CHAPTER XXIII.
Scarcity of Employment--Wilkes' Exploring Expedition--Meek Employed as Pilot--Interchange of Courtesies at Vancouver--"The Peacock"--Unpleasant Reminder--Exploring the Cowelitz--Wilkes' Chronometer--Land Expedition to California--Meek Discharged--Gleaning Wheat--Fifty Miles for an Axe--Visit to the New Mission--Praying for a Cow--Marriage Ceremony, 280