The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-20

fixed up with the baskets, mats and curios
we had bought; some pictures out of the
magazines, our steamer rugs over the
trunks and a tiny little stove to use in
case of dampness.
A few days after our arrival we went to
Coal Harbor TO meet Mr.. Johnson, from
Vancouver, who was coming for a few
weeks sport BY taking a steamer up the
inside passage between Vancouver island
and the main land. landing in Fort Rupert,
being rowed around to Handy bay and
walking many miles over a very bad trail,
it is possible to come out at Coal Harbor.
There is the little log house the English
couple occupy, but they were on the
sloop at this time. 1t was a rainy day,
and our gasoline launch being out of order,
we, took an Indian canoe and a man from
the mine and went the sixteen miles in
as uncomfortable a manner as one can i'm
agine. as only those who have sat rigidly
in enc of those wabbly canoes two hours
and a half can appreciate. Quatsino mar
rows. with its dangerous eddies and tide
running six miles an hour. was part of the
trip. but the tide being with us. made ii
rapid one. Living in Coal Harbor, besides
the English couple, is only an old fur
trader, who has lived there many years
exchanging groceries with the Indians for
their seal. otter or whatever skins they
bring. They say he a Confederate
colonel from Kentucky, ard was in one of
that States famous feujs afterwards-but
each person in that country is connected
with story more or less unreal and IN
true. His reputation is that of extreme
cleanliness in person, house and character,
so our amazement was great at finding
chaotic disorder on opening the door. The
sight that met our eyes will never quite
fade from memory. The old man was
stretched out in bunk in terrible state,
and only after much arousing came TO
enough to tell his story. He was bruised
and bleeding, cash in his breast, one eye
almost poked out aud his hand bitten
badly in two places. His story was in SUBJ
stance this: Two nights before, about
midnight, he heard slight noise at the
back door; he got up and drew the bolt.
AS the door opened. he received an awful
blow on the head which sent him spinning
against the nearest wall. Being a very
black night, he could see nothing, but his
assailant jumped at him and they locked
In deadly conflict. The old man is a de-
termined old fellow. and though sixty-five
years old. is strong and well preserved.
They wrestled out into the yard, down the
beach. back and forth all over the place,
and finally back to the house By this time,
the assassin, big Indian, unlike the
majority OF coast Indians had the old
mans fore finger in his mouth. chewing
II In true Indian fighting fashion.
DESPERATE FIGHT
The trader succeeded. however, in getting
a grip on the others throat until his tongue
loiIed out and his face became nearly
black. when he asked him, why did you
come here TO kill me?" and the Indian
gurgled, B. he Pay me--kill you-200
dolla' (now that Is the name of the only
other fur trader within many miles). Loos-
ing his grip. the trader seized a piece of
wood and cracked the Indian over the
head. but he managed 10 make his escape
to the beach to canoe. where there was
some one waiting, who cried cautiously.