vancouver, George, Walla Walla, Okinagan, Colville, Boisee, Hall; on Frazer river and its branches, Forts Langley, Thompson, Alexandria, Chilcotin, Frazer, St. James, McLeod, Babine; along the northwest coast, Stickeen, Simpson, McLoughlin, Nisqually, Cowlitz, and Umpqua. -Author's Note, French ed.