Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-11-11
PROSPECTING On fmR RwAsKR N
1a6o,
1Corr. NALL

11o0s
(Corr. MALL
CouPEvILLE. Oct, 80. 1888
Seeing an article In the INrELLI.
oKScER from Thomas S;ratton rela
tive to the capture of the Shubrick
by Inspector Smith. brings to mind
interesting rscollections OF early
times. The following is an account
of our attempt to prospect the Fraser
River:
During the winter of 1857 reports
reached US at Port Madison that gold
had been discovered on Fraser River,
in British Columbia. Having had
experience in gold Eining in CALI
fornia. and knowing the advantage
of being first in a newly discovered
gold region, a party OF nine adven-
turous ysung mea determined on a
prospecting tour tn that country. II
was to Us far-off. unknown land,
and our first difficulty was to finu
person to pilot US to the mouth OF
the river. After much inquiry .
person named Bachelor was found,
q former employee of the Hudson
Bay Company, who had made trip
to or up that river. His services
being sc ,ured. We chartered the
schooner Rover, Cspt. Hicks, to take
US to Fort Langley. Knowing that
We were to enter strange Indian
country we armed ourselves each
with Colts navy revolyers, besides
having 10 the company several shot
guns aud one or two rifles. Leaving
Madison in April. 1853, We proceeded
to Gamble to purchase q canoe large
enough to accommodate the entire
party, together with a mining outfit.
On q sand spit opposite Gamble was
a large Indian camp, where we OBJ
tainel q canoe. After procuring an
outfit and supplies at Fowler s. Will
sons store in Port Townsend we set
sail. The wind was fair. though
blowing rather fresh, considering the
email size of our craft. a. we soon
found out rounding Point Hudson.
We ran in the tide-rips of Point Will
son, where the wind then fulled,
making it impossible to keep the
canoe from being forced against the
schooner by the heavy rollers. To
get US out of the way, and for safety.
the Captain ordered US below and
closed the matches. Presently the
Captain shouted out that he would
have to cut the canoe adrift, but If
we wanted to save it we could get in
it and paddle. In q moment four of
Us stood ready, paddles in hand, and
as the canoe came forward on q huge
roller we sprang 10, bare-headed and
stripped for the occasion, amt little
anxious as to the result. We steered
for Smith Island, where. finding
smoother water the canoe was again
taken in tow, q fire was built in the
stove, and soon we were cracking
Jokes over q repast Of boiled salmon,
hard tack and coffee. Propelled by
a gentle breeze We had every Oppor.
tunity of viewing the surrounding
scenery. In the foreground was the
San Juan Islands. which we were en-
tering. while towering in the distance
over all stood snowcrowned Mt.
BAKER; astern lay the large island OF
WILDLY. while to the westward
reaching to the sea were the Coast
Range mountains. Entering Rosa
rio Straits we saw q number of sesls
constantly pfunglng of the rocks into
| the sea, while innumerable ducks
patted the water with their wings,
clearing q passage for the coming
schooner. In little cove ut the en-
trance to the Gulf of Georgia we
came to anchor and camped fer the
night. On the next day we crossed
the gulf, and after q few hours
search We entered the Fraser. Here
we found q number of Indians, who
were anything but communicative.
However, not desiring anything Of
them. it was matter Of Indifference
to US, so we anchored for the night.
The following morning we sailed up
the river. The river sailing was some
thing new and perfectly delightful.
Speeding along, apparently void OF
motion, with ever-changing scenery
on the river bank, not sound but
that of our own voices and the sharp
cry of the startled birds at their
strange visitors. Proceeding thus q
few miles we came in view of what
appeared fork IN the river APP
pealing to our pilot he could recolleet
of no river entering the Fraser below
the Langly. Not wishing to take the
wrong channel we dropped anchor.
While consulting as to the best
course an Indian was seen skirting
the opposite bank OF the river 10 u
small canoe. We hallooed to him,
but he apparently padded faster.
aud we resolved to man our own
canoe aud give chase. A number
jumped into the canoe and started in
pursuit, aud soon gained on the fugi-
tive, when presently we discovered
that he had disappeared with his
canoe into what appeared to be
another branch of the Fraser. Into
this we plunged at full speed, IN
| willing TO lose the game We were so
near bagging. About 100 yards from
| its mouth this inlet made Q sharp
bend to the right. At full speed we
round the bend, when there suddenly
opened out to our vision more than
we looked for. Sitting on the grsss-
covered bank about four feet above
the water was our Siwash, with shout
thirty companions, all With full
cooked guns resting across their
knees, and looking ct Us. The canoe
was headed straight for them, and
before any one cared to speak she
struck against the bank not fifteen
feet from the muzzle of their guns.
For few seconds no one spoke, and
I guess, hardly breathed. Our pistols
were at our sides. but we didn't want
any pistols just then, nor any 81.
washes. nor did we care to look into
the muzzles Of their guns any longer.
Sitting in the bow OF the canoe I
looked back on as pale lot of faces
a. one often meets. Our interpreter
spoke, asking to know the way to
/ Langley. For Q moment not q word
in reply came. Then one gun was
raised, when all. to our relief, fol-
lowed. Talk Of being paralyzed or
having your hair crawl and stand on
end! I think experienced it all at
La u