The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-06-19
A FIGHT FOR LIFE.
Three Sailors Repulse Hundred
Desperate Savages.
Under Prctext Of Friendship the Blood
thirsty Demons Get Alongside a Help
less Schooner-Aid From an
Unexpected Quarter.


Captain Thomas Webster was one Of
the pioneers in the settlement of Vic.
toria. Vancouver Island. At that time
the remote region swarmed with say
age and hostile tribes in frequent ant
sanguinary conflict with each other
tie and his partners were the join
owners of q fine schooner called "The
Golden Gate" which piled between
San Francisco and Victoria. A skill
full navigator. the command of this
vessel naturally devolved upon Web
ster, his partner remaining on shore
and running their large general store
at Victoria.
1t was early in the month of Nav
that the Golden Gate left the port of
San Francisco, bound for the new set
t,ement with a general cargo. She
had on board as crew two men, a Chi
nese cook and the captain. In addi-
tlon to this complement, she carried
with her as supercargo young ma
tive, the son of friendly chief. This
boy had made the trip down to San
Francisco, and was then returning to
his tribe. All went we'll until within
fifty miles of the Straits of Juan-de-
Fuca, when, being well in with the
land, it fell a dead calm. Captain
Webster was a little nervous about
their growing proximity to the
shore, the flood-tide setting the
schooner slowly but surely in that
direction. He was we'll aware of the
presence OF fierce and hostile tribe in
that district, accustomed to range the
whole length of the coast, penetrating
even to the waters of Puget Sound in
their swift war-canoes, and oftentimes
creating, by their sudden onslaughts in
unexpected quarters, the utmost panic
In the peaceful and, at that time,
sparsely -peopled settlements. This
tribe, known on the coast as the APP
ponees had proved themselves, both
on land and sea, doughty opponents,
and had in years before been one of
the most formidable obstacles to the
founding of the city of Victoria. To-
ward noon the captain. seeing that it
still held calm and that the schooner
was approaching the shore, distribute
ed revolvers and ammunition to his
two men and saw carefully to the con-
ditlon OF his own rifle. Upon his two
men he knew he could thoroughly
rely, California Ben" was an excep-
tonal shot with pistol; his COM
panlon, Bill Graves, an equally excel
emit and reliable marksman. Hon Pee
was simply instructed to heat all
,he boiling water possible, and
nave it ready to repel board
ers' There now only remained the
native boy. Of this young fellows 10y
ATTY the captain entertained some
doubts. Notwithstanding his protesta-
tlons of friendship, therefore, while,
ior appearance sake, he intrusted him
with an old muzzle-loading gun, he
TOOK good care that powder alone went
into IT. The young fellow, however,
VINO had witnessed the loading of the
weapon, unbeknown to the captain
slipped into its large single barrel
nearly handful of rusty nails.
The Apponees and his tribe were not
altogether on friendly terms, and they
would have killed him just as quick as
. white man.
Every thing being now in readiness,
The captain took survey OF the situa-
lion. The Golden Gate had ridden in
On the loodtide to within half a mile
'i the low coast, and that her presence
was perceived by the natives was evil
lent, as they could be seen running
slong the shore, evidently in great ex-
'ltement. In few minutes they OBJ
served two large canoes putting out
rom The shore and heading for the
schooner. Determined not to provoke
nostilitles' Captain Webster instructed |
MS two companions to keep their
weapons well out of sight, at the same |
lime placing his own rifle behind
he rail OF the schooner where
It could not be seen. As the canoes
approached 1t could be seen that they
we're crowded with natives. One
canoe took up position on the star.
board side of the schooner, about
twenty yards away, its companion as
suming similar position on the port
SIDE. There being no steerage-way on
'ae vessel, Captain Webster directed
us two men to watch the movements
y the canoe on the port side, whilst
g gave his undivided attention to the
,aoVements of the canoe on the star
ward, In the center of which stall
nart native now stood erect and hailed
saem in broken English. Whilst the
usual parley for gifts of blankets, -four
- !; aay thing the captain might have to
W. away was progressing, Ca lain
CO... .s'er mad time to notice that ne
.ua.er Of each boat was occupied BY s
e, sspp'salous-looking heap, snugly Gov
nlaaket. He also counted