Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-08-12

Indians along the coast
There were twenty-four souls on
board, including Lamazee, an inter-
prefer, and Mr. M'Kay in charge OF
the business department., and Capt.
Thorn in command Of the vessel.
Several days after leaving the
mouth of the Colum bia, Vancouver
Island was sighted and the master
prepared to enter the harbor of
Neweetee.
"No go there.m exclaimed Lamazee
in alarm, pointing toward the shore.
"S'pose him do Injuns kill all"
Indians kill ALL" laughed Capt.
Thorn. 'Why, you poor fool, what
do you suppose we have got those
'barkers' with US foE?" pointing to
two small cannon dashed in the waist
of the yes Ell. They would blow
the whole tribe into the Pacific
But the interpreter shook his head
and replied:
Maybe yes, maybe no. Old
Wicananish see white man thunder
before. He no 'fraid."
"Neither are We" and the deter
mined captain pushed on into the
harbor.
Scarcely was the anchor down when
a canoe came alongside, which con-
tanned the two sons of the chief.
They held up to view several skins
of the sea-otter, one Of the most
valuable pelts to be obtained in
America.
These caused them to be cordially
welcomed by the white men, and they
were invited on board.
The young chiefs presented the furs
to the newcomers as gifts of welcome,
although they did not refuse to accept
in return trinkets from the white
men, which in their eyes were far
more than an equivalent for the skins
1--WE will not begin to trade to-
day." remarked Mr.. M'Kay to Captain
Thorn. "These young savages will
return to their people and display
their treasures, which will whet the
appetites Of the others, and to-mor-
row you will see our decks piled up
with peltry."
After the Indians had been shown
about the ship, they besought Mr..
M'Kay to come on shore and be pre-
sented to Wtcananish. This invita-
tion the Scotchman was pleased to &C
cept, and in company with one of his
clerks prepared to land.
But as he was entering the cabin
to attire himself for the trip, Lama
zee, the interpreter, plucked him by
the sleeve and whispered:
"'Spose the white man goes to the
wigwam of Wicananish, let the sons
of Wicananish stay in the big canoe
that flies before the wind like bird
of the air."
The knowing look upon the inter-
prefers face, as well as his words,
strongly impressed the trader, and
the young Indian he said
in a naughty manner:
eff the rich white man, who has
brought many presents to his led |
brothers should visit the wigwam OF |
his chief, the sons of the great Wi
cananish should be willing to remain |
on board his vessel, that his friends !
whom hR leaves behind may not be
lonesome.
The natives comprehended his
and without vouchsafing a
reply in words seated themselves upon
the deck as though perfectly willing
to act as hostages for the safety of
their fathers guests.
The ready acQuiescence of the young
savages was not without it's effect on
Mr.. M'Kay, and he, with another
Of the expedition, at once
went on shore, where they were cor
daily received by the aborfgines.
On board the Tonquin, the day and
following night passed quietly and
special incident, but oD the
morning swarmS Of In
1ians put of to the vessel and clam
Dered to the deck, each supplied with
one or more skins Of fur-bearing ami
mails which were indigenous TO that
section of the country.
Mr.. MKay had not yet returned,
but Capt. Thorn determined to COM
mence business, consequently he Or
lered the matches opened and spread
before his dusky visitors a tempting
array Of blankets, ETC., expecting
prompt and profitable sale.
Now Capt Thorn was more of a
sailor than a trader. He was not
proficient in the willy arts that are
necessary for man to possess if he
would be successful in dealing with
any uncivilized race of people.
He thought that it was only re-
quisite to display his wares, and that
the Indians would yield up the pre-
cious skins for whatever he saw fit to
award them.
The Indians however, were not so
eager and simple as the mariner sup
posed he would find them, for they
had learned the art Of bargaining and
the valre of merchandise from the
casual traders who had previously
visited the coast.
They were guided also by shrewd
old sub-chief. named NookamisS, who
had grown gray in traffic with New
England shippers and prided himself
on his acutenesS His opinion seemed
to regulate the market