Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1888-09-08
M.AQUINA'S MANTLE.
BY ROBERT KELsoE.

BY ROBERT kEl.sOS.
oWcll. boys," said the grandfather
one day, when hc had been importuned
by my brother and myself for some incl
dent in his former life, in the autumn OF
1901 took command of the brig Lydia,
,tting out at Boston for a voyage to the
Northwest coat, to trade with the In
dans for furs.
81 had already made successful voy-
age of this kind, and was familiar with
the customs OF the natives. who were
willy, treachcrous SCI, and needed the
closest watching 10 guard against sur
prise and the capture OF your ship. In
fact. several vessels had been attacked
by savage. Il d it was believed that the
ship Boston had been thus taken about
two years before. as she had not been
heard frrn. although it was known that
she had arri O., ST c On the coast.
"Wh;lr was experimenting the load
ing OF my vessel, one of the firm of +. "
II. Amory-lhc owners of the Boston
came to me. aad begged me to use every
means possible, while was on the coast,
10 learn something of the fate of their
ship and her crew. readily promised
to do what could to aid them. and soon
AFTER having completed taking in my
cargo, sailed from Boston for what
proved to be, in many ways, successful
voyage.
"ihc Lydia was fine brig, a fast
sailer, gcu wcathcrly vessel, and an
excellent sea boat IN heavy weather.
She mounted four twcnty.four Founders
81 al, tnt
poop an fore castle, and carried an
abundant supply of small-arms for my
crew OF twenty men, carpenter, armOrcr
and three officers.
"This was, OF course. a large crew, but
none too Great for that trade, since 1t
was sometime; necessary to defend ones
vessel against an attack from large bodies
Of Indians The brig was also fitted
with boarding ncttipgs fore and aft, so
that when they were triccd up the vessel
would be de|ens.blc against any attack
but o surprise, and that we were sup
posed to guard against by uuceasing
vigilance night and day while ON the
coast.
"On the voyage out around Cape Horn
] had nv men, in their leisure time, we'll
drilled at great guns and small arms,
and before we arrived on the coast
had as handy a crew as any one could
have desired
"After | aying San Francisco, tried
one or two places up the coast to the
southwark of Nootka Sound. and picked
up few furs. but an English hip had
Eeen Just ahead of me, and so rather
spoiled my trade But by treating the
natives fairly and kindly, gained the
confidence Of t'latilla, the Chief of the
Klaizza!ts, and he promised to save all
the skins his tribe obtained during the
NEXT few months, 10 trade with me on
my return.
81 also learned from him that the Moot
kams undoubtedly held two white mon
in captivity, and, after some persuasion,
he exhibited to me a ships cutlass he
had come into possession of, either as
spoil of war, or in barter with the Moot
kians, and this cutlass was stamped
Boston.
81 now felt confident that was upon
the right track, and determined to make
an effort to rescue these unfortunate men.
/ endcavored to induce latilla to come
with me to Nootka himself, or at least
to send some one of his people; but he
absolutely refused, and saw that he
feared the Twill of the warlikc Moot
kians by seeming TO aid me against
them.
$50 got. under weigh, and stood up
the coast, entered Nootka sound, and
anchoring in Friendly Cove, as it was
called, singularly enough. fired a couple
of guns, which was the usual signal to an
nounce your arrival and desire to trade.
Indians soon appeared on the shore,
and al last canoe came off, and, keep
ing at prudent d stance, male lie
understand they were ready with furs for
barter. The custom was to send the
chief looking glass, or musket, or
something of the kind to open the trade,
and then arrangements were made as to
how mu-h should lie given for each
pelt.
'My present was sent on shore, and
the chief soon responded with an otter
skin as his gift, and request that l
would come Oh shore; but this invita-
ton declined.
"Tradc was now opened formallr, but l
never permitted more than do Gu ma
tives on board the ship, aud but two
canoes were allowed to lie alongside at
the same time. also had sea watches
kept at night, with one.half the crew
well armed on deck, aud did not allow
the customary port watch of two men
only, for | was confident that was
dealing with men who would tike adj
vantage of any o opportunity presented by
relaxed discipline. The result proved
the wisdom ofmy course.
ssAfter trading for several days,
Amekama the brother of NIaquina, the
principal chicf-camc on board one day,
and. to my surprise, addressed me in
English. His vocabulary, however, COM
prised but few words, but of these he
was extremely proud.
~ took him into tie cabin, and treated
him so we'll thathe became almost q daily
visitor, brought many valuable furs for
barter, declared himself my good friend,
and assured me l should have all the
furs secured by his trlae.
"Meanwhile, was making every CT
fort to learn something about the two
white men, whom believed to be the
prisoners of this tribe, but of course,
without arous ng the suspicious of the
i-c- At last, one day, Il young Girl
zt.ih.o with number of sqnaws. who
had birds and other game they wished to
trade for beads.
"While the bargain was hen made.
the girl secretly slipped a SO led pie e o!