Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 3.djvu/220

210 and turned the ship, which but a moment before seemed the sign of salvation, into an object of new peril. Of course the natives were terrified and squatted in the canoe as another and still another cannon ball screamed over them in quick succession. Then they headed away, fully believing that the ship intended to destroy them. Holden immediately began tasking them to head to the ship, himself almost reckless of consequences, but not believing that any ship of any nation would fire upon a helpless canoe with intention of killing. They cried out with terror, however, and replied, "If we go to the ship we shall be killed." Holden determined that they must proceed and commanded them to pull. "Which way?" they again inquired. "To the ship; you shall not go home."

Finally he succeeded in calming them, and began singing out to the ship in a voice which he thought must carry across the water. On his positive promise that they should not be killed they resumed paddling, headed for the vessel. But not over five or six strokes had been taken before "biff" once more, and directly with the boom came a charge of copper ore, striking the water no great distance in front of the canoe, and splashing Holden himself, who stood in the prow. At this of course the natives broke into new terror, and what small head of courage that Holden had gained for them was now lost. All must be done over. They were about to retreat with all speed, but he checked them with all the intimidations of the white man's God. They would proceed no further, but by the greatest exertion of will and persuasion he prevented their return. While thus urging and struggling a flag was run up on the mizzen,—the English Jack,—the most beautiful of all signs just then, unless it had been the stars and stripes. Englishmen could surely be made to understand the situation.