The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-10-01
NNESCEEEAN EOUS.
TRAGICAL FATE OF THE TONQUIN.

NNESCEEEAA ~ E1OUS.
TRAGICAL FATE OF THE TONQUIN
The following narrative of terrible TRACED
is extracted from lrvings Astoria, work writ
ten in the usual fascinating style of the author
and detailing adventures in the vast wilderness
| of the west, and with the savages which nhab
it it, far surprising in their extraordinary and iii
versiiied character the most elaborate creation
of the novests brain. The Tonqun was
vessel despatched by Mr. Astor, of New York
tor the purpose of forming trading establish
ment at the mouth of the Columbia river
Leaving Il number of persons at that post, this
vessel continued her course, the result of which
was as follows:
We have already stated that the Tonquin Sc
sail from the mouth of the river on the 9th o
June. The whole number of persons on board
amounted to twenty-three. In one of the outer
bays they picked up, from fishing canoe, an
Indian named Lamazee, who had already made
| two voyages along the coast and knew some
thing of the languages of the various tribes
He agreed to accompany them an inerpre-
| ter.
| Steering to the north, Captain Thorn arrived
in few days at Nancouver's Island,a and anchor
| ed in the harbor ofNeweetee, very much against
the advice of his Indian interpreter, WAC waru~
ed him against the natives Of this part of the
coast. Numbers ofcanoes soon came off, bling
ing sea- otter skins to sell. 1t was too late in
the day 10 commence traffic, but Mr. Mckay
accompanied by a few of the men, went on
shore to large village, to visit Wlcanansh, the
chief of the surrounding territory, six of the
natives remaining on board as hostages. He
was received with great professions of friend
ship, entertained Hospitality, and Ia couch OF
sea otter skins was prepared for him in the dwell
ing of the ieftain, where he was prevailed up.
on pass the night.
In the morning, before Mr. Mckay had re-
tIA el,, nft ha
came off, in their Canoes to trade, headed by two
sons of Wicananish. As they brought album
dance of sea otter skins, and there was every
appearance of brisk trade; Capt9in Thor .li.,
not wall. the return of MIR Mckay,but spread
out his wares upon the deck, making tempting
display OF blankets, cloths, knives, beads and
fish hooks, expecting prompt and prohtab't
sale The Indians however were not so eager
aud simple as he had supposed, having learned
the art of bargaining and the value OF mer'
cha ndizc fiom the casual traders along the
coast. They were guided, too, by sbrewd old
chief, named Nookam;s, who had grown grey in
traffic with New England shippers, and prded
! himself upon his accuteness. His opinion seem
ed to regulate tie market. When Thorn made
What he considered q liberal offer for an otter
SIX in, the willy old Indian treated it with scorr
and asked more than double. His companions
all took their cue from hm,and not another skin
was to be had at a reasonable rate.
| The old fellow, however, oversAot his mark
and mistook the character of the man he WIS
treating with Thorn was plain, straight for
ward sailor, who never had two minds nor two
prices IN his dealings, was deficient IN patience
and pliancy, and totally wanting in the chicah
cry of traffic. He had vast deal of stern bu
honest pride in his nature, and, moreover, helt
| the whole savage race in sovereign contempt
| Abandoning all further attempts, therefore, Il
bargain with his shuffling customers, he thrus
| his hands into his pockets, and paced up an'
down the deck in sulen silence. The cunning
old Indian followed him to and fro, hold ing GU
sea otter skin to hum at every turn, and poster
ing him to trade. Finding other means unavail
ing he suddenly changed his tone, and began Il
jeer and banter him upon the mean prices ne or
fered. This was too much for the patience o
the Captain, who was never remarkable tor rel
ishng a Joke, especially mt his own expense
Turning suddenly upon his proscutor,he snatch
ed the proffered otter skin from his hands, rub
bed it i'm his face, and dismissed him over tn
side of the ship, with no very compllmentar
application to accelerate his exit. lie then kicke
the peltres to the right and left about the deck
} and broke up the market in the most ignomin
Gus manner.
Old Nookamis made for shore in turiou
passion, in which he was joined by Shewieh,on
of the sons OF Wicananish,who went OF breatt
} ing vengeance, and the ship was soon abandon
ed by the natives.
When MIR Mckay returned on board the IL
terpreter related what mad passed. al'n pe ;i
) him to prevail upon the Captain to make SAIL
, from his knowledge OF the temper aud pride {
the people of the place, he was sure they woul
resent the ndignity offered to one of their chel
Mr. Mckay, who himself possessed some kHo"
ledge of the Indian characters, went to the Cnt
1 tain who was still pacing the deck IN moody hu
4 NOR, represented the danger TO which his hast
v act had exposed the vessel, and argued him
weigh anchor The Captain made light OF nj
counsels, and pointed to the cannon ana mr.
arms, as a sufficient safeguard against make
n savages. Further renonstrances only provoke
=. taunting replies and sharp alterations In
r. day passed away without any signs OF hos'iil,'l
9 and at night the Captain retired as usual TO sh
cabin, taking no more than the usual preca'
Q TONS