The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-10-01

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cautioned enjoined by Mr. Aston, in respect t
til e admission OF Indians OH board of the shIT
had been neglected for some time past and tn
officers Of the watch, perceiving those in III
canoe to he without weapons, and having re
celved no orders to the contrary, READILY permit
ted them to mount the deck. Another cano
soon succeeded the crew of which like
wise admitted. Iu little while other canoe
came up, and Indians were soon clamberng in
to the vessel OH all sides.
The officer of the watch now felt alarmed
and called to Captain Thorn and Mr. Mckay
! by the time they came on deck, ii was thronget
with Indians TIE interpreter noticed to M
Mckay that many OF the natives shOr
| fnanles Of skins, and minated suspicion tina
they were secretly armed. Mr. Mckay urgct
| the Captain to clear the ship and get under way
He again made light of the advice but the aug
nentcd swarns of canoes about the ship, an,
the numbers still putting off from shore, IL
at length awakened his distrust, and he ORDERED
some of the men weigh anchor, while some
were sent aloft to make sail.
The Indians now Offered to uade with the
Captain on his own terms, prompted apparently
by the approaching departure OF the SHIP Ac-
cordngly hurried Slrade was commenced
The main articles sought by the savages in bar
ter were knives; Dis fast as some were supplied,
they moved off, and others succeeded. by de-
grees they were thus distributed about the deck,
and all with weapons.
The anchor was now nearly up, the sails
were loose, and the Captain in loud and per-
ernptory tone, ordered the ship to be cleared
In an instant a signal yell was given-it was
echoed on every side, knives aud war clubs
were brandished in every direction, and the saw.
ages rushed upon their marked victims.
The first that foil was Mr. Lewis, the ships
clerk. He was Leaning, with folded arms, over
II bale Of blankets, engaged in bargaining, when
he received ii deadly stab in the back, and fell
down the companion way.
Mr. Me Kay, who was seated in tahraiI, sprang
on his feet, but was instantly Knocked down
with war club and flung back wards in the
sea, where he was dispatched by the women in
the canoes.
In the mean time, Captain Thorn made des-
perate fight against fearful odds. He was
powerful us we'll as resoute man, but he had
come on deck without weapons. Shewish The
young chief,single led him out as his peculiar prey
and rushed upon him at the first outbreak.-
The Captain had barely, time to draw clasp
knife with one blow of which he laid the young
savage dead M his feet. Several oflhe stoutest
followers of Shewish now set upon him. lie
defended himself vigorously; dealing gripping
blows TO the right and left, aud strewing The
quarter deck with the slain aud wounded. His
there were ire arms Jul he was henlniEu '.i,i.
foes, covered with wounds and fain. with loss
of blood.
wheel when blow from behind, with war
club, telled him to the deck where he was des
patched with knives and thrown overheard.
While this was transacting on The quarter
deck chance medley fight was going on
throughout the snip. The crew fought desper-
atey with knives, shand spikes, and whatever
weapon they could size in the moment of sur
prise They We're soon, however, overpowered
by numbers, and mercilessy butchered.
AS to the seven who had been sent aloft to
make sail, they contemplated with horror the
carnage that was going on below. Being desti-
tute of weapons they let themselves down by
the running rigging,in hopes of getting between
the decks. One fell in the attempt and was IN
stantly despatched, another received death
blow in the back as he was descending, il third
Stephen Wcekes the arinorer, was MORALLY
wounded us he was getting down the hatch
way.
The remaining four made good their retreat
into the cabin. where they found Mr. Lewis, still
alive, though mora!ly wounded. Barricading
the cabin door, they broke holes through the
companionway with the muskes and amuni-
ton which were at hand, opened Il brisk fire
that soon cleared the deck.
Thus far the Indian Interpreter, from whom
these particulars are derived, was an eyewitness
of the deadly conflict. He had taken no part
in it and being spared by the natives us being of
their race. In the confusion Of the moment he
look refuge with the rest, in the canoes. The
Survivors Of the crew sailed forth, and dis
charged some of the deck guns, which did
great execution among the canoes, and drove all
the savages to shore.
For the remainder of the day, no one ventur-
ed 20 put off to the ship, deferred by the effects
of the fire arms. The night passed away with
out any further attempt on the part of the ma
tives. When the day dawned the T"nquln
still lay ut anchor i'll the bay, her sails all loose
and Tapping in the wlnd, and no one apparent
! ly on board of her. After time some of the
canoes ventured forth to reconnoitre, taking with
them the interpreter They padded about keep
ing cautiously at distance, but growing more
and more emboldencd at seeing her quite life
less one man at length made his appearance
on deck, and was recognised by the interpreter
as Mr. Lewis. He made friendly signs, anil in
vited them to come on board. 1t was long be
fore they ventured to comply. Those who
mounted the deck met with no opposIo!; nc
one was TO be seen on board for Mr. Lewis
after inviting them had Disappeared. Other ca
noes then pressed forward to board the prize
the decks were soon crowded, and the sides
covered with cambering savages, all intent on