Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 22.djvu/324



312 JOHN BOIT

it was not a leaf, but a nice wove mat in resemblance ! ! and so we go thus, thus and no War ! !

21. N. Latt. 47 55'. Abreast the Village Colin, hove to and purchas'd some Skins from the Natives, then bore off to the North and West

22. N. Latt. 48 20' ; W. Long. 124 32'. Saw Tatooch's Isle and Cape Flattery, on the S. and E. entrance of Juan De Fuca straits (bound to the North 'd) for to meet the Sloop Adventure.

23. N. Latt. 49 9'; W. Long. 128 0' O * <T. Pass'd Clioquot harbour, fine fresh gales, at SE.

24. N. Latt. 50 10'; W. Long. 128 10'. Pass'd Woody point, at 2 miles distant. Several canoes put off from Colum- bia's Cove, but we did not stop.

AT ANCHOR IN ST. PATRICK HARBOUR

25. N. Latt. 50 30'; W. Long. 128 30'. This day the Ship being abreast a fine inlet, dispatch'd Mr. Smith, in the Cutter to examine it. Soon after the Boat had a signal for a harbour. Haul'd our wind and stood in shore and anchor'd 15 fm. mud and sand, in a complete Snug Cove. 139 Many canoes came along side, full of Indians. They was all dress'd in War Armour, 140 and completely arm'd with Bows, arrows and Spears, and had altogether quite a savage appearance. I believe they was fearful we shou'd rob their village, which was at no great distance as they appear'd much agitated. How- ever soon began a brisk trade for Otter furs. We landed, with the boats, and got Wood and Broom Stuff, but the Indians wishing to be troublesome, soon give over this business indeed I was obliged to knock one of them down with my Musket.

1 39 It is difficult to identify this cove. If the latitude could be relied on it should be in Quatsino Sound; but no such cove exists there near the ocean as this cove manifestly was. The reference to the fine inlet and the complete snug cove would fit San Josef Bay and Sea Otter Cove, which lies just west of it. Meares gives on page 326, 4to. ed., a representation, of Sea Otter Cove and fixes its latitude as 50 41'. Unfortunately, however, Boit says they anchored in fifteen fathoms and Sea Otter Cove has only five fathoms at its entrance and one to three fathoms inside.

140 Captain Cook tells us that this "armour appeared to be the skin of elk tanned; it covered them from the breast almost to the heels; it was not only suffi-

ist July, 1808, "Th Chief made me a present of a coat of mail to make shoes.