from Japan; odoriferous, as though
spice-laden from the flowery isles of the Yellow Sea. Warm in winter, cool
in summer, like the Gulf winds of Floridian shores, the good angel of the
Puget Sea territories is the Chinook wind from far Asia, a mysterious
country, of which the old chief and his family knew no more than of the
blessed isles.

"It is a day of the Great Manitou," said the old chief. "He lights the
sun, and lifts his wings for a shadow, and breathes on the earth. He fills
our hearts with peace. I am glad."

"I only wish my people in the East knew how wonderful this country is,"
said Jason Lee. "I am blamed and distrusted because I leave my mission
work to see what great resources here await mankind. I do it only for the
good of others--something within me impels me to do it, yet they say I
neglect my work to become a political pioneer. As well might they censure
Joshua."

"As a missionary," said the old hunter, "you would teach the Indians
truth; as a pioneer, you would bring colonies here to rob them of their
lands and rights. I can respect the missionary, but not the pioneer. See
the happiness of all these tribal families. Benjamin is right--Mrs. Woods
has no business here."

"Adventurer," said Mrs. Woods, rising upon her feet, "I am a
working-woman--I came out here to work and improve the country, and you
came here to live on your Injun wife. The world belongs to those who work,
and not to the idle. It is running water that freshens the earth. Husband
and I built our house with our own hands, and I made my garden with my own
hands, and I have defended my property with my own hands against bears
and Injuns, and have kept husband to work at the block-house to earn money
for the day of trouble and helplessness that is sure some day to come to
us all. I raise my own garden-sass and all other sass. I'm an honest
woman, that's what I am, and have asked nothing in the world but what I
have earned, and don't you dare to question my rights to anything I
possess! I never had a dollar that I did not earn, and that honestly, and
what is mine is mine."

"Be careful, woman," said the hunter. "It will not be yours very long
unless you have a different temper and tongue. There are black wings in
the sky, and you would not be so cool if you had heard the things that
have come to my ears."

Mrs. Woods was secretly alarmed. She felt that her assumed boldness was
insincere, and that any insincerity is weakness. She gl