Ross's Adventures of the first settlers on the Oregon or Columbia River, 1810-1813Ross, Alexander
History
Ross's Adventures of the first settlers on the Oregon or Columbia River, 1810-1813
Ross, Alexander
Mississippi River Valley -- Description and travel; United States -- Description and travel; West (U.S.) -- Description and travel
{159} “My name is Kasiascall, but the Chinooks and other Indians
hereabout call me Lamazu. I belong to the Wick-a-nook tribe of Indians
near Nootka Sound. I have often been on board ships. The whites call me
Jack. I understand most of the languages that are spoken along the
coast. I can speak some Chinook, too. I have been twice at this place
before; once by land and once by sea. I saw the ship _Tonquin_; Captain
Thorn was her commander. I went on board of her at Woody Point harbour
in June last. We remained there for two days. We then sailed for
Vancouver’s Island; and just as we had got to it, a gale of wind drove
us to sea, and it was three days before we got back again. The fourth
morning we cast anchor in Eyuck Whoola, Newcetu Bay. There we remained
for some days; Indians going and coming, but not much trade. One day the
Indians came on board in great numbers, but did not trade much, although
they had plenty of skins. The prices offered did not please the Indians;
so they carried back their furs again. The day following the chiefs came
on board, and as usual asked the captain to show them such and such
things, and state the lowest price, which he accordingly did. They did
not, however, trade, but pressed the captain for presents, which he
refused. The chiefs left the ship displeased at what they called stingy
conduct in the captain, as they were accustomed to receive trifling
presents from the traders on the coast.
“In the evening of the same day, Mr. M‘Kay and {160} myself went on
shore, and were well received by the chiefs, and saw a great many
sea-otter skins with the Indians. We both returned to the ship the same
evening. Next day the Indians came off to trade in great numbers. On
their coming alongside, the captain ordered the boarding-netting to be
put up round the ship, and would not allow more than ten on board at a
time; but just as the trade had commenced, an Indian was detected
cutting the boarding-netting with a knife in order to get on board. On
being detected, he instantly jumped into one of the canoes which were
alongside, and made his escape. The captain then, turning round, bade
the chiefs to call him back. The chiefs smiled and said nothing, which
irritated the captain, and he immediately laid hold of two of the
chiefs, and threatened to hang them up unless they caused the delinquent
to be brought back to be punished. The moment the chiefs were seized,
all the Indians fled from the ship in consternation. The chiefs were
kept on board all night with a guard over them. Food was offered them,
but they would neither eat nor drink. Next day, however, the offender
was brought to the ship and delivered up, when the captain ordered him
to be stripped and tied up, but did not flog him. He was then dismissed.
The chiefs were also liberated, and left the ship, refusing with disdain
a present that was offered them, and vowing vengeance on the whites for
the insult received.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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