The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1889-08-01

Captain Thomas Webster was one OF
the pioneers in the settlement of Vic
toria. Vancouver Island. At that time
the remote region swarmed with saw
age and hostile tribes in frequent and
sanguinary conflict with each other.
He and his partners were the joint
owners of a 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 May
that the Golden Gate left the port OF
San Francisco, bound for the new set
tlement with general cargo. She
had on board as crew two men, Chi
nese cook and the captain. In addi-
ton to this complement, she carried
with her as supercargo young ma
tive, the son of a friendly chief. This
boy had made the trip down to San
Francisco, and was then returning to
his tribe. All went well until within
fifty miles of the Straits of Juan-de-
Fuca, when, being well in with the
land. it fell dead calm. Captain
Webster was little nervous about
their growing proximity to the
shore, the dood-tide setting the
schooner slowly but surely in that
direction. He was well aware of the
presence Of a 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, distribut-
ed revolvers and ammunition to his
two men and saw carefully to the con-
dition of his own rife. Upon his two
men he knew he could thoroughly
rely. California Benn was an excep-
tonal shot with a pistol; his com
panion, Bill Graves, an equally excel
ent and reliable marksman. Hon Pee
was simply instructed to heat all
the boiling water possible, and
have 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,
Tor appearance sake, he intrusted him
with an old muzzle-loading gun, he
sook good care that powder alone went
INTO it The young fellow, however,
VIZ had witnessed the loading of the
weapon, unbeknown to the captain
shpped 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
a white man.
Every thing being now in readiness,
sne captain took a survey of the situa-
uon. The Golden Gate had ridden in
On the aoodtide to within half a mile
q the low coast, and that her presence
vas perceived by the natives was evi-
aenS as they could be seen running
along the shore, evidently in great ex-
cltement In a few minutes they OBJ
served two large canoes putting out
irom the shore and heading for the
schooner. Determined not to provoke
,lostliltles, Captain Webster instructed
Als TWO companions to keep their
:. Weapons well out of sight, at the same
',ne placing his own rife behind
:. sae rall OF the schooner where
y could not be seen. As the canoes
approached it could be seen that they
we're crowded with natives. One
sanoe took up position on the star
soaro side OF the schooner, about
s',s.a 10y yards away, its companion as
similar position on the port