Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 3.djvu/183

Rh inspection of all on board. He showed much curiosity in regard to a box of biscuit, wishing to break it open and examine the contents. He wished also to open and examine a bundle of clothes. This he was not allowed to do, and in consequence began to show signs of dissatisfaction. Still the canoe went on, towing them after by the painter, until almost out of sight of shore. Then came the cry "Morio ahani"—drop the sail, which was done quickly, and the canoe dropped alongside, the chief sprang back; and the whole party of savages raised their bamboo poles and began most viciously attacking the sailors, striking all within reach.

The sailors in the boat had but four oars, and these proved to be unsound; for as they began shoving away to get clear, one was snapped off, leaving the boat but poorly supplied. The order was also given to cut the painter; but this was a matter of no little difficulty, and the sailor who had it to do was under a rain of blows from the bamboo sticks, which were only so frequent as to interrupt each other. However, it was done, and the boat then shoved off, gaining some space between itself and the canoe. But the natives were no sooner out of reach of striking with their sticks than they began flinging hand billets of wood, striking and hurting some of the sailors. Then, as the distance widened, they began hurling their spears, all of which, however, at first fell short. One, however, nearly struck the captain, who saved himself from an ugly wound only by suddenly heeling over, as he sat in the stern sheets.

The object now was to get clear at all events, if the savages made any attempt to pursue further. That such was their intention, only too soon became clear, as they raised the sail and prepared to renew their attack. It was impossible, especially now that there was but three oars left, to outspeed them; and only some sort of skill