Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 3.djvu/216

206 to call upon this powerful being for vengeance. Moreover, he instilled, wherever possible, into their minds that the white men would gladly make a present for his release, and that he must be returned to them whenever a ship appeared. This promise his master grew to rely upon with utmost confidence.

Two years had now passed upon the island of Tobey, amid horrors and cruelties, but also with some growing companionship with the natives.

A curious premonition of rescue from that prison island at length began to take possession of him. Whatever its source, whether from some outward or providential origin, or from his own imagination, the assurance grew more complete, and raised his hope. As this became firmer he began to think of his one mate left, the sailor, Knute; but of him he had now seen nothing for some time. This was a bad sign, as, although they were not allowed any intercourse, he had frequently seen the lad on the beach at a distance. His own hope had become so firm and his anxiety for Knute became so intense, fearing that he had been murdered, that at last one afternoon he determined to take all risks and hunt him up.

It happened that he was alone in the house, and, although not knowing how soon his master might return, he decided on the spur of the moment to go towards Knute's place. This he did, chosing the back trail, which led through the brush and shrubbery, and was some distance back from the usual road along the front. He walked rapidly, and soon came to a point where he could look into the main path. He saw no one, but nearing the crossways soon discovered a man, all but nude, crouching in a hopeless attitude on the ground. He was sitting