Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-08-14

| q DOI UIOu VI UuC SOOuS III Ut0iIN "Cl'S
landed and stored away, and then
the Tonquin, with the balance of her
cargo and nearly half the force, sailed
to the northward to trade with the
Indians along the coast
There we're 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 Columbia, Vancouver
Island was sighted and the master
prepared to enter the harbOr of
Neweetee.
"No go there" 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 for?" 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
Il 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 MIR. MKay to Captain
Thorn. ''These young savages will
return to their people and display
their treasures, which will whet the
appctites 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 Wioananish. This invita-
tion the Scotchman was pleased to ac-
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 ana whispered:
dispose 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 we'll as his words.
strongly IMPRESSED the trader. and
approaching the Young Indian he said
in a naughty manner:
| If 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 bis friends
whom he leaves behind may not be
lonesome.
The natives cOmprehended his
! meaning, and without NOuchsating a
reply in words seated themselves upon
the deck as though perfectly willing
to act as hostages for tho safety OF
their fathers guests.
The ready acquiescence Of the young
savages was not without it's effect on
4 H. no with m
member of the expedition, at once
went on shore, where they were cor
daily received by the aborlgincs.
On board the Tonquin, the day and
following night passed quietly anc
without special incident but on the
succeeding morning swarms OF In
| dams put OF to the vessel and clam
bered 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.. M'Kay had not yet returned,
but Capt. Thorn determined to com
mence business, consequently he or
dered the matches opened and spread
before his dusky visitors temptin,
array of blankets, ETC., expecting
prompt and profitable sale.
Now Capt. Thorn was moro of ;
sailor than a trader. He was no
proficient in the willy arts that ar
necessary for man to possess II h
would be successful in dealing will
any uncivilized race OF people.
He thought that it was only re
qulsite to display his wares, and tina
the Indians would yield up the pre-
cious skins for whatever he saw fit t.
award them.
The Indians however, were not S
eager and simple as the mariner sur
posed he would find them, for the
, had learned the art of bargaining an
the valve of merchandise from tn
casual traders who had previousl
visited the coast.