The Republican journal., 1892-01-07
Here and There Along the Shores of
the Northwest.
W ritten for the Republican Journal.

De Fuca-tirst discovered the straits
which now bear his name, little did he
dream of the glorious future that lay in
store for the country bordering it's peace
full and silent Shores Ii the veil of flu
turity could have been lifted, with what
CONSERVATION he would have gazed upon
we'll established cities dotting the shore,
and railroads running over the region
where animals, birds and savages reign
supreme. A man that was bold enough
to run such dangerous gauntlet, through
the innumerable channels and bays which
at that time were infested with warlike
tribes of savages, must have possessed a
wonderful amount of courage; for in the
early part of this century the captain and
crew OF the ship "Tonguin, owned by
John Jacob Aster, We're murdered by
Indians inhabiting that section of the
country adjacent to the Straits of Juan
De Fuca But his courage never failed
! him and he pushed on for twenty days
through the many and intricate passages
lying between the island OF Vancouver and
the main land. At the end of twenty days
he turned back fully believing that he
had discovered the Northwest Passage.
Ii it were possible for him to again sail
up the Straits OF Fuca. in the same primi-
tive style OF vessel in which he navigated
its waters SO long ago, with what aston
ishment he would gaze upon the wonder
ful improvements made i'll marine archtec-
ture. We can imagine his surprise on
beholding one OF the China steamers
sweeping past him on an outward passage,
at a rate OF speed such us had not entered
the mind OF man. and was not thought
possible for a vessel to attain 1T that age
in which he lived.
He no doubt would be as greatly astonislI-
ed at The mutations of time as was Rip
Van Wrinkle when he awoke from his
protracted Slumhel and strolied down the
mountain side to his village home. In
stead OF seeing canoes filled with half
naked s:Nages bound on some cruel and
blood thirsty mission. he would behold
some OF the world $ great freight carriers
loaded with products OF the Northwest.
bound for the civilized nations OF Europe
and Asia. In the place OF camp fires
strewn along the shores, surrounded 10y
Indians engaged i'll some nocturnal and
barbarous festivity, scattering white set
Elements trying 10 plant the seed of
civilization would confront him on every
hand and where only the angry @rowl of
the bear the dismal howl of the Wolf and
the screech of the wild birds of the forest
was heard. the rumble OF the locomotive
would stArtie him in its mad rush along
the mountain road.
The fond dream OF this bold sailor was
never realized: for on his return from this
evcnttul voyage lie WAS col,lly received.
and the information which he brought
back concerning the discoveries made was
doubted-in fact his employers very much
doubted the authenticity OF the glowing
I,
1916 captain Cook made d voyage of dis
coVely to tie Northwest coast. bat failed
to lind the Straits OF ruc;. The failure
of 50 noted and intrepid navigator as
captain Cook to find tllis inland passage
could not do otherwise than fully convince
the public that the Greek sailor $ statement
were wholly fictitious. and ii WIS rs late
us the year iH2 hefole the tide OF public
opinion TUNED in an opposite direction.
This WAS caused by the return OF captain
Vancouver from his famous voyage. All
the statements made by the Greek sailor
were fully c"rroholated by Vancouver,
and at last the world was forced to give
credit to whom it Was due. Let US hast
lily glide through some of the beautiful
passages so earnestly sought in the early
history uf tbs continent.
1t is summer and after passing Cape
Flaltely we Immediately come into wild
and exceedingly picturesque scenery: bead
tiful islands. high mountains, placid bays
and numerous intricate channels with
swift running current. in many places
the high hills rise almost perptne,iculally
ont OF the water and are covered with
trees whose impending branches sweep
the stream as they nod and bend in the
breeze, filling the air with fragrant forest
odors.
Some forty miles to the nolthward Of
Victoria is Active Pass, q most beautiful
channel, about one lalf mile wide and
three miles long. Here, dotting the banks,
are scattering houses Of white settlers.
The many patches of cleared land and &
few wharves at the water front show evil
ttence OF honest toll and industry. Many
OF the settlers in this region We're ut one
time i'll the employ of the Hudson Bay
Company. Some of them have chosen
duslSy maidens of the forest for wives,
and to ali appearance they are perfectly
happy, surrounded by their half breed
sons and daughters.
Leaving Active Pass we are Immediately
ushered into the Gulf of Georgia, a fine
sheet of water, which in summer is gen
orally as smooth as glass, and equally
translucent, the serrate mountain tops,
bold headlands and majestic forest being
distinctively reflected, all OF which resem-
bles a prodigious photography.
In early autumn it is not an nfreuucnt
occurrence to meet large bands of Indians
gliding stealthily along in their curiously
fashioned canoes, southwark bound, to as
sist in gathering the hop crop OF Washing
ton. Dozens of these primitive style boats
may be seen at once filled with men,
| women and children, their paddles dip
ping to the cadence of some plaintive song,
their vol. es causing the hills to resound
for miles around.
III e numerous and beautiful islands
which are scattered along the coast be-
tween Vancouver Island and the main land
offer great Inducements to the sportsman.
Those who enjoy fishing can have their
till OF landing trout upon messy banks,
and playing with s.'lmon until the sport
finally approaches something Ike labor.
Those VII" only find pleasure in tramping
through WOODS and over hills in search OF
game will find all the enjoyment they can
comfortably relish. 70 yachtman this
archipelago presents attractions which are
unsurpassed on the Pacific Coast.
The climatic conditions OF this part Of
British Columbia during the summer
months are excellent, and cannot fail to
please the most litter fault-tint.el. The
weather is neither too hot nor too cold.
HI,a * :, Jllp somewhat cln,,1y