Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1889-06-15


consequence of our having manifes
ted some desire to satisfy our OWL
minds on the subject, wewere close
ly watched.
Our maintainence had by this
time become so great tax upon
their resources, that it was found
expedient to cause some of our mum
ber to be removed to settlement
about a mile distant. Mr.. Mute,
Mr.. Rollins, and myself were accor.
dinghy selected, and under a strong
escort taken to the place. This did
not please us, as we preferred re-
manning with our companions; but
either expostulation or resistance
would have involved us in worse
/ difficulties, and we submitted. In
our new situation we were well
supplied with provisions, and kindly
treated. We were allowed to visit
our friends at the other town, and
spent our time as agreeably as could
be expected under the circumstan-
ces.
Previously to this, some steps had
been taken towards constructing a
sort Of boat or vessel to convey us
home. Finding the natives dis
posed to part with us, for a stipula-
ted consideration, and to render us
any assistance in their power, we
left no means unemployed to induce
them to exert themselves to the ut
most. After much deliberatiOn, and
many consultations upon the mo-
mentous subject, it was agreed to
commence Operations. Their
prophecies had been duly consulted
and the assistance of their divinity
had been implored with great for
mality.
Before they ventured upor the
undertaking, it was deemed advisa-
BILE to hold festival. An event of so
much importance could not be suf-
fered to transpire without being du-
ly solemnized. Tradition furnished
no account of anything equal to this
attempt. Accordingly large guam
titles of provisions were brought
from various parts of the island, and
an immense concourse of men, Wom-
en-, and children, attended the feast.
On our part we had little confidence
in the success of the plan; but, be
that as it might, we were far from
being displeased with their efforts
to carry it into execution, and shar-
ed with them the festivities of the
occasion, with not little pleasure.
This part of the business having
been duly attended to, the time had
come for united and vigorous ac-
ton; and accordingly the whole
male population of that region re-
paired to the woods, to procure tim
Der. In the meantime the females,
animated by spirit of emulation,
betook themselves to the task of
mats, to serve as sails to our
vessel, when it should be completed.
In time, the whole resources of the
country, of every kind, were taxed
to the last extremity, to accomplish
the work. Considering the means
they had for carrying the plan in
to execution, it Is surprising that
they accomplished as much as they
did. The best tools we had were a
few old inch chisels, which served as
substitutes for the broad-axe, i'm
manufacturing trees into planks,
aud afterwards fitting them to their
places. There were n few spikes on
the island, but we had neither auger
nor gimlet,
When news had been received
that the timber was ready in the
woods, orders were given to.have it
brought together, Seldom had we
more novel scene than
that presented by the natives when
they brought from the forests the
rudely prepared materials for the
boat. They were seen coming in
from Nll quarters with loads of TIM
her Ol their shoulders, of every size
and shape that could be conceived
Of and causing the hills and wales to
rcsound with their shouts. In due
time the works of putting together
the materials commenced. We sue
ceoded in laying II sort of keel, and
NJ length contrived To erect "a kind
lf frame, which, though 1t might
not bc regarded as tlrst-rate speci-
men of naval architecture. neverthe-
less looked somewhat ike the begin
ming of a water craft. But when we
anne To the more difficult part of the
business, that of putting ON the
blanks, We found that not only our
xiii, but that Of the whole nation,
Nas completely batfled. We were
'ompelled to abandon the under
aking; and despaired of ever being
'hlc 10 succeed in building anything
NJ the kind.