The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1881-11-04

I - = - y. l''.PN'3 ''ia.S SA"'ii
ining The pis.el before firing again, it
went off accidentally, sh ,oting his
little boy in the head. We thought
at first tie child was killed, as the
ball seemingly entered the forehead
| and passed out at the top OF the head
| and Instantly covering him with
blood. All was excitement and con-
fusion in an ins ant. The mother
screamed and the father seeing what
he had done, became almost frantic.
| ram and got some whiskey and p
pile, to the child's head, aud tr ed to
| pour some down his throat, for he
had tainted and was entirely insensi-
bic; bnt he soon recovered and com.
menced crying. But the excitement
of the natives continued to increase,
and it was evident that unless we got
away at once scrions trouble might
ensue. So we commenced heaving
up anchor as fast as possible. Some
OF the crew wanted to slip or cut the
hawser tor fear we could not get
away in time. Only one canoe was
alorgSlde at. the time, but another
was coming off and was n, ar the YES
sci, but was partly filled with women
| and children. As soon as they heard
the noise on the vessel they turn
ed towards the shore az fast as possi-
bic, probably to get their guns and
more men. But bv this time our
anchor was away, and the schooner
swung around in a hurry with both
jibs set before strong breeze. II
was only the work ct a fey minutes
to get all sail set and run out of the
bay. Had / ,e natives been able To
get on board they would probably
have compelled. us to pay literally
for the accident, or fight ,hen-not
that we were TO blame at all, but,
Indian like, they would have taken
advantage of the circumstances and
turned il to their profit. This was
made apparent at once by their man
ner, as the Indian that did the shoot
ing Immediately demanded whisky.
l gave him cupiul, but he called
for Il barrel and insisted on liavi ing "a
large quantity passed on deck. This
We could not lavaeScomplicd will, as
we only had seven or eight gallons
on board; but they probably would
not have believed us in this, and so
HE trouble wculd have commenced,
and ms we we're well armed and they
also, very serious results must have
followed. We regretted the accident
Very much and sincerely hope the
child has recovered.
From this place we sailed mp along
the coast of Siberia towards the Bel-
ring Straits. AT East Cape large
number of natives came on board.
Some spoke good English, and they
only seemed TO have one want, and
that was whisky. We refused to let
them have even a drink, and they
became quite dlsgusted and finally
left the vessel, sadly disappointed,
Off East Cape lie the Diomedes, three
small islands about in the middle OF
the straits, and as the boundary line
between Russia and the United
States passes through tins group, it
may be sail tha. Russia and Amer
lea meet. Somehow we are apt to
think of Russia as flr-off country
while in reality 1t is one ofour near
est neighbors.
From here we sailed up the coast
to the norts west, towards Wrangel's
Land, and got within about twelve
hours sail of that now famous conn-
try. As no ice could be seen in that
direction the temptation was great
To attempt to reach it and land upon
il; but a departure from the voyage
might cause trouble with the crew,
and effect insurance, SO I was com
PEELED to abandon the idea, which
| did very reluctantly. We had
now reached a point where the sun
does not set at this season of the
year. It. merely passes from the east
to the south, frt IN the soul, to wesl.
from the west 10 the north, and then
around the east again. Midday and |
are all the same-uo dark. |
ness, no moon, no stars.
We now turned toward the east.
sailed across the Artic Ocean toward |
the American continent. At ley |
Cape we saw large number of
who had collected together
for the purpose of trading with the
ships. They seemed quiet ard in
looked healthy and con-
tented; and it is rather queer TO
realize that, though far from home,
taey are vet fellow Americans.