, 1859-10-14

At midnight we had most magnificent
and brilliant scene. The aurora, with all
the varied colors of the rainbow, shot up
its rays to the zenith, lighting the heavens
in addition to the moonlight, till it seemed
as bright as broad day. We were then in
the centre of the straits of Fuca, and, as !
lay in the canoe enjoying the splendid
sight Swell told me legend respecting
the aurora.
INDIAN LEGEND.
Pointing to the north star, he said, Gun
der that star, many SHOWS sail from here
in a canoe, live race of little men, very
strong, who are dressed in skins. They
look like Indians, but they are not taller
than half the length of my paddle. They
can dive down into the sea and catch a
seal or a fish with their hands. Their
country is very cold, and they live on the
ice where they build great fires, and that
light" pointing TO the aurora, ''is the fires
of those little people who have been killing
whale or seals, and are now trying out
the OIL" He then asked me if had ever
heard Of these little people. told him
AHOy "ClO tiC ESlullhduAs llO oalO 'het
was the name, but he was afraid to speak
it, as they were skookums, and would kill
him if he called their name while they
we're boiling oil.
explained to him about DR.. Kane s ex-
pediton to the arctic, and about the ESqui-
maux, and ! was by this incident, enabled
to trace direct to its source one of the In
dian traditions which, but for the appear
ance Of the aurora, might never have
heard.
Our brilliant night scene did not last
long, for the southwest wind springing up,
sent down a cloud of mist from the snowy
coast range mountains, hiding from our
view both aurora and moon; so l covered
myself in my blanket and went to sleep to
the sound of the Indian song with paddle
accompaniment.
The tide making strong food by the
time we reached the Straits, we came to
anchor near the shore by means Of a stone
tied TO a line. The other canoes which
had accompanied us had arrived, and were
also at anchor at the same place, short
distance below Clallam Bay. The canoes,
all being large, and heavily laden, was the
cause of their anchoring them instead of
hauling them up on the beach, their usual
custom.
was awakened about day light by the
noise of getting the canoe under way, aud
was thoroughly aroused up by the Indians
singing in chorus, "rhe old folks at home;"
Of course they did not use English words
The melody had been learned by Swell and
one of the other Indians while they had
been employed on board American vessels
as sailors, and had been taught to the 9th
ers. They are ready aud apt imitators,
and quick to catch the air of any tune they
may hear.
Swell has been among the white men as
sailor and pilot, and is one of the most iu-
teligent Indians l have ever seen. He
was the person who assisted in rescuing
Capt. Weldon and the crew Of the Swiss
Boy, which was wrecked iu Rittinat Sound,
during the month of February last, and
was afterwards pilot Of H. b. M. ship Sat
telite, which was sent down to arrest the
Offenders and convey them to Victoria. He
is still quite young man, but if be lives,
he is destined to be a man Of Importance
among his own and neighboring tribes.
We were all pretty well fatigued by be-
ing out all night, with little sleep, and
nothing but dried salmon and hard bread
to eat since we left Victoria, and were
glad to land at the residence Of Mr.. Web
ster, at Wyaddah Bay, which we did at l
P. NJ :, on Saturday, the 18th.
WEEK AT wYADDAH
Neah Bay is situated at the entrance Of
the Straits of Fucn, some FIVE or six miles
east of Tatooch Island, Cape Flattery.
At the eastern side of the mouth of the
Bay is a small island named Wyaddah, and
projecting from the main land on the same
side of the Bay is bluff promontory some
two hundred yards in length, on the top Of
which are the houses and buildings of
Messrs. Webster and Strong At the foot
of the hill are the lodges of a village of
Macah Indians, together with the cooper
age, smoke-house and oil works of the
above named gentlemen. The whole con-
stitutes the settlement Of Wyaddah. We
were most Hospitality received by Mr.. II.
A. Webster, the resident partner, and
speedily furnished with substantial meal,
aud comfortable bed to which we retired
at an early hour, glad of chance to sleep
without being cramped up as we had been
in the canoe.
The settlement of Wyaddah was com
menced in 1856, by party consisting of
Messrs. Webster, Strong, Winsor and
jenkins, for the purpose of trading with
the Indians for furs, oil and fish, and for
carrying on the fishing business
Mr.. H. A. Webster is now the only one
of the original party remaining, and con-
tinues the business with the assistance of
his brother and two other gentlemen,
Messrs Shaw and Maggs.
The position Of this settlement is such as
to enable Mr.. Webster to render assistance
to shipwrecked persons and travellers, and
his hospitalities are ever rendered in a
courteous and gentlemanly manner, making
every one who visits him feel that they are