Columbia River Gorge Coos Oregon United States

The Astorian and Thompson parties travel together until they reach the Columbia Gorge, after which Thompson goes on ahead.

Before parting ways, there is an exchange of some of the workers.

Thompson allows his employee Michel Boulard to join the Pacific Fur Company in exchange for Naukane, who Thompson refers to as Coxe.

Boulard is a forty-year-old voyageur who had worked with Thompson off and on for the previous eleven years.

Although weaker due to age, Boulard, is useful to the Astorians for his great knowledge of geography and native affairs.

In contrast, Naukane is valuable to Thompson for his great strength.