The Opelousas courier., 1889-07-06

the pioneer IN the SeCGlom6n6 OF Vic
toria, Vancouver Island. At that time
the remote region swarmed with sav
age and hostile tribes in frequent ant
~sanguinary conflict With each other
He and his partners we're the join
owners Of q fine schooner called 1.-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 ahore
and running their large general store
ct Victoria
It was early in the month of Nav
that the Golden Gate left the port OF
San Francisco, bound for the new set.
Element with a general cargo. She
had on board as crew two men. Q Chi
nese cook and the captain. In addi-
sion to this complement, she carried
with her as supercargo a young ma
tive. the son OF q friendly chief. This
boy had made the trip down to San
Francisco. and was then returning to
his tribe. AL went we'll until within
fifty miles Of the Straits of Juan-deI
Fuca, when. being we'll In with the
land. 1t fell a dead calm. Captain
Webster was o little nervous about
their growing proximity to the
shore. the fiood-tide setting the
schooner slowly but surely in that
direction. He was we'll aware of the
presence OF q fierce and hostile tribe in
that district, accustomed to range the
whole length of the coast, penetrating
eyoa 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.
Bparsely -peopled settlements. This
tribe. known on the coast as the APP
pOnees, had proved themselves. both
On land and sea, doughtEq 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 IL
still held calm and that the schooner
was approaching the shore, distribut-
ed reviewers and ammunition to his
two men and saw carefully to the con-
dlsionoof his W rife. Upon his two
men he knew he could thoroughly
rely. California Ben" was an excep-
faonal shot with q pistol; his COM
panion. Bill Graves, an equally exlsel-
ent and reliable marksman. Hon Pee
Was simply instructed to heat all
The boiling water possible. and
have it ready to repel board
sr& There now only remained the
lnative boy. Or this young fellows hoy
atty the captain entertained some
doubts. Notwithstanding his protesta-
tons of friendship, therefore, ewhile,
for appearance sake. he intrusted him
with an old Misunderstanding gun, he
took good care that powder alone went
into it The young fellow, however.
Who had witnessed the loading Of the
weapon, unbeknown to the captain
into its large single barrel
nearly q handful of rusty nails.
The Apponees and his tribe we're mot
altogether on friendly terms, and they |
would have killed him just as quick as
. white man.
Every thing being now In readiness,
ne captain took q survey Of the situa-
lion. The Golden Gate had ridden in
90 the 2oodtide to within half q mile
the low coast. and that her presence
vas perceived by the natives was evil
dent. as they could be seen running
Aloag the shore, evidently in great ex-
rifennent In q few minutes they OBJ
served two large canoes putting out
rom the shore and heading for the
schooner. Determined not to provoke
aostilitfes, Captain Webster instructed
two companions to keep their
Weapons well out Of sight, ut the same
lnne placing his own rife behind
rail OF the schooner where
I could not be seen. As the canoes
81. y '1. 70 sen sna
49,. $3.50 wlsn hasasoS
- upa posision oh eno 500
-. saus VI 'he scnooher' $500
]a,rni.c I aNsys as co.n -
IT, " ~.
ha xas.a1 C1 Do.ns nv S5
u !. ssssel' captain webster direcseo
il the canoa n tha nr,rt side. whilst
u gave his undivsaed a~ttention 70 the
Of the canoe on the STAR
'oard, in the center of which q stall