Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 22.djvu/291



LOG OF THE COLUMBIA 279

Columbias). 30 In this situation we was completely land lock'd. Vast many natives alongside. They appear'd much the same as those at Coxs harbour and talk'd their language. We laid in this harbour till the 26th, during which time got many Sea Otter and land furs, from the Natives, in exchange for Copper, Iron and Cloth, (with Beads, fish Hooks and such small stuff kept the Ship supplied with various kinds of fish and greens, with a few deer). These Natives was generally arm'd with Bows, arrows, and spears. Like those at Clioquot they would pilfer whenever an opportunity offer'd. Their Women were more Chaste than those we had lately left. But still they were not all Dianas. During our tarry here I visited one of the villages in the sound, found the Natives busily employ 'd build- ing Canoes, and packing provisions against the ensuing Winter. They treated me quite friendly. They dry their fish in the Sun, and then pack it in neat wooden boxes. 31 W Necessity is the mother of invention.

26. This day left Columbia's Cove, and stood along shore towards the Straits of Juan De Fuca. Crew all well. Steering to the South and East'd. This is an Iron bound Coast, with high land back.

27. This day pass'd Clioquot, with a fine breeze from WNW and pleasant.

28. N. Lart. 48 42'; W. Long. 124 0'. Enter'd the Straits of Juan De Fuca and hove to abreast the Village of Nittenatt, 32 found strong tides. Vast many Natives off, with Sea Otter and other Furs, which we purchas'd with the same articles as before. T was evident that these Natives had been visited by that scourge of mankind the Smallpox. 33 The

30 It would appear that this cove is that now known as Quln-e-ex, on Nesparte Inlet. It is on the southeast side of Brooks Peninsula, a few miles from Cape Cook. The Indian village, Opswis, mentioned by Hoskins, is opposite this cove and is now called "Opsowis." See further hereon the above m.ip and Report, pp. 853-891.

31 For a description of these boxes, see Cook's Third Voyage, vol. 2, p. 316. A picture of one will be seen in the view of the interior of a house .v Nootka Sound, contained in the accompanying atlas.

32 Nitinat. "Nittenat," says Hoskins, "lies in the latitude of 48 4' north, longitude 124 06' west; it has no harbor or any other shelter before it; and is only rendered remarkable by a large cataract or waterfall a few miles to the northward of it." Probably this is Cjo-oose, the head village of the tribe, which lies about a mile eastward from the discharge of Nitinat Lake.

33 Portlock in hit Voyage, p. 271, heard of great ravages of this disease amongst the Tlingit, and believed that it was introduced by the Spaniards in ijJi. and worked its way down the coast.