Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 22.djvu/328



316 JOHN BOIT

being some way from the rest of the party, got nearly sur- rounded, and was oblidged to fly, leaving his Broad Axe behind. I immediately rallied my people together, and retreated slowly, at the same time fir'd a few Musketts over their heads which kept them in check. At length they advanced so near as to throw their Spears. We then discharg'd our Musketts and killd several. However they still persisted, and I believe if we had not got to the beach (clear from the woods) that we shou'd have been overpower'd. They heard the reports of the Musketts on board, but never dreamt that we [were] attack'd by Indians, as none had been seen before. Imme- diately as we made our appearance the Ship cover'd us with the Cannon and the Grape and round shot, must have done considerable damage to our pursuers, as they fell just into the brink of the wood, where the thickest of the Indians was. This soon dispers'd them, and we got all safe on board. Some of these fellows afterwards came down abreast the Ship and brandished their Weapons at us, bidding defiance.

8. N. Latt. 51 30'; W. Long. 129 30'; or thereabouts. Got under way bound farther up the Straits and towards eve- ning luff'd into a small bend of the land, and came to -in 17 fathom close to the shore. 144 A few canoes, with Indians came off, who talk'd the Nootka language. They inform'd that in two days, through the woods, they cou'd reach Nootka Sound and indeed, the Ship was at Anchor near to a Mountain, which is plainly in view at Friendly Cove, (Nootka Sound).

9. Many canoes of this day, and plenty of fine Otter Skins was purchas'd. About Noon, 20 large War Canoes hove in sight, with above 30 Men in each, and we soon discern'd with our Glasses that they was all arm'd, with Spears and Arrows. The friendly Indians that was trading along side, told us these people had come to fight, and belong'd to the tribe we had fir'd at two days before, when attack'd upon the beach. Capt. Gray thought it not safe to admit them along side at once, and therefore order'd them, when within hail, for to keep off, and

144 This may be Beaver Harbour, though it is strange that he does not mention the islands that protect it. From this vicinity there ts an Indian trail some eight miles in length which leads to Quatsino Sound, which may have been mistaken for a trail to Nootka Sound. As the crow flies the distance to Nootka Sound is about eighty miles. The mountain referred to is, likely, Mount Karmut- zen; but this is not visible from Nootka.