SOLEMN AUDACITY-AMBITIOUS DESIGNS.



here is an example. Meek wanted a horse to ride out to
the Plains where his family were, and not knowing how
else to obtain it, helped himself to one belonging to Dr.
White; which presumption greatly incensed the Doctor,
and caused him to threaten various punishments, hanging
among the rest. But the Indians overhearing him replied,
  i Wake nika cumtux-You dare not.-You no put rope
round Meek's neck. He tyee (chief)-no hang him."
- Upon which the Doctor thought better of it, and having
vented his solemn audacity, received smiling audacity with
apparent good humor when he came to restore the bor-
rowed horse.
  As our friendMeek was sure to be found wherever there
was anything novel or exciting transpiring, so he was sure
to fall in with visitors of distinguished character, and as
ready to answer their questions as they were to ask them.
The conversation chanced one day to run upon the changes
that had taken place in the country since the earliest set-
tlement by the Americans, and Meek, who felt an honest
pride in them, was expatiating at some length, to the ill-
concealed amusement of two young officers, who probably
saw nothing to admire in the rude improvements of the
Oregon pioneers.
  "Mr. Meek," said one of them, "if you have been so
long in the country and have witnessed such wonderful
transformations, doubtless you may have observed equally
great ones in nature; in the rivers and mountains, for in-
stance ?"
  Meek gave a lightning glance at the speaker who had so
mistaken his respondent:
  "I reckon I have," said he slowly. Then waving his
hand graceftilly toward the majestic Mt. Hood, towering
thousands of feet above the summit of the Cascade range,



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