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Title: Pelts and Powder.
   A Story of the West Coast in the Making.
Author: McKelvie, Bruce Alistair (1889-1960)
Illustrator: Anonymous
Date of first publication: 1929
Edition used as base for this ebook:
   London & Toronto: J. M. Dent, 1929
   [first edition]
Date first posted: 3 March 2012
Date last updated: 3 March 2012
Project Gutenberg Canada ebook #921

This ebook was produced by Al Haines






[Frontispiece: This map shows the islands at which the brig "Hope"
called]






PELTS AND POWDER

A STORY OF THE WEST COAST IN THE MAKING



By

B. A. MCKELVIE

Author of "Huldowget," "Black Canyon," etc.




WITH EIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS




London & Toronto

J. M. DENT & SONS LTD.




First Published ... 1929


_All rights reserved_

PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN




FOREWORD

No more colourful chapter is to be found in the romance of the West
than that which covers the period from 1778 to 1795, when Nootka, the
landing-place of Captain James Cook, was the storm-centre of
international politics and the pawn of nations.  To this isolated spot
on the wild West Coast came the adventurers of many lands, lured by the
reports of the wealth to be obtained in the trading of sea-otter pelts
between America and China, where the rich black fur was so highly
esteemed by Oriental princes and mandarins.  Purchased for trinkets and
trifles worth a few pennies, these skins brought high prices on the
Canton market.

Expeditions were fitted out in England, the Orient, France, Spain, and
the United States for the rock-bound shores and dangerous channels of
this little known part of the world.  Men envisioned the rewards and
counted not the difficulties or the terrors of the trade--and out of
their daring grew civilisation.

While not the first to follow the track of the great British explorer,
the "Boston Traders"--as the mariners from Massachusetts came to be
known--were the most persistent in the commerce and continued to comb
the coast for pelts until after the fur-traders of Canada extended
their domain across the continent and, amalgamating under the banner of
the Hudson's Bay Company, erected posts at strategic points from the
Columbia River to Alaska and secured the monopoly of trade.  Ships
sailing from Europe and Boston and trading from China could not meet
the competition of permanent establishments, and thus, half a century
after they first appeared, the marine-traders were forced from the
field.

In picturing the life and times of the trade, the history of the little
brigantine _Hope_, Captain Joseph Ingraham, of Boston, has been closely
followed.  The original of this interesting record is in the Library of
Congress at Washington, D.C., while a photostat copy is in the
Provincial Archives at Victoria, British Columbia.

While the youthful characters have been, of course, devised to add
interest and preserve continuity, and one or two events, such as their
captivity among the Indians, were necessary to avoid the tedium of a
trip to and from the Orient, the main incidents will bear comparison
with the unvarnished tale as set down by the old mariner with his quill
pen in the cabin of the _Hope_.

B.A.M.

_Vancouver, B.C._




CONTENTS

       Foreword
    I. Signed On
   II. Uncharted Waters
  III. Trouble Brewing
   IV. The Brig Attacked
    V. Man the Pumps
   VI. A Wild Welcome
  VII. Adrift in the Mist
 VIII. In Captivity
   IX. The God of Fire
    X. Rescued
   XI. An Unexpected Message
  XII. Treacherous Natives
 XIII. Nootka
  XIV. Drake, Burbank and Drake




LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS


Map of the Islands . . . . . . . . . _Frontispiece_

"Good Morning, Sir"

A Large Double Canoe

Kenneth went Aloft to Keep a Look-Out

They Huddled Together

The Test by Fire

The Brig "Hope" in Nootka Sound

"Uncle!"





CHAPTER I

SIGNED ON

"So thou art my nephew?"  The old trader gazed over the square lenses
of his spectacles at the youth who stood before him hat in hand, "And
what may thy name be?"

"Lawrence, sir--Lawrence Drake."

"Lawrence," repeated the old man slowly.  "Ah, named for thy mother's
kin?"

"Yes, sir."

Tobias Drake was a man of somewhat eccentric habits, but was better
known to his fellow-merchants of Boston by reason of his shrewdness,
perception and ability to drive a hard bargain.  These qualities had
won for him a reputation for wealth and an assured position in the
mercantile community, but they had not brought him the friendship of
his associates.

The almost obliterated firm-name on the weather-beaten old signboard
that hung over the door of his dark and dusty counting-house was
"Tobias Drake and Brother."  Some there were among the older
business-men of the town who could remember the junior partner, a
pleasant-spoken young fellow who had returned from an English
university to join Tobias in his commercial ventures.  They could
recall when the paint was fresh and shining on the sign-board, and when
"Old Toby," then in his prime, had made a tour of the trading
establishments, and with an air of pride and proprietorship had
introduced his brother.  Then, despite the change in the style of the
business, the younger Drake seemed almost to vanish into the dingy
recesses of the counting-house, where he pored over the books of the
partnership, and took no evident part in the conduct of the business.

There followed troublous times.  Men's minds were diverted from the
hum-drum channels of trade to the vexations of politics.  Taxes and
exactions by the British Government followed one upon another, until
muttered complaints grew into open defiance, and bitter argument
separated old friends.  Whigs openly reproached Tories who sought to
justify the impositions, and Tories vainly argued the virtue of loyalty
to the Crown.

It was rumoured, when men took time to discuss their neighbours, that
Tobias Drake and his young brother were not in agreement upon the
issues of the moment, and that the junior partner, not long from the
Mother Country, upheld the policies of the King's Government.  Tobias
was well known to be a firm supporter of the cause of the Colonies.

Then came that memorable night in 1773 when men, garbed as Indians,
swarmed down to the wharf where a cargo of tea awaited unloading and
took possession of the vessel, and in protest against the obnoxious
tea-tax dumped the loaded chests into the harbour.  Rumour again
reported that, when the next morning the whole town buzzed with the
excitement and agitation of the news, there had been an angry dispute
between the brothers, and Frederic Drake had quitted the place.

Whether this was true or false Tobias never vouchsafed an answer, but
Frederic was not seen about the premises or town after that time.  Nor
did anyone care to question Tobias upon the subject.  No changes were
made about the counting-house, and the business was carried on as if
the partnership continued to exist with one of the principals absent
upon the affairs of the concern.  The only change was in Tobias
himself.  He kept more and more to himself, holding but little converse
with any person outside of his business dealings, unless it was with
the manservant who looked after his bachelor quarters immediately
behind his private office.

And now, seventeen years after the brothers had parted, came this boy,
saying that he was Frederic's son.

"And thy father is dead?" Tobias asked almost in a whisper.

"Yes sir; I told you he died at Halifax three years ago."

"Three years--three years: this is 1790--yes, he would have lived long
enough to repent," he murmured half aloud, and then turning to the boy
he almost shouted: "Your father was a fool--a fool, I say.  He would
uphold oppression, and mouth about loyalty--loyalty; what did it bring
him?  Died in want, I warrant--no, no, don't tell me," and he waved his
arms to silence the astonished youth, whose flushed face showed that
his temper was being aroused, and he was about to give angry denial.
"No, no," went on the old man, "loyalty brought him nothing--I know.
All he possessed was loyalty and pride, and with those assets he
married--married, ah, ah"; and he chuckled mirthlessly.

"And who was thy mother?" he demanded almost hysterically, "who was
she?  Some woman without sense, I trow, or she never would have married
him.  I know----"

"Stop right there," commanded the boy, and he clenched his fists and
made a step towards his uncle.  "You stop right there, or old as you
are, and my father's brother, I'll thrash you.  No one can insult my
mother."

Old Tobias stopped.  His mouth opened and he looked in amazement at the
youth, who was trembling with rage.  "There, there, I did not intend
any insult, I knew not the woman," he apologised in a mumble.  "Sit
thee down."

"No, sir, I will not sit down, and I will not stay here either.  I came
only because my mother"--and his voice faltered for an instant--"made
me promise, when she was dying, to hunt out my father's brother in
Boston.  I have done so, and I want nothing to do with him"; and
putting on his hat he rushed from the room.  Tobias Drake was too
surprised to make any effort to detain the lad, and for several minutes
he sat gazing at the door through which the young fellow had
disappeared.

"He, too, has pride--and courage," he whispered at last, and turning
called: "Hooker!"

In answer to the summons, a wizened old man appeared from the
apartments screened from the office by a heavy curtain.  "You called?"

"Verily; didst thou see the boy who was here?"

The servant nodded.

"Follow him and find whither he goeth; with whom he holds speech, and
upon what subject."

After the man had gone Old Tobias, whom men said was hard-hearted and
lacking in human sympathies, threw his arms across the high desk, and
pillowing his white head upon them, cried like a child.  "Oh, Frederic,
Frederic," he sobbed, "thou art gone,--and I slaved for thee and worked
for thee, that when thou didst return thy little would be plenty,--and
now thou art gone."

The September day was drawing to a close when Hooker returned to find
his master sitting in the darkened room where he had left him.  The
trader did not speak until after the man had lighted a candle; then,
"What of the boy?"

"I followed him, sir, as you said.  He be a sturdy lad, and I had a
time a-keeping of him in sight.  He talked to one or two of the
merchants, asking if they had employment, but they had none for him.
Then he went down to the water-side, and I followed----"

"Yes, yes, what did he there?"

"Well, he stood a-looking at the shipping for a time; then he went and
spoke to the master of a brigantine, who just come ashore--and they
talked.  I could not hear what they was a-saying.  They was too far
away."

"Who was this captain?  Didst thou learn his name?"

"He were Master Ingraham, sir."

"What, Joseph Ingraham--he who was on the _Columbia_ as mate?"

"The same."

"And the brigantine?"

"It were the _Hope_."

"Ingraham--the _Hope_," Tobias repeated half aloud.  "It's a long
voyage and venturesome--but it might be well that he take it.  Hooker!"

"I be here, sir."

"Go thou and find this Captain Ingraham: present my respects and tell
him I would have speech with him on important business.  He will come,
for he knows I hold an interest in the ship and cargo."

Several hours passed before Hooker returned, followed by a
broad-shouldered, deeply-tanned man in semi-naval uniform.

"Ah, Captain Ingraham," smiled Tobias as he lighted a second candle,
"it pleaseth me to meet thee again, but I am grieved to have taken thee
from thy family upon the eve of thy departure."

"Tut, tut, sir, 'tis nothing if I may be of service to you."

"Perchance thou mayest do me service," answered the merchant; and he
beckoned the sailor to a seat and drew his own chair close to him.

They talked in low, earnest tones for a long time, and when at last
Captain Ingraham rose to go, Old Tobias handed him a bag heavy with
gold.  "Now, mind thee," he cautioned, "speak nothing of this to the
lad, but if he proves worthy of thy good opinion, let him not want for
opportunity of advancing himself, either in trade or the service of the
sea.  If he proves to be unworthy----" and the old man extended his
hands and shrugged his shoulders--"then forget that I have spoken to
thee, and treat him as thou wouldst any other boy--as he deserveth."

"I will do as you say," answered the mariner as he shook the older
man's hand and left the house to make his way home.

As he passed along the streets, by lighted shop-windows, and through
the dim yellow radiance of flickering oil-lamps on occasional street
corners where the idlers of the town congregated to gossip and chatter,
men nudged each other and pointed him out.  "There goes Captain
Ingraham," they would whisper; and the more solid citizens whom he
met--good burghers--would lift their lanterns and give him cheery "Good
evening."

Joseph Ingraham was a hero to the people of Boston, for had he not been
mate of the _Columbia Rediviva_, which under Captain Robert Gray had
but recently carried, for the first time, the colours of the young
Republic around the globe?  And that after two years spent in trading
with the treacherous savages on the little-known coast of North-West
America?

Many there were who said that he was indeed entitled to equal share
with Captain Gray in the glory of the expedition, and that both men
were deserving of greater praise than Captain John Kendrick, who
commanded the venture, and had remained on the West Coast in the
smaller vessel, _Lady Washington_.  It was but five weeks before that
the _Columbia_ had dropped anchor in Boston harbour, and officers and
crew, dressed in strange tribal costumes of Pacific savages, and
accompanied by Opye, a prince of Owhyee,[1] had paraded through the
main streets of the town.  They had been given a welcome that was only
equalled in its warmth by that accorded to General Washington after his
victories of the Revolution.

Such were the tales that these mariners brought back of the wealth of
these lands which had been so recently discovered by the great British
navigator, Captain James Cook, that rival groups of merchants hastened
to outfit vessels to participate in the new and lucrative trade in the
highly prized sea-otter pelts that the explorer found could be
purchased for mere trifles.  True, several of the shareholders in the
_Columbia Rediviva_ and _Lady Washington_, on learning more of the
risks of the commerce, considered that the profits already obtained
were not sufficient to justify further expenditures and disposed of
their interests.  But this did not deter others from embarking upon
similar enterprises.

So it was then, that, a week after his return, Joseph Ingraham was
approached by a trading-group in which Tobias Drake was largely
interested, with the offer of the command of a vessel, and an interest
in the profits.  While the craft chosen for the adventure was regarded
by some as being too small for such a voyage, being a brigantine of but
seventy tons, she was known to be a staunch and seaworthy little
vessel.  Further, it was argued that success depended more upon the
brains and abilities of the commander and the character of the crew
than upon the size of the ship.  Acting upon this hypothesis the
merchants had selected Joseph Ingraham as the man best qualified for
the position.  The inducements offered him were such that he could not
do other than accept the command.

The intervening time, therefore, had been occupied with the outfitting
of the _Hope_ and the selection of her crew.  Haste was essential, for
other expeditions were in preparation, and he well knew that, in the
trade of the wilderness, a single day might make the difference between
failure and the success that came with a hold filled with prime pelts.
For days all had been bustle aboard the brigantine.  Stores of iron bar
and copper and brass--metals highly prized by the savages--were
received and piled below with but scant regard to proper stowing.
Provisions and sails and cordage and ship's stores and gaudy articles
of trade were packed into the hold to be more snugly arranged when
opportunity offered.  Then, too, the magazine had to be filled with
powder, and the shot lockers stored with shot and scrap iron and balls
a-plenty; boarding nets had to be fashioned and fitted, and cannons
stationed and swivels mounted; muskets and pistols and side-arms and
sabres for the protection of the ship and crew in the dangerous waters
they were to visit had to be purchased.  Water-casks had to be filled
to overflowing, and great quantities of wood had to be cut ashore and
taken aboard for the galley and cabin fires.

And now John Cruft, the first officer, reported that all these things
had been done, and the _Hope_ was ready for sea.  Orders were
immediately given for her sailing on the next day.

It was shortly after dawn when Captain Ingraham bade farewell to his
family, and made his way through the now deserted streets of the town
to the water-side.  The outlines of the _Hope_ as she swung at anchor
were hardly discernible in the cold grey mists that rose from the river
and floated down the harbour.  In answer to his whistle came a shout
from the vessel and the rattle and creaking of davit-blocks as a boat
was lowered.

As he drew his greatcoat closer about him and stamped his feet on the
ground, more from force of habit than from the chill of the cold
morning air, he heard himself addressed with, "Good morning, sir."

[Illustration: "GOOD MORNING, SIR"]

Captain Ingraham turned swiftly to see Lawrence Drake approaching.
"Oh, it's you," he smiled.  "You're up betimes, young man."

"Yes, sir, you told me you would sail this morning, and I didn't want
to miss you."

"Well, you certainly didn't let me get away from you," and then, after
a pause, "So you want to join the _Hope_?"

"Yes, sir."

"Do you realise, boy, that she's a very small ship, and we're going on
a very long and dangerous voyage, with only an even chance of ever
returning?"

"I don't mind that, sir," was the quiet answer.

"You don't?  Well, do you mind being starved and perhaps shipwrecked,
and possibly being tortured by Indians; or being locked up in a Spanish
prison: do you mind those things, boy?"

"Certainly I do, sir," replied Lawrence, "and so would anyone, but they
are the risks that a person must take, and you have faced them and will
do so again."

The master of the _Hope_ regarded the strong, sturdy frame of the boy
for a full minute without speaking.  He noted the clear grey eyes and
strong purposeful mouth and square chin which, in the boyish face, gave
promise of a determined and resourceful manhood.

"You are not running away from home?" he demanded with a note of
severity in his voice.

"No, sir.  I have no home.  My parents are dead."

"Have you no relatives?"

"None that cares what happens to me."

"Oh, you have relations--here in Boston?" and he watched the boy
narrowly.

"An uncle, sir," answered Lawrence with some hesitancy; "but I only saw
him once--yesterday--and we didn't get on very well together."

A shadow of a smile played about the corners of the captain's mouth.
"What was the trouble?" he asked.

"I would sooner not discuss it," replied Lawrence; "but I'm not running
away," he hastened to add.  "I give you my word on that, sir."

"I believe you, boy," was the kindly answer.  "And I'll take you.  I'm
in need of another apprentice.  I have one and I can do with another.
But mind you," he warned, as the lad sought to express his thanks,
"you'll have to behave yourself.  I'll stand for no nonsense."

"I'll do my best, sir."

"You'll need some things," went on the captain, "and you'd better get
them and come aboard off the Castle Rock; we'll anchor there.  Do you
know where the Castle Rock is?"

"No, sir, but I'll find it."

"Very well.  You'll need some money for your purchases?  I'll advance
you a little."

"Thank you, but I have some," and the boy stepped back.

"Very well," and he went on to enumerate the requirements for the
voyage.  The "slop chest" of the _Hope_, he explained, was well
supplied with garments for men, but it was not stocked with clothing
suitable for an apprentice.

"Here is young Burbank," he exclaimed as the ship's boat drew
alongside, indicating a dark-complexioned youth seated in the
sternsheets.  He was about the same age as Lawrence.  "He'd better go
along with you," added the captain as he motioned the lad to come
ashore.

"Kenneth," he said, "this is Lawrence Drake who will sail with us and
be your companion.  He has to get some things and will come aboard off
the Castle.  You'd better go along with him."

"Yes, sir"; and the boys shook hands.



[1] The spelling of Hawaii as given in the journal of the _Hope_,
"Owhyee" is given here, as the spelling of Captain Ingraham's log will
be adhered to in reference to other place-names.




CHAPTER II

UNCHARTED WATERS

After Captain Ingraham left them the boys stood looking at each other
for several minutes without speaking.  Then Kenneth started to laugh,
and Lawrence joined in his merriment.

"I guess we are a couple of ninnies," he exclaimed, "standing here
saying nothing.  We are to be together for a couple of years, and here
are we gaping at one another like a pair of simpletons."

"Yes," responded the other, "let's get acquainted.  My name is Kenneth
Burbank--I don't know if the captain told you."

"Mine's Lawrence Drake."

"Too long--Lawrence," commented Kenneth, "I'll have to call you
'Larry.'"

"That suits me, if I can call you 'Ken.'"

"Agreed.  Now how old are you, and where do you come from?"

"I'm sixteen, and I hail from Halifax."

"Oh, you're a Britisher?"

"Yes, and I'm not ashamed of it either."

"Well, there's no reason to get hot about it," observed Kenneth with a
smile.  "I'm an American; born in New Hampshire--that's where my folks
are--sixteen years ago.  I'm not blaming you for having caused the
Revolution.  Reckon neither of us was responsible for that.  Anyway,
we're of the same stock, and that means a lot."

"You're right," admitted Lawrence, "and to tell you the truth, I don't
blame the colonies for rebelling.  I guess I look at it differently
from my father.  He was a strong loyalist, and used to live here.  He
went to Halifax before the war and married and I was born there.
Anyway, the Revolution is over and we'll have enough to do to take care
of ourselves without worrying over things that have been settled.  Have
you ever been to sea before?"

"For about six months.  I was on a packet running between here and New
York--that's all.  This is going to be a different thing altogether.
Its going to be a real voyage, and we're lucky to be making it."

As they were talking the boys had been walking up-town, and now they
turned into State Street towards the "Bunch of Grapes," the hostelry
where Lawrence had put up on his arrival.

"Say, you're a fine Britisher, you are," laughed Kenneth, "stopping at
this tavern.  It was one of the breeding-places of the Revolution."

"I can't help that.  If I was to avoid all the places in Boston that
had anything to do with the old trouble, I'm afraid I'd have to follow
the tea and stay in the harbour.  My father stayed here when he first
came from England, and he used to tell me of the fine meals they
served.  They may have changed the name of the street from King to
State, but evidently they haven't changed the quality of the food; but
let's try it.  I haven't had breakfast yet."

The boys did ample justice to the goodly breakfast-table provided by
Landlord James Vila, and then went to Lawrence's room.  Here they
sorted over the contents of his well-stocked wooden chest, and found
that he had but few purchases to make.

"I've got to see a merchant here named Bulfinch," Lawrence said.  "He's
agent for the man who looks after my estate in Halifax; but that won't
take long.  Then we'll visit the shops."

It did not take long for Lawrence to transact his business with the
merchant, and then they visited different stores and secured the things
of which he was in need.  He added to the list of articles Captain
Ingraham had advised him to secure several books on navigation.

Returning to the tavern, the boys packed the chest, and leaving some
things that Lawrence decided not to take with him in charge of the
landlord, they had the box carted to the waterfront.  On the advice of
Kenneth they remained to lunch at the "Bunch of Grapes."  "You see," he
advised with the wisdom acquired by even his short experience of the
sea, "it'll be a long time before we have the chance to eat a real good
meal again.  We'll be eating salt meat and sauerkraut every day from
now till we touch at some foreign port."

"Well, I don't mind the salt meat, but why eat sauerkraut every day?  I
don't care for that prospect; will there be anything else?"

"Oh yes," laughed Kenneth, "we'll get sea-biscuit and whatever the cook
can make; but all the same salt meat and 'kraut will be our mainstays
in the food line.  Sauerkraut is a sort of medicine to keep the scurvy
away.  It was Captain Cook who discovered how to fight the scurvy,
which has always been the terror of sailors.  He found out that it was
caused through too much salt meat, so he took along pickled cabbage and
spruce beer, and by feeding his men with lots of vegetables when he
could get them and having 'kraut and spruce beer when he couldn't get
greens, he kept them well.  Captain Ingraham says that Cook did more
for humanity by finding a cure for scurvy than by discovering all the
places he did in the Pacific."

"But won't we touch anywhere till we get to the North-West Coast?"
asked Lawrence in amazement.

"Oh yes, we'll go from here to Cape Verde Islands; then we'll stop for
wood and water at the Falkland Islands before we double Cape Horn.
That's where we'll meet with rough weather, Mr. Cruft says."

"Who's Mr. Cruft?"

"He's the first officer--and a fine man he is too; so is Mr. Crafts,
he's the second mate."

"Funny they should have names so much alike," commented Lawrence; "but
I guess it's time to go," he said, looking at his watch.  So, paying
the score, they sallied out and made their way to the harbour-front,
where they soon hired a boatman to take them and the chest down to
where the _Hope_ lay at anchor off Castle Rock.

Shortly after they came aboard, the brigantine moved down under easy
sail to Nantasket Roads, where anchor was again dropped, and there she
remained until the following morning.

The crossing of the Atlantic to the Cape Verde Islands was made without
incident, and upon arriving at the Portuguese settlement wood and water
were taken on board and fresh provisions were obtained.  Here too the
cargo was properly stowed while the wants of the vessel were being
supplied from shore.  After a stay of several days the _Hope_ again set
sail.

The next stop was made at the Falkland Islands, where provision, wood,
and water-stores were replenished after much bargaining with the
Spanish officials, and haste was made to clear away to take advantage
of the prevailing fine weather to round dreaded Cape Horn.  This was
accomplished, and now, seven months after leaving Boston, the little
boat was bravely pushing her way northward through the brilliant blue
of tropical seas.

At first Lawrence Drake had been seasick, but he soon recovered from
the attack, and before the African islands had been reached he had
acquired his sea-legs.  Both boys were soon established in the good
opinions of officers and crew alike.  Lawrence especially was the
favourite of an old seaman, Jim Potts--"Tinpots" he was called by his
messmates,--who had sailed with the famous Captain Cook, while Kenneth,
with a keen appreciation of possible future favours, made friends with
Nicholas, the black cook.

The crew of the _Hope_ had been selected by Captain Ingraham, not alone
because of their qualifications as seamen, but by reason of their
personal habits and dispositions.  The majority of them had been
recruited from men who had been with him on the _Columbia_ and other
vessels.  All told there were but seventeen aboard the brigantine, so
the task of recruiting a crew well suited for such a voyage had not
been a difficult one.

The captain and his mates were especially kind to the boys, and took
pains to assist them in mastering the science of the sea.  Consequently
the lads, who had spent their spare time with their books, were now
fairly well versed in the elements of navigation.

"What's the date?" Kenneth asked one afternoon.

"April the fourteenth," answered Lawrence.

"Is it?  Well, to-morrow's my birthday."

"Three cheers for you--let's celebrate it."

"How?"

"Oh, I don't know--but let's do it, anyway.  I'll see if Nicholas can't
give us something but boiled salt beef for the occasion."

"Go on with you," laughed his chum, "he'll give us boiled salt
pork--and I don't know which is the worst."

"Look--what's that?" exclaimed Lawrence, excitedly pointing towards the
distant horizon.  "Yes--it's land: we'll celebrate all right"; and he
ran aft with the news.

Captain Ingraham hurried on deck.  "Yes," he said, after inspecting the
tiny speck through his telescope, "it's land sure enough.  It must be
one of the islands of the Marquesas group."

By nightfall the _Hope_ was only a few leagues from the island, and the
next morning the shoreline could be plainly seen without the aid of
glasses.  The wind fell away and the vessel lay becalmed for some hours.

"It's Ken's birthday," Lawrence observed to the captain, "and I was
wondering if we couldn't celebrate it in some way."

"I wish we could; but if we don't get any closer, I don't see much
chance of getting fresh meat or greens from the land."

"Perhaps we could catch some fish, sir."

"Well, you can try."

The two chums and Tinpots were soon fishing with deep lines.  At last
the old sailor had a strike that nearly pulled him overboard.  "'Elp,
'elp," he called, "I've caught a whale."

Lawrence rushed to his assistance and held on with him to the stout
line, while another seaman caught up a harpoon and, as a shark broke
water, threw it with accurate aim.  A tremendous fight followed, but
eventually the fish was exhausted and was drawn to the ship's side.  A
rope was noosed and passed about it, and it was hauled to the deck
where it was finally killed with an axe.

"Hurrah!" shouted Lawrence.  "Didn't I tell you, Ken, we'd have
something for your birthday party?  It's not much, but I guess a
shark's better for a change than salt beef is for salt pork.  They say
the Chinese think sharks' fins are a great delicacy.  Maybe Nicholas
can make it taste good."  And so the black cook did.

With the approach of evening the breeze freshened enough to carry the
_Hope_ closer to the land.  A canoe put off from the shore, bearing two
native boys.  It was followed a few moments later by an old man in
another dugout.

Every inducement was held out to them to entice them on board, but they
resolutely refused to leave their boats.  A handkerchief was thrown
overboard, and as it drifted astern one of the young savages picked it
up, only to have the old man range his canoe alongside that bearing the
youths and take it away from the lad.  Having possessed himself of the
bit of cloth, the old man stood up in his canoe and plucked a handful
of hair from his beard.  This he blew towards the ship.

"I hope he's giving us good winds," laughed the first mate.

The brigantine stood off for the night, but at daylight returned and
entered a strait between two of the islands.  Hardly had the vessel
passed between the headlands than she was surrounded by a fleet of
canoes filled with naked savages, who brought presents of fish and
fruit, which they tossed on board as they paddled alongside.

Not certain of the intentions of the natives, the captain had the
boarding-nets hoisted and the crew armed, but the visitors were
actuated by curiosity, not malice.  They paddled around and around the
brig, jabbering and shouting, while some clung to the sides of the
vessel and peered through the cabin ports.  On seeing the boys inside
they became wildly excited.

"It's all right, but they're mighty familiar for people who haven't
been introduced," laughed Kenneth, and he made a grimace and waved his
hands at one old fellow who had his nose pressed against the glass.
The native was so astonished he sprang backwards and fell out of his
canoe, to the amusement of his companions.

The breeze strengthened, and the voyage was continued until late in the
afternoon, when anchor was dropped in a pleasant bay, described on
Captain Cook's chart as Port Madre de Dios.

For a time none of the natives, who could be seen in considerable
numbers on the beach, approached.  Then a white-haired old man came
near in his canoe, and was, after much persuasion, induced to come on
board.  He brought a load of fish and fruit with him, and for this he
was given a knife.  Highly delighted, he made off, and soon scores of
natives, encouraged by the success of the old fellow's venture,
surrounded the vessel, offering an abundance of fresh fruits,
vegetables, and fish for sale.

As darkness was approaching, Captain Ingraham, who did not relish
having savages about the ship at night, hoisted a white flag, and
called in the language of the Sandwich Islands that the ship was
"taboo."  The signal and word were evidently well understood, for the
canoes were turned towards the shore.

As soon as it was daylight the natives came back in hordes, and soon
there were hundreds of canoes, filled with men and women, crowded about
the vessel, while scores more, who could not find transport from the
shore in the dugouts of their friends, swam out to the ship and sought
to climb on board.  The boarding-nets were soon filled with them, and
such were the numbers and weight of the savages that several holes were
broken in the stout nets, while the ship commenced to list badly.

"I don't know what we'll do to get rid of them," observed the captain.
"I don't want to hurt them, and we must get our water-casks filled."

"Why not get them to fill the casks?" Kenneth suggested.

"That's a good idea," agreed the first mate, and he motioned to a
savage who appeared to be a chieftain, and then, going through the
motions of drinking, he pointed to an empty barrel.  This was thrown
overboard.  The chief knew what was desired of him, for he secured the
cask, and having got it into his canoe, paddled for the shore.  Now all
the natives wanted casks, but these were refused until the chief
returned with his barrel filled with fresh water, and received a knife
for his trouble.  All the empty casks were now thrown into the water,
and there ensued a wild scramble for them.  Eventually they were
distributed among the strongest, and within a short time were returned
to the ship, filled with water.

Several pigs were purchased; but the trade in this commodity was soon
discontinued, for the savages refused to take the articles offered to
them in exchange, demanding whatever took their fancy about the vessel
as the price for the pork.

A limited number had been permitted to come on board for the purposes
of trading, and, their exorbitant demands having been refused, they
became troublesome.  One big savage invaded the galley, where Nicholas
threatened him with a knife.  He retreated, only to return with his
companions in a raid on the cook's quarters, seizing his pots, pans,
and cooking utensils.

Nicholas fought furiously against the mob that crowded into the narrow
confines of his galley.  What might have been the outcome of the raid
was doubtful, had not Lawrence and several seamen come to the rescue of
the hard-pressed black, with drawn sabres.  Upon their appearance the
savages fled, taking with them, however, half the equipment of the
cookhouse.

"Clear the ship," commanded Captain Ingraham, and the crew made a rush
at the natives, who were crowding over the side to the deck.  The
savages fled, jumping overboard, and, regaining their canoes, paddled
away.  Soon there was not a single small craft about the ship.

As night fell great fires were lighted on the beach, and about these
hundreds of savages could be seen dancing, while the beating of
tom-toms and the wild, barbaric songs and shoutings betokened an
unusual agitation among the tribesmen.

"I don't like the look of it," declared John Crafts, as he and Lawrence
stood on the deck late at night watching the distant fires.  "They're
up to some devilment, you may be sure.  You can never trust savages.
They're your friends one minute and the next they're ready to murder
you."

"Look!" suddenly whispered Lawrence, and he caught his companion by the
arm.  "Look--look there; see, in the reflection of that centre fire."

The second mate looked as he was directed.  The forms of several canoes
could be seen approaching the ship.

"Run quick," ordered the officer, "call the crew to man the guns, but
don't make any noise."

Lawrence darted away to do as he was told, and in little more than a
minute was aft again.  The four-pounders and swivels had been loaded
before dark, and now the men quietly took their stations and waited.
The captain had been informed of the approach of the canoes, and he was
in command when Lawrence returned.

"Fire high, men: we don't want to hurt them," was the order that was
passed from gun to gun.

Now the canoes could be dimly discerned against the lighter shade of
the water, only a few yards from the ship.

"All right, men--ready--fire!"

There was a deafening roar as the four-pounders and swivels flashed
fire across the calm waters, followed by shrieks of fright and
amazement from the savages in the canoes, which were echoed by half a
thousand throats on shore.

"I don't think they'll bother us any more to-night," said the captain,
as the sound of the savages' paddles died away in the distance.

Despite the incident, the natives came off in greater numbers than ever
as soon as it was daylight.  The foremost canoes bore great bunches of
evergreens and branches of trees as tokens of peace.  It was soon
evident, however, that their intentions were not pacific, for no sooner
had they reached the _Hope_ than with long sticks and paddles they
attacked the cabin windows, breaking several before they could be
driven away.

"Give them a charge from the four-pounder," shouted the captain.  Just
as he spoke he was felled by a stick, thrown by a savage of gigantic
proportions, who stood up in his canoe to hurl it.

Kenneth seized a musket and fired at the native.  He missed him, but
splintered a canoe near by.

The four-pounder was fired over the heads of the mob, and the cries of
terror and defiance mingled were deafening to hear.  The gun was run
back, and another charge was rammed home.

There followed a terrific explosion, and with a scream of pain Mr.
Cruft, who had charge of the cannon, reeled back, to be caught by
Lawrence as he fell.  In reloading the gun he had neglected to sponge
it, and the charge had prematurely exploded, tearing away a portion of
the unfortunate first officer's cheek.

With the assistance of a seaman the injured man was carried to his
cabin, where the second mate, who had some knowledge of medicine,
attended him.

The accident, which caused a louder and more terrifying explosion than
the previous discharge, sent the natives paddling wildly for shore.

There was some confusion on deck at the moment, but the voice of
Captain Ingraham restored order.  "Steady, men; steady," he called, and
proceeded to give instructions for the hoisting of the anchor and the
sailing of the vessel.




CHAPTER III

TROUBLE BREWING

After leaving the Marquesas the _Hope_ headed for the north-west, and
late in the afternoon again sighted land in the shape of two tiny spots
on the horizon.

After studying the distant islands intently for some time through his
glass, the captain sent for Tinpots.  The seaman came aft and, touching
his forehead, waited, while the captain called to Lawrence: "Run to my
cabin and bring me Captain Cook's chart."

When the boy returned with the map, Captain Ingraham spread it out and
pored over it for a few moments without speaking; then, turning to the
sailor: "Potts, you were with Captain Cook?"

"Aye, aye, sir."

"You remember the islands we just left?"

"That I do."

"Well, did you touch at those islands ahead?"

"No, sir, we did not: we never spied 'em.  Maybe they's risen from the
sea since, by yer leave.  Hif they'd been there Captain Cook weren't
one to miss 'em.  They must be new ones."

The captain smiled at the old man's notion, well knowing his veneration
for the British navigator.  He continued his examination of the chart
for a time and then, with just a trace of excitement in his voice:
"See; Cook bore away from them; he couldn't have seen them, and I don't
think anyone else has either.  We're the discoverers of a new group--an
American group!  We'll plant the Stars and Stripes in the South Seas by
right of discovery."

The following morning they were abreast of the islands they had first
sighted, and found that there were two others in the group.  The
captain, after vainly searching for a harbour, called the crew aft.

"Men," he said, "we've found a new lot of islands, and I'm going to
claim them for the United States, as we are the first white persons to
see them."

The seamen answered with a cheer.

"I'm going to let Mr. Crafts name the first one," went on the captain.

"Well," demurred the second officer, "Mr. Cruft is conscious now, and
as he's not able to be on deck, I think perhaps he should have the
honour of naming it.  I'll go and see him."

While the second officer was absent Tinpots edged close to Lawrence and
complained in a whisper, "They's new hislands, sir, or else Captain
Cook'd ha' seen 'em.  'E would--'e never missed anything."

"Perhaps you're right; but I don't think so.  He might have passed them
in the night.  Anyway, you and I are Britishers and we're sailing under
American colours, and we're sportsmen enough to cheer the other fellow
when he does something."

"Yes, sir, maybe so," grumbled the old salt; "but Hi don't
know--Captain Cook, 'e were in these parts, and 'e used to smell
hislands, 'e did--leastways that's what we thought.  But maybe it were
night, as you says; an' again, 'e might 'a' been in such a 'urry to
find 'em Sandwich Hislands 'e didn't bother with these ones."

"That must be the reason," Lawrence smiled, and the old fellow's face
brightened.

The second officer returned.  "Mr. Cruft would like you to call the
island after General Washington," he said; and once more the sailors
cheered, and Tinpots shouted louder than any of the others.

"Then we will honour this island with the name of our illustrious
president," solemnly announced the captain, "and the other islands we
will call, 'Federal,' for the United States; 'Adams,' for the
vice-president; and the fourth one we will name 'Lincoln,' for General
Lincoln.  I want you men to bear witness that I have so named them, and
that I take possession of them for the United States of America.  And,"
he went on after the renewed applause had subsided, "in honour of the
event, I think you should be served with a little something with which
to toast the healths of the President, Vice-President, General Lincoln,
and the prosperity of the Republic."

That evening a conference was held in the cabin of the wounded mate,
and the boys were both invited to be present.

"I fear it will be some little time before Mr. Cruft is able to take
his watch on deck," said the captain, "and while he is laid up, Mr.
Crafts will, of course, act as chief officer, and one of you boys--I
don't care which one--will act as second mate."

"Let it be Ken, sir," spoke up Lawrence.  "He's older than I am, and
he's been at sea longer, so he should take precedence."

"It is not fair," responded Kenneth.  "Larry knows as much about
navigation as I do, and besides I'm only six months older----"

"Well, we won't have any quarrelling over it," interrupted the captain.
"Burbank, you act, and Drake can spell off with you."

"Thank you, sir."

"Now we must decide whether we will head for the North-West Coast, or
make the Sandwich Islands.  That's the point to be settled."

The question was argued at some length, the second mate and the captain
doing the talking.  Mr. Crafts argued in favour of stopping at the
Sandwich Islands to replenish the stocks of water and provisions, while
the captain was for pressing on to the American coast.

The matter was finally referred to the first officer, who indicated
that he favoured an effort being made to reach the fur fields, and so
it was decided.

Two more islands were discovered the next day, and these with similar
ceremonies were christened Hancox and Knox Islands.

It was nearly a month later that Kenneth discovered one day that there
were but five casks of water remaining, and that, owing to successive
calms and head-winds, but comparatively little progress had been made
towards Nootka Sound.  He communicated the fact to Mr. Cruft, who was
now able to take a part in navigating the ship.

Another conference was held, and it was decided to make all possible
sail towards the Sandwich Islands, which were but a few days' distance.
This was done, and, on 20 May, the island of Owhyee was sighted.  As
the _Hope_ neared land a native came off in a canoe, and was instantly
recognised by the captain as one of the islanders he had met on his
previous voyage.

"Where's Tiana?" queried the captain, when the man came on board.

"Watch out for Tiana," was the answer given in the native language,
which was understandable to several of the crew as well as Captain
Ingraham.  "Tiana is bad man.  He captured a ship and killed all the
white men."

"Who is Tiana?" Lawrence asked the following day.

"He's a prince who is supposed to be friendly to the whites," answered
the first mate, "but I don't like him.  He was taken to China on a
voyage by Captain Meares several years ago, and speaks English very
well.  I don't trust him at all."

"I think we should see Tiana, if he's about here," observed the captain
a few moments later.  "Would you fire a gun, Mr. Cruft, so he will know
we are here."

It was with evident reluctance that the first officer approached the
gun and touched it off.  He then proceeded to reload it, but failed to
stop the vent, and again there was a premature explosion, and with a
cry of pain he stumbled back and collapsed on the deck, his face
deluged in blood.

"This is terrible," exclaimed the captain, as with the assistance of
Lawrence he carried the wounded man to his cabin.  "I'm afraid the
shock will be too much for him.  We have no doctor, and he needs great
care, for he had not recovered from his last accident."

"If you'll let me, I'll do what I can in the way of nursing him,"
volunteered the boy.

"All right; but you'd better have someone to relieve you, for he'll
need constant attention."

"I'd like Tinpots, sir."

"Tinpots?  Oh, you mean Potts.  All right."

Lawrence stayed with the injured and delirious officer throughout the
night, moistening his lips with water and doing all that he could to
relieve the pain.  In the morning the old sailor came on duty.  His
years of experience in naval life made him an invaluable assistant in
such an emergency.  He seemed to know instinctively what was the proper
thing to do, and despite his rough appearance he was as gentle as a
woman.

For nearly a week one or other was constantly at the bedside of the
wounded man, attending to his every wish.

"What's been happening?" Lawrence inquired one evening, as he was about
to go on sick-watch, and stopped for a few moments' chat with his chum.

"Oh, enough," answered Kenneth; "--enough, Larry, to make me believe
there's some trouble brewing.  Tiana was on board.  He's a bold lad all
right, and I don't care for him.  He had a letter from the captain of
the _Gustavus III_, saying what a fine fellow he was, and another
certificate of character with a note attached, which certainly looks as
if there's a storm due at Nootka between the British and Spaniards.  I
managed to copy part of it.  Here it is just as it was written:


"'The above was obtained from Lieutenant Kemp, commanding the sloop
_Princess Royal_ (belonging to the Honourable South Sea Company of
England), and captured by the Spaniards in Nootka Sound in July 1789,
and at this time navigating under Spanish colours and a passport to
Manila, and from thence to Macao, to be delivered up to the owners'
agents residing there.

"'Captain Colnett, of the _Argonaut_, who was also captured with the
sloop _Princess Royal_ and detained till the 1st of June, 1790,
prisoners together with the officers and crews of both vessels, were
ordered on board the _Argonaut_ to proceed to Nootka and take
possession of the _Princess Royal_, she being then employed in the
Spanish service.  The _Argonaut_ proceeded to Nootka, but the _Princess
Royal_ had sailed after a series of misfortunes and the loss of
thirty-four men, eighteen of which deserted, and died in Spanish
prisons.  The other sixteen died or were drowned off the Coast of
America.

"'Since the liberation of the _Argonaut_ she arrived in the bay of
Tirooa, Owhyee, where the _Princess Royal_ was then riding.  Captain
Colnett has also been treated by Tiana and Maiha'Maiha in every respect
as he wished, everything the island produced being at his command.

"'_Argonaut_, 4 April, 1790.'"


"It certainly looks as if the Dons were seeking trouble, don't it?"
added Kenneth.

"And they'll get it, too," hotly exclaimed Lawrence, "you can bet on
that.  When they get to seizing British vessels, there's going to be
somebody's beard burned, or my name's not Drake."

"The great Admiral Drake who singed the Spanish king's beard in
Elizabeth's time wasn't your forefather, was he?"

"Same family; but that's not the question.  There'll be real trouble
over this thing when they hear of it in England.  But I say," he added,
"from that note it would appear that this Tiana is a decent sort."

"Well, that letter would certainly make you think so; but there's a
story going around about him having captured a small vessel and killed
the crew.  The captain isn't taking any chances on Tiana.  The
boarding-nets are up all the time and the men are carrying their
muskets and cutlasses all the time.  We've been standing away off
shore, and Tiana tried hard to get us to run in close and anchor; but
he was over-anxious, and Mr. Crafts saw him making signs to a bunch of
canoes that were standing by while he was on board.  He was also trying
to find out from Nicholas and some of the men how many guns we have,
and the amount of ammunition we're carrying.  Altogether, Mr. Tiana
isn't very popular here just now.

"The captain was very nice to him in order to get water and provisions,
and we managed to get some, but not enough.  From what the captain has
learned, and by reason of his suspicions, he has concluded not to stay
here longer, for fear of trouble, so we're only waiting for a breeze to
move off to another island."

"Where are we going?"

"To Rapo'rapo Bay, in the Island of Morokinnee.  The captain has been
there before, and thinks we'll have no trouble to complete our watering
at that place."

Lawrence was dozing off when, about daybreak, he was awakened by a
terrific smashing and pounding on deck, the yelling of excited men, and
the pitching and tossing of the brig.  He hurried to the deck to find
all in wild confusion.  The sea was running high, and a four-pounder
had broken from its lashings and was careening about the deck.  A
breach showed in the starboard bulwark where the gun had smashed
against it, and the combing of the main hatch was splintered and broken.

"Look out!" called a seaman; and Lawrence sprang aside just in time to
escape death or injury as the gun, like a thing possessed of life,
charged wildly down upon him.  One of the sailors was nursing a crushed
hand, while another, who had attempted to stop the mad course of the
reeling gun-carriage, had been gashed in the thigh.

"Now, men," called the captain, as he doubled a stout rope and started
down to the well deck, "I'll try and noose it, and you stand by to give
me a hand."

"Let me do it," volunteered Lawrence.  "I'm smaller than you, and
besides, with Mr. Cruft wounded, you've no right to risk your life."

Captain Ingraham hesitated for a second.  "You're right," he said, and
handed the rope to the boy.

Lawrence left one end of the rope with the captain, and noosed and
coiled the other; watching the gun he advanced cautiously.  The ship
rose to a swell, and the cannon hurtled down at him.  He waited until
it had almost reached him, and then dodged to one side and, as it shot
past, he threw the noose, but missed.  The brig steadied for an instant
on the top of the wave and then plunged, nose deep, into the sea ahead,
sending spray and spume over the decks, and shooting the wild,
rampaging gun forward.  As the boat rose, the wheeled carriage spun
round and came at Lawrence again.  He retreated a few paces to where it
had stopped before, anticipating that the wave the _Hope_ was meeting
was of similar size to the last one.  He was right.  The vessel
steadied herself for the fraction of a second on the crest of the sea
before starting to plunge.  In that brief part of a second the boy
threw the noose and it fell over the muzzle.  Quick as a flash the
captain snubbed the rope about the mast, and gently paid it out as the
strain tightened.

The boy now dashed forward, and it was but the work of a moment to
secure the other end of the line and hold the gun captive long enough
to allow the seamen to securely fasten it with additional ropes to the
ring-bolts on the gun-ports on either side of the deck.

"Thank you, Mr. Drake, I'll not forget this," was all that the captain
said; but Lawrence blushed and stammered, "It was nothing, sir."

"Nothing!" shouted Kenneth.  "You're a hero--that's what you are,
and----"

Before he could say more Lawrence fled to Mr. Cruft's cabin, where he
found the wounded man in a high state of excitement, with Tinpots
endeavouring to calm him and keep him in his berth.

"What's the matter?" the officer whispered through his bandages.

"Not much, sir.  Just a gun got loose."

"Not much--a gun loose--not much!" exclaimed Tinpots.  "His hit
fastened?"

"Oh, yes, they secured it all right."

"Not much!" repeated the seaman.  "Hit couldn't be worse outside o' a
wreck or a broadside from a battleship."

The chief officer nodded weakly in support of the old man's declaration.

Tinpots left the cabin, only to return a moment later with his face
wreathed in smiles.  "Beggin' yer pardon, sir," he said, addressing the
mate, "but hit were 'im as stopped the gun," and he indicated his
favourite with a gnarled and work-worn thumb.

"Go on--get out of here," shouted the boy.




CHAPTER IV

THE BRIG ATTACKED

When the _Hope_ rounded the point and entered Rapo'rapo Bay a gun was
fired to apprise the inhabitants of the arrival of the vessel, as
Captain Ingraham was anxious to have the natives commence trading as
early as possible.  It was here that he expected to complete the
provisioning and watering of the brig, and he hoped to sail directly
from this port to the West Coast.  Too much time had already been lost,
and each day's delay might have serious consequences in the obtaining
of a cargo of otter pelts.

Hardly had the echoes of the shot died away among the hills than a
large double canoe, carrying a white flag at the top of a short mast,
was seen to put off from the beach and make towards the ship with all
possible haste.  As it approached nearer three men could be discerned,
paddling with all the vigour they could command.

[Illustration: A LARGE DOUBLE CANOE]

"They seem anxious to meet us," laughed Kenneth, as he watched them.

"They probably are," answered the captain, who had been studying the
small craft through his telescope.  "For, if I'm not mistaken, they're
white men.  Yes, by thunder they are, and that fellow in the bow looks
like Ridler.  How in the world did he get here--and dressed like a
native, too?"

"Ridler?"

"Yes, Ridler.  He was carpenter's mate on the _Columbia_," and then, as
the canoe came closer, the captain cupped his hands together and
called: "Ahoy, Chips!  What are you doing there?"

The man dropped his paddle and stared for a moment at the officers and
men lining the brig's deck, and then, catching sight of the master of
the _Hope_: "Mr. Ingraham--oh--oh--Mr. Ingraham----" and his voice
broke.

"Thank God you've come."

The strangers were soon on board.  Thin and emaciated, and wearing only
the loin-cloth or _marro_ of the islanders, they looked more like
savages than civilised beings.

"Thank God you've come," repeated Ridler over and over again, as he
seized Captain Ingraham by the hand.  "You have saved us, and we are in
time to warn you.  The natives have already taken one ship, and would
surprise and kill you too if they could."

"What ship?"

"The _Fair American_, sir.  They massacred the officers and nearly all
of the crew."

"Tell us about it; but first, who are your friends?"

"This will explain, sir," said one of the men, and he handed the
captain a paper, which he read aloud:


"These presents are to certify that John Young and James Cox went on
shore from the schooner _Grace_, with leave from William Douglas, owner
and commander, to remain at Atooi till his return from Canton.  But as
no man can foresee what accidents may happen in the course of such a
voyage, I have to request all commanders that may come this way; if the
above-mentioned John Young and James Cox request a passage to Canton,
that it may be granted, and the obligation shall be returned by

"CAPTAIN DOUGLAS.

"ATOOI, 21 _August_, 1790."


"We're not bound for Canton, but for the North-West Coast," explained
the captain, when he had finished reading.

"We don't care where you are going, sir, if you'll only take us with
you, and away from these devils," exclaimed Cox.  "Peter Ridler will
tell you----"

"Yes, Ridler, you'd better tell us the whole story; but first I think
you'd better have something to eat and drink, for you look hungry."

"Yes, sir, we are hungry."  And they were led off to the galley.

"Now let us hear all about this affair," said the captain, when they
had been fed, and had returned to the quarter-deck.  "What about this
_Fair American_?  What kind of a vessel was she?"

"She was a schooner; acting tender to the brig _Elenora_, of New York.
Captain Metcalf was in command of the brig and his son,--about the age
of this young gentleman"--and he indicated Lawrence--"about nineteen,
was in charge of the schooner.  He was a good officer, too.

"It happened at Owhyee.  I had been left there to develop trade, sir,
you will remember, when the _Columbia_ was going home.  The natives
surprised the young captain.  He had allowed a lot of them on board.
They stabbed him, and killed three seamen at the same time.  Four
others they clubbed and threw overboard.  The remaining member of the
crew they beat and took prisoner.

"When they brought him ashore I went to the _eries_, or chiefs, and
begged for his life, and after a while they let him go.

"At the time the _Elenora_ was only a few miles away--at the place
where Captain Cook was killed--and the natives planned to capture her
too, and the man I saved was taken over there.

"The bos'n of the _Elenora_ came ashore, and they captured him.
Captain Metcalf sent ashore for him, but they said the bay was taboo,
and that he would be sent off late at night or the next day.  That
night hundreds of canoes came from all parts of the island, and from
the other islands too, for the thing had been planned.  There were more
than two thousand five hundred canoes altogether, drawn up on the beach
and hidden on shore--all ready for the attack.

"The bos'n, sir, was a cool one.  He told the king that the brig
mounted more guns than Captain Cook's ships--and they still remember
the bombardment they got when they murdered him.  The bos'n said that
even if they did capture the ship it would only be after hundreds of
them had been killed.  He said it would be better for them to have the
_Elenora_ go away, and promised to write to the captain telling him to
sail.  He promised to say nothing about the _Fair American_.

"At last they agreed to let him write, and he kept his word too.  He
knew that if he said anything about the captain's son and the rest
being killed the captain would fight, and probably the ship would be
captured and everyone on board would be killed, as well as the white
men on the island, for there were two or three others as well, who had
been left, like me, to look after the sandal-wood trade.

"Anyway, the _Elenora_ sailed away, but Captain Metcalf got even with
the natives.  It was while he was at Mowee.  He went there after
leaving Owhyee.  The savages came off in the night, and cut away one of
the boats and killed the man who was on watch in her.  The next morning
they came off by the hundred to trade, as if nothing had happened.  The
captain loaded his guns with grape-shot and gave them a broadside, and
killed more than two hundred of them.  That's what he did--and I don't
know if he knew then that his son had been murdered."

"And where is the _Fair American_--what did they do with her?"
questioned Captain Ingraham.

"They've got her yet, sir, and sail her around.  When they got her and
all her stores and guns and everything, Tiana wanted to kill all of us
white men who were on the island.  He knew we'd tell what happened.
The king wouldn't let him, but after that we had a very hard time.

"Captain Douglas came next in the _Grace_.  I wasn't there at the time,
but one of the men--a boy he was--got off to her.  He didn't tell the
captain about the _Fair American_, I guess, for he sailed away without
trying to get the other men off.  Maybe he thought that it wouldn't be
any use, or that they wanted to stay: I can't say.  But when he went to
Mowee, the man who was saved from the _Fair American_ managed to get
off to him, and told him about King, the bos'n, and the others on the
island, and warned him about Tiana.

"Captain Douglas went ashore, and tried to buy the men--I was one of
'em--and offered forty muskets.  The natives lied to him, and said the
white men had all gone away.  They wanted to keep us to work the _Fair
American_ if anything went wrong.

"The _Grace_ was only a small boat, and she lost most of her cannon
overboard in a storm.  Captain Douglas dropped a note on the beach, and
Tiana brought it to me.  I told him that it was about something else.
He knew I wasn't reading it right, and wanted to kill me, but the king
wouldn't let him.  The king said it didn't matter what the note said,
for he was going to kill everybody on the _Grace_ next day; but that
night she sailed.  They thought I had warned the captain in some way,
and again Tiana wanted to kill me.

"Captain Douglas went to Atooi, and there he left Cox and Young.  The
chief there was very friendly, and he was at war with Tiana, so the
captain thought it would be safe enough for them.

"I heard that there were two men here, so I managed to make my way
here, and we've been helping King Tio make war on Tiana and his crowd.
They are just about as bad as the other lot.  They'll try to kill you
all if they can."

"They'll get a warm reception if they try anything," was the grim
response of Captain Ingraham.

"You see," went on Ridler, "old King Tio wants to get a ship too, so he
can be like Tiana, and besides he wants to get cannons and firearms and
powder to carry on his war.  Tiana is building a battery, and Tio wants
to have the same."

"They're gathering about us now," exclaimed Lawrence, who had glanced
towards the shore.

"Quick!" shouted the captain.  "Out with the boarding-nets; call the
crew to man the guns."

They boys ran off to carry out the orders, and in a few moments the
nets were out and every man was at his station.

The natives were surprised at the activity and the evident purpose of
the crew.  It was not their intention to boldly attack without
ascertaining the strength of the ship.

The second mate, who was proficient in the language of the islands, now
addressed the savages, telling them that the only thing for which the
_Hope_ would trade was water, and after a great deal of bargaining
about three hundred gallons was obtained in calabashes.

While this commerce was in progress, Cox went ashore in a canoe
belonging to one of the principal chiefs.  Captain Ingraham was annoyed
that he should have done so without permission.  He was apprehensive
that the man would be detained, but this Ridler and Young did not think
likely, saying that the chief would bring him back.  He had gone, they
said, to secure two muskets that belonged to them, and which they did
not want to fall into the hands of the savages.

Cox returned in half an hour with the guns.  He handed one up, and then
boarded the vessel and called for the other musket to be passed to him.
Instead of doing as bidden, the chief pushed the canoe away from the
side of the vessel.  The gun was passed to King Tio's canoe.

The captain demanded that it be surrendered, but instead of complying
Tio laughed, and one of his warriors picked up the weapon and pointed
it at the white man.

As he did so Captain Ingraham touched off a loaded swivel, which was
pointed over the natives' heads.  Confusion followed, and the canoes
paddled towards the shore, but before reaching the beach they stopped,
and a wild jabbering followed.

Presently the canoes, of which there were several hundred, formed into
line, and the savages, screaming and yelling, made for the ship.

"They mean business, sir," shouted Ridler.  "They're going to attack;
give me a musket."  And he and his companions seized fire-arms and
ammunition from the lockers.

"Steady, men--give them small arms first," ordered the captain, and a
volley was poured into the swiftly advancing line of canoes, and
several of the natives were seen to fall.  With renewed shouts of
defiance and barbaric battle-cries, they came on.

The three new-comers, Tinpots, and Nicholas, by direction of Lawrence,
reloaded the muskets as the others sprang to their stations at the guns.

Now the savages were within a few yards of the vessel, and spears and
stones were falling on the deck.  So close were they that the open
formation of the line was lost and the canoes crowded together as the
warriors stood up in their crafts to hurl their weapons.

"All right, men--the swivels--fire!" And the guns, crammed with
small-shot, iron scraps, and lead balls, poured death and destruction
into the massed dugouts.  Shrieks of pain and wild screams of terror
filled the air.  Canoes were splintered to bits, while others
overturned, throwing the dead and wounded occupants into other boats or
the water.

Never before had the inhabitants of the island come into contact with
the devastating effects of cannon, or felt the force of fire-arms.

There was a scramble among the surviving canoes to escape, and they
separated and dashed wildly for the shore, one or two alone stopping to
assist the wounded in the water.

"Shall we give them the four-pounders?" asked Mr. Crafts.

"No," was the humane answer.  "It would be slaughter.  We have done
enough for our own protection.  We don't want to kill more than we must
to save ourselves.  They've had their lesson."

"Here comes a breeze," Kenneth announced.

"Good; we'll take advantage of it and leave this place."

"There is one of the chiefs on board with his servant.  He was here all
the time, and took no part in the fight," Lawrence said; "what shall we
do with him?"

"I'm afraid we'll have to take him with us.  See that he's treated
kindly," the captain answered.  "We'll run to Woahoo and try to get
some more water, and we'll leave him there."

It was nearly noon the following day when the _Hope_ hove to off Woahoo
at a distance of several miles from the beach.

"I think you had better keep that chief and his man out of sight, or
they'll warn the others, and you won't get anything," advised Ridler.
"Anyway they'll be sending a canoe from Rapo'rapo here sometime to-day,
so you'd better make haste, sir."

"Yes; that's good advice," agreed Captain Ingraham; and accordingly the
two natives were confined in the hold.

It was not long before the vessel was surrounded by hundreds of canoes,
bringing fruit, vegetables, fish, and hogs to trade.  It was explained
that, while these articles would be accepted, water was most desired;
and soon this was coming off in gourds.

About four hundred gallons had been secured when a strange canoe was
seen rounding the point into the bay.

"That's from Rapo'rapo," observed Cox, after studying it for a moment
through the telescope that Kenneth handed him.

"Then our trading is over."

"I'm afraid so."

He was right, for soon, in answer to a signal, the natives all deserted
the vessel and were seen gathering about the canoe of the new-comer,
close to the shore.  As the last of the savages were leaving the
brigantine the captive chief and his man were brought to the deck.
They were given handsome presents, and were allowed to embark for the
shore.

"All right, Mr. Burbank," called the captain, "make sail."

"Where to, sir?"

"For the North-West Coast."




CHAPTER V

MAN THE PUMPS

After leaving the Sandwich Islands the chief officer rapidly improved
in health, due, he declared, to the care and attention bestowed upon
him by Lawrence and Tinpots.  Towards the end of June he was once more
able to be on deck and assume a part of his duties.  His face was
terribly disfigured by his wounds, but his spirits were buoyant, and he
was as anxious as any to reach the coast and enter into the activities
of bartering for furs.

The delight of all at the recovery of Mr. Cruft was in a measure marred
by the illness of the second mate, Mr. Crafts.  This brave fellow had
contracted a cold while the _Hope_ lay off the Falkland Islands, and it
had settled on his lungs.  It had been expected that the warmer climate
of the tropics would free him from it, but such had not been the case,
and now, as the brig was ploughing her way northward, his condition
gave rise to serious anxiety.  He was weakened, and often had to retire
to his cabin to rest, while the frequent rains and night mists chilled
him to the bone.  So it was that Kenneth was continued in the capacity
of second officer while Lawrence had more frequently to assist him, by
reason of the inability of the first mate to accept the full
responsibilities of his office.

That Captain Ingraham was delighted with the manner in which the boys
had acquitted themselves was shown by a letter he wrote addressed to
Tobias Drake:


SIR,--As we are now approaching the American Coast, I am writing to you
in the expectation that the opportunity will be afforded of forwarding
the letter to China, from whence no difficulty offers to its being
carried to Boston.[1]

"I am, sir, but expressing myself truthfully when I say that it was a
fortunate circumstance that placed your nephew under my command.  He
has proved himself to be of the greatest value to me in the conduct of
the enterprise, and has shown himself to be possessed of diligence,
courage, and resource not to be expected in one of his years.

In time of danger he has not been lacking, and recently acquitted
himself in a manner deserving of high commendation.  A gun broke loose
in a storm and was running wild about the deck.  Your nephew contrived
to capture it and prevent further damage being done.

Of late he has been nursing Mr. Cruft, my first officer, who was badly
wounded by the premature explosion of a cannon, and Mr. Cruft gives him
great credit for the skill and care he has displayed in this office.

I may add, sir, that I am very fortunate in having as juniors on the
quarter-deck two such fine young fellows as Lawrence Drake and Kenneth
Burbank.

I believe that Jonas Burbank, a respectable farmer of some means, near
Derry, New Hampshire, is known to you.  I would appreciate it as a
favour if you would convey to him the high opinion I hold of his son.

Your humble and obedient servant,
    JOSEPH INGRAHAM.


After sealing this letter, and placing it with a packet of
previously-written communications, the captain went on deck, where he
found the boys in conversation.

"We were talking about that note that Tiana brought on board, saying
that there had been trouble over the right of British vessels to trade
at Nootka," explained Lawrence.  "We were wondering what it was all
about."

"I was there at the time that the seizures were made," answered the
captain, "but I can't say definitely by what right the Spaniards claim
that the whole coast belongs to them, unless it was a Papal bull, which
gave them the whole coast, a long time ago.  If that's all they have to
support them it is not much.  I never was much interested in politics,
and these international affairs are too many for me.  I only know what
I saw and heard.

"It is because of that affair that I'm not heading for Nootka now, but
will make the coast to the north of that port.  I expect to fall in
with the islands which Captain Dixon named Queen Charlotte, but which
the Americans prefer to call Washington Islands."

"But what of the trouble at Nootka," Lawrence reminded him.

"Well, it was like this.  I think you know that I was mate on the
_Columbia_ under Captain Kendrick, who later transferred command to
Captain Gray and stayed on the coast in the _Washington_.  We wintered
at Nootka, and, in fact, made it our headquarters.

"When we arrived there we found that Captain John Meares was there with
two vessels--one, the _Felice_, which he commanded, and the other, the
_Iphigenia_, Captain William Douglas, the same man who left Cox and
Young at the Island of Atooi--who had another officer with him, a
Portuguese, named Viana, who claimed to be the captain in order that
the vessel could secure the privileges enjoyed by that nation at Macao,
in China.

"Meares had built a rough sort of a house on shore, and had landed one
or two small cannon, to protect his men while they were building a
sloop which had been brought out in sections in the hold of one of the
vessels.

"This fellow Meares was very crafty and deceitful.  He was very polite
to us, but tried hard to persuade us that it would be folly for us to
remain on the coast, as there were no furs to be had, and the natives
would kill us.

"Not long after our arrival the sloop was completed, which was
christened the _North-West America_.  She was launched with great
ceremony, all the vessels firing salutes in honour of the first boat to
be built on the coast.  She was outfitted and sailed on a trading trip.
Shortly after this, Meares prepared to leave for China in the _Felice_.
He came on board the Columbia and asked if we had any letters to be
forwarded from China, saying that he would be pleased to take charge of
them.  Of course we were only too delighted at the idea, and gave him
all our correspondence, and our boats and those of the _Washington_
helped to tow the _Felice_ out of the harbour.

"No sooner was the _Felice_ safely at sea than Captain Douglas returned
to us all our letters, giving as an excuse that Meares had changed his
plans and would go to India instead of China."

"But why did he do that?" asked Kenneth.

"Because he knew that if he did not offer to take our letters we would
bribe some of his crew to do it.  He did not want to have us write
home, and possibly encourage other expeditions to take part in the
trade.

"It was in May 1789 that Don Estevan Martinez came.  We were not at
Friendly Cove at the time, but the _Iphigenia_ was riding there.
Meares's house was deserted, and, in fact, it was partially torn down.
We had used some of the planks and so had Douglas.

"Martinez, who evidently did not have much use for the British,
demanded by what right Douglas was in a Spanish port.  Douglas replied
that Viana was the real captain, and produced Portuguese papers.  He
added that he had put into Nootka in distress, and was waiting for the
return of Meares with supplies.

"A week later another Spanish ship--the _San Carlos_--arrived.  Then,
having reinforcements, Martinez arrested Douglas and his crew, claiming
that there was something wrong with his papers.

"In the meantime we were higher up the Sound, and learning of all this,
we feared that we too would be arrested, but were assured we would not
be.  Douglas and his men were held for a few days and then released,
and Martinez supplied them with cordage and provisions and permitted
the _Iphigenia_ to sail.

"We thought that the trouble had all blown over, but instead it was
only starting.

"The Spaniards prepared for trouble too, for they set to work and built
a battery on top of Hog Island, and started to establish a settlement.

"Meares claimed that he owned the land, having bought it from
Macquinna, but this the chief later denied.  But apart from that, the
_North-West America_ came back early in June, and the Dons immediately
arrested the captain and crew.

"A few days later the _Princess Royal_--Captain Thomas Hudson--arrived,
but she was not interfered with at that time.

"It was shortly after 1 July that Captain Colnett came in the
_Argonaut_.  A few of us went out to meet him, and he said he was sent
by Meares to build a trading-post at Nootka.

"When Martinez heard of this he had the Britisher arrested and seized
the _Argonaut_.  The _Princess Royal_ came back about the same time,
and she also was captured.

"The prisoners were nearly all sent to San Blas, in Mexico, and I never
heard anything more of them until we got that note from Tiana.  A few
of the men, though, we conveyed to China."

"But why should they let the _Princess Royal_ and _North-West America_
go and then seize them later?" asked Kenneth.

"I don't know.  The whole affair was so complicated that I never could
make much of it.  We were afraid that we'd be seized and so we didn't
pry into the business for fear we should invite trouble."

"They insulted the British flag," exclaimed Lawrence, "and I don't
think they'll get away with that.  They should know by this time that
Great Britain don't stand for that sort of thing."

"Quite true," agreed the captain; "and, if I don't miss my guess, Spain
will not be so haughty over her rights in the Pacific when London hears
about the trouble.  Of course it would suit us if no British ships were
allowed to trade in these waters, and we continued to do so; there
would be more pelts for us.  All the same, if any nation is to quit, I
don't think it will be Great Britain."

When the captain retired to his cabin the boys continued to talk for
some time over the possibility of warfare on the coast.  It added to
the excitement of the voyage, while the idea of witnessing a struggle
between the ancient rivals of the sea for the sovereignty of the fur
fields so recently discovered appealed to their adventurous spirits.

It was the following evening that Captain Ingraham observed, "We should
fall in with land to-morrow."

"I suppose we can't be far off it now," agreed Kenneth.

"Only a few miles, for the colour of the water has changed," answered
the captain.  "I expect we will be able to see the hills of Queen
Charlotte Islands--or Washington Islands, as I prefer to call them.
Then our work will start in earnest."

The captain stood chatting with Kenneth for a few moments longer, while
Lawrence went forward.  He almost bumped into Cox, one of the new men,
who was hurrying aft.

"Sorry, sir," panted the man; "I was coming to say as how the ship's
sprung a leak."

"What?"

"She's taking water fast.  There's nearly three feet in the hold now."

"Have the bos'n pipe all hands on deck," shouted the lad, as he turned
and raced aft.

"Ship's sprung a leak," he called as he approached the master.  "Nearly
three feet in the hold now."

"Pipe the crew on deck."

"I've done it, sir."

"Good.  Call Mr. Cruft"; and, as Lawrence went to do his bidding, "Mr.
Burbank, it's your watch, have the pumps manned."

By this time the men were tumbling up the forecastle companion-way to
the deck, and it was only the work of a moment for them to start the
pumps.

"Mr. Cruft," said the captain, "will you have the hold sounded."

Accompanied by Lawrence and the carpenter the first officer went below,
where, by the aid of lanterns, it was ascertained that the report was
true, and there was a depth of nearly three feet in the hold.

All night long the pumps were kept going, the men working in relays.
Lawrence took his share of the toil at the handles, while his chum,
with the carpenter, maintained a watch on the water, sounding every
half an hour to note the progress being made by the pumps.

"I'm afraid, sir, we're done for," complained the carpenter.

"Nonsense," snapped Kenneth.  "We're holding our own, and better.  I
think we're making headway.  We're not far off shore, and will be able
to find a cove and beach her to-morrow."

He was right, for an hour later it was found that the water had been
lowered by an inch.  Steadily and monotonously the creaking and sighing
and sloshing of the pumps was continued hour after hour, as the men
bent to the back-breaking work.  Aloft every stitch of canvas was being
carried before the light breeze, and the course, which had been
originally set to fall in with the northern extremity of the group, was
changed to make land as soon as possible.

When dawn first streaked the sky Kenneth went aloft to keep a look out.
At first nothing could be seen through the mists of the morning, but as
the light strengthened and visibility improved he discerned a faint
outline in the distance, which grew more and more distinct as he
continued to look.  He did not want to raise false hopes, but as soon
as he was satisfied that he was not mistaken he called: "Land, ahoy!"

[Illustration: KENNETH WENT ALOFT TO KEEP A LOOK-OUT]

There was a faint cheer from the weary men at the pumps as the word was
passed along, and with renewed vigour they resumed their task.

Soon a mountainous shore could be clearly seen from the deck.  The
water in the hold had been reduced to less than two feet--but steadily
and monotonously the pumps continued.

Three hours later they were close enough to make out several openings
suggesting harbours, and the _Hope_ was headed towards the nearest one.
The longboat was swung out on the davits, and a small swivel was fitted
to the gun-socket at the bow.  Mr. Cruft prepared to take charge of the
boat and explore the character of the opening and the facilities it
offered for beaching the vessel.

When within half a mile of the rugged, timber-clad shore that rose,
ridge upon ridge, to high mountain peaks capped with snow, the
brigantine was hauled by the wind, and as she swung to the boat was
dropped.  The vessel stood off and on in short tacks before the
entrance, waiting for the return of the longboat, and on deck the pumps
sighed and groaned and sloshed and splashed with unremitting regularity.

It was two hours before the longboat was seen again.  As she emerged
from behind a point a flag was hoisted and a musket was discharged.
This was the signal that a safe port had been discovered, and the
_Hope_ headed in.  The boat was picked up, and Mr. Cruft piloted the
brig into a snug cove with a sloping beach, well sheltered in a
commodious harbour.

"I'm going to call this Cruft's Cove," was the delighted exclamation of
Captain Ingraham, as he viewed the little bay, so well suited for
graving the vessel.

The tide was almost full when they arrived, and preparations were at
once made for beaching the _Hope_.  This was accomplished without
difficulty, and as the waters receded she was propped up on either side
with long poles cut from the convenient woods or gathered from the
driftwood.

It was late in the day when the stern-post was finally out of water,
and here the leak was found.  It was between the lower part of the post
and the keel, where proper dovetailing had not been done, and the parts
had separated, leaving a space of fully half an inch.  The bottom of
the ship was found to be covered with barnacles, seaweed, and other
marine growth.

"Mighty fortunate we didn't hit a gale," remarked Peter Ridler, who was
in a small boat with Kenneth when the leak was located.  "That there
seam would have opened sure if we'd had a big blow, and we'd all be
down below now."

The blacksmith's forge was set up, and the smith was set to work by
lantern light manufacturing a strong iron clamp with which to join the
parted timbers, and early the next morning a start was made on
repairing the break.  While some members of the crew were assisting in
this work the others, with the exception of those who were acting as
guards, were engaged in scraping the weeds off, preparatory to copper
painting the bottom on the following low tide.

"Do you know what day this is?" Lawrence asked his chum on the third
morning after they landed.

"No; your birthday?"

"No, not mine: and you're a fine Republican, to have to be reminded by
a King George man that it's your Independence Day."

"Whoopee!" was the wild exclamation, as Kenneth dropped a stick he was
carrying and ran down the beach towards the ship.  Several men seized
their muskets, thinking that it was an Indian attack, and the captain
hurried to acquaint himself with the cause of the excitement.

"What's wrong?" he cried.

"It's the Fourth--the Fourth of July," was the excited answer, "and I'm
going to hoist the flag."

"By all means; and, by Jove, we'll celebrate it, too," declared the
master.

Presently Nicholas the cook, and Tinpots, with another seaman, were
busily and complainingly engaged in lighting a big fire on the beach.

"What are you doing?" asked Lawrence.

"'Nuff, sah," growled the cook.  "De cap'n he says dis is 'pendence
day--whatevah dat is--an he done want a big fat hawg cooked on sho'."

"Don't blame 'im," interjected Tinpots.  "'E's British too, 'e
is--though 'e don't look much like one."

"Jamaica, I is," affirmed Nicholas proudly.

"An'," went on Tinpots, without noting the interruption, "we don't
'anker to be celebratin' hany such day."

"Y' should," belligerently asserted the other seaman.

"Say, Bill Thompson," demanded Tinpots, "where were your father born?"

"England."

"Thought has much, an' you was a Britisher till fifteen years ago."

The argument promised to develop, until Lawrence interfered.  "Look
here, Tinpots," he said.  "Great Britain was beaten--at least the
Hessian soldiers King George sent to America were beaten.  You can't
get over that--but remember this: Great Britain was beaten by people
who up to that time were British.  You should be proud to think that
the only time in centuries that Britain was beaten it was by
Britishers--no one else could do it."

The old sailor scratched his head for a minute, then a broad smile
overspread his face.  "Righto--we're the honly ones as can beat
hourselves.  Come on, Nicky--let's get the 'og."

It was a merry company that gathered later on the beach, to eat the
enormous Sandwich Island hog that had been roasted, and to drink the
health of the President and Congress in an extra serving of grog.

"Men," said the captain, in proposing the toast to General Washington,
"I guess this is the first time that Independence Day has been
celebrated on this side of the continent.  I want you to remember
this--that you've got to keep the good name of our nation for honesty,
even if we are trading with Indians.  We've had our troubles with our
mother country, but should remember that the trade of the British
nation was built up on fair dealing.  If the United States is going to
prosper we will have to stay by those principles.

"Now that we're in the Indian country, you must be on watch all the
time.  Don't trust them too much: be kind but firm with them--and keep
your powder dry."



[1] Vessels from Boston and other ports of the Atlantic seaboard of
United States carried on a considerable trade with China for tea.  The
Chinese market, at the same time, paid the highest prices for sea-otter
pelts, and it was to the Orient that the West Coast captains took their
fur cargoes.




CHAPTER VI

A WILD WELCOME

Having completed the repairs to the vessel, and filled the water-casks
and taken aboard a plentiful supply of firewood, Captain Ingraham
directed the sailing of the _Hope_ in search of Indians with whom to
barter and trade for skins.

For several days the vessel cruised along the rugged shore-line without
meeting with any natives.  Then a large opening presented the promise
of a harbour, and the _Hope_ was directed towards it.  It was not long
before a canoe was seen.  The little craft made towards the brigantine,
and was soon close enough for the dozen natives who manned it to be
distinguished.  There was one man and eleven women.

The natives commenced a song of welcome as the _Hope_ came to, and
paddled around and around the ship in their craft, which was hollowed
from a single log of cedar, with high, pointed prow and raised stern
post.  Having completed four circuits of the ship, the Indians came
alongside.  The man was a powerful-looking fellow of medium height,
with a tremendous width of shoulders.  His face, bedaubed with red
ochre, bore a fierce aspect.  The women, although unpainted, were
hideous to look upon by reason of the manner in which their lower lips
were distended by the insertion of labrets.  The flesh had been cut
through, and a wooden disk, of oval shape, had been inserted in the
opening, causing the lip to protrude fully an inch beyond the chin.

The first canoe was joined by another containing seven men, among whom
was a chief of some importance, who was garbed in a cloak of sea-otter
skins.  By signs he made it known that his village was but a short way
within the sound, and that if the _Hope_ would proceed there he would
produce many skins similar to those that formed his costume.

The offer was immediately accepted, and the brig was soon at anchor off
a village of low wooden huts of such size as to suggest that each one
was occupied by a number of families.  Another chief now appeared, and
boarded the ship, announcing that his name was Kow.  He spoke the
Nootkan language with considerable facility, and as Captain Ingraham
was fairly conversant with this tongue, it was possible to conduct a
conversation.  The chief was taken to the cabin, where he was regaled
with biscuit and molasses, of which he appeared to be exceptionally
fond.  He was presented with a coat of bright blue cloth, plentifully
supplied with brass buttons.

He explained that several other trading-ships had been visitors to the
locality, and as a result of their visits there were but few skins
available for trade, but if the _Hope_ would remain for ten days a
plentiful supply of furs would be secured.  To this proposal the
captain turned a deaf ear.  The chief then suggested a stay of five
days, and when this in turn was denied, he reduced it to three, and
then to one.  To this last suggestion Captain Ingraham agreed.

The boarding-nets were in position, and the crew was armed all the time
the Indians were on board, for the disposition of the natives was
uncertain.  Several ships had been attacked and their crews had
suffered heavily as a result of trusting the savages of the coast too
far, and this, Captain Ingraham determined, should not be the case with
the _Hope_.

While the captain was entertaining the chief in the cabin, the boys
gazed in wonderment at the strange villagers and their peculiar
habitations.  Their attention was particularly attracted by the high,
curiously-carved poles that stood in front of several of the rough
board houses.  The graven figures represented animals, birds, and human
beings, and were for the most part highly coloured.

One of these poles, larger than the others, having a width at the base
of nearly four feet, stood against the front of what was evidently the
principal house of the community, in which no door could be seen.

"Look," exclaimed Kenneth suddenly, pointing at this particular pole.
"Did you see that?"

"What?"

"The beak of that bird opened and a man came out of it."

"Go along with you," laughed Lawrence.  "Do you think I'm green?"

"No; look!"  And again the beak opened, revealing a great hole, and a
man slid out of the bird's mouth to the ground.

Lawrence rubbed his eyes in amazement.  "Did you see the same thing
that I did?" he asked.

"I certainly did.  It must be the door of the house."

"It is, sir," interjected Peter Ridler.  "I seen 'em before when I was
on this coast.  They've got many funny things like that.  You should
see some of the masks they uses in their dances.  They work 'em with
strings and make animals open their mouths and move their eyes and
everything: you just wait till you see some of them big wooden masks."

Captain Ingraham and Kow appearing on deck, the sailor's explanation of
the curiosities to be seen was cut short.  The chief was resplendent in
his new coat, with which he appeared to be highly pleased.

"We are going ashore," Captain Ingraham remarked.  "And I think you
young fellows would like to go too," he added.

"We would, sir," they exclaimed, with such eagerness that the captain
could not help smiling.  "All right," he agreed, "but see to it that
your pistols are loaded, and you had better take cutlasses along as
well.  I never trust these savages."

As the longboat touched the gravel of the beach the Indians crowded
around, yelling and shouting and waving their arms.  "Don't show any
nervousness," whispered the captain.  "Remember you are white men."

Prompted thus, the boys assumed an air of haughty indifference, and
stared back at the grimacing natives, who stepped back, forming a lane
through which Kow and his guests could proceed up the sloping beach.
The longboat drew off from the shore as soon as they quitted it.

To the delight of the boys, the chief led them to the big house with
the strange door.  Catching hold of the lower beak of the wooden bird
he disclosed the entrance, through which the captain, without the
slightest hesitation, disappeared.  Kenneth followed.  Inserting one
leg, he ducked his head down and made a dive forward.  His chum was not
as fortunate, for he caught his foot, and the beak closed upon him,
holding him fast, to the immense delight of the savages and the
amusement of his companions.  He was soon liberated, and was drawn into
the interior of the house.

It was several moments before the eyes of the visitors became
accustomed to the semi-darkness of the place.  Their noses were not as
successful; and all the while they remained within the place they were
assailed with a variety of pungent odours, of which that of decayed
fish seemed to be in the ascendant.  The atmosphere was also heavy with
the smoke of a fire that burned on the earthen floor in the centre of
the place.

The main portion of the great room had been excavated to a depth of
three feet, leaving a platform of five or six feet around the sides of
the dwelling.

Chief Kow led the way down some rude steps to the main floor, where
several women who had been seated about the fire rose and spread mats.
Upon these the whites seated themselves, while Kow proceeded to deliver
a long speech to them, which he concluded by taking handfuls of white
feather-down from a box and scattering it over himself and his guests
as a token of friendship and goodwill.

"Look at that woman," whispered Lawrence, when the chief had completed
his ceremony of amity.  The squaw had taken a large, closely-woven
basket and half filled it with water.  Into this she proceeded to drop
hot stones, which she raked out of the fire with a pair of wooden
tongs.  The water was soon boiling.  She now picked up some pieces of
fish from a board or tray, and dropped them one at a time into the
water, and then added more hot stones, after abstracting those that had
previously been put into the basket.

When the fish was thoroughly cooked it was served in a large, but
rather dirty, wooden bowl, curiously carved to represent an animal.
This was placed in front of the chief and his guests.  The white men
were given carved wooden spoons, with which to help themselves from the
common dish, but Kow did not bother to use any implement in feeding
himself, preferring to use his fingers in picking choice morsels from
the mess.  These, with impressive dignity, he first offered to Captain
Ingraham, who gravely refused them, whereupon Kow, with evident
satisfaction, appropriated them to his own use.

The boys found the greatest difficulty in forcing themselves to eat;
but they knew that to refuse to do so would be considered as a grievous
insult.  Lawrence watched with strange fascination the hand of his host
disappearing into the grease-blackened bowl in search of some
particularly nice bit of fish, and then sought to find his own food as
far away as possible from where the chief had secured his tit-bit.

The fish was followed by a dish of which they found it even more
difficult to partake.  It was a mess of wild berries, covered with
rancid fish-oil which had been beaten into a foam.

"And we objected to boiled salt meat!" groaned Kenneth, as he forced
himself to swallow some of this dessert.

They were indeed pleased when the meal was ended, and the captain had
presented Kow with a string of beads in recognition of his hospitality.

"I'm certainly glad to be out of that place," declared Lawrence, when
once more they were outside of the building.  "This air certainly
tastes good."

"Yes," agreed his companion; "but I wouldn't have missed seeing the
inside of that house for a whole lot.  Did you see how it was made?  I
wonder how they ever got those great beams up on those carved corner
posts.  They must be sixty or seventy feet long."

"At least that," assented Lawrence.  "And however did they cut those
great cedar boards for the roof and sides of the house?  Some of them
were three feet wide.  I imagine they must split big logs with wooden
wedges."

And so talking they returned to the _Hope_, where the incidents of
their trip ashore provided conversation for the rest of the day.

Late at night the wind rose and the vessel pitched and tossed and
strained at her moorings.  Thunder rolled amid the higher peaks and
lightning flashed, illuminating the dark forests and shore with a
violet-blue, eerie light.  By these intermittent flashes those on board
the brig could see the Indians running wildly from house to house in
great excitement and evident terror.

Gradually the intensity of the storm increased, and all hands were
called to stand by.  The topgallant mast had already been struck, and
there was no sail showing; but in the narrow confines of the cove
anything might happen, and Captain Ingraham was preparing for
emergencies.

Hour after hour passed slowly.  Instead of diminishing, the fury of the
storm seemed to increase.  Above the roaring and pounding of the waves
on the beach, every now and again could be heard the crashing of a
giant tree, uprooted by the wind and smashing smaller timber as it fell.

"I'm afraid we're being forced on to that reef on the starboard
quarter," shouted Mr. Cruft, as a flash of lightning showed up the
shore-line for a fraction of a second.

"Pull up on the kedge," called the captain, cupping his hands so his
voice would carry above the howling of the storm.

Men sprang to obey the order; but as the strain tightened on the kedge,
the anchor came home, and the ship veered round closer to the dangerous
rocks.  Closer and closer she approached the reef.  Destruction seemed
to be inevitable.  Already the white foam of the breakers could be
dimly seen as the waves broke against the ragged rocks.

"We've got to get a line ashore," Kenneth shouted in his chum's ear.
"Will you come?"

"Yes," bellowed Lawrence.

The sheet anchor was let go and held, just as it appeared that the ship
would strike with the next wave.  There was no assurance, however, that
the anchor would hold for long, while with the falling tide the vessel
might crash on the rocks.

"We're going to take a line ashore," Kenneth told the captain.

"Good idea, if you can make it.  It's worth trying.  Who are you taking
with you?"

"I'm going in the small boat, with Larry and Tinpots."

Captain Ingraham nodded, and the three prepared to launch the boat.  As
they lowered it Nicholas the cook joined them, and was permitted to go.
It was only with difficulty that the boat was dropped without being
stove in against the side of the brig.  Kenneth took his place in the
stern and paid out a light line, while Lawrence and the sailor tugged
at the oars, and the black crouched in the bow with a boathook.

The distance to the opposite shore was but little more than a hundred
yards, but the task of making it was one of danger, as it was necessary
to row against the waves, towards the mouth of the cove, in order to
avoid being swamped.

Lawrence pulled with all his strength, keeping stroke with Tinpots, but
progress was made by inches only.  The salt, wind-driven spume lashed
them like whips, and the breaking seas soon had the little boat half
filled with water.  The negro dropped his boathook and bailed with all
his might in an effort to lighten the boat of the water that threatened
to sink her.

Inch by inch at first, and then foot by foot as they obtained the
meagre shelter of the headland, the row-boat progressed.  Now, with a
quick turn, she was set about and ran down again into the bay,
wallowing, and shipping seas, as she made diagonally across the waves,
but with greater speed and less exertion to the rowers.

Kenneth had noted, the previous afternoon, a little beach of sand where
several Indian canoes were drawn up, and this he determined to try to
make.  The water was smoother now, and with a shout to his companions
that carried above the tumult of the storm, he managed to convey his
intentions to them.  The boat's nose was turned, and with renewed
efforts Lawrence and Tinpots bent their backs to the oars.  The boat
shot ahead, riding the top of a wave, to crash down on the beach as the
water receded.  They jumped out and pulled the boat higher up on the
shelving shore, above the reach of the succeeding comber.

Now they all joined in pulling at the line.  Soon the increasing weight
made it apparent that a heavier rope was being paid out from the
brigantine, and it soon required every ounce of their united strength
to bring it in.  At last the heavy hawser was ashore, and it was made
fast about the trunk of a tree that grew near the water's edge.  It
remained slack for a few moments, and then gradually tightened, and
they knew that those on board the _Hope_ were winding it in on the
capstan and were pulling the vessel off to safety.

Sheltering themselves in the underbrush as best they could the four
prepared to await the coming of daylight, for they knew that even if
their boat had escaped serious damage when she crashed on the beach, it
would be a hazardous and foolhardy thing to attempt to regain the brig
in the darkness and storm.  Drenched to the skin and chilled to the
bone, and with sinews and muscles aching, they huddled together.
Minutes seemed to pass like hours, and hours dragged on like days
before the first faint streaks in the sky heralded the approach of
daylight.  As the light increased the storm lessened in its fury.  They
were soon able to make out the bulk of the _Hope_ safely riding to her
anchors and mooring line, and the sight cheered them.

[Illustration: THEY HUDDLED TOGETHER]

"We should be able to get aboard in an hour or so," said Kenneth,
through chattering teeth.  "The sea's going down, and I don't think the
boat is badly damaged."

"Ah don' want t' go on dat ship no mo'," whined Nicholas.  "I'se on
lan,' an' ah wants t' stay hyar."

"Don't be a fool," snapped Lawrence.  "The Indians would eat you up."

"Ah don' ca'ah.  I'se had enuff o' bein' a sailor."

"Let 'im be, sir," advised Tinpots.  "A sailor's life ain't fer
coloured men, hit ain't.  Hit's a white man's job; an' hit wouldn't be
no loss hif 'e were left ashore."

The negro mumbled something unintelligible, and no one bothered to find
out what it was.  They relapsed into silence.

A gun was fired from the ship, and in answer to it they showed
themselves on the beach and returned the greetings that were waved to
them from the vessel.

"I think we can try it now," observed Kenneth, half an hour later.  "Is
the boat damaged much, Larry?"

"No," answered Lawrence, who, with Tinpots, had been examining the
craft.  "She'll ride all right."

"Very well, let's run her out.  Here, where's Nicholas?" demanded
Kenneth.  The black had vanished.

In vain was the immediate neighbourhood searched.  No trace could be
found of the missing cook.

"Maybe the Hindians 'as 'im," ventured Tinpots.  "They be welcome to
'im as far as Hi'm concerned."

"No," answered Kenneth.  "He has deserted.  We can't spend any more
time looking for him.  Come on--we'll get aboard."

The storm had abated sufficiently to offer no great obstacle to the
launching of the boat, and the trio were soon on board the _Hope_, to
receive the thanks of the captain for their action.  "And as for
Nicholas," he added, "I'll have to teach him his duty."

"But, sir," protested Kenneth, "remember he was with us, and is
entitled to as much credit as we are for getting the line ashore."

"I realise that; but I can't have him or anyone else deserting to the
Indians.  Why, just think what it means, not only to us but to every
ship on the coast, to have the savages informed of the weakness of the
trading ships!"

Later in the day, when Kow came on board, the captain arranged with him
to capture the cook and deliver him on board unharmed.  It was nearly
night when the chief reappeared.  He was accompanied by half a dozen of
his warriors.  They had Nicholas bound hand and foot in their canoe.

After rewarding the natives, who immediately left the vessel, Captain
Ingraham addressed the black.  "What have you to say for yourself?" he
questioned.

"I'se berry glad to be back, sah," was the astonishing reply.

"Well, why did you desert?"

"Ah was col' an' scairt, sah--but de Indians dey don' scairt me mo'--so
I'se glad to be back."

"Well," said the captain, who had a hard time to keep from laughing at
the woebegone expression of the darkey, "I don't know what to do with
you.  You did splendidly last night, but I can't stand for desertion."

"Oh, sah, I'se bad, indeed Ah is," answered Nicholas.  "Jus' call it
half a dozen, sah, wif de cat, an' Ah won't do it no mo'."

"Half a dozen lashes?  All right--that's for running away; but because
of what you did last night, I'll forgive you three of them."

"Thank you, sah."

"Potts," went on the captain, "would you give him the three lashes?"
and the captain deliberately winked at the seaman.

The negro was led to the foremast, and having been stripped of his
shirt, his hands were tied around the mast, and Tinpots, with a great
show of force, made the cat-o'-nine-tails swish through the air, to
descend gently on the cook's back.  Nicholas flinched as the whip fell,
but only grunted when it struck.

"Yell, y' hidiot," exclaimed Tinpots in a hoarse whisper.

At the second stroke the black let out a roar, which was repeated when
the third was given.

"I guess justice has been done in this case," said the captain,
addressing the ship's company, which had been called on deck to see the
punishment inflicted; "but I want to say that if anyone else tries to
desert while we're on this voyage he will get ten times as much as
Nicholas has just taken--and a good deal harder."




CHAPTER VII

ADRIFT IN THE MIST

Despite the fine promises of Kow that he would, each morrow, produce an
assortment of prime skins for inspection and barter, trade with the
Indians of the village was dull.  Only a few pelts of but indifferent
quality were offered, and for these the natives demanded prices that
were in excess of the schedule that had been agreed upon aboard the
_Hope_.  As a result of the poor display and the high values attached
to sea-otter furs by the Indians, only a score of pelts were secured in
the first three days of the white men's stay opposite the habitations
of Kow and his people.

The fourth day brought better prospects, for a larger number of canoes
congregated about the vessel, some of them having come from some
distance with a better collection of skins.  Hardly had trading
started, however, than it was interrupted by a dispute between two
factions of the natives that, for a time, threatened to become serious.

Two Indians started an argument over some matter of precedence in the
order in which they presented themselves for trade.  One savage,
invective failing to win him the advantage sought, picked up his spear
and threw it at his rival.  The weapon missed its mark, but struck
another Indian in a canoe some few feet away.

Pandemonium broke loose.  The air was filled with shrill yells.
Insults, denunciations, and denials were screamed from canoe to canoe.
Men and women flew to arms.  The warriors picked up their spears, while
the women lashed their knives to their wrists and prepared to engage in
a deadly mle.  Canoes were backed away or advanced as the factional
groups formed, and permitted a space of water to separate the hostile
fleets.

On board the brig at the first sign of trouble the boarding-nets were
placed in position; men were called to their stations at the guns,
muskets were distributed and cutlasses buckled on, in readiness to
repel any hostile movement against the ship.

Kow was on board at the time.  He watched the preparations with evident
interest and some amusement; alternately surveying the activities of
the sailors, and then those of his own people.  At last, when he
thought that matters had progressed far enough, he sprang to the rail,
and scolded his people viciously.  Standing on the bulwark he looked
down upon his tribe, and poured out upon them such a torrent of abuse,
that the whites, who could not understand his language, but could
interpret his tone, were surprised that none retaliated.  Instead,
spears were lowered, knives were unloosened, and men and women sat with
bowed heads, humbled and cowed by the voice of their chief.

It was the following morning that Lawrence made a discovery that was to
prove of great value to the enterprise.  He stood watching the efforts
of the captain to inveigle a young chief to part with a cutsack, or
robe of fur.  The native looked with contempt upon the merchandise that
was offered to him in trade.

"I don't know what to do with these misers," finally exclaimed the
captain in disgust.  "At Nootka they would give anything for copper and
brass ornaments, but here this fellow has refused everything I have
showed him."

"I've been watching them," replied Lawrence, "and I think they might
take something fashioned out of iron."

"What, for goodness' sake?"

"Well, I would suggest that you have the smith make a neck-ring like
the one this chief's squaw is wearing," and he indicated a circlet of
red fibre about the neck of the young woman.  "She's very proud of it.
And I notice that the women have a lot to do with the bargaining."

The captain examined the neck-ring for a moment.  "Well, it's worth
trying," he grumbled.  "I suppose if they won't take what we have,
we'll have to make what they want."

The blacksmith was called, and viewed the ornament.  His forge was set
up, and he went to work to make one, twisting four or five thin rods
together and welding them in the form of a hoop.  It required several
hours to make a single one, and by nightfall he had only been able to
fashion four of them, although he had worked hard at the task all day.

"I'm afraid these things will break their necks," commented the
captain, as he picked one up.  "It must weigh five or six pounds."

"That don't matter," declared Mr. Cruft, "if the women want them.
Native women are just like their white sisters; if fashion decrees
something, they'll have to have it, even if it isn't comfortable."

The chief officer was right, for immediately the young chief who had
been so loathe to part with his cutsack caught sight of the neck-ring,
he offered the three skins comprising the garment for it.  Thus was the
price established, and soon Indians were crowding around, offering furs
in exchange for collars.  The first four were sold in a few moments,
and others were eagerly seized upon while still warm from the forge.

Trade increased in other ways too.  Indians arrived from other parts of
the coast, and they were willing at first to dispose of their otter
pelts for the ordinary goods of commerce.  Once, however, they had
caught sight of the iron collars, the attractions of copper, brass, and
coloured cloths gave way to the desire for possession of these metal
neck-rings.  It was only after much bargaining and argument that they
would take other goods.

So satisfactory did business now become that Captain Ingraham, who had
intended to leave Kow's village, decided to stay for a few extra days.
This was welcomed by the boys, for it gave them an opportunity of
exploring the sound.  They were particularly interested in a rude
fortress that stood high up on a bold bluff.  It was in the nature of
several platforms of logs, surrounded by a stockade, and offered
excellent defence from assault by forces unarmed with cannon.

Another object of curiosity was a small island where the dead were
deposited.  Examination showed that the top of the rock was covered
with curiously carved cedar boxes, or coffins, while others were tied
in the branches of the trees that shaded the islet.  About the caskets
and beneath the trees were all manner of stone and bone implements,
food dishes and ceremonial bowls, for the use of the departed in the
spirit world.

"Nicholas," warned Lawrence, upon his return from the place, "if you
try and run away again, the captain is going to take you there in the
dead of night and leave you with the ghosts."

The cook dropped the pan he was scouring, and his eyes grew large with
fright.  "Lawsee me, Massa Drake, I'se not gwine asho'--no siree.  Ah
won' go asho'--not eben if de ship am a-sinkin'."

"Well, remember--it don't matter where we are--we'll come back and put
you on the Island of the Dead if you try and desert."

The appearance of a large fleet of canoes of a tribe with which Kow was
at enmity at first gave rise to apprehensions of trouble, but it was
soon apparent that the strangers came to trade and not to make war.
They brought many excellent skins with them, and were reasonable in
their demands.

The rivalry between the two peoples, which had so often led to
bloodshed, now took a surprising turn.  Kow decided that, it being poor
generalship to openly wage war at the moment, he would despoil them
otherwise.  He accordingly produced a surprisingly large assortment of
choice furs, and offered them to the white traders at prices as
ridiculously low as they had previously been absurdly high.  The
new-comers, perforce, had to meet the competition, and Captain Ingraham
and his helpers were kept busy from morning until night, appraising
furs, displaying merchandise, and completing sales.

When, two weeks after coming to the place, all the available furs had
been secured, a tally showed that three hundred choice skins and a few
odd pieces had been secured.

A course was now set to the south-east, and for a week the _Hope_
cruised along the shore, with but indifferent results.  But while trade
was slow the blacksmith was busily employed at his forge making
neck-rings against the time that another village possessed of a goodly
stock should be encountered.

"A sail!" shouted the lookout one afternoon; and immediate excitement
followed, for it had already been decided that if a Spanish vessel was
sighted every effort should be made to avoid contact with her, but a
ship of any other nation should be approached with the idea of learning
the state of affairs at Nootka.

"By Jove," exclaimed the captain, after viewing the stranger with his
glass from the rigging.  "It's the _Columbia_.  Give our signal."

Before leaving Boston an arrangement had been made with Robert Haswell,
the man who was to act as mate on that vessel when she again sailed for
the North-West Coast, for an interchange of private signals if the two
vessels should meet.  This was now done by the _Hope_, and as the ships
approached, it was returned from the _Columbia_.

Captain Ingraham, accompanied by Kenneth, boarded the _Columbia_, where
Captain Gray welcomed his old first officer warmly and escorted him to
the cabin.  Kenneth remained on deck, chatting with Mr. Haswell, as the
captains talked in the cabin over a bottle of wine.

"Here," whispered the mate of the _Columbia_, "take these and hide
them," and he slipped a packet of letters into Kenneth's hand, as they
leaned over the bulwark.  Without comment Kenneth did so; but when,
several hours later, they had returned to the _Hope_, he exclaimed, as
he handed the package to Captain Ingraham, "What a peculiar way to
deliver letters."

"Not at all," was the answer, as the captain sorted the contents of the
parcel.  "His owners would not allow Gray to carry letters for us, but
Haswell brought these along secretly.  Here's one for you," and he
handed a letter to Kenneth.

"I'm sorry there's nothing for Mr. Crafts," he added.  "I'm afraid he
won't be with us long, and a letter from his folks would have cheered
him."

It was unfortunately true, and all on board realised that the popular
second officer had not long to live.  He had declined rapidly, and was
rarely able to leave his cabin.  He himself knew that his time was
short, for he told Lawrence one day, between coughs: "I'm bound for the
last port--I'm making my last voyage; and I'll be ready to go ashore."

A visit was made to the mainland, but without much profit, and then,
early in August, anchor was dropped off a large village on the eastern
side of Queen Charlotte Islands, where a powerful chief named Cumshewa
held sway.

At first the chief refused to sell his furs, viewing with contempt the
stock of trade goods, but when he was shown one of the iron collars, of
which a large number had been manufactured, he immediately demanded
one, and before nightfall no less than 176 prime sea-otter pelts had
been purchased.  The next day eighty-four were added to the store.
Strangers arrived almost daily from other villages, and for more than a
week a most profitable trade was continued.

Bartering was suddenly terminated by the outbreak of hostilities
between Cumshewa's tribe and another living far to the south.  His
enemies had attacked several canoes belonging to Cumshewa's village,
and killed and wounded several of his people.  The chief gathered his
warriors and assembled his fleet of war canoes, and went away to seek
revenge.

"We now have nearly eight hundred and fifty skins, and that's more than
I expected," said Captain Ingraham, as he viewed the almost deserted
bay.  "I think we'll get ready to leave the coast for China.  We'll
take on wood and water, and sail in a few days for the Sandwich
Islands, where we'll recruit before going to China."

The boys were delighted at the prospect of a change, for after six
weeks of bartering with the savages they were tired of the continual
haggling over furs, with no opportunity of going on shore.  So warlike
were the natives that the captain had refused permission for any of the
crew to leave the vessel, except in the longboat, well armed and fully
manned.

That night the man on watch heard the dipping of a paddle in the water
close to the ship.  He shouted a challenge, and immediately came the
answer that skins were being brought on board.  Hearing the shouting,
the captain hurried to the deck, and ordered the canoe away.  There was
no response.  All hands were called on deck, and once more the warning
was given for the Indians to be gone, but instead they persisted in
advancing.

"All right, men, give them a volley with the muskets," he said.  "Aim
high."  And a dozen shots were fired.  This had the desired effect, for
with cries of fright the Indians fled.

In the morning the canoes came off as usual, and several of the chiefs
who had visited the bay to trade, protested that the visitors of the
night before were not their people.  As all appeared to be tranquil,
the longboat was ordered ashore, to bring off some spars that had been
cut near the beach.

Hardly had the men set to work than they were surrounded by savages,
who threatened them with knives and spears.

Lawrence, who was watching the shore party from the deck, was the first
to observe the trouble.  He sprang to a swivel gun, which he brought
around to bear on the savages, at the same time calling to the others
to take their stations.  Captain Ingraham hurried from his cabin, and
ordered the ship cleared of Indians.

Meanwhile, on shore, the men were falling back to the boat, keeping
their faces towards the savages who were menacing them.

"Shall I shoot?" asked Lawrence.  "Yes; over their heads."

Lawrence touched off the gun, while another swivel and a four-pounder
crashed out at almost the same instant, sending solid shot and small
bullets smashing into the forest directly behind the savages, stripping
bark and branches from the trees.  The Indians fled, shrieking, in all
directions.

In a few moments Cumshewa, who had returned at dawn, was on board, to
declare that the aggressors were not of his tribe.

There was no further trouble with the Indians, and the work of wooding
and watering went on apace.

"I'd like to go fishing before we leave here, Larry," declared Kenneth,
the day before they were to sail.

"So would I, Ken.  The natives are peaceable.  Why not ask the captain?"

"All right."  And Kenneth sought and obtained permission to take the
small boat and Tinpots for the excursion.

Delighted at the idea of a day's sport with hook and line, the trio
rowed towards the mouth of the harbour, and towards a patch of kelp,
where it was expected that the fish would be found.

Nor were they disappointed.  The fishing proved to be good, and it was
not long before a number of small cod and flat-fish had been caught.
No attention was paid to the passing of time, until after Tinpots had
landed a large fish, which in its struggles entangled his line.  He
looked up, and exclaimed in dismay, "There's a mist comin', sirs, an'
Hi don't know where's shore."

The boys looked up in alarm.  As they had been fishing a mist had
descended, and the dead calm of the waters gave no indication of the
direction of land.

"What shall we do?" asked Kenneth.

"I don't know," replied his chum, while the old sailor only shook his
head dolefully.  "One thing is certain, we've got to keep our heads.
We've been drifting about for three hours," he added, looking at his
watch.  "We have got to try and make land, and stay there until the fog
goes.  Then we can hear the guns of the brig, for they'll be looking
for us.  So haul in the lines and we'll start."

The head of the boat was turned in the direction in which land was
believed to be located, and for an hour they pulled at the oars, but
without gaining any further idea of where they were.  Occasionally they
stopped and strained their ears for any sound that might guide them,
but only the gentle lapping of the water against the planking of the
boat, and the drippings from the oars could be heard.

"There don't seem to be any use rowing any more," said Kenneth at last.
"I've heard that when people are lost in the woods they walk round in
circles.  We've probably been doing the same.  We may only be going
farther away all the time."

Lawrence nodded.  "But listen!  I hear something."

Faintly, but growing more and more distinct, came the sound of wood
touching against wood.

"Indians," whispered Lawrence; and he held up his hand to enforce
silence.  They scarcely breathed, fearing to attract the attention of
the savages before they discovered whether they were friendly.  If of
Cumshewa's tribe, they felt sure that the promise of a reward would
induce the Indians to guide them back to the ship, but if of another
nation--anything might happen.

Louder and louder grew the sounds, and voices calling and answering
showed that there was more than one canoe.  The only hope the boys held
was that the Indians would pass at some distance, and thus they would
escape in the fog.

Now the foremost canoe was abreast of them, a hundred yards away, they
judged.  They breathed easier.  A sudden shout from the other side,
however, showed that the keen eyes of the Indians in the second canoe
had made out the bulk of the boat in the grey of the mist, although
they could not see the canoe.




CHAPTER VIII

IN CAPTIVITY

"It's no use; put your gun down," ordered Kenneth, as Tinpots reached
to pick up his musket.  "They're too many for us.  Appear to be
indifferent.  That's the best way."

The Indian dugout now took shape in the mist.  It was a large war
canoe, and from its build the boys recognised with dismay that it was
not from any of the villages with which they were familiar.  Several
natives, wild, ferocious looking men, with faces bedaubed with black
paint, stood among the paddlers with spears poised ready to be thrown.

Although the sight struck them with terror, neither the boys nor
Tinpots paid any apparent attention to the hostile warriors, but
continued to fish, having dropped their lines over the side of the boat
when they first heard the approaching canoes.

"I don't think they've ever seen white men before," whispered Lawrence,
as the war canoe came to a stop a few feet away.  "We must excite their
curiosity or they'll kill us.  When I give the word, start laughing and
singing."

"All right," assented Kenneth, and Tinpots nodded his agreement.

Two more canoes now appeared out of the mist, and the new arrivals,
after a noisy parley with the occupants of the first craft, commenced
to paddle in a wide circle about the white men.

"Now," whispered Lawrence; and the trio started to laugh, shout, and
sing.  "Ken, oh, Ken, start something--some antics to attract their
attention," he roared.  "Tinpots--ha, ha--do something."  He himself
started to wave his hands above his head, while his chum stood up and
divested himself of his jacket, which he turned inside out and put on
again.

Tinpots, who was bellowing an old sea ditty with such vigour that he
did not at first comprehend what was required of him, at last stopped
his singing, and hesitated for a moment as to what he could do.

"Take off your hat and show your bald head," shouted Lawrence; and with
slow deliberation the old man lifted his woollen bonnet, revealing a
red handkerchief tied about his head, and this he in turn removed,
exhibiting a hairless and shining dome.  The effect was immediately
noticeable upon the natives, who were but a few feet away.

"Stop now and be indifferent," called Lawrence; and they became silent
and motionless.

Slowly the foremost canoe came on until it scraped against the side of
the boat.  A chief reached forward and timorously touched the sailor's
bald head with his forefinger, and withdrawing his hand looked
curiously at it.  He said something to his companions, and they
appeared to be impressed by it.

Several savages now climbed on board the boat, no interference being
offered them.  They picked up and examined various articles, holding
them up to the inspection of their friends.

"We can't expect to get away from them," advised Kenneth in a quiet
voice.  "Our best plan is to go with them uninvited, rather than as
prisoners.  Put your things in the nearest canoe, and we'll climb in as
well.  It will take them by surprise, and they'll probably offer no
objection."

Without apparent haste they lifted their few belongings into the canoe,
and then, to the astonishment of the natives, climbed into it
themselves and took their seats on the mats that were in the bottom of
the craft.  From the manner in which the Indians regarded them, gazing
at them in open-mouthed amazement, it was apparent that the whites had
the advantage that comes with surprise, and that the savages were
inclined to regard them as supernatural.

"Captain Cook said as 'ow you should halways do what a native didn't
hexpect," declared Tinpots, "an' Hi ham goin' to do hit," and he drew
out a stubby pipe, and, with steel, flint, and tinder, started to smoke.

The Indians drew away from him in horror and surprise, but Tinpots
calmly puffed away at the pipe, and blew smoke in clouds from his mouth.

"They think he's a god of some kind," whispered Lawrence.  "He's taking
fire into his stomach, and it's not burning him."

After some discussion between the native chief and his followers the
paddlers took their places; the ship's boat was abandoned, and the big
canoes started off.  It was with sinking hearts that the boys saw their
boat disappear in the mist behind them.

For a long time nothing was said, for each realised that they were
confronting terrible possibilities, and the prospect was not such as to
induce conversation.  At last Lawrence spoke.  "Ken," he whispered,
"listen: the Indians evidently regard Tinpots as some sort of a god.
We've got to play up to that idea--it's our only chance.  We've got to
treat him with great respect."

"I guess you're right," was the answer.  "I'd better tell him to put on
airs," and he leaned forward and whispered to the old sailor, whose
astonishment was complete.  At first Tinpots refused to play the part,
saying he "couldn't do hit right," but he was soon persuaded of the
necessity of his doing so.

Gradually the mist cleared, as the wind freshened a little, and when,
after several hours, they could see land, it was many miles distant.
From the position of the sun, and using the dial of his watch as a
compass, Kenneth found they were headed in a southerly direction.

Hour after hour dragged slowly away.  Lawrence, who had been sitting
with his back to a large cedar box, sought to shift his position to
relieve his cramped limbs, and in doing so accidently knocked the lid
off the chest.  He turned to replace it, and glanced into the box--and
almost dropped back in a faint.  The box was filled with human heads.
It was a full minute before he recovered sufficiently to communicate
the gruesome intelligence of his discovery to his chum.  "Ken," he
stammered, "Ken--these people have been raiding the islanders.  They
have a box filled with heads--right behind me.  They must be the people
that Kow was fighting against.  He said they came from away in the
south.  I guess we're in for it, and no mistake."

"Never mind, old man," comforted his friend, "we're not dead yet, and
we'll find some way of escape."

Hour after hour the Indians continued their journey, the paddlers
keeping stroke with monotonous regularity.  The long August day drew
gradually to a close, but still the natives kept up their steady work.
Occasionally two of them would stop and rest for a few moments, and
when they resumed paddling two others would take a brief respite.
There were eighteen Indians in the big canoe, which could easily have
accommodated ten or a dozen more.  The evening wind brought a choppy
sea, but the dangers of storm and darkness seemed to hold no terrors
for the savages.

The canoe would climb a wave, poise for a second and dash down into the
trough, to plunge its high-pointed nose and flaring prow into the
succeeding wall of water, up which it would wallow, to repeat the dive
before the advancing sea.

Tired, and with muscles aching from the positions in which they were
forced to sit, hungry, for they had nothing to eat, and chilled to the
bone from the cold sea spume, the boys suffered intensely.  Not so
Tinpots, who managed to curl himself up on the bottom of the canoe and
sleep.  Minutes passed like hours, and each hour seemed to be a long
day.

As day was breaking the canoe turned towards a small island, where a
landing was made.  The boys and Tinpots followed the Indians ashore,
where, wrapping themselves in their fur blankets, the natives threw
themselves down to sleep.  It astonished the lads that no sentinels
were posted, and no attempt was made to place guards over them.

"I guess they knows as we hain't goin' to run haway," was the comment
of Tinpots.

"You're right," answered Lawrence.  "And it would seem that they're
near home, and are just resting up before making their appearance."

"Well, I'm hungry," declared Kenneth, "and I'm going to get something
to eat.  There was some lunch in the basket we had in the boat, and
it's in the canoe.  I'm going to get it," and he crawled away to the
place where the canoe was drawn up on the beach.  He found the basket
without much difficulty, and was delighted to discover that the Indians
had not disturbed its contents.  It contained bread, meat, and a bottle
of wine, and upon these they made a substantial breakfast.  As they ate
they discussed in whispers their future course of action.

"It appears to me," said Lawrence, "that it was because they were on a
war party and had won a victory that they did not kill us on first
sight.  Then, by exciting their curiosity, we convinced them that we
were not ordinary creatures.  It was a wise suggestion of yours, Ken,
to step into their canoe.  We would have been taken anyway; but now, at
least, we're sort of guests rather than prisoners, and have not been
robbed.  Each of us has a pistol, powder-flask, bullets, and a knife.
Besides, there are the two muskets.  We must manage to keep these
things, especially the muskets and knives.  The only way for us to keep
our heads is for us to think faster than they do, and to keep them
astonished every time that they show signs of getting ugly."

"Larry's right," declared Kenneth, addressing the sailor.  "And at
present, Tinpots, you're the main brace.  That bald head of yours, and
your pipe, are our safeguards, and we've got to plan how to keep them
thinking you're a great white chief, or god----"

"But Hi say," protested Tinpots, "hit won't do, y' know; 'ere Hi've
been afore the mast all me life, an' you young gentlemen is on the
quarter-deck----"

"That'll do," interrupted Lawrence.  "Ken and I are depending on you to
pull us through--and, besides, it's the only way you can save yourself."

"Hall right," grumbled the old fellow, "but you'll 'ave to tell me what
to do."

The boys' conjecture was correct.  The Indians were but taking a brief
rest before making triumphal return to their village.  After two hours
slumber they were astir, and began decking themselves out in their
finery, which consisted for the most part of fibre head and neck rings,
dyed red, and blankets of cedar bark and sea-otter.  The sombre black
paint of war was replaced with streaks of red ochre.  When these
preparations were complete, and they had broken fast from their stock
of dried fish and berry cakes, they prepared to re-embark.  The
gruesome trophies of their victory, to the horror and disgust of the
boys, were uncovered, and some were impaled on spears, while others
were hung over the high bows of the canoe.

When the signal was given for them to again take their place in the
canoe, the lads rose from the log upon which they had been sitting, and
having removed Tinpots' hat, they each placed a hand reverently upon
his bald head, and with the other pointed towards the sun.  They then
knelt down, and the sailor, placing a hand on each bended back,
assisted himself to rise, and striding with well-assumed dignity to the
canoe, permitted himself to be lifted aboard.  The boys then took the
seats they had occupied on the previous day.  They were immensely
pleased to note the awe with which the natives regarded the ceremony.

The Indians bent to their paddles with a will and, taking their time
from the steersman, sang wild, barbaric songs as the canoe raced
through the water.  After more than an hour they emerged from a narrow
channel, to see a straggling village set on the beach of a
crescent-shaped bay.  The warriors greeted the sight with savage yells,
and waved aloft their ghastly spoils.  Then picking up their paddles
again they sent the canoe ahead at a furious speed.  One man alone
betrayed no excitement.  He was the head chief, who sat, silent and
expressionless, with his sea-otter robe wrapped tightly about him.  It
was not for him to exult at this moment in the overwhelming victory
that had been his.  It was for him to show that success in war was
usual with him.  His time of boasting would come later: now it was for
others to tell how he had led his forces into the sleeping camp of his
enemies, and slaughtered a score or more of them before they could be
awakened, and had scurried away in the night again without the loss of
a single member of his band.  Such a story, he well knew, would be
handed down from generation to generation about the campfires of his
people.

Now the canoes halted.  They retreated, as if fleeing from an enemy;
now they advanced again, faster, faster, faster, to where the great,
ugly, weather-greyed wooden sheds poured out their clamorous, exultant
occupants, who raced down to the water's edge to greet the victorious
warriors.  All songs and shoutings died away in the canoe; the fighting
men had done their part; it was for old men, women, and children, and
those who had not accompanied the band to sing their praises, and for
them to accept the tribute that was theirs.  So, slowly the canoe came
to the beach, there to be seized by a hundred hands and drawn up on the
shingle.

In the first enthusiastic outburst of welcome little attention was
given to the three strangers; but now, as the throng increased about
the canoe, they were noticed, and several, believing them to be
prisoners, made threatening gestures towards them.  Now it was time for
the chief to speak, and with fluent tongue he told of how these strange
people--sons of the great sea-god--had been found afloat in a great
shell; how one, who was chief, had a shining head, and consumed
fire--and how these sons of the sea-god had entered his canoe and had
come to dwell with them, thus signalising them as the most favoured, as
well as the most powerful, of all people.

While the boys could not understand what the chief was saying, they
knew from his gestures that he was recommending them to his tribe, and
when he stopped they stood up, bowed and smiled, and stepped from the
canoe.  They assisted Tinpots to the beach, and were for a moment at a
loss what next to do, until Lawrence said in a whisper, "We must bring
away the guns.  Take off your coat, Ken," and together they divested
themselves of their jackets.  Picking up the muskets, powder-horns and
shot pouches, Lawrence ran the barrel of one of the guns through the
arms of his coat, while Kenneth followed his example.

"Now take hold of the butts," ordered Lawrence, "and, Tinpots, you get
between the guns.  I'll lead the way," and picking up the muzzles of
the muskets, they followed in the wake of the chief, while Tinpots,
flanked on either side by a trailing coat, walked between the boys.

The Indians made way readily for them as they proceeded through the
crowd up the sloping beach, towards the largest house, into which the
chief had disappeared.  They followed him.

The interior of the building was somewhat similar to that of the
natives of Queen Charlotte Islands, except that the central portion of
the earthen floor had not been excavated to a lower level than the
sides.  A number of families resided in the lodge, their quarters being
marked off with mat walls.  A fire blazed on the floor in the centre of
the place, while smaller family fires were scattered about nearer to
the private accommodations.

The chief led the way to the upper end of the building, where larger
quarters indicated that he and his immediate family dwelt.  To the
amazement of the boys he displayed no sign of affection towards the
women and children who crowded around him, and did not deign to notice
the woman who evidently was his wife.  He ordered new mats to be spread
on the floor, and to these he motioned Tinpots, who gravely seated
himself.  The boys placed the draped muskets on either side of the
sailor, and squatted down behind him.

The big hall was soon crowded with Indians, who pressed about the
strangers, gaping at them, while one or two timidly touched Tinpots'
garments, recoiling with cries of alarm when he growled at them.

The heat of the day, the evil odours of the place, and the smoke from
the smouldering fires almost proved too much for them, but they
followed the whispered caution of Lawrence to "stick it out."

The chief had boiled fish and berries floating in oil placed before
them, and they forced themselves to eat with feigned appreciation.  "We
must get used to this stuff," groaned Kenneth, when the others
hesitated to accept the hospitality.

After the meal they carried out the suggestion of the old sailor that
they go outside, and proceeded from the place in the same solemn manner
in which they had entered.  The chief followed them.

They did not go far, being well enough pleased to be out of the
building and in the sunlight again, but seated themselves on a
driftwood log on the beach.

"The thing to do is to see that we keep our arms with us all the time.
That was a good plan of yours, Larry, in getting them away from the
canoe.  Just how long we can fool these people into believing that
we're superior beings, I don't know.  If they find out we are not, then
we'll have to fight for it, so we must keep our muskets and pistols
with us and ready for use at all times."

"That's what Hi think too," agreed Tinpots; "but hit's goin' to be cold
on you 'avin' to drag your coats around hall the time; but we must keep
them muskets."

"Yes, we must keep this ceremony up; but perhaps we can reserve it for
state occasions, and get something else for daily use, such as taking a
morning plunge.  It will be good for us, anyway, and will help toughen
us.  We must study the Indians' habits, and especially the manner in
which they prepare their food, for I've heard that some savages are
very superstitious about these things.  We can't hope to make our
escape until we know something about the country and its people, or a
ship turns up, so we had better try to make ourselves as comfortable as
possible, and learn what we can of their language and manners."

"That's right," declared Kenneth, "and if we can only avoid arousing
suspicion we'll get along all right.  I think we've the advantage now
by doing things without compulsion.  Now I propose that we start
to-morrow morning to build ourselves a little house or hut close to the
chief's lodge.  They won't try to stop us, for we're still strangers."

"Agreed," exclaimed Lawrence.

"But you will 'ave to do hall the work," grinned Tinpots, "for Hi'm a
god."




CHAPTER IX

THE GOD OF FIRE

The boys set to work the following morning upon the construction of
their hut.  The old sailor, who seemed to enjoy the deference shown to
him, looked on and offered advice, which, being of a practical nature
based on a long experience gained in many parts of the world, was most
useful.

At first the Indians looked on in wonderment, but gradually, as the
purpose of the structure became evident, they joined in and willingly
assisted in moving and placing logs and gathering sticks and branches
for the rude shelter.

"What we need," panted Kenneth, as they paused after shifting a drift
log into position as the base timber for one wall, "is anything to give
us shelter for the present.  We can improve it later."

"Yes," nodded his chum.  "I don't care to share the hospitality and
smells of the chief's house any longer than necessary.  I thought I was
used to anything, but I couldn't sleep last night, especially as he had
those islanders' heads hanging to that beam above us."

By utilising driftwood, boughs from the forest, and boards and old
pieces of mat volunteered by the natives, a temporary, but habitable
hut, a dozen feet square, was completed in three days, and into this
they immediately moved.  The poles and sticks had been lashed together
with dried kelp and native cord made from the roots of cedar-trees.

"This will do for a time," commented Lawrence, "but we've got to get
something more substantial before the wet season sets in."

"Right, sir," agreed Tinpots.  "Hi would say as 'ow no time should be
lost about hit.  Course Hi can't do hanythin', bein' a god, but hall
the same hit would be wise to keep right hon improvin' the 'ouse.
Besides, hit will give us a chance to look round a bit."

The boys agreed that the sailor's suggestion was a good one, and they
determined to keep right on with their operations.  A trench was dug
about the hut to draw off the water; the side walls and roof were
strengthened and made as weatherproof as possible.

"I don't like the idea of having to have our fire in the middle of the
house," grumbled Kenneth one day.

"Well, why not build a chimney?" laughed Lawrence.

"Yes," agreed Tinpots, "Hi seen some good clay just a little way hup
that creek, an' there's 'eaps of stones."

"That's a good idea," Kenneth agreed.

"Yes, hit is," Tinpots acknowledged; "an', besides," he added, "them
Hindians 'as been feedin' us with fish an' berries, but they'll be
gettin' tired of that, so we should do what we can now, while we're
being treated like guests."

Under the direction of the old man, who had a fair idea of the masonry
trade, acquired while employed at dockyard work, the lads set to work
to build a fire-place.  It was no easy task at first, but gradually it
took form.  Quantities of clay were carried from the banks of the
stream, and this, mixed with water and a proportion of pulverised clam
shells and sand, made a tolerable mortar.

The Indians, who only knew an open fire, could not understand the
reason for the work.  They grouped about the boys as they laboured,
piling and fitting the sandstone and beach rocks, and filling the
crevices with clay and mortar.  The fire-place was built into the back
wall of the hut, with the chimney on the outside.  It required more
than a week of hard toil to complete it, and the boys prepared to build
their first fire.

The chief, whose name the boys learned was Quelas, with several of his
followers, was present in the hut as Lawrence piled dried bracken and
twigs on the hearth preparatory to lighting them.  He was about to
strike the flint and steel together when Kenneth stopped him.

"Don't," he whispered, "these people have not seen either of us strike
a light yet.  They saw Tinpots light his pipe, but I don't think the
chief saw how it was done.  Let him strike the light."

"Good."  And, turning towards the sailor, Lawrence handed him the flint
and steel, while Kenneth made a long oration, pointing towards the
fire-place, and then towards the roof.  They both made a deep bow.
Tinpots leisurely knelt down and struck steel and flint.  The
tinder-like bracken ignited and flamed.  There was a cry of wonder and
amazement from the Indians, and Quelas recoiled from the seaman as if
he was indeed a supernatural being.

The fire was soon blazing fiercely, giving out a fine warm glow and
illumination.  The Indians were delighted, and one of them ran from the
hut, to return with others, who crowded into the room in such numbers
that there was scarcely space in which to turn around.  It was with
some difficulty that the boys made their way out into the fresh air,
the natives remaining in the over-heated room until the fire died down.

"That's another feather in your cap," laughed Lawrence.  "They
certainly think you're a wonder-worker, Tinpots."

"Well, hain't a god got to do miracles?"

"Yes," Kenneth agreed, "and there's another surprise for them--they
haven't seen us use our guns yet.  I think, though, we had better keep
them in reserve as long as we can."

The success of the fire-place only encouraged the boys to further
improvements about their hut, and the veneration with which the Indians
regarded them, following the demonstration of Tinpots' command of fire,
greatly aided them in their efforts, for natives now vied with one
another in proffering them boards and boxes and mats.  They were soon
able to comfortably furnish their dwelling, and to add a stout door to
the building.  When this was completed they were satisfied that they
had a habitation that would withstand the rigours of winter.

The boys were quickly acquiring a knowledge of the native tongue, and
were soon on terms of friendliness with several young Indians, with
whom they went out to fish.

When they went out on these expeditions they were rewarded with a
portion of the fish caught, and occasionally, when they went out in the
early morning, a deer would be killed by an arrow from one of the
Indians' bows.  They always obtained a portion of the meat.  With their
own lines they often caught cod from the rocks at the entrance to the
bay, where the water was deep off shore.  These Tinpots split open,
removed the backbone, as he had observed the Indian women do with
larger fish, and smoked them in the chimney over a fire of damp moss
and leaves.  Venison was cut into strips, and was similarly treated, to
be stored away as provisions for the winter.

They followed the Indian method of cooking fish by boiling with hot
stones dropped into a water-basket half filled with fresh water from
the near-by stream.

One day the boys were out with their native companions at some distance
from the village, when Lawrence was attracted by a piece of black stone
in the bed of a small stream as he stooped down to drink.  He reached
into the water and picked it up.  "Look, Ken," he exclaimed, with some
show of excitement, "it's coal."

"Coal?"

"Yes--look."  And together they examined it.

"I wonder where it came from; we must get some," declared Kenneth.

A search of a few moments rewarded them with the discovery of a narrow
outcropping close to the beach.  With a large stone they succeeded in
breaking off several fairly large pieces, which they carried to the
canoe, much to the surprise of the natives.

"We'll see if it'll burn, and if it will we may be able to give the
Indians another surprise," Lawrence whispered, as they shoved the canoe
off.

On arriving home they put a piece of coal on the fire, and were
delighted to see it burn.  Having satisfied themselves that they had
discovered something of value, they debated for a long time as to
whether they should secure a supply for winter use.  At last, on the
advice of Tinpots, they decided to keep the matter a secret, and
preserve the three lumps that remained against an emergency, and they
debated long and earnestly how they could best astonish the savages by
the use of the coal.

It was fortunate indeed for them that they made this decision, for
shortly after the first snowfall signalled the arrival of winter
another tribe came to visit the village.  It was the custom, the boys
learned, for the Indians to spend most of the winter in feasting,
dancing, and strange ceremonial rites that had to do with secret
societies that were important factors in their social organisation.  It
was to take part in the initiatory performances of these fraternities
that the strangers had come.

The three white men were on the beach when the visitors arrived, and
from the angry glances cast at them they knew that the strangers had
come in contact with traders.

"I'm afraid we're in for it now," whispered Kenneth, as he observed a
man, evidently a powerful chief and medicine man, looking towards them
and talking to Chief Quelas.  "We'd better get back to our hut; but
don't hurry."

"Tinpots," said Lawrence, when they were alone, "there's going to be
trouble.  There is a chief here who's seen white men before, and he's
likely to start something."

"That's too bad for 'im," was the quiet answer.

"We've got to be ready to outwit him," declared Kenneth.  "From what
I've heard from the Indians, they'll try to make us do something, and
if the visiting medicine man can duplicate it--well, we'll be done for.
If he can't do it, then we will be all right.  The question that we
must consider is: What shall we do?"

There was silence for several minutes, and then Tinpots ventured: "'Ow
about the coal?  You know what we planned; an' hit looks has we must
use hit now."

"Yes," reluctantly agreed Lawrence.  "I guess that's about all we can
do.  Now remember what we arranged"; and for half an hour they
discussed the details of their prepared plan.

Hardly had they concluded rehearsing the details of the scheme when the
door was rudely thrust open, and the strange chief, followed by Chief
Quelas and several of the visitors, entered.

Tinpots did not move, but sat gazing at the glowing embers on the
hearth, but the boys both sprang to their feet and faced the intruders.
"What means this, Chief Quelas?" demanded Lawrence, who was fairly
proficient in the language of the natives.  "Why do you come this way?"

The chief hesitated to answer, but the stranger snorted in contempt and
spat on the ground.  Without hurry, Kenneth bent down and with a chip
dug up the earth where the hostile chief had spit, and handed the chip
to Tinpots.  The sailor tossed it on the fire.  Lawrence, who had been
closely watching the visitor, noticed that he paled, and was satisfied,
for he knew that the action had driven fear into the soul of the
stranger.  It meant that Tinpots was prepared to make medicine against
the invader, and punish him with fire for his insult.  It was at the
same time a challenge.

"What means this, Chief Quelas?" repeated Lawrence.

"My brother, Chief Kwalquem," stammered the chief at last, "says that
you are not supernatural people; that you come to kill us; that you
come in big canoes, and have killed many of his people with smoke and
fire.  He says you should be killed."

The boys laughed loudly; and while it was mirthless merriment, the
effect was none the less discomfiting to the Indians.

Tinpots did not move, and his very stolidity only increased the
uneasiness of Chief Quelas.  "Wot is 'e a-sayin'?" he asked at last in
a deep voice, and he held his hands out towards the fire.

"They're nervous and afraid," chanted Lawrence, and then, in the Indian
tongue, "Chief Quelas, we have been with you for many moons.  The
leaves were on the trees when we came, and now the ground is white.
You have had much food and no trouble while we have been here.  Now you
listen to this man who has an evil tongue.

"We do come from the other side of the world, where our people are as
the stones on the beach for number.  If we were bad we could have
killed you long ago; but we were your friends; you are our friends.
Now we will show you that we have the power of fire.  You have seen
Chief Shining Head make fire; now we will show this man and his people.
If he is not afraid, and is not like a woman, let him do what Chief
Shining Head will do.  Let all the people come to the big house.  Let
the chiefs and the medicine men be there.  Let them bring their
rattles, and we will come; and if this man is a chief and not like an
old woman, he will do what Chief Shining Head will do, and not be
afraid.  I have spoken."

Without a word the Indians turned and filed out of the hut.

The three friends were silent for a time.  They looked at each other,
and then, with a long intaking of breath, Tinpots exclaimed in a husky
whisper: "Hi 'opes, young sirs, as ow' Hi'll be able to do hit.  Hi
hain't a prayin' man, but Hi knows as 'ow you prays at night--well,
now's the time to pray your 'ardest."

The boys bowed their heads for a moment in silence.  Then Kenneth
extended his hand to his chum and gave it a squeeze, and both shook the
knotted and gnarled hands of the old sailor.

"Hit's good as 'ow Hi 'as a 'ard 'and," exclaimed Tinpots, and the
moment of emotion being over they set to work.

"Mind, Larry," cautioned Kenneth, "we've a big work to do.  We have to
keep the attention of everyone, so Tinpots can make the change.  Have
you the wooden whistle you made?"

"Yes, here it is."

"Have you the powder-flask there, Tinpots?"

"Aye, aye, sir," and he produced it.

"And the four little pieces of coal?"

"Aye."

Lawrence brought out his pocket-handkerchief, which had been washed and
stowed away when the scheme was first concocted, and this he proceeded
to tear into half a dozen small squares.  Into two of them a small
quantity of gunpowder was poured, and the corners were drawn up and
tied.  These were given to Tinpots, while Lawrence kept the other
fragments of cloth.  Kenneth put the four small pieces of coal, each
about the size of a nut, into his pocket.

After drawing the charges from their pistols and reloading them the
boys secreted the weapons in their clothing, and, thus prepared, the
three friends set out.

As they stepped out into the night they could hear loud talking, and
the noise of drums and rattles, from the big ceremonial hall, which was
already well filled with the villagers and their friends.

A great fire blazed in the centre of the big building, and the red
glare of the flames and the wreathing smoke wove fantastic shadows over
the savage crowd, and gave an appearance of animation to the hideous
figures on the carved corner-posts, which in the moving tracery of
light and shade seemed to advance and retreat; to bend forward and
backward, opening and shutting their huge, gaping mouths and staring
eyes.  The Indians were seated about the four sides of the building.
The majority of the men were naked, or covered only with a loin-cloth
of animal skin.  The women wore blankets of cedar-bark decorated with
grotesque painted figures.  All were armed with short truncheons, with
which they beat time on planks to the monotonous droning of a barbaric
chant.  At the upper end of the hall sat Chief Quelas, with the lesser
chiefs of his tribe and the headmen of the visiting contingent.

As they entered the place the boys saw four naked figures wearing huge
wooden masks dancing around the fire.

"Hit sure looks like the 'ot place," cried Tinpots, as he viewed the
savage scene.

"All right, don't be frightened," whispered Lawrence reassuringly.
"Come on," and he and Kenneth advanced four paces, dropped to their
knees and waited until their companion came up with them, only to rise
and advance another four paces and again kneel.  In this slow but
impressive manner they encircled the fire four times, knowing that four
was the mystic number of the natives.  Having completed the last
circuit they came to a halt in front of Chief Quelas and the visiting
chief.

Tinpots raised his right arm slowly, and for a full minute pointed at
the face of the man he had challenged.  Every eye was fixed upon him
except that of his antagonist, who avoided his gaze.

"Hi 'ave 'im scared--go ahead with your talk," announced the sailor in
a deep voice.

The boys bowed, and then Lawrence, speaking as if in interpretation of
his chief's words, cried, "Chief Quelas, and all the people!  Listen to
what the great Chief Shining Head says."

"Make it thick, sir," admonished Tinpots in the same measured accents.

"He says this chief has spoken bad words; his heart is black.  He will
test him with fire.  The Shining Head Chief will make stones burn, and
he who is burned when he does it is bad.  If this chief is not afraid
he will say so.  If he will not do this thing, then he is a woman and
not fit to be with men."

Chief Kwalquem rose, his face black with rage and his eyes gleaming
with hate.  He burst into a torrent of abuse, and lifted up his spear
as if to strike down the white man.  Tinpots did not move, but
continued to gaze with unblinking eyes at the Indian.  The uplifted
weapon was lowered.

"Hif 'e tries that again, shoot 'im," advised the sailor.

"Chief Shining Head says this man is afraid," said Lawrence scornfully.

Angry denial poured from the lips of the chief.

"Bring four large white stones and four pieces of hemlock," said
Lawrence quickly, before the Indian had ceased speaking, and at a nod
from Chief Quelas young men ran to do his bidding.  When they were
brought, the boys took a piece of hemlock in each hand and carefully
brushed the ground midway between where the chiefs sat and the fire.
The four white stones were set on the ground that had been swept,
forming the corners of a square with sides of about two feet, and the
hemlock boughs were placed between the stones.  The four pieces of
white cloth were then spread within the square, and the four bits of
coal that Kenneth had brought were handed to Tinpots, who placed one on
the top of each white stone.  Then each one was lifted, and was carried
to Chief Quelas for examination and, when they were replaced, Tinpots,
with a stone hammer, commenced to powder them, kneeling with his back
to the chiefs.

"Now," he whispered, and with a yell both boys started to jump up and
down.  Kenneth blew a shrill blast on his whistle, and Lawrence started
to turn cartwheels about the fire.  The surprise of the Indians was
complete, and everyone watched the lads, as whistling and cartwheeling
they encircled the blaze.

While the boys were the centre of attraction and were compelling the
attention of the natives, Tinpots quickly transferred the contents of
the two little packets of powder to the top of two of the stones, and
secreted the pieces of coal.  When he signalled to the boys they came
to a halt upon completing their fourth circuit, and Lawrence stepped
forward.

"You saw Chief Shining Head beat the stones into sand," he said.  "Now
let this strange chief do the same as Chief Shining Head."

Tinpots slowly removed the covering from his head and advanced towards
the chief.  He halted and turned to face the crowd, and held out his
hands, palms upward.  Chief Kwalquen did the same.

Kenneth with a twig of hemlock brushed the coal-dust off one of the
white stones to a piece of cloth, and carrying it forward deposited it
in the palm of Tinpots' right hand.  Then the dust from another stone
he placed in his left palm.

He now repeated the operation by filling the palms of the Indian chief
with powder.

He brought the two hands close together, and Tinpots inclined his head
over his extended hands.  The savage chieftain did likewise.

Chief Quelas closely watched the performance.  "Are you satisfied they
are both the same?" Lawrence asked him, pointing towards the two men.

The chief nodded assent.

"It is well," and he stooped down, and picking up a twig he thrust it
into the fire and lighted it.  This he gave to Chief Quelas, and told
him to touch the black pile that Tinpots was holding.  The chief blew
on the lighted twig to give it flame, and gingerly touched first one
palm and then the other.  Nothing happened.

"Now touch the black stone in the other man's hands."

Quelas again blew on the twig, and touched the right palm of his friend
lightly.  Nothing happened.  Lawrence nearly fainted.  "Now the other
one," he managed to gasp.

Almost before he spoke the glowing point was pressed down into the
little black pile.  There was a blinding flash and a scream of agony,
and Chief Kwalquem staggered back and fell to the ground, howling with
pain.

[Illustration: THE TEST BY FIRE]

For a moment nothing but the anguish of the Indian could be heard.
Then pandemonium broke loose.  Men and women started chattering and
shouting.  Those nearest to the white men started away from them in
fright.

Lawrence sprang to the platform where the chiefs had been seated, and
called in a loud voice for silence.  Almost as if by magic the tumult
ceased.  "Chief Quelas and people," he shouted.  "The fire from the
stone has shown that the Shining Head Chief is good, and that the words
of the other chief were bad.  Now do not let anyone say bad words about
us, or do bad things, or fire will burn them.  We will do no harm to
our friends.  I have spoken."

Stepping down from the platform he signalled to Kenneth and Tinpots,
and, advancing, kneeling, rising and advancing again, they quitted the
place as they had entered it.




CHAPTER X

RESCUED

Winter gave way to spring.  The snow disappeared from the lowlands, and
the stark brown ugliness of leafless trees was relieved by the tender
verdure of new foliage that showed in pleasant contrast against the
darker evergreen of the forest giants.  With the warmer weather came
also new hopes to the three unwilling guests at the Indian village.

The months that followed the trial by fire, when Tinpots had
established his supremacy, had not been happy ones for them.  The
natives had regarded them with fear, and many who had formerly been
friendly disposed now avoided them.  Only occasionally did the savages
bring them food now, and then usually as an offering to propitiate
their favour or to seek their services in working spells against an
enemy.

Fortunately they had accumulated a store of provisions in the first few
months of their stay, and were able to eke out an existence.  Their
chief misfortune was in the illness of Tinpots, who was attacked by
rheumatic pains in his lower limbs, and as a consequence was compelled
to remain within the hut for weeks at a time.  It was necessary to keep
this fact a secret from the savages, who were convinced of the
supernatural character of the old seaman.  When, on rare occasions,
Indians did pay them a visit, Tinpots sat in front of the fire with a
cedar-bark blanket drawn closely about him and said nothing, which more
than ever added to his fame.

The boys spent hours rubbing his limbs, and eventually this treatment
had a beneficial effect, which was greatly assisted by the use of steam
baths, such as the natives employed.  A trench six feet in length and
two feet deep was dug in one corner of the hut.  This was partially
filled with seaweed, and then a number of red-hot stones were thrown
into it.  More kelp was piled over the stones, and water was poured
over the whole just before the sick man was rolled in a cedar blanket
and placed on the steaming mass.  Another blanket was then spread over
the rude bath-tub, leaving only the head of the invalid exposed, and in
this manner he was thoroughly steamed for a quarter of an hour.  This
treatment was repeated twice a week.

With the lengthening days Tinpots improved, and was now able to get
about with some of his old agility.

The mortality in the village had been heavy during the long winter,
many of the older men and women and not a few of the children passing
away.  Often in the night could be heard the shouting and moaning of
sorrowing men and women, or the beating of drums and the sound of
rattles as medicine men sought by hideous sounds and savage charms to
drive away the evil spirit of disease.

"I wonder what happened to that Indian who was burned," mused Lawrence
one day, as the boys paddled towards the entrance of the bay to fish
for cod.

"He lost one eye, according to Chief Quelas," Kenneth answered, "and he
vowed to avenge himself on the whole tribe here.  Now that spring has
come I shouldn't be surprised if he tries to do it.  These Indians
usually attack at night, when their victims are asleep, and you can
depend on it that if they come, they'll make for our place first."

"Yes, I believe you're right, Ken, and I think we should prepare to
receive them."

That evening they discussed the possibility of attack, and decided that
a strict watch should be maintained.  Tinpots volunteered to stay awake
at nights while the others slept, and so it was arranged: the sailor
kept guard during the night and rested in the daytime, when there was
but little probability of attack.

"I think," advised Kenneth, after this arrangement had been in effect
for a week, "that we should do something more than just keep watch,
Larry.  If they come they will send a scout ahead to peer into the hut,
and if they see Tinpots sitting up, they'll probably wait until they
can strike us from ambush."

"You're right.  Let us build a platform of some sort above the door
where we can sleep, and fix up dummies that a person would mistake for
us, and lay them near the fire."

The plan was put into execution, and a stout platform was erected above
the door, while three logs were wrapped in blankets and placed in front
of the fire-place each night.

Nothing happened for nearly a month, and then, one moonless night, the
quick ear of the sailor caught a slight rustling outside of the hut.
Cautiously he awakened Lawrence, who in turn aroused his chum.  Each
picked up the weapon that lay beside him, and waited.

Slowly the door was pushed open, and they could make out a dark form
wriggling across the earthen floor towards the motionless forms beneath
the blankets.  Another, and then two more, appeared.

Lawrence touched Kenneth on the knee, and each raised his pistol and
covered one of the stealthy figures.  Tinpots already was aiming at the
foremost savage.  With a yell the native raised himself to plunge his
knife into the form in front of him.  The cry was the battle-call of
his tribe, and his own death-knell, for as he lunged there was a roar
and a flash.  Tinpots fired, and the Indian crumpled and pitched
forward.  Two more flashes, as the pistols were discharged, and a
second Indian fell, with two bullets in him, for the boys had both
taken aim at the same man.  The others fled in terror from the hut.

Dropping to the ground the three friends threw dried twigs on the fire,
and by the blaze reloaded their weapons and made out into the night,
which was now hideous with the cries of conflict.

"Make for the water and head them off," shouted Lawrence; and they
stumbled over the rocky beach to where they knew the enemy canoes must
be drawn up.

"Look," he cried, a moment later, "there's one of their canoes just
putting off."

"Hi'll put a 'ole in hit," answered Tinpots; and dropping to one knee
he took aim at the dark object that showed faintly against the waters
of the bay.  The flash of his musket was answered with a shower of
arrows.

The boys both fired, and again the flashes were the signals for the
native bowmen.

With a cry Lawrence staggered and fell.

"Larry, Larry, what's the matter?" cried Kenneth, who was fumbling with
his powder-horn in an effort to reload his pistol.  "Larry, where are
you?"

"Here; and I'm hit.  Nothing serious--in the fleshy part of the leg
above the knee"; and he groaned with the pain.

"Tinpots!" almost shrieked Kenneth.  "Quick; Larry's hit."

"Aye, aye, sir," was the cool reply.  "Just a moment sir," and he fired
the musket he had succeeded in loading in the darkness at a figure that
showed for an instant a few paces in front of him.  With a satisfied
grunt he turned.  "Hi got 'im; an' where's Mr. Larry, sir?  Oh, there
you be--all right.  Lift 'im careful now.  That's hit--easy away"; and
between them they carried Lawrence to the hut.

Piling fresh fuel on the fire, Kenneth made a hasty examination of the
wound by the light of the flames.  The arrow was still lodged in the
flesh.

"Tinpots, get those dead Indians out of the way, and get some fresh
water," he ordered.

"Aye, aye, sir."

He gently pulled at the arrow shaft.  Lawrence groaned.  "Sorry, old
man, but it's got to come out.  It's not a bad wound, but the barb has
caught and it's going to hurt some.  I may have to cut it out, for it's
in pretty deep."

Tinpots returned with the water, and it was soon brought to a boil.

"Here, Tinpots, give me your knife," said Kenneth, and he sharpened the
blade on a stone, and then thrust it into the scalding water.  "That
will clean it all right.  Now some of that soft moss."

"'E's fainted!" exclaimed the sailor in a whisper, as Kenneth cut away
the clothing from about the wound.

"Good; he won't feel the pain of this"; and with a quick incision he
freed the arrow--a long saw-toothed weapon of bone.  "Now the hot
water.  That's it, fine; that will clean it out nicely: now the moss";
and he made a soft pack of the stuff and bound it tightly upon the
wound with a strip torn from his own shirt.

"There, there, Larry, old man," he said tenderly, as Lawrence opened
his eyes.  "You're all right now; here, drink this"; and he handed him
a bowl of water.

"Did I faint?" asked Lawrence weakly.

"Just for a minute.  You lost a lot of blood; but you're fine now."

"I'm ashamed of myself.  I--I--shouldn't have done that."

"You couldn't help it.  We know you too well to think it was from any
other cause than loss of blood; but how are you feeling now?"

"Easier, thanks."

"Is there anything you want?"

"Yes.  I wish you would go and find out how the fight went."

"All right"; and away he went, to return in twenty minutes.

"They were badly beaten.  Our shots alarmed the village, and Quelas and
his men were able to beat them off with the loss of but one old man and
a child killed and a woman wounded.  So far they've found the bodies of
four of the enemy, and another who was wounded was added to the dead;
then there are the two that we accounted for: so that means that
Kwalquem lost at least seven of his men."

As soon as it was daylight Kenneth again dressed the wound, and drew
the edges of the cut together.  Scarcely had he finished the task than
Chief Quelas and several of his principal men arrived, bringing with
them a woman who was well versed in the rude surgery of the savages.
She took charge of Lawrence.

The chief was in high good humour, and was particularly delighted at
the part that the white men had played, giving them credit for having
aroused the village.  He was very curious as to the means by which they
had defended themselves.

"We made thunder and lightning," Kenneth explained.  "Chief Shining
Head destroyed them with fire."  He motioned to Tinpots to bring his
musket outside.

"The great white chief will show you," he went on, "how he pointed his
fire-stick at them and killed them."

A basket was placed on a near-by log and, raising his gun, Tinpots
fired, knocking the target from its perch, and badly frightening the
Indians.

"Now go and pick up the basket," ordered Kenneth; and the chief himself
obeyed, only to utter an exclamation of wonder when he saw the hole
made by the bullet.

"Now, chief," Kenneth said, "you see how Chief Shining Head destroys
his enemies.  He is the chief of fire and thunder, but he does not hurt
his friends; and you and your people are his friends."

Great was the awe and respect of the Indians for Tinpots after this
further demonstration of his power.  They feared that he might at any
moment turn upon them and consume them with fire.  They were afraid to
have him stay longer with them, and yet were fearful that he might
discover that they wanted to be rid of him.  But they now supplied
their guests with an abundance of food, and were ready to do the
bidding of the white men at all times.

The old Indian woman proved to be skilful indeed in the treatment of
Lawrence's wound, and under her constant care and that of his
companions he rapidly improved, and in a little more than two weeks was
able to walk with the aid of a crutch fashioned from the fork of a
small tree.  It was soon after he was able to be about that he broached
the subject of departure to Chief Quelas.

"Chief," he said, "you do not want us here."

The Indian gave a start and murmured a protest.

"No, Chief, we know.  We are not angry, and we are pleased with what
you have done for us.  Maybe before long a big canoe--with great white
wings--will come to look for us.  If it don't come, we want you to take
us to look for it."

The Indian did not make answer.  Lawrence waited, knowing what was
passing in his mind.  "No, Chief," he said at last, "no harm will come
to you, but great good.  Chief Shining Head will give you a fire-stick
when you do this, and will show you how to use it."

Quelas looked searchingly at Lawrence for a moment, and then nodded,
"Yes, Quelas will do it."

Kenneth was greatly excited when Lawrence related the conversation to
his friends, but Tinpots, to the surprise of the boys, did not appear
to be enthusiastic at the prospect of an early deliverance.

"But don't you want to get back to civilisation?" demanded Kenneth.

"Well, Hi suppose Hi does----" was the hesitating answer.  "But 'ere
Hi'm a god, a great chief, an' back aboard ship Hi'm just Tinpots.
Hit's Tinpots do this; Tinpots do that; an' 'ere Hi don't do anything."

"What do you know about that!" and Lawrence looked in open-mouthed
amazement at the old man and then at his chum.  "Tinpots, you're a
stubborn old donkey."

"Hi guess Hi ham," he grumbled.  "Besides, hit wouldn't be the same
with you gentlemen gone.  But what's the chances of getting away?"

"Well, it's getting along towards summer now--it must be close to the
first of June--and the trading-ships will be on the coast.  It will be
strange if one of them doesn't come this way sooner or later.  After
what I said to Quelas he will be on the watch for them, and if some of
the distant tribes hear of them they will send him word.  It's
generally known all along the coast that we are here, and surely the
Indians will tell the traders.  If nothing turns up in a month or six
weeks we will get the chief to take us to the northward."

The thought of getting away was now uppermost in the boys' minds, and
they maintained a watch of the horizon from the point at the entrance
of the bay from early morning until dark.  Each day brought a fresh
hope, and each night registered another disappointment, and the notches
that were cut each evening in the doorpost increased in number until
they totalled more than forty.

Then, late one afternoon, a canoe that had been on a visit at the
Nahwitti tribe, distant about forty miles, returned hastily, with the
news that a great winged canoe, such as Lawrence had described, had
been seen the previous day.

Quelas hastened to the boys with the intelligence; and, true to his
promise, he said he was prepared to start with them immediately in
search of the vessel.  Two hours later they took their places in the
largest of the war canoes, and bade adieu to the natives, who crowded
down to the water's edge to see them off.

A lump rose in Lawrence's throat as he waved to a group of women who
were blowing the eagle down of peace and good will towards them.  "You
know, Ken," he stammered, "they're--they're mighty fine people.  They
may be savages, but they've been good to us in their way."

"They certainly have."

Tinpots only sighed and looked straight ahead.  "They wouldn't 'ave
treated Captain Cook 'imself better," he muttered at last.

For several hours the canoe sped through waters that were hardly
ruffled by wind, and then, darkness descending, a landing was made and
they lay down to rest.  At daybreak the journey was resumed, and
continued against a freshening breeze for three hours, when another
halt was ordered at a small island.

Lawrence, who still felt the effects of his wound, remained in the
canoe, but his companions landed, and Kenneth clambered to the highest
point of land and climbed a tree.  Hardly had he reached a position in
the branches from which he could see across the island than he gave a
shout: "Tinpots--Larry--A sail, a sail!"

"Where away?"

"Nor'-nor'-east--four leagues."

"Aye, aye, sir," and the old sailor started as fast as he could through
the underbrush and over windfalls for the canoe.

"A sail, a sail," he called; "a sail, sir."

"Where?" excitedly demanded Lawrence.

"Nor'-nor'-east, Mr. Kenneth made it out, sir."

Kenneth followed a few moments later.  The crew was already awaiting
his arrival, for on hearing the news Lawrence had called to Quelas and
his men.

Rounding the island the dugout headed into the teeth of a fresh sea.
Spray broke over the upturned bow as the canoe rose and fell.  The
Indians paddled with all their strength, and despite wind and waves
made good progress.  The boys strained their eyes to catch a sight of
the vessel.

"That be the mainland over there," ventured Tinpots.  "An', with this
wind, she'll be comin' around this way afore long, unless she be
tackin' up the coast from us."

The old man's conjecture was correct, for an hour later Lawrence cried,
"There she is--a sloop."

Kenneth tore off his tattered coat and hoisted it aloft on a fish
spear.  The natives renewed their efforts.  The sloop was coming
towards them.  Now the distance between them was but little more than a
league.  Then the ship veered round on a tack that would take her out
into the open sea.

The boys groaned dejectedly.  It looked as if they were to be passed
by.  Quelas, who was steering, quick to appreciate the meaning of the
movement, swung the canoe round and headed for the distant promontory.
"Make thunder," he said.

"Yes, Tinpots," cried Kenneth, "load your musket."

With difficulty the sailor managed to do so, putting in an extra heavy
charge.  Quelas shouted an order to his men.  The musket was raised
above their heads, and was discharged with a terrific noise.  The
recoil was such as to upset Tinpots, who lost his hold, and the gun
fell with a splash into the sea.

Anxiously the boys watched the sloop.  She continued on her course.
They were in despair; and then her head came round.  "Hurrah, they've
seen us--we're saved," and tears of joy filled Lawrence's eyes.
Kenneth said nothing, but reached out and squeezed his chum by the hand.

Rapidly now the distance between the vessel and the canoe lessened.
"She's a war boat," asserted Tinpots; "see 'ow many ports she 'as--an'
she's British."

In less than half an hour they were alongside, and a few moments later
were on the deck of the sloop, to be greeted by an officer in the
undress uniform of a lieutenant.  "Who are you?" he demanded.

"We're off the brigantine _Hope_, of Boston, and have been living with
a tribe of Indians for a year, sir," answered Kenneth.  "We were picked
up by the natives off Queen Charlotte Islands.  And to whom are we
indebted?" he asked.

"This is the _Jackall_, of London, Alexander Stewart commander.  I am
the first officer."

"Pray, sir," interrupted Lawrence, "may we beg from you something with
which to reward these Indians, who have brought us fully twelve
leagues.  We will then be pleased to tell our story."

Quelas was shown an assortment of trade goods, and from these made a
selection that highly gratified him.  He refused a gun, however, saying
that he might destroy his own people with a thunder stick.

He parted from his guests in a most casual manner, but it was with some
feeling of regret and a sense of gratitude that they saw him go.

"A mighty fine savage 'e is," commented Tinpots, as the canoe headed
back to the village.




CHAPTER XI

AN UNEXPECTED MESSAGE

"Follow me," said the officer, and he led the boys and Tinpots to the
captain's cabin.

Captain Stewart was a typical British naval officer, stern and reserved
in the presence of strangers.  He looked searchingly at the three for a
moment before speaking; and it was evident from his expression that he
was not impressed with what he saw, for, as Lawrence later remarked to
his chum, they were not very presentable.  Tinpots had grown a long
grey beard during their captivity, which he had attempted to shorten
from time to time with his sheath knife.  His feet were bare, and his
principal article of clothing was an otter-skin cloak which had been
given to him by Chief Quelas.

Kenneth was the best dressed, for his coat was fairly intact, but his
hair was long, and he was without a shirt, while his trousers were
patched with his stockings, and his bare feet were thrust into broken
shoes.  Lawrence, who walked with the aid of a stout stick, boasted a
tattered coat and an equally dilapidated shirt.  In place of trousers
he wore a kilt that had formerly been a cedar-bark cape.  He had
neither shoes nor stockings.

"Well," demanded the captain, who was correctly attired in the undress
uniform of a naval lieutenant, "where do you come from?"

"We were taken by the Indians last year, sir," answered Kenneth, "and
have been held by them ever since.  Mr. Drake and I were junior
officers on the brigantine _Hope_, of Boston, Captain Joseph Ingraham,
and Potts was a seaman on the same vessel.  We were on the point of
leaving the coast for China when the three of us were caught in a fog
in a small boat, and were captured by a war party of Indians."

"You may be telling the truth," said the captain; "that you have been
living among Indians is obvious; but candidly I am doubtful of the
balance of your tale," he added; and turning towards his first officer,
"Mr. James, have the seaman shown to the fo'c'sle and give him some
clothes from the slop-chest.  I want to question these men further."

Tinpots, who had been standing at attention, saluted, and turned to
follow the officer from the cabin.  There was something in his manner
that arrested the attention of the commander.  "Stay," he exclaimed.
"Were you ever in the British Navy?"

"Yes, sir.  Hi was with Captain Cook, sir--and others."

"Oh, you were, eh?"

The old sailor had been closely studying the face of Captain Stewart,
and had been searching his memory to recall where he had seen that
officer before; now he remembered.  "Yes, sir," he proudly answered,
"and I was with you, sir, when you was a midshipman on the _Spry_ on
the West Indies station."

"What!" almost shouted the captain.  "You're not the Potts who was
bos'n's mate, and saved my life when we took that French privateer?"

"Hi did 'elp you a bit, sir, that time we captured the _Jeanne Marie_."

The stiffness and formality of the captain was dropped in an instant,
and he sprang to grasp the old sailor by the hand.  "Forgive me," he
said; "and to think that I should not have recognised you!  Well, well!
Sit down, gentlemen, sit down.  Pray forgive me for doubting you."

"Certainly, sir; and we don't blame you," said Lawrence.

"Mr. James," went on Captain Stewart, "these gentlemen and my good
friend Potts will remain here.  Have suitable clothes sent to them."

"And what happened to you--where did you go?" he demanded, addressing
Tinpots.

"Hi got pretty bad 'it, sir, just after our fellows got to you.  I was
sent to 'ospital at Jamaica, and was sent back 'ome, where Hi was
drafted into Captain Cook's crew.  After the captain was killed, an' we
got 'ome ag'in, Hi was discharged and went into merchantmen, sir."

"This man," exclaimed Captain Stewart, "saved my life.  We had gained
the deck of the Frenchman and were hard pressed.  Our lads were carried
back a bit, and I was knocked over.  A Frenchy was going to finish me
off with a pike when Potts came to my rescue and cut him down and stood
over me until our fellows cleared the deck and rescued me.  I've never
seen him since; and to think I should meet him away out here.  Well,
well!"

While they were talking clothing had been brought; and when they were
properly attired once more in civilised costume, they found food
awaiting them.

"Come," invited the captain, "I fancy you are ready to eat."

While the fare could not be called elegant, the boys thought that they
had never tasted a better meal; and when at last their appetites had
been satisfied, Lawrence smiled broadly.  "Begging Captain Stewart's
pardon," he said, "I never thought that I would relish salt boiled beef
as I have at this meal."

"And now," remarked the captain, "I would like to hear your story."
And for the next hour the boys related their adventures among the
Indians.  When they had concluded the recital, their host exclaimed:
"You certainly did have an adventurous time, and you must be
quick-witted indeed to have thought of making a god out of Potts"; and
he chuckled at the idea.

"I would like to have you with me," he added, "but I suppose you are
anxious to find your ship.  I came out in company with, and under the
orders of, Captain Brown of the _Butterworth_.  While this is a trading
venture financed by London merchants, we are operating under Royal
Charter, and are charged with the duty of establishing a settlement on
the coast, in his Majesty's name, if opportunity offers.  Just whether
or not this will be done depends upon the outcome of the negotiations
between Captain Vancouver and the representative of Spain, who is at
Nootka now, waiting to hand over the territory that was taken from
Meares."

"Is Captain Vancouver 'im as was midshipman with Captain Cook?"
questioned Tinpots.

"The same.  He is in command of the _Discovery_, and has the _Chatham_
with him.  He is exploring the waters that lead from De Fuca's Straits,
and as there is a story among the Indians that the end of that channel
opens out here, we have been waiting for him here.  Captain Brown
carries dispatches for him."

"But what are all these negotiations?" asked Lawrence.  "When we were
at the Sandwich Islands we heard that there had been trouble, and
Captain Ingraham was at Nootka in the _Columbia_ when Meares's ships
were seized; but we never heard what the outcome of it all was, or what
happened when England heard of it."

"There was nearly war.  Meares sent a memorial to Parliament, and when
it was read there was great excitement.  The whole nation was in a
furor over the insult that had been offered to the flag, and the
Government demanded an immediate apology and a large indemnity from
Spain, as well as the return of the lands claimed by Meares.

"Spain was inclined to be haughty, and at first refused to make amends,
and both nations prepared for war.  The Spaniards were depending on
their compact with France, but the French king was having too much
trouble at home with his own subjects to think of engaging in a foreign
war over something that was no concern of his, just to please Spain.
When he refused to entertain the idea, and would not come to the aid of
the King of Spain, the dons capitulated, and the whole affair was
settled without bloodshed.  It was agreed that commissioners were to be
sent from England and Spain to Nootka, where the lands would be
restored and the convention would be formally ratified.

"Captain Vancouver is to act for Great Britain, and Seor Juan
Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra is to represent Spain.  He is waiting
at Nootka now for Captain Vancouver, who was also instructed to examine
the coast, and this he is doing before carrying out the more formal
part of his commission."

"Didn't Hi tell you, sirs," exploded Tinpots, "as there'd be trouble
about what them dons did to our people?"

"You assuredly did," answered Kenneth.

"And now about yourselves," said Captain Stewart.  "I can take you
along with me when I return to Nootka; but I can't say just when that
will be.  The port is crowded with shipping and there are no furs in
that locality.  You say that it was Ingraham's intention to return this
summer to the Queen Charlottes.  Well, it's the fifteenth of July now,
and we are not far off the islands, so we will run up that way and see
if anything has been heard of the _Hope_.  No, no," he hastened to add,
when the boys would have expressed their appreciation.  "No; my chances
of getting furs are just as good there as along this part; and it was
my intention to go there in a few days.  Besides, if for nothing else,
I would like to feel that I am doing something to repay the debt I owe
to our good friend Potts."

Orders were issued immediately, and the course was set for the islands;
and late that same afternoon the _Jackall_ passed Cape St. James, and
just before darkness hove to in a small cove for the night.

The day passed pleasantly indeed for the three friends.  They were
anxious to learn the news of the outside world, and those on board the
sloop were interested in their adventures.  Their stay on the _Jackall_
was to be very short, though, for early next morning a brigantine was
sighted heading south, and signals were made for her to approach.  When
three or four miles distant the chief officer went out in the longboat
to board her and ask for information about the _Hope_.

The noise of the lowering of the boat and the creaking of the oars
against the rowlocks as it passed aft awakened Kenneth, and he was soon
on deck.

"Where is the boat away to?" he asked.

"To board that brig," answered a sailor.

He looked in the direction indicated by the man, and saw a small
brigantine.  He caught his breath.  No, surely it could not be!  He
hurried to where the second officer was viewing the stranger through
his glass, and ventured, "Might I take a look at her?  I think it is
the _Hope_."

"Certainly"; and the glass was handed over.

"It's her," he exclaimed excitedly, when he had looked; and handing
back the telescope he hurried to awaken Lawrence and Tinpots, who were
soon on deck, where the captain joined them a few moments later.

"Ah, Mr. James has boarded her," observed Captain Stewart, "and they
are breaking out a private signal.  Do you recognise it?"

"Yes, sir," replied Kenneth, looking through the glass that the captain
handed him.  "It's the _Hope_, and no mistake."

"You will not want to lose any time in joining your friends," suggested
Captain Stewart, "so I think we had better go aboard her in the small
boat," and he ordered it to be lowered.  Into this they piled; and with
Kenneth and Tinpots assisting at the oars they were soon under way.

As they approached the _Hope_ they were greeted with cheers, the whole
crew having gathered to welcome them, and as they reached the deck they
were surrounded by their friends.

"We've come aboard, sir," said Kenneth simply, as Captain Ingraham
seized him by the hand.

"And it's time you did," exclaimed the captain delightedly.  "Where's
Drake?  Ah, there you are; but what's the matter?"

"A flesh wound in the leg, but it's nearly well now."

"Ah, and here's Potts.  Delighted to see you."

"Permit me to present Captain Stewart, who rescued us"; and Lawrence
introduced the master of the _Jackall_.

"Pleased, very pleased; and a thousand thanks; but come into the cabin.
Potts, I know you want to go with your messmates to tell them of your
adventures," and Captain Ingraham led the way to the cabin.

"But where's Mr. Crafts?" Lawrence asked, as the first officer came
forward to greet him.

"Poor Crafts has gone."

"What?"

"Yes, he died shortly after we left the coast last year, and we buried
him at sea."

This intelligence, though hardly unexpected, grieved the boys deeply,
for they both thought a great deal of the second officer.

For the next two hours they were kept busy relating their experiences
among the natives; and when they had outlined all that had happened to
them, Lawrence asked what had taken place during their absence.

"When you did not return," explained the captain, "we searched for you
everywhere, and offered the Indians rewards for information about you.
Two days later they brought in your boat.  At first we thought you had
been murdered, but when we found that your weapons and fishing-lines
were gone, we concluded that you might possibly have escaped, and we
maintained that belief all the way through, although I must confess
that when we found on our return that nothing had been heard of you by
Kow, we were disappointed indeed."

"I hope you did not write home to my people saying I was missing,"
interjected Lawrence.

"No.  Mr. Cruft and I talked the matter over, and decided to say
nothing about your absence until after this voyage.  But that reminds
me, I have letters for both of you."

While he was searching through his dispatch-box for the letters, the
captain went on to explain that upon leaving the coast the _Hope_ had
sailed for the Sandwich Islands, from whence, after wooding and
watering, sail had been made to China.  Considerable difficulty had
been encountered at Macao in disposing of the cargo of furs.  Chinese
officials and European agents had demanded excessive fees for their
services, and eventually the pelts had to be sold at prices far below
those which it had been expected they would bring.

After Captain Stewart had taken his departure, and the _Hope_ was once
more under way, the boys had an opportunity of reading their mail.
Kenneth's letters were from his people at home, and their contents
delighted him.  Lawrence could not conceive who would write to him, and
for a long time he sat looking at the envelope without opening it.  At
last his chum looked up, and seeing the puzzled expression on his face
asked, "What's the matter, Larry?"

"I was wondering who this could be from."

"Well, why don't you open it and find out?"

"I didn't think of that," he stammered, and tore open the envelope,
only to give an exclamation of surprise when he noted the signature.

"What's the matter, Larry?"

"This letter--it's from--you'd never guess."

"Of course I wouldn't."

"Well, it's from my uncle, Tobias."

"What does he say?"

"I don't know.  I'll read it to you, if you are through with your
letter."

"Yes, go ahead."

"All right," responded Lawrence, and he read aloud:


"DEAR NEPHEW,--I have learned of thy sailing with Captain Joseph
Ingraham.  I have also learned from letters sent to this place by that
gentleman that he is pleased with thee, and that thou hast conducted
thyself well.  I am pleased.

"I am an old man, nephew, and have been alone many years; therefore do
not deal harshly in thy opinion of me.  Our meeting was not a pleasant
one, and I would that I had spoken that which was in my heart instead
of that which bitterness of memory forced to my tongue, which has
always been an unruly member.

"I loved thy father, but we let matters of politics come between us,
and he cut himself off from me, and I knew not whither he had gone, and
grew old in the hope that one day he would return and take again his
old place.

"Then thou camest, and I learned that he was dead.  My hopes perished
with thy message.  In my bitterness and woe I said that which I should
not have said.

"I am old and my days may be few.  Thou art my only kin, and I would
not like to go to the grave estranged from thee.  I ask thy forgiveness.

"Thy Uncle,
    "TOBIAS DRAKE."


"Poor old uncle--poor old man," was all that Lawrence said when he
finished, and there were tears in his eyes.




CHAPTER XII

TREACHEROUS NATIVES

The _Hope_ cruised about the islands for another week, going from
village to village, picking up a few pelts of indifferent quality.  The
competition for furs had become so keen that the Indians had no
opportunity of collecting the large stores of otter skins that they had
when the first traders came among them.  Nor were they as eager as
formerly to barter them for trinkets with the opening of the season,
knowing full well that other ships would follow.

"I'm getting tired of haggling with these Indians," exclaimed Captain
Ingraham one evening, after a day of but little profit.  "I think we'll
try our luck to the southward; not that I expect it will be any better,
but I want to find what is going on at Nootka, and as it is the centre
of trade in that quarter we will be able to find out what prices are
being offered for furs."

So on 23 July the _Hope_ left the islands and headed in the direction
of Nootka Sound, only to encounter boisterous weather, which
necessitated standing well out to sea with top-gallant masts struck and
topsails furled, and with guns stowed below and hatches battened down.
After several days of pitching and tossing the storm abated, and the
brig headed back towards the coast under full sail.

"I think we should try a little trading before looking in at Nootka,"
advised Mr. Cruft, as the mountainous shores were sighted.

"That is a sensible suggestion," agreed the captain, "as they may want
us to give a guarantee that we will not trade any more with the Indians
about Nootka.  There is a harbour ahead, and I think that Mr. Burbank
had better go ahead and investigate it.  He had better take Drake with
him, and as they know Indian character they will be able to glean any
information that the natives may be possessed of, or find if there is
any possibility of trade."

Since their return to the _Hope_ Kenneth was once more placed on the
quarter-deck as second officer, while Lawrence, while rated as an
apprentice, in reality occupied a position of equal importance.

The boat was got ready, and when the brigantine had approached to
within a mile of the opening she was launched, and manned with a
well-armed crew.  It was late in the afternoon when they started, and
it was dark before they had completed their exploration of the harbour.
While a bay within the entrance was not all that could be desired, it
would provide shelter for the night, and so they fired signals for the
brig to approach, and guided her to anchorage.

The following morning they were again out early, and explored the
harbour farther, finding good anchorage near a small creek where fresh
water could be secured.

Indians were soon swarming about the vessel, manifesting in every
possible way their friendship.  The harbour, they said, was called
Kyuquot.  They brought off a number of furs for trade, but in barter
were quick to take offence, and showed by their manner that they were
not at all overawed by the white men.

"I don't like the looks of these fellows," remarked Lawrence, who was
assisting in trading.  "They appear to be both haughty and surly, and I
noticed that they were counting our guns."

"Yes, I noticed that, too," answered the captain.  "We won't have any
more of them on board to-day, I fancy, and we will set a good watch
to-night.  To-morrow is Sunday, and I promised the men that they could
go ashore in the morning to do their washing; we will have to see that
they are well armed.  We will head out to sea to-morrow night, for I
don't like the idea of staying where I can't trust the natives."

On Sunday morning the captain spoke to the crew: "Men, I told you that
you could go ashore in parties to-day," he said, "and I will keep my
word to you, but I want to warn you of the natives.  I don't like their
actions.  I'm going to suggest that instead of going in separate groups
you all go at one time; but some must remain on the ship.  I want to
know if any of you will volunteer for that duty."

"I'll stay," said Lawrence.  "I spent a whole year on shore and won't
miss the change."

"I'll stay, sir, of course," said Kenneth.

"And me," chimed in Tinpots, and Nicholas the black cook also agreed to
remain.

"That will be enough," said the captain; and he prepared to disembark
with the others.

When they had gone Lawrence called to Tinpots to bring fishing-lines;
and they were soon engaged in fishing from the bow of the vessel.
Several small cod had been landed when Lawrence, who had been watching
the shore-line, exclaimed: "That's funny!  Look at those canoes
slipping round the point.  I've counted half a dozen of them in the
last few minutes.  Something must be in the wind.  You'd better call
Ken, and tell him to bring his telescope."

"What's the matter, Larry?" inquired Kenneth, when he came forward in
answer to the message.

"I don't know; but the Indians are up to something.  They've been
dodging round that point, and are gathering there; and I'll warrant
it's for no good purpose.  Let me have your glass for a minute.  Yes, I
thought so; they're sneaking back under cover of the overhanging trees.
Look, you can see half a dozen canoes there, and there are no women in
them."

"You're right," exclaimed Kenneth, looking in turn at the distant
point.  "They're either going to attack us or the shore party.  We had
better give the captain warning.  Tinpots, run up the flag and dip it
twice," and as the sailor did so Kenneth fired his pistol to attract
attention.

There was an answering shot from the shore, and in a few moments they
could see the men piling into the boats and pushing off for the brig.

"Now, let us get these swivels loaded," suggested Lawrence, "and the
muskets and cutlasses ready"; and with Tinpots' assistance he loaded
the guns while Nicholas and Kenneth distributed the muskets.

"What is wrong?" called Captain Ingraham, as he climbed aboard.

"I think the Indians are preparing to attack us.  Yes, see, they're
coming now," answered Kenneth, pointing to where a long line of canoes
could be seen emerging from the shadows.  "Larry noticed them," he
added, "and we loaded the swivels and stacked the muskets and cutlasses
ready for trouble."

"Excellent!  Now men, to your stations.  Better load the four-pounders,
Mr. Cruft."

"Very good.  Gun crews, round shot for the four-pounders, grape for the
swivels."

The men flew to obey orders.  The boats were first hoisted up and the
boarding-nets set in place.  Cannon were run back, charged, and run out
again.  Powder, round shot, and grape were passed up from the magazine,
and in a very few minutes the _Hope_ was prepared for action.

"There are fifteen canoes, each with about a dozen men," called
Lawrence.  "Look what they are doing."

The Indians were only a few hundred yards away.  The leading canoe had
slowed down, to allow the next one to approach and lay its prow
alongside the stern of the first.  The third canoe did likewise and
soon the fifteen dugouts were stretched out in an unbroken line, and in
this manner they slowly approached the ship.

"Fire a shot over them," ordered the captain.  "I don't want to kill
them if I can frighten them away."

"All right.  Fore starboard swivel, fire."  And the gun crashed out its
warning, peppering the water far beyond the Indians.

With wild cries of derision and defiance the savages dashed forward,
several warriors waving spears, while one or two essayed to reach the
ship with their arrows.  It was the evident intention of the Indians to
encircle the _Hope_ and attack her from all sides simultaneously.

"Steady now--take careful aim.  Spray the ends of the line with grape,
and break it in the centre with round shot," called the first officer.
"Are you ready?"

"Aye, aye, sir."

"Fire!"

There was a tremendous roar as the guns spurted flame and spewed death
among the small craft.  The ship shock with the shock of the broadside,
and as the smoke cleared away a terrible sight was revealed to those on
deck.  Splintered and broken canoes, wounded and dying and dead Indians
were intermingled with men who had escaped unhurt when their canoes
were shattered, while surviving dugouts, in wild confusion, were
turning and twisting amid the wreckage as the frenzied paddlers sought
to escape from the tangle.

"We have got to teach these fellows a lesson," declared the captain.
"Out with the launch, Mr. Cruft, and chase them.  Mr. Burbank, take the
longboat and pick up as many as you can of the wounded."

Lawrence accompanied Mr. Cruft in the launch, which mounted a small
brass swivel on the bow.  "Don't shoot them, but frighten them,"
ordered that officer, as the sailors gave chase to the canoes.  There
was no chance of overtaking the lighter craft, so after pursuing them
for a mile a halt was called and the swivel was fired, the shot
churning up the water behind the hard-paddling Indians.

In the meantime Kenneth had picked up six wounded men and four who were
uninjured.  These he had conveyed to the ship as he rescued them from
the water, and later removed the wounded and then the others to the
shore.

"That's a sad business," deplored Captain Ingraham, when the boats had
returned, "but we did not provoke it.  We will leave here at once."

After waiting several hours for a wind, the boats were put out, and the
_Hope_ was towed out of the cove into the broader expanse of the inlet,
where a slight breeze gave her motion.  To the surprise of all, a
canoe, carrying a chief and three men, came alongside later in the day.
In response to a demand for an explanation of the reason for the
attack, the chief indignantly denied that it had been his tribe that
had been responsible for the outrage.  He said he came from the south,
and, indeed, was at enmity with the natives of the locality.  He
requested permission to sleep on board the brigantine, declaring his
fear of attack if he spent the night on shore.  Being convinced that he
spoke the truth, the captain granted his request.  He said he had
lately come from Nootka and that there were five vessel at that place,
two English, two Spanish, and one American.

The boats were again ordered out, and continued towing the ship until
well after darkness had descended, when anchor was dropped before a
village.

A strong watch was maintained all night, but despite the vigilance of
the guard the visiting chief and his retainers managed to slip away,
taking a number of articles with them as mementoes of their stay.

At daybreak the laborious work of towing the ship was recommenced, and
was continued until a slight wind came up and carried her out into the
open.  Now, however, the breeze died down, and the tide and long ground
swell carried the brigantine rapidly towards the rocks.

Once more the small boats were lowered, and there followed a long and
desperate struggle.  It was all that the men could do to hold the
vessel against the set of the tide, and for three hours they did but
little more than keep her free from the reef, over which the long swell
broke and splashed.  At last, when they were almost exhausted, a fine
breeze sprang up.  The tired men were relieved and the _Hope_ headed
off shore.

"That was a close call," remarked Mr. Cruft to Lawrence.  "It was worse
than being attacked by Indians, for we should have a good chance of
beating off the savages, but if we had touched those rocks nothing
could have saved us: those long rollers would have pounded us to
pieces.  Water is one of the most powerful agencies known, and against
the force of uncontrolled water man is but a puny thing."

"Where are we going now?" asked Lawrence.

"To Nootka, to give the men a little recreation and make some repairs."

All night the brigantine stood off shore in moderate weather, and next
day made for Nootka Sound, which late in the afternoon was visible.  It
was the intention of the captain to anchor in some convenient cove for
the night and enter on the following morning.  Hardly had the vessel
dropped her kedge, however, than a small boat was seen standing out
from the port.

"It's a naval boat," commented the first officer, "see how nicely it is
handled."

"An' Hi'll wager hit is a British boat," volunteered Tinpots, who had
heard the remark.

The old sailor was not deceived, for the stranger proved to be the
pinnace from H.M.S. _Ddalus_, a store-ship sent out with supplies for
Captain Vancouver's command.  The lieutenant in charge came out, he
informed Captain Ingraham, to offer his services in piloting the _Hope_
to Friendly Cove.  Accompanying the lieutenant was the second mate of
the brig _Columbia_, an old shipmate of Captain Ingraham.

"And so the _Columbia_ is at Nootka again," he exclaimed delightedly.
"I'll be glad to see her again, Smith."

"Yes," replied the _Columbia's_ officer, "and lucky we are to be there,
too.  We struck a rock, under full sail, off Washington Islands, and
were badly sprung.  We just managed to get off and make Nootka.  We've
been repairing the damage ever since.  It might have gone badly with us
if we had been cast ashore among the Indians."

"It certainly would have," agreed Captain Ingraham, "although two of my
officers and an old sailor spent a year ashore.  They only saved
themselves by persuading the savages that the seaman was a god."

"They were more fortunate than our fellows," declared the lieutenant.
"We lost our first lieutenant, our astronomer, and a seaman in a
foolhardy escapade at the Sandwich Islands.  The master's mate was
ordered to superintend the watering of the ship, and he asked for a
protecting party with a swivel to cover him.  Lieutenant Hergest asked
him why, and he replied that he would not risk his men unnecessarily.
This led to some words, and the lieutenant declared he would take the
party ashore himself.  Gooch, the scientist, volunteered to accompany
him.  They went unarmed, and the natives attacked them at once.  Both
Hergest and Gooch were killed, as well as one of the seamen.

"For the life of me I can't understand why Hergest did such a thing.
He should have known better, for he was with Captain Cook when he was
killed at the same islands.  As for me, I'm just as willing as the next
man to take my chances in a fight, ashore or afloat, but I don't
believe in giving any savage an advantage over me."

"I agree with you," declared Captain Ingraham.




CHAPTER XIII

NOOTKA

Accompanied by a pilot launch sent out from the port by the Spanish
commandant, the _Hope_ next morning moved up the sound and dropped
anchor opposite the settlement.  As she passed Hog Island the colours
of Spain were saluted with nine guns, the courtesy being returned by
the battery that crowned the rock.

In the cove were riding the English store-ship and a Spanish frigate,
while the Boston ship Columbia was graved on the beach undergoing
repairs.

The boys had looked forward to seeing Nootka, which, ever since the
publication of the journals of the ill-fated Captain Cook, had been the
spot on the West Coast that had appealed as no other to those who loved
adventure.  It was to Nootka that daring sea merchants had come in
search of the velvety fur of the sea-otter; it was Nootka that latterly
had become a pawn of mighty play upon the chessboard of international
politics.  And now they were to see Nootka--the Nootka which Captain
Ingraham and Mr. Cruft had so often described to them, and from which
descriptions they expected to see only another such inlet as they had
already visited upon the coast, improved with one or two rude huts of
rough-hewn cedar, but withal differing in that it was the place that
had been so glorified by the romance of the times.

[Illustration: THE BRIG "HOPE" IN NOOTKA SOUND]

Great was the astonishment of the lads, therefore, when the _Hope_
rounded the island battery and dropped anchor; nor was their
astonishment at the fallacy of their fancy greater than the surprise of
their superiors at the change that had taken place in three short
years.  Where the tumbledown habitation of Meares had been the only
evidence of European occupation, now stood commodious dwellings,
storehouses, bake-shops, farm buildings, carpenter sheds and a
hospital; an extensive clearing had been effected in the forest, and
the tangle of underbrush and wind-blown trees had given way to fine
gardens and fenced enclosures for herds of cattle, sheep, and swine.

Captain Ingraham gazed in wonderment at the scene for several minutes
without speaking, and then exclaimed: "Did you ever see such a change?"

"I never did, and wouldn't have believed it possible if I had been told
about it," answered his first officer.  "But here, if I'm not mistaken,
is Captain Gray."

"Well, well, Ingraham, my hearty, it's good to see you at Nootka
again," cried the master of the _Columbia_, as he sprang aboard, to be
warmly greeted by his old mate.  "And there you are, Cruft!  How are
you all?"

Lawrence regarded Captain Gray with keen interest, for he had often
heard members of the crew speak of him by reason of his exploits as a
trader and his skill as a navigator.  A square-shouldered man of medium
height, with a purposeful jaw and straight, thin-lipped mouth, he might
have been considered handsome had it been not for a detracting manner
of squinting.

He nodded pleasantly to Kenneth.  "Ah, I met you last year, I think";
and then, spying Lawrence, "And who is your other young gentleman,
Ingraham?"

And, as Lawrence was presented, he commented, "You are young, are you
not, to be out in this part of the world?  Though I suppose not: boys
will go to sea; and there's danger wherever the water is deep and the
wind blows."

"Yes, both he and Mr. Burbank are rather youthful," answered Captain
Ingraham; "but they're none the worse for that, and I'd rather have
them than many older and more experienced men I've sailed with in my
time."

The compliment paid to them in the presence of such a man as Captain
Gray delighted the lads, and they were more than pleased when they were
invited to join their seniors in the cabin.

"What have you been doing since I saw you last?" inquired Captain
Ingraham, when they were seated before a bottle of wine.

"Oh, I have had excitement enough," was the answer.  "We had a brush or
two with the savages, and nearly lost ourselves on the Washington
Islands."

"Yes, I heard of that.  Were you badly damaged?"

"Yes, and it was only by good luck that we managed to reach Nootka.
The dons have been very obliging.  This man Quadra is a regular
gentleman.  I have been living on shore ever since we put in here, and
he has loaned me smiths and carpenters, so that I'm nearly ready for
sea again."

"Splendid!  I hesitated to come in here, not knowing what the attitude
of the Spaniards might be towards us, for while the United States is at
peace with Spain, so was England when our old friend Martinez seized
Meares's ships.  It's too bad we have no claim to these territories."

"Do not worry," replied Captain Gray.  "I have discovered a great river
to the south of Cape Flattery, and have claimed it for the President
and Congress, and named it after the _Columbia_."

"Excellent," exclaimed his friend.  "Here, let us drink a toast to the
Columbia River.  Come, fill up your glasses; now, here's to the
Columbia River and to its Discoverer."

"Bother you," laughed Captain Gray.  "Why did you couple me with the
toast, and prevent my drinking it with you?  But come, I'll give you
another--'May the banks of the Columbia River some day be settled with
citizens of the Republic.'"

Further discussion of the discovery was terminated by the arrival of a
Spanish officer bearing the compliments of Don Juan Francisco de la
Bodega y Quadra, the commandant of the department of San Blas, which
included Nootka, and his invitation to dine on shore.

As Mr. Cruft was engaged with arrangements for necessary repairs and
refitting, and as the invitation included all the officers of the
_Hope_, the two boys accompanied Captain Ingraham and the master of the
_Columbia_ ashore.  They were impressed by the appearance of the
Spanish soldiery, who evidenced a smartness and discipline that was
foreign to their preconceived ideas of the soldiers of Spain.

Kenneth voiced his surprise, and Captain Gray, who overheard him,
answered: "Things have altered since Quadra was given charge at San
Blas.  Before that the men were slovenly and indifferent; but he is a
good soldier and a gentleman, and the men of the garrison under him
reflect those qualities.

"These houses and gardens, though, are mainly as a result of the
efforts of Captain Pedro Alberni, who was stationed here until a few
months ago.  He was very industrious and a very clever man.  On his
arrival he found that Chief Maquinna, who hated Martinez, would have
nothing to do with the Spaniards.  Alberni set about to win his
friendship.  He learned a few words of the Indian language, and
composed a song in praise of the chief.  This he taught to his company,
and for hours the soldiers would stand on parade and sing to the trees.
This continued for days, and then it stopped.

"Maquinna, like all Indians, is a vain fellow, and he came out of the
forest, where he had hidden each day to hear his praises sung, and
requested that the song be repeated.  That was what Alberni had been
waiting for, and he immediately made friends with the _tyee_ and loaded
him with presents, and as a result Maquinna will do anything for the
Spaniards to-day.  He spends much of his time with Quadra and eats at
his table, and on occasion he shares Quadra's room with him."

As they talked they were walking up the pathway from the water's edge
towards the large two-story house which the Spanish commander occupied.
It was larger than they had at first believed, and on closer approach
it was found that the whitewashed exterior was enlivened by a profusion
of gay flowers growing in window boxes and beside the walls.

They were ushered into the main hall, where Seor Quadra himself came
to greet them.  A tall, spare, bearded man, with the air of a student
rather than that of a soldier, his manner was at the same time
dignified and friendly.  He greeted his visitors in Spanish, which was
translated by Seor Mozino, the botanist of the establishment, who had
been sent by royal command to study and report upon the vegetation and
geology of the country.

After the first greetings had been exchanged, Captain Ingraham produced
the _Hope's_ papers for examination, and when this formality had been
disposed of the party was shown about the settlement, returning later
for dinner.  This was served in a large dining-hall, and to the
surprise of the trio from the _Hope_, the service was of solid silver,
while the richness of the draperies and the excellence of the
appointments suggested the furnishings of a grandee's palace in old
Spain rather than those of a wooden structure in the midst of a
wilderness in a practically unknown quarter of the globe.

Nor were the dishes out of keeping with the magnificence of the room,
for as course followed course, as fish and fowl and game, garnished
with fresh vegetables and highly spiced, after the manner of Spanish
cooking, appeared and gave way to sweets and fruits and rare wines from
far-off Oporto and Madeira, Lawrence could hardly believe that it was
not all a dream.  "And to think," he whispered to Kenneth, "that a few
weeks ago in this same country we were glad to get smoked fish, and
thought we were well sheltered in our hut."

In addition to the American masters and the boys, Seor Quadra had as
his guests Captain New of the _Ddalus_ and his lieutenant, the gold
lace and dark blue of their uniforms, and the lighter blue and scarlet
and gold of the Spanish military and naval dress, adding colour to the
gay scene.  Of all the large company, however, the person whom the boys
thought to be the most interesting was the Nootkan chief, Maquinna.
This native, who was attired in European clothes, conducted himself at
the table as if he had been accustomed to the use of knife and fork
from infancy, and he behaved in a manner that was highly creditable to
his instructors in etiquette.

The commandant led the conversation, chatting first with one and then
another of his guests, his pleasantries and observations being
interpreted by the scientist.

"And is this your first visit to Nootka?" he asked Captain Ingraham.

"No, seor, I was here as mate of the _Columbia_ with my friend Captain
Gray several years ago."

"Ah, then you were present when the unpleasant incident of the seizure
of the English vessels took place; but that has given us the pleasure
of meeting Captain New and his officers"; and he lifted his glass to
the Englishmen.

"Yes, seor, I was present."

Nothing more was said of the incident then, but later, after they had
returned to the _Hope_, a messenger came with a letter to Captain
Ingraham from the commandant.  This was to the effect that he would
appreciate it if Captains Ingraham and Gray would prepare a joint
statement of the exact circumstances of the detention of the British
ships as they knew them.

This both Captain Ingraham and Captain Gray readily consented to do,
and they were engaged for the whole of the next day upon the
preparation of the document.  They denied some of the assertions made
by Meares in his memorial to the British Parliament, and declared that
they had never heard of his alleged purchase of lands about Nootka from
Maquinna, who had told them that the only person to whom he had
disposed of his lands was Captain John Kendrick, of Boston.

Seor Quadra came in person to receive the statement, and was received
on board with a salute of guns.

"These Spaniards must use up a lot of powder in answering all the
salutes that are fired," laughed Kenneth.

"Yes, and there will be more of it, too, when Captain Vancouver
arrives, for there will be salutes to the sovereigns of each country
when they are toasted, and salutes when Quadra and Vancouver visit one
another and when they leave again," said Mr. Cruft.

The _Hope_ remained at Nootka for a fortnight, during which time the
_Margaret_, of Boston, commanded by Captain James Magee, part owner of
the _Hope_, the _Butterworth_, Captain Brown, and the _Jenny_, Captain
Baker, of Bristol, England, arrived.  Friendly Cove presented a very
animated scene as sailors from the different vessels strolled through
the settlement and passed to and fro between the ships and the shore in
small boats.

On leaving the port the _Hope_ returned to the northern islands, where
trading was engaged in for the next month with a fair measure of
success.  Having secured a cargo, Captain Ingraham once more turned in
the direction of Nootka, where he had promised to meet Captain Magee
and take on board his furs for transport to China.  It was night when
the brigantine neared Nootka, and a cannon was discharged to inform the
Spaniards of the approach of the vessel.  Beacon fires were lighted on
the top of Hog Island and the point beyond the village, and by the aid
thus afforded Captain Ingraham was able to bring his ship into the
harbour, where anchor was dropped.

At daylight Kenneth, who was on watch, was surprised to see riding at
anchor close by two additional British ships of war.  These proved to
be the _Discovery_ and the _Chatham_, under command of Captain
Vancouver, whose arrival had been so anxiously awaited by Seor Quadra.
The boys did not go ashore, but the first officer accompanied Captain
Ingraham to pay his respects to the Spanish officials, and upon his
return he explained what he had heard.

"It appears that there is a deadlock between Quadra and Vancouver," he
said.  "Quadra interprets his instructions to mean that he is to
surrender only the land upon which Meares had his house and built the
_North-West America_.  That would mean that Spain would give up only
about one acre.  Vancouver, on the other hand, says that his orders are
to take over all the lands claimed by Meares about Nootka and Port Cox.
As neither one will change his viewpoint, they have decided to refer
the whole matter back to their respective courts for more definite
instructions.

"Quadra holds a very high opinion of Vancouver, and in spite of their
differences they are the best of friends."

The boys soon had an opportunity of judging the British commander for
themselves, for several days later he invited all the officers of the
_Hope_ to dine with him on board the _Discovery_, and proved himself to
be an obliging and attentive host.  He took pains to exhibit the charts
he had made in the course of his voyage of exploration after entering
the Straits of Juan de Fuca, and explained how he had circumnavigated a
great island that had hitherto been regarded as a part of the main
continent.

"And what name have you given to this island?" asked Captain Ingraham.

"I asked Seor Quadra to name it," he answered, "and he expressed a
desire that our friendship should be marked in some way, so he named
the island, 'Vancouver's and Quadra's Island.'"

In conversation Mr. Cruft happened to mention that one of Captain
Cook's crew was on board the _Hope_, and, to the delight of Tinpots,
the next day Captain Vancouver boarded the brigantine, announcing that
he had come to inspect the vessel, crave the hospitality of the master,
and meet his old shipmate of the _Resolution_.  For fully twenty
minutes he chatted with the old sailor, recalling incidents that
happened when they were both serving under the illustrious navigator.

"What a fine man," exclaimed Kenneth in admiration, as the
_Discovery's_ boat drew away.  "He can't be forty, either."

"'E ain't that yet," declared Tinpots.  "'E ain't thirty-five yet."

For another month the _Hope_ remained about Nootka, with one or two
short cruises from the port, and then, early in October, the captain
ordered full supplies of wood and water to be taken on board.

"Where are we bound for this time?" asked Kenneth, to whom the order
was given.

"To China--and home."




CHAPTER XIV

DRAKE, BURBANK AND DRAKE

"Well, lads, we will be home to-morrow," joyously exclaimed Captain
Ingraham one evening, eight months later.  "Back to civilisation once
more--back home; won't that be splendid?"

"It certainly will.  I can hardly wait until we're in Nantasket Roads,"
answered Kenneth.  "The old _Hope_ seems to be making slower time than
ever before."

"It will be nice," agreed Lawrence more soberly.

"Why, what's the matter, Drake," inquired the captain.  "Are you not
pleased to be back in Boston?"

"I don't know, sir," was the slow answer.  "You see, you all have your
homes and your friends--but I have no one.  Of course I'm pleased that
we shall be able to go ashore without having to carry fire-arms, and
I'm glad that it means so much to you; but you see the _Hope_ is my
home, and you say we are not likely to go out again together.  It means
that I'll have to start looking for another ship, or for something to
do on shore; and I don't expect to receive such kind treatment as I've
had with you, sir."

"But you have an uncle here?"

"Yes; but I don't know if he cares particularly to see me.  And now
that you've mentioned it, captain, I would like to ask you something.
I received a letter from my uncle, and he spoke of your having written
home, and of his knowing I sailed on the _Hope_.  Do you know how he
learned of my being with you?"

"Yes, I know.  It was through your uncle that I signed you on.  You
quarrelled with him, and as soon as you left him he was sorry.  He had
you followed, and you were seen speaking to me, and he sent for me and
persuaded me to take you.

"And more than that: he gave me a sum of money to be used for your
advantage if necessary.  I have not touched it, and shall return it to
him.  So you see you have a friend--and you have a home too."

Lawrence was silent for a moment, and then he asked: "And was that the
reason why you were so kind to me?  No, no, that's not fair, sir, and I
apologise."

"No need to apologise," was the kindly answer.  "I can understand how
you feel about it.  I'll tell you the truth.  At first I was very
doubtful about taking a boy who had quarrelled with his uncle on their
first meeting, but he induced me to do so.  My first favourable
impression of you was when you refused to take money from me to outfit
yourself when I agreed to take you.  My understanding with your uncle
was to treat you fairly, but with no special consideration that you did
not deserve.  I am pleased to say that I soon found that you were
worthy of my confidence.  Now let me give you a piece of advice.  It is
that you go to see your uncle.  You do not have to mention this
conversation unless you wish to.  Remember that he is an old man and
has led a lonely life; and don't stand too much on your dignity."

"Thank you, sir.  I will do as you say."

The _Hope_ reached Nantasket Roads early the next morning, and later in
the day, on the incoming tide, passed into the harbour and anchored.
She was soon surrounded by small boats bearing friends of those on
board, who had come to give them welcome home.  It was nearly dusk when
the two boys landed.  As they stepped ashore an old man approached
them.  "Be one of you Mr. Drake?"

"Yes, that's my name," answered Lawrence.  "What can I do for you?"

"I be thy uncle's man, Hooker, sir, and he sent me to fetch you to him.
There be a carriage nigh here awaiting for you."

"Go on, Larry," Kenneth urged, as Lawrence hesitated.

"Not unless you come too."

"But why should I?  No; you go ahead and get the meeting over, and I'll
go along to the "Bunch of Grapes" and order a meal that you will bless
me for; and don't be long, for I'm hungry for that meal now."

"All right, I suppose I'll have to"; and, turning to the old servant,
"Let us walk, I don't care to ride."

"What! walk and the master be sending a carriage for you.  I tell you
he don't be hiring carriages every day, young sir."

"Very well," laughed Lawrence.  "If that's the case you shall ride";
and he followed Hooker to the conveyance and insisted that the old man
ride beside him.

"And how is my uncle?" he asked, as they rattled over the uneven roads.

"Been a-poorly, sir, but he's some better.  He be all excited about you
a-comin' home, and sent me to look for you."

Tobias Drake was indeed excited at the news.  It was but two weeks
before that he had received the answer Lawrence had written to his
letter, and had entrusted to the officer Captain Vancouver had sent to
London with dispatches from Nootka, and the frank, manly tone of the
letter had given the old man great satisfaction.  And now that his
nephew was returning old Tobias was all of a tremble.  He had dressed
himself in his best, and with nervous hands kept readjusting his
wrinkled cravat and ruffled shirt-front.

Doubts assailed him.  The boy might refuse to come; but no, surely not;
and he picked up the letter which he had read so many times in the past
fortnight, and sought assurance from its pages.  And now came the sound
of carriage-wheels--and passed on, leaving him disappointed and the
prey to anxiety.  What if something had happened to the boy since he
had written the message that had meant so much!  The thought almost
unnerved him.  He dropped to a chair and stared wild-eyed about the
room, which was ablaze with the light of a dozen candles.  What would
he do if----  But hark!  Again the sounds of wheels and
hoofs--nearer--nearer, and louder and louder.  They were passing?
Yes--no: they had stopped.

Now there were footsteps--the latch was being lifted.  Old Tobias rose,
the blood coursing through his veins, and a strange sensation gripping
at his throat.  The door opened wide, and a bronzed, broad-shouldered
young man entered and stopped.  They looked searchingly at each other
for a full minute.  Then it was Lawrence who broke the silence.  He
thrust out his hand--"Uncle!"

[Illustration: "UNCLE!"]

"My boy, my boy!" and old Tobias staggered forward, to be caught in a
tight embrace, while tears of joy ran down his withered cheeks.  "My
boy, my boy!"

When at last he had somewhat recovered his composure, he led his nephew
to a chair.  "And now," he faltered, "it is right that I should say
something to thee about our last meeting----"

"No, no, please"; and Lawrence held up his hand.  "If you will agree,
sir, that will be forgotten."

Tobias looked dully at his nephew, and then a look of joy lighted up
his face, and he reached out his hand and they shook, sealing the
bargain in silence.

"Thou art hungry," he exclaimed suddenly, as if making an accusation.
"Thou art starving.  Hooker, Hooker, why hast thou not served food?"

"I be attendin' it," grumbled the servant from another room; "I be
attendin' it."

"If you don't mind, uncle," ventured Lawrence, "I would like you to
come and dine with me at the "Bunch of Grapes" tavern.  I have a very
good friend--a shipmate--who is awaiting my coming there.  I promised
to dine with him and I cannot break my word."

"Break thy word!  Thou shalt not.  Of a surety I will go.  Hooker, why
didst thou not bring this other young gentleman?  Hooker, where is my
coat?" he called; and when the servant had brought it and helped him
put it on, "Hooker, thou art a good man."

"I know I be," was the unperturbed reply.

Lawrence had ordered the carriage to wait for him, and entering it they
were soon at the famous old hostelry.  They entered by way of the
taproom, only to find that some matter of concern had drawn everyone to
the end settle, where a small crowd had congregated, including the
barman.  Nor did their entrance excite the slightest notice, for it was
evident that some person was telling a story of compelling interest.
They did not have to wait long to discover the cause of the excitement.
A high-pitched voice, preceded by a long and satisfying sigh that
betokened that the narrator had withdrawn his face from a pint pot of
ale after a deep drink, took up the thread of a story: "An' Mr.
Lawrence, 'e says, 'Tinpots,' 'e says, 'you're the only one as can save
us, as you're a god'----"

"Come along, uncle," whispered Lawrence, and he plucked Tobias by the
sleeve, while he pressed his hand over his mouth to prevent his
laughter being heard.  He led his uncle through to the parlour, where
Kenneth was waiting, and when the formalities of introduction were
over, the old man could restrain himself no longer.  "Why didst thou
lead me from the taproom?" he asked.

"Because that chap who was telling the story was one of our men, and I
didn't want to embarrass him.  It was Tinpots, Ken, and he's having a
great time."

"He certainly is.  I was listening to him from behind the door for a
while."

It was a happy little party that sat down to supper a few moments
later; and when the meal was over Tobias listened while the boys
related their adventures.  It was apparent that the old man had taken a
strong liking for Kenneth.  After a time he seemed to lose interest in
the stories and to be occupied with his own thoughts.

"What are thy plans?" he asked suddenly, addressing Kenneth.

"I have nothing definite; but first I am going to New Hampshire to
visit my people.  I leave in the morning."

"And what plans hast thou, nephew?"

"I'm undecided.  I may go back to Halifax, or to sea again.  I did
intend to go with Kenneth for a few days to visit his people," Lawrence
answered hesitatingly, not knowing how his uncle would receive the
suggestion of his leaving so soon.  To his surprise Tobias exclaimed:
"Yes, thou shouldst go; of a surety thou must go."

Accordingly on the very next day the two chums engaged seats in the
stage-coach and were on their way to New Hampshire, where a wonderful
welcome awaited them.

Three weeks passed quickly, and then one day came a curt letter from
Tobias, asking that they come to Boston without delay.

"I suppose we will have to go," advised Kenneth; and two days later
they left the pleasant New Hampshire farm to keep their appointment.

"Now," said the old merchant, when they waited upon him, "I will advise
thee of the arrangements that I have made.  Lawrence is a full partner
in this business----"

"What?"

"Verily, thy father was an equal shareholder.  Thou hast inherited his
interest.  There is no dispute of that," he declared, in a tone that
brooked no argument.  "But," he went on, "I doubt that thou hast
experience in larger concerns, so we three have formed a new
partnership in a new enterprise.  There will be three equal shares."

It was now Kenneth's turn to express astonishment, but he was as
quickly silenced as had been Lawrence.

"Wait until thou hast learned the nature of the venture," chided the
old man.  "I have secured a schooner to enter the trade between this
place and Halifax.  I am not acquainted with the sea, so I will provide
the means; thou wilt be captain, and Lawrence will do the trading."

And so it was arranged; for old Tobias had set his heart upon the
scheme and would not be denied.  Before long they had established a
good trade, and no one was more pleased at their success than Tinpots,
who was the first person engaged by Captain Kenneth Burbank, as his
mate.




  Made at The
  Temple Press
  Letchworth
  Great Britain




[End of Pelts and Powder, by B. A. McKelvie]
