Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1849-12-07

nOstlle course, and Undecided WnN 10
do, he concluded to retire for the night
aud and act the next day as circum stan
ccs might dictate.
The next morning Thorn was upon
deck By daylight, and was surprised to
discover large number of canoes, Load
ed with savages approaching the Ton
quin. As they came gliding on over the
water, aud neared the vessel. he saw that
they were each filled with furs, AMI his
rapacious mind at once formed an opin-
ion that they had repented Of the hard
bargains they wished to rake the day
before, and were corie 70 sci, him tho
skins at his own offer. In few min
utes they same alongside, and monntai
up the ships side upon deck, carrying
some of the furs along with them. A
mong the rest, was Shushong. The head
Sachem of the tribe, who came also with
po!tries to trade. .-.r
Upon making a proposition to them
Thorn was greatly enraged to find tllat
they asked the same price as they fId
the day previous, and Indignantly rcfus-
ed TO purchase them. ..s s
.'White chief no pay much fof skins,
me sell him for nothing-5ut give him
pale face chief" said Shushong, follow
ing the Captain to and fro, across the
deck, and poking the skin, which he held
in his hand, towards the enragel officer.
"B1gone!" cried Thorn, in rage, ''or
I'll kick you overheard. Don'tbe stick
ing your furs in my face, you red scoun-
drel." tx ......
.'Me give him to white chief, him no
able to pay for him skin--take hiw home
for squaw," and Shushong threw the
skin at the feet Of Thorn. e.s ga.
The brow of the quick tempered Cap
tain grew livid with rage at this &C. Of
the Sachem, and springing forward. he
seized the savage by the neck, and gave
him push from him, followed il by
kicking him overheard. The savage dis
appeared beneath the water, and fierce
yell rose from a hundred warriors, as
they made demonstrations to attack the
ship, but the chief suddenly rose to the
top of waves, and was dragged to his
canoe by some of his men. 70 #."Ee
In the meantime, the Infatuated Cap
tain, reckless of all consequences, order
ed his men to drive the rest Of the Indi-
ans from the deck, and they were hurled
unceremoniously over the sides OF the
ship, and several of them were severely
bruised by the hasty fallinto the canoes.
When Shushong was safely placed in
the canoe, the savages started for the
shore, and gun or two, which had been
run out by the Captains orders, was con-
sidered as the cause of this ex;raordina-
ry haste to land. The interpreter, who
had stood with folded arms, and viewed
the entire scene, now once more APP
preached Thorn, and told him that the
Indians would certainly avenge the in
dignity offered their Sachem, and advis-
ed him to weigh anchor and sail from
the spot. a
But the morose officer paid no atten-
ton TO the warnings of the interpreter,
but again insulted him by telling him that
he was capable of managing his own af-
fairs, and that he thought the savages
had learned lesson they would not soon
forget. The interpreter rather urged the
matter, as he knew well the character of
the savages around Vancouver's Island,
but Thorn finally ordered him to be ST.
lent, and declared he did not fear an al
tack from the Indians.
Thus abused, the interpreter became
sullenly silent, and said no more TO any
one on board the Inflated Tonquin.
Another day passed by, and when
morning came again, two or three canoes
came of from the shore, and some of
the Indians coming on board, informed
Thorn that they would sell him the furs
at his own price, and actually bartered
some which they brought with them for
little or nothing, in exchange for kniUes.
Gradually more boats came alongside,
all Of which were filled with savages,
and brought furs TO barter, but, strange to
say, none wished any article of trade
save knives. and for these they appeared
willing to give such bargains, as enabled
Thorn to make enormous profits.
F fOnce more, loT tiic 1851 hhiC, thS IA
terpreter spoke to the Captain, warning
him to beware of the Indians, and telling
him that they were purchasing the knives
to murder him and his crew. -
With an oath, Thorn bid him be 81
lent, and allowed the savages, three or
four hundred in number, to climb up on
the ships deck, and continued to supply
them with weapons, until each was arm
ed. Some hostile demonstrations were
about this time made, which alarmed the
Captain, and he gave orders to push out
from shore; but this was not doue for
want of time. A single yell was raised
on deck by Shushong, which was res
ponded to by hundreds of voices, and
with knives, war clubs and other weap-
ons, the sayages commenced the work OF
slaughter. sSs
The first who fellwa Lewis. He
was was engaged in bargaining over a
bale of blankets, when he received a
deadly stab in the back, and springing
up, he fell backwards down the coinpan-
ion way. Mr.. Mckay, another OF the
crew, who was seated OH the talirall,