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 1 
 
 2 
 
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 6 
 
 J 
 
r H E Wilds ' 
 
 OF 
 
 TIIF. WEST COAST 
 
 BY 
 
 - J. M A C n O N A L D O X L E Y 
 
 Atithor of "•Diamond Rock,"' " Up Amotip: the he-Floe!:'' 
 " llie IVrccka-s of Sable IslatuV 
 
 
 ^C CrY 
 
 Vif-^Ae'' 
 
 -"^SgrsF*- 
 
 
 { 
 
 THOMAS NELSON AND SONS 
 
 London, F.iiinhnq/i, rfittf Xfw ]'orA- 
 
 I'ajic 170. 
 
 IS95 
 

 261454 . 
 
 
 7 
 
 J 
 
 ■)i 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 -♦♦- 
 
 TIIK FOUNDIKO OP FORT VICTORIA, 
 
 IN PERILS OL' WATKRS, 
 
 ON LAND AND SEA, 
 
 IN DOUBTFUL COMPANY, 
 
 RACK TO FORT CAMOSUN, 
 
 THE ATTACK ON Till-: FORT, 
 
 DIFFICULT PLAYMATKS, 
 
 AFLOAT AGAIN, 
 
 A WHALE AND A WHIRLPOOL, .... 
 
 RASPHERUIE.S AND OULACHAN, .... 
 \l. TO THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS, 
 (L IN THE HANDS OF THE HAIDAS, 
 U. SAVAGE LIFE, 
 
 WITH THE WAR-PARTY, 
 
 TAKEN BY THE MASSETS, 
 
 RE.SCUED BY THE RUSSIANS, 
 
 THE ATTACK ON THE KAKES, 
 
 EXCITING TIMES AT F«)RT WRANGEL, 
 
 I'HE HOME OF THE FUR SEAL, .... 
 
 THE WAYS AND MANNERS OP THE SEAL, 
 
 THE SEA-OTTER HUNT, 
 tll. REUNION AND REJOICING.S, 
 
 9 
 
 24 
 42 
 
 58 
 75 
 •»0 
 lOG 
 122 
 13n 
 15G 
 170 
 196 
 217 
 238 
 258 
 279 
 208 
 319 
 335 
 353 
 372 
 380 
 
^v. 
 
 U81 
 
 se 
 
 ist o 
 
 ift, h 
 
 It she 
 
 5m ed 
 
 let, u 
 fenino 
 
 Her 
 
 k a( 
 ibut. 
 
 mgen 
 
IN THE 
 iVILDS OF THE WEST COAST. 
 
 -♦♦- 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE FOUNDING OF FORT VICTORIA. 
 
 UST fifty years ago a small steamer, by name tlie Beaver, 
 
 set fortli from the inlaml port of Nisqually on the west 
 
 ust of North America. She was an ugly-looking Llack 
 
 ift, hardly to be compared with a modern harbour tug ; 
 
 ^t she was bent upon a mission, of whose importance she 
 
 jmed to have some knowledge — she pufl'ed her way so 
 
 ^isily northward, through Puget Sound and Admiralty 
 
 ^let, until Port Townsend was reached about dusk of the 
 
 ening. 
 
 Here a stay was made for the night, of which the seamen 
 
 k advantage to catch a plentiful supply r>£ cod and 
 
 Jibut. The following morning, after a brief call at New 
 
 ngeness, the Beaver steered boldly across the Juan de 
 
 ca Strait, heading for the southern extremity of tlie great 
 
 and of Vancouver, and, having carefully crept around 
 
 I 
 
lO 
 
 TflE FOUNDING OF FORT VICTORIA 
 
 Slioal Point, came to anchor before sundown in a beautifii 
 harbour tlien bearing the name of Camosun Buy. 
 
 On tlie vessel's deck stood a group of men, who gazcd 
 eagerly at the scene before them, and pointed this way ami 
 that as the difterent features of the landscape attracted their 
 attention, exchanging quick connnents tliereon with ai. 
 earnestness tlir.t evinced no ordinary interest. Tliey were 
 not mere cliance visitors — tliat was clear. Their coming ha<i 
 a definite purpose beyond a doubt, and they were eager t* 
 see all they could before darkness shut the shores from their 
 vision. 
 
 The central figure of the group was a man in the prime of 
 life, whose appearance would have connuanded attention tlit 
 world over. Six feet and more in height, as erect in hi- 
 carriage and measured in his movements as an army veteran 
 yet natural and graceful withal, his stalwart frame and 
 bronzed countenance told of a life of activity and exposure 
 From his massive shoulders rose a splendid head, with high 
 broad brow, deep gray eyes, and strong yet kindly moutli. 
 Every tone of his voice and turn of his body bespoke energy 
 and resolution. He was a manifest leader of men, and now, 
 as he replied to the questions of those around him, or madt 
 some remark himself, his words were listened to with a 
 deference that showed him to be a person of no mean 
 importance. 
 
 " I like it well," said he, with a sweep of his right arm 
 that took in the whole landscape before him. " There will 
 be little trouble in finding a grand position for our fort. If 
 it were not so near nightfall I would land at once. But it 
 
 i^ 
 
rilE rOUXDING OF FORT VICTORIA 
 
 II 
 
 beautifii 
 
 ho gaz(M; 
 
 way aiKJ 
 ited tlieii 
 
 with ai. 
 liey wen 
 ining had 
 ; eager t( 
 rom their 
 
 prime of 
 ntion till 
 ct in hi- 
 ' veteran 
 anie and 
 3xposure. 
 ith hioli 
 
 moutli. 
 e enerjjy 
 intl now, 
 or madt 
 
 with a 
 10 mean 
 
 fjht arm 
 lere will 
 Fort. If 
 But it 
 
 1|^1 Ijc wiser to wait until nioming, and then we can proceed 
 Hiiour leisure." 
 
 i Some of tlie others would evidently liave liked to venture 
 ai^ore late as it was, but tliey knew there was no reversing 
 their leader's decision, so the group broke up, and presently 
 tlie steward's sunnnons to the evening meal gave another 
 l^n to their thoughts. 
 
 h All but one disappeared below. Tlie remaining member 
 of the group, instea»l of following the others, sprang upon 
 tlie top of the cabin skyliglit in order to get a better view 
 of an object which had attracted Ins attention. His quick 
 ejlfe had caught sight of a canoe half hidden in the shadow 
 et|Bt by the trees on the farther sliore, and he was curious to 
 Siie whether it would approach the steamer. It was certain 
 t(%contain Indians, for no white man stood on the island at 
 ti|»it time, and he wanted to be the first to get a glimpse of 
 i^e natives. 
 
 4 But the canoe kept timidly in the shadow, and presently 
 ftijBtrong voice called up from the cabin, — 
 
 % " What's keeping you, Rae ? Why don't you come to 
 y&ur supper ? " 
 
 ■| "All right. I'm coming," was the cheery response, and 
 H^th one last look at the lingering canoe he too vanished 
 ^"^^■n the companion-way. 
 
 S As he slipped into his seat at the closely-set table in the 
 airrow cabin, the man at the head said in a tone of kindly 
 limter,— 
 
 I "Your hunger can't be so keen as usual this eveninrr, Rae ; 
 Ot was it that your curiosity for the time got the better of it?" 
 
12 
 
 THE FOUNDING OF FORT VICTORhL 
 
 " I was watcliin^i,' a canoe I saw close inshore, sir," an- 
 swered Ilae. " I tliouglit it might come out to us." 
 
 " Did any one else notice that canoe ? " asked tlic first 
 speaker, glancing around tlie table. 
 
 No one claiming to have done so, he turned again t«i 
 Rae, and with a smile of warm approval, such as rarely 
 lighted up his rugged features, said, — 
 
 "You've got sharp eyes, my boy, and you know rigli' 
 well how to use them. Here now you havj seen somethin;.' 
 that all of us old folks missed, and it was something of 
 importance too." 
 
 Rae blushed to the roots of the hair with pleasure at 
 these words of praise, as well he might, for the speaker was 
 no other than James Douglas, chief factor of tho Hudson 
 Bay Company, and by far the most important and influential 
 personage on tlie north-west coast of the continent. 
 
 For a mere boy to engage the interest of such a man was 
 no common privilege, and brought up as lie had been in tlie 
 atmosphere of the great company's life, Rae was fully alive 
 to his good fortune. In his eyes Mr. Douglas was a veritable 
 demigod, and to win his commendation was to achieve the 
 highest honour the world afforded. 
 
 Rae, however, was no ordinary boy. If he had been, 
 this story perchance would not have been worth the telling, 
 Into his life already there had come more of strange ex- 
 perience and exciting adventure than is likely to fall to the 
 lot of many of those who may read these pages. 
 
 He was the son of an officer in the Hudson Bay Company 
 who had taken advantage of a trip to San Francisco to 
 
 IT 
 
 Wanaire 
 
 llinix 
 
THE FOUNDING OF FORT VICTORIA. 13 
 
 been, 
 belling, 
 nrc ex- 
 
 to the 
 
 lupany 
 3CO to 
 
 fcriiF' back with him a bride, whose love for her husband 
 ■teeled her heart against the vieissitiules and deprivations 
 of life in one of the company's forts. When Itut six years 
 of ai^'e Kae had lost his mother, and thenceforth his father 
 had made him his constant companion, findin^: in his bright 
 presence the only assuaging of the grief that ' " 1 else been 
 Inconsolable. 
 
 ,;* The result of this bringing up was to r. ike 'ittle "R te 
 Irise ami manly beyond his years. ]>eing continu' My ni the 
 Wciety of his seniors, he soon got to see tlnn:;. from their 
 Boint 01 view. Not that he had by any means bcome that 
 |»itiful parody of boyhood called a " pi'ig." Far from it. He 
 was as hearty and natural a youngster as could be desired, 
 thoroughly fond of play, and no less prone to indulge in 
 nierry pranks than any other boy of his age. Where the 
 i^flerence between hiin and his playmates showed itself was 
 hik his fondness in imitating the men, and the astonishing 
 #3dress with which he carried it out. To paddle a canoe, to 
 H^anagc a ritle, to order about the Indians, were the con- 
 Ifolling ambitions of his young heart, and he would not 
 teiow a contented mind until he had become proficient in 
 ill of them. 
 
 When the Bcdvcr appeared in Camosun Ba}', Rac Finlay- 
 aon had just passed his fifteenth birthday, although his 
 appearance w^ould have given the impression that he was 
 full two years older. He stood over five feet in his stock- 
 ings, yet was not thin or lanky, his frame l)eing admiralty 
 'oportioncd, and his muscles already well developed by a 
 e of almost continual out-door activity. His features 
 
'4 
 
 THE FOUNPIYG OF FORT VICTORIA. 
 
 were regular, his skin clear, his eyes large and full of fire. 
 and altogether one would have been inclined to call him a 
 handsome boy, particularly when the smile that came so 
 readily to his bright face disclosed a set of flashing white 
 teeth that were competent to crack nuts with any squirrel 
 in the forest. 
 
 After Mr. Douglas had spoken so warmly, Rae's father 
 questioned him about the canoe, and whether he could make 
 out how many occupants it had. But this Rae could not 
 tell him, the shadow in which it hid being so deep ; so the 
 talk v;ent off to other things, and when they rose from tlie 
 table it was too dark to see beyond a step's length from tlie 
 vessel. 
 
 The following morning the first one to set foot upon the 
 deck was Rae, and to his vast delight he found the steamer 
 fairly surrounded by canoes filled with the natives of the 
 island, who had come out to gaze in wonder at the monster 
 of the deep whose strange black form had broken in upon 
 the solitude of their beautiful bay 
 
 The eager, curious looks of these people Rae returned 
 with a gravity equal to their own. Having passed his whole 
 life in the midst of Indians, and in the company of men who 
 knew perfectly how to deal with these children of the forest, 
 there M'as nothing startling to him in their appearance in 
 sufficient numbers to overwhelm those on board the Beaver 
 had they in mind the capture of the steamer. 
 
 Instead of being in any wise alarmed, indeed, he forth- 
 with began to ask questions of the nearest ones ; but, master 
 as he was of more than one dialect, he entirely failed to 
 
 inake 1 
 
 lie ^vas 
 
 jknowh 
 
 Jfrhen ^ 
 
 - ' H( 
 
 itiirt o 
 
 Jbe conti 
 
 natives 
 
 bopc th( 
 
 get on t 
 
 I must t 
 
 Uoin 
 
 bis stroi 
 
 •pok(?sii), 
 
 Hiiostion, 
 
 fhat sho 
 
 Tills timi 
 
 jfetlicr fo 
 
 having ii 
 
 (ind (lopo 
 
 i With 
 
 % dint 
 
 irhicli tl; 
 
 ■i 
 
 tea mors 
 
THE FOUNDING OF FORT VICTORIA. 
 
 15 
 
 jiivned 
 whole 
 n who 
 [forest, 
 ice in 
 kaver 
 
 Iforth- 
 master 
 lied to 
 
 giake liimself understood, and, provoked at his non-success, 
 Ibe was about to go in quest of his father, vrho had some 
 >lcnowk'dge of nearly all the Indian languages on the coast, 
 ijiehen 31 r. Douglas appeared on deck. 
 
 •'Hollo, Rae, my boy ! ' he exclaimed, "you've got the 
 gtiirt of us all this morning. Hey ! what have we here ? '" 
 lie continued, as his eye fell on the encircling canoes. " The 
 liatives have come out to make a morning call. "Well, I 
 %()pe they are in an amiable frame of mind, for we want to 
 get on the right side of them at the start and keep there. 
 If must tiy if I can make them understand me." 
 ':l CJoini^ to the side of the steamer, he hailed the Indians in 
 liis strong commanding voice and inquired wlio was their 
 Ipokesman. At first they did not appear to understand his 
 l|ucstion, so he repeated it with an accompaniment of gesture 
 ^at showed what an adept he was at the sign language. 
 ;iriiis time they caught his meaning, and after consulting to- 
 'Jethcr for a moment one canoe pushed out from the others, 
 Aaviiig in its bow a splendid-looking Indian who.se dre.ss 
 ||n(l deportment indicated that he was one of their chiefs. 
 With liim Mr. Douglas managed to hold quite a dialogue 
 dint of an unsparing use of signs, as the outcome of 
 hich the chief somewhat hesitatingly advanced to the 
 oanior's .side, and then, although in considerable trepidation, 
 as persuaded to come on board. 
 ]jy this time the rest of the party had assembled on deck, 
 1 they gazed with great interest upon their visitor, who, 
 assured by the manifest kindliness of their countenances, 
 came more at his ease, and looked about him as though he 
 
i6 
 
 THE FOUNDING OF FORT VICTORIA. 
 
 would like to ask a good many questions if he only knew 
 how to make himself understood. 
 
 Rae regarded him with feelings of mingled curiosity and 
 admiration. This no doubt was the chief of the Songhies, 
 the tribe that occupied this part of the island, and whose 
 good graces it was eminently desirable to cultivate, for he 
 and his people had it in their power to render the Beavev\ 
 mission a success or a failure according to the way they 
 took it. 
 
 Now Rae was exceedingly anxious that it should be a 
 success. There was a novelty about it that delighted his 
 adventurous young spirit, as the purpose of the steamer's 
 cominij was nothJnn; less than the establishment of a ne^Y 
 station of the Hudson Bay Company. It had been decided 
 that the great island of Vancouver should be no loncjer left 
 unoccupied (for, of course, its aboriginal inhabitants did not 
 count), and Camofiun Bay had been selected as the most 
 advantageous site for the new fort. 
 
 No sooner had Rae's father heard of the design than he 
 volunteered to be one of the garrison of the fort. He wanted 
 to get away from Fort Vancouver, and here was an oppor- 
 tunity after his own heart. Mr. Douglas not only granted 
 his request at once, but put him in command of the party 
 of occupation. He had therefore come to Camosun Bay ir 
 better spirits than he had known for many a day. 
 
 "We shall have a fine time of it over on the island, shan't 
 we, Rae ? " he had said to his son on the way up. " There 
 must be bettor hunting there than anywhere near Fort 
 Vancouver, and they say the Indians aren't a bit dangerous." | 
 
 (478) 
 
 Ce 
 
 #ey 
 Hid el 
 ibeir c 
 
 exclaii 
 «|an( 
 l|eartie 
 U fast 
 
 . "DJ 
 
 rinci 
 
 inward 
 felt so t 
 f Wli( 
 fildiau ( 
 
 m big s 
 
 %iiiy, ■ 
 
 U^ the ] 
 
 I The 
 Indian li 
 th the 
 tlioii 
 <|en tolci 
 ftit just 
 and saw 
 oiiitei 
 '0 I; 
 nip on 
 irse." 
 
 (478) 
 
TiIE FOUXDING OF FORT VICTORIA. 
 
 17 
 
 knew 
 
 ity and 
 inghies, 
 whose 
 , for he 
 Seavevii 
 ^y they 
 
 Id be a 
 itecl his 
 teamer's 
 I a new 
 decided 
 £jer left 
 did not 
 10 most 
 
 han he 
 wanted 
 oppor- 
 ranted 
 party 
 Bay in 
 
 , shan't 
 
 I" There 
 
 ir Fort 
 
 rerous.' 
 
 rr' 
 
 >rtainly they looked innocent enough this morning as 
 ihey hung about the steamer, pusliing their canoes closer 
 ind closer as the presence of their chief on board increased 
 flieir courage, 
 
 " They seem to be quite ghad to see us, father, don't they ? " 
 exclaimed Rae, liaving succeeded in tempting the occupants 
 of a near canoe into a broad grin by smiling at tliem in his 
 Iseartiest fasliion. " I'm going to make friends with them 
 as fast as I can." 
 
 " Do so by all means, my boy," said Mr. Douglas, over- 
 hearing the remark. " We want them to be as well disposed 
 toward us as possible, not only for the safety of the fort, 
 but so that tliey will bring us plenty of furs." 
 
 When the lionours of the ship had been done to the 
 Bttdian chief, and his heart made glad by the presentation of 
 a big silver medal for himself and some trinkets for his 
 family, Mr. Douglas announced that he would go on shore 
 for the purpose of choosing the site of the new fort. 
 
 The gig was accordingly brought alongside, and, the 
 Indian having returned to his canoe, the whv^ie party got in 
 with the exception of Rae, who stood at the gangway watch- 
 ll|g them wistfully as they took their seats, lie had not 
 
 jn told to join chem, and he did not know if he was wanted, 
 it just as the boat was shoving oft' Mr, Douglas looked up, 
 and saw his eoger face already beginning to take on a dis- 
 appointed expression. 
 
 T^ " laddie!" ho cried, "we were near forgetting you. 
 Jump on the bow there, quick ! You shall come with us, of 
 u-se." 
 
 (478) 2 
 
•^HBm 
 
 i8 
 
 THE FOUNDING OF FORT VICTORIA. 
 
 !il 
 
 Witli radiant countenance Rae sprang into the boat, and, 
 the sailors bending to their oars, the well-filled gig moved 
 off shoreward, convoyed by a cloud of canoes that found it 
 easy work keeping pace with the heavier craft. 
 
 Seated in the bow of the gig Rae felt as though he were 
 taking part in some sort of a procession, and he enjoyed it 
 immensely. In fact he was strongly tempted to indulge in 
 a whoop or two, but the presence of Mr, Douglas restrained 
 him ; so he contented himself with springing ashore with a 
 shout the moment the boat touched the beach, thus gaining 
 the honour of being the first to land. 
 
 A more attractive and advantageous :3ite for a station 
 could hardly have been conceived. The country arc.md tlu 
 bay '.i^as so like a beautiful park that one might wel! 
 hesitate to believe it was all the work of unaided nature, 
 Through the fertile vales, shady groves, and grassy slopes 
 of the rolling plateau ran serpentine streams of glistcnini; 
 water, which found their way over a rim of smooth roo1<! 
 that seemed as if placed by human hands in the bosom o; 
 the bay whose crystal-clear waves gently lapped the boulder 
 strewn beach. 
 
 The eastern side of the harbour was entirely unoccupied 
 the Songhies having built their fortified camp at the westorr 
 side on a point about a mile from the entrance. Mr. Dougla- 
 therefore looked to the east for tiie site of his fort, and then 
 were so many tempting spots available that ho had sonit 
 difficulty in coming to a decision. Finally a location by tli 
 shore at a place where the rocks made a natural whar: 
 against which vessels could lie to land goods was decidoi: 
 
f#; 
 
 THE FOUNDING OF FORT VICTORIA. 
 
 19 
 
 lat, and, 
 
 moved 
 
 bund it 
 
 he were 
 joyed it 
 dulge in 
 istrained 
 e with a 
 gaining 
 
 a station 
 c:ind the 
 fdit well 
 i nature. 
 ?y slopes 
 istenins: 
 ;h rccls^ 
 30som 0: 
 boulder 
 
 occupied 
 
 3 westorr. 
 Dougla- 
 
 md theii 
 ad SOW' 
 n by til 
 
 ^l whar: 
 deciJo' 
 
 Open, and with characteristic energy the expedition's leader 
 tet about the building of the fort. 
 
 His own men wore put to work squaring timber and 
 digging a well, wiiile tlic Indians, who liad gatlievcd about 
 in large numbers, having lieard witli much approval that 
 ttieir wliite brothers had come to bring tliem arms and 
 iBlplements, clothing and trinkets, in exchange for skins, 
 were given employment in getting out big pickets for the 
 stockade, tlieir wages being at the rate of one l)lanket for 
 forty pickets. As tliese pickets were each twenty-two feet 
 long, and a yard in circumference, the wages were none too 
 Mgh. But the unsopldsticated natives were quite content, 
 aad toiled away cheerfully with the aid of axes lent by ]\lr. 
 I)onglas. 
 
 ■ His father's attention beincf encfrossed with the buildins: 
 of the fort, Rae was thrown upon his own resources, and for 
 
 ick of other companions he tried to get into the good 
 ices of the Indian boys who liung bashfully about watcli- 
 the progress of the work, 
 
 I But they would have nothing to do with him. He was 
 t|p first white lioy they liad ever seen, and it seemed as if 
 iley (lid not know what to make of him. As Rao could 
 li|fc speak a word of their dialect, and had not yet learned 
 ti|make himself understood by signs, the chances of scraping 
 [uainiance appeared small, so, feeling rather irritated at 
 little redskins' unsociability, he strolled off along the 
 b^ch, saying to liimself that when lie came to a nice bit of 
 air 'y bottom he would g:o in for a swim. 
 
 si It was a perfect morning, the sun shinincf bricfht and 
 
 ,''M 
 
20 
 
 THE FOUNDING OF FORT VICTORIA. 
 
 W 
 
 I .1 
 
 warm from a cloudless sky, not a breath of wind stirring, 
 and Camosun Bay gleaming like a mirror from shore to 
 shore. Rae soon forgot the bad manners of the Indian boys 
 in his enjoyment of the scene. 
 
 " I'm so glad we've come here," he soliloquized. " It's 
 a far finer place than old Fort Vancouver, and once I'm 
 good friends with the boys here we'll have fine times 
 canoeing and swimming in the harbour, and there must be 
 lots of things to shoot in these woods too. I'll have plenty 
 of chances to try the dear little rifle father got for me b( ^ore 
 we came away. I wish I had it here now. I'd like to try 
 a shot at that gull flying about out there." 
 
 But the new rifle was on board the Beaver, so Rae was 
 fain to content himself with shying a stone at the white 
 sea-bird when one of its graceful circles brought it near. 
 But the stone did no more harm than to send a series of 
 concentric ripples over the glassy surface of the harbour, 
 and the thrower of it presently reaching a bewitching little 
 cove fit for the bower of a menxiaid, once more bethouglit 
 himself of a bathe. 
 
 He could swim like a young seal, his father havintj 
 begun to give him lessons when he was six years old ; and 
 the water being at just the right temperature, he was tempted 
 to go out a hundred yards or more from shore, sporting and 
 splashing about as though the water was his natural element 
 
 While thus enjoying himself he chanced to glance on 
 shore at the cove where he had left his clothes, and was 
 horrified to see that a number of the native children had 
 taken possession not only of his dressing-room, but of his 
 
 garnicn 
 interest 
 
 everal : 
 pal togc till 
 -"Sleavinrr 
 I fin until : 
 i;oinnian( 
 " Wil 
 
 "Iquitc lo.si 
 jiously, — 
 
 " Lot 
 Icoundi'e^ 
 
 k that, r: 
 
THE FOUNDING OF FORT VICTORIA. 
 
 21 
 
 Igllt 
 
 garments also, and were inspecting the latter witli lively 
 interest, passing them from hand to hand, and exchanging 
 expressions of wonder at their construction. 
 
 Now, had these unexpected intruders upon the privacy 
 of his hath been only hoys, Rae's immediate action would 
 have been to swim ashore at the top of his speed and order 
 hem out of the cove. 
 
 But to his profound dismay he made out that there were 
 everal girls in the party, and his sense of propriety was 
 Itoixether too strong' for him to entertain the notion of 
 caving the water while they were present. So, swimming 
 n until his feet touched bottom, he called out in a polite yet 
 jcommanding tone of voice, — 
 
 " Will you please leave my clothes alone and go aw.iy ? 
 "I'm comino; in to dress now." 
 
 The impertinent young Indians heard him right enough, 
 although of course they could not understand what he said. 
 But they showed not the slightest intention of heeding him. 
 On the contrary, having completed the examination of his 
 clothing to their own satisfaction, they now began to try it 
 ^n ; one boy taking the coat and another the trousers, while 
 two of the girls endeavoured between them to solve the 
 mystery of the shirt. 
 
 / This was altogether too much for Rao's patience, and 
 jquite losing his temper, he started to shout at them fero- 
 iDiouslv, — 
 
 " Let my clothes alone, w^ill you, you miserable little 
 coundrels ! If you don't drop them at once, and clear out 
 f that, ni— " 
 
22 
 
 THE FOUNDING OF FORT VICTORIA. 
 
 Just what dire penalty lie would have threatened to 
 inflict they never heard, for at that moment his feet slipped 
 off the seaweed-covered stone upon which he stood the Letter 
 to express his feelings, and in his effort to steady himself he 
 took an involuntary header that put a stop for the moment 
 to his angry speech. 
 
 He hud just recovered his balance and was clearing his 
 eyes of water when he caught sight of his father hurrying 
 along the beach at a rate that betokened some anxiety. 
 
 " Father, father ! Oh, quick ! " cried Bae at the top of 
 his voice. " Drive those rascals away ! They won't let me 
 dress." 
 
 Mr. Finlayson came up on the full run, and the instant 
 the little Indians heard his heavy step they dropped the 
 clothes, and scuttled ofi^ like squirrels, vanishing among the 
 rocks as com[)lctely i^.s if they had been phantoms. 
 
 " Why, Rae," panted Mr. Finlayson, " what have you been 
 doing ? I missed you a little while ago, and not seeing you 
 anywhere began to feel anxious. Then somebody said they 
 had seen you going off in this direction, and so I came after 
 you. What's the matter ? What's happened ? " 
 
 The timely appearance of his father having banished 
 Rae's alarn he now felt rather ashamed of having got .^o 
 excited. 
 
 " Oh, nothing's happened, father," he replied as he picked 
 up his clothes, and started to put them on ; " but if you 
 hadn't come along just when you did there might have 
 been some trouble. You see I thought I'd have a swim, 
 and while I was in the water a lot of young Indians came 
 
THE FOUNDING OF FORT VICTORIA. 
 
 23 
 
 alon^f, and began to make free with my clothes I woultln't 
 
 -have minded if they'd just been boys, but" — and here a 
 
 rosy blush reddened his cheeks — "there were some girls 
 
 itoo, and I couldn't come out of the water before them." 
 
 fi Mr. Finlayson laid back his head and laughed long and 
 
 |loud. He had been apprehensive of some mishaj), instead 
 
 jjof which he had lighted upon a ludicrous situation that 
 
 -#would make a capital story for his companions. 
 
 3 '* You were in a funny fix, certainly, my boy," said he 
 
 Jwlien his laughter had ceased. " But," he added with a 
 
 !;|graver countenance, " you must be more careful, llae. We 
 
 'ijdon't know these Indians well yet, and you must keep 
 
 f closer until we do. Let us ^0 back to the steamer now. 
 t's nearly time for diimer." 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 IN PERILS OF WATERS. 
 
 THE construction of tlic fort proceeded rapidly under 
 Mr. Douglas's vigorous superintendence, and ere long 
 was sufficiently advanced for liini to feel free to leave a 
 number of men to complete it, wliile he steamed off north- 
 ward to the other forts, two of which were to be abandoned, 
 and their men and stores transferred to the new station, 
 
 As Rae had never been on board a steamer before, und 
 hail keenly enjoyed the trip np from Nisqually, his father 
 proposed that he should remain on board if Mr. Douglas 
 would liave him. He would then enjoy a good long voyage, 
 besides beinij out of the way while the buildinfj was 
 goincf on. 
 
 Rae jumped at the suggestion, and Mr. Douglas promptly 
 acquiescing, the way was clear for him to go. He had not 
 taken thought of the miseries of sea-sickness, for which the 
 smooth voyage up from Nisqually was no preparation, and 
 the idea of beinsr out on the bii; ocean filled him with 
 delight. 
 
 It was a fine morning in Juno when the clumsy little 
 Beaver got up steam again, and puffing like a fire-engine, 
 
f 
 
 I 
 
 ly PERILS OF WATERS. 
 
 •^s 
 
 • under 
 sre long 
 leave a 
 ' nortli- 
 ndoned, 
 on, 
 
 )re, and 
 
 1 father 
 
 ouglas 
 
 royage, 
 
 lior was 
 
 [omptly 
 kd not 
 iich the 
 )n, and 
 m with 
 
 little 
 
 lengine, 
 
 moved out tlirougli tlio narrows into Juan de Fuca Strait, 
 and tlience into the Pacitic Ocean. Standing at the stern, 
 Eac waved his hat in farewell to his father as long as he 
 could make him out upon the short It was tlie first time 
 he had ever gone away from his fjtt'lier, although of course 
 liis father had often been obliged to leave him for months 
 at a time while he went far inland on the business of the 
 COh'pany. Naturally, therefore, Rae felt the separation, and 
 he had to wink very hard indeed to keep the tears from 
 showing themselves on his cheeks. 
 
 The ttu-n of the channel had just caused the half-finished 
 foit to disa])pear from sight when Mr. Douglas came up, 
 and laying his hand kindly on the boy's shoulder, said, — 
 
 " Well, Rae, what sort of a sailor are you ? Were you 
 iver out in a storm ? " 
 
 " No, sir," answered Hae, his air of dejection vanishing in 
 an instant, for he entertained feelings of profound admira- 
 tion for the chief factor, and was always glad at being 
 noticed by him. " I've never been on the water in a storm. 
 You know, sir, this is the first time I've ever been on board 
 a steamer." 
 
 " Indeed," responded Mr. Douglas. " So it's a new ex- 
 j^rience for you. Well, for your sake, I hope we'll have 
 fine weather all the trip. But there's no telling; a storm 
 liiay spring up any day, and if it does the little Beaver is a 
 l^onder to roll, so you may expect to have a taste of sea- 
 iekness." 
 
 '' Is it very dreadful, sir ? ' asked Rae, anxiously. 
 
 Mr, Douglas smiled. A good many years had passed 
 
26 
 
 IN PERILS OF IVATERS. 
 
 since he liad first suffered sea-sickness while, as a mere boy, 
 making the voyage from Jamaica, the place of his Lirth, to 
 Scotland, where he was educated ; still he had a sufficiently 
 distinct recollection of that experience to cause him tu 
 answer, — 
 
 " You'll probably feel as if the greatest favour one couM 
 do you would be to pitch you overboard, and so put an end 
 to your wretchedness. But you mustn't mind that. You'll 
 soon get your sea-legs, and then you'll enjoy yourself all 
 the more." 
 
 Rae shook his head ruefully. Like all healthy boys, he 
 hated the very notion of being sick on land or sea, and lie 
 was determined to make a brave fight of it, and see if ho 
 could not hold out even if a storm did spring up. 
 
 It was not long before his resolution was put to the test 
 As soon as the Beaver passed out of Juan de Fuca Strait 
 she began to rise and dip in the long waves of the Pacific 
 Ocean, that rolled in unbroken phalanxes from the far cast 
 As Mr. Douglas had said, she was a wonder to roll, and had 
 not got beyond Barclay Sound before the novel motion 
 proved too much for poor little Rae, and he dragged himstdf 
 into his berth, where for the next twenty -four hours he felt so 
 miserably ill that he thought surely he must be going to die, 
 
 He missed his father sorely. Not even Mr. Douglas's 
 hearty sympathy availed to comfort him. Oh, how intenscl}' 
 he wished himself back on land ! The combination of home- 
 sickness and sea-sickness was really almost overwhelming^ 
 and he seemed in so wretched a plight that Mr. Douglas for 
 a time regretted having brought him. 
 
 is Mr, 
 
/.V rERlLS OF WATERS 
 
 «7 
 
 t 
 
 t 
 
 2 could 
 
 an eml 
 
 You'll 
 
 self all 
 
 )oys, lie 
 and lie 
 e if lie 
 
 he test, 
 Strait 
 Pacific 
 ar cast. 
 id haii 
 motion 
 Uinnsolf 
 felt so 
 to die, 
 Ducjla-s's 
 ten.scly 
 home- 
 elming, 
 las for 
 
 But it',s a long lane that has no turniog, and soon matters 
 
 an to mend. Rao's internal economy showed si«^ns of 
 ri'tmninL,' reason, and, in proportion as his di.scomfort miti- 
 gatotl, his wonted hiijh .spirits reas.serted them.selves, until 
 by tlie end of the third day out he was as lirni on his feet 
 as Mr. Dou^das himself, and ready to enjoy the voyage. 
 
 For such a keen-eyed, quick-witted lad there was a great 
 deal to be obsc ^ .J and understood. The steamer did not 
 fenture far from the land, and her pa,ssengers had a steady 
 guccossion of views — some grand and inspiring, and others 
 loNL'ly and enchanting — as .she made her way northward 
 ifiong the coast of the great island of Vancouver. 
 
 r>ut it was not the still life of the land that attracted Rao 
 80 much as the active life of the water. The region through 
 which they were passing was simply a paradise for fi.sher- 
 mon. The .sea fairly swarmed with unnumbered varieties 
 of tish that sprang to the hook as if they had been waiting 
 for it all their lives, and were delighted that their oppor- 
 tunity had come at last. 
 
 Not only so, but different kinds of seals dotted the waves 
 with their sleek black heads, and gazed at the puffing 
 monster which had intruded upon their domain with their 
 Wg brown eyes full of gentle wonder. 
 
 luie thought them so pretty, that when Mr. Douglas sug- 
 gested he should try his skill as a marksman on them, he 
 shrank from the idea, saying apologetically, — 
 
 " Oh no, sir ; I wouldn't like to do that. They don't do 
 a^y harm to anybody, do they ? " 
 
 Mr. Douglas laujorhed. 
 
28 
 
 JN lERILS OF WATERS. 
 
 " Harm any body ! " he exclaimed ; " bless me, no. They're 
 the most harmless creatures in the world. But people like 
 to shoot them all the same. I confess, however, I think tlie 
 more of you, my boy, for not wanting to do it. After all 
 what's the sense of killing a thing just for the sake of 
 killing it ? " 
 
 It was the following day that Rae, who had already got 
 to feel so much at home that he had chosen the cross-treo> 
 of the stubby foremast as his favourite eyrie whence to hjok 
 out upon the waste of waters, came tumbling down in a 
 state of great excitement, and running up to Mr. Douglas a^ 
 he was enjoying a pipe at the stern, dragged him to the side 
 of the steamer. 
 
 " Look, sir, look ! "' he cried, pointing a quivering finger 
 to the westward. " What's that ? Is it another steamer, or 
 what is it ? " 
 
 Followinfj the direction of Rac's finder, Mr. Dou2:las madt 
 out a black mass moving in a course that would take it 
 across the Beaver s bows, and sending up at frequent inter- 
 vals a spout of foam not unlike a column of smoke, such a? 
 might come from a steamer's furnace. 
 
 "A steamer?" he exclaimed. "No, but a whale; and a 
 monster too ! I wonder if I could secure him. It's wortli 
 trying, at all events." 
 
 Whereupon orders were sent to the engineer to give tlic 
 Beaver all the steam the boilers could stand, and presently 
 the sturdy vessel was ploughing through the water at lier 
 topmost speed. The wind was blowing away from tin 
 whale and towards the steamer, so that there was no fear of 
 
 She la 
 Mr. D 
 try a 
 ,tlic Ijo 
 the stc 
 jBaiik. 
 
 Int 
 Ihc ne 
 iN'liale 
 in the 
 of the 1 
 iiotice t 
 fog up 
 
 i To : 
 
 |o the 
 %atchc( 
 nfo wer 
 Ihought 
 fecfii th 
 |he nior 
 % On y 
 fvey, an 
 % came 
 iiod at 
 |lide tin 
 : "No 
 >Ve m\ 
 ■ Ye5 
 l^liall I 
 
IN PERILS OF WATERS. 
 
 29 
 
 tidy got 
 fSS-treo> 
 to look 
 vn in a 
 iio'las as 
 the sidtj 
 
 rj finf'ci' 
 
 Hiey've ^^he hitter's noise reaching the great creature ; and it was 
 )le like ^pJi'- Douglas's design to run up as near as possible, and then 
 ink the ^^^y ^ '^li^^ ^^'^^ ^^^'^ small six-pounder which was carried in 
 'ter all. Sphe bow. A lucky shot might reach a vital part, and then 
 iake of ^PJ<" steamer could rush up and make fast the body before it 
 :Jiank. 
 
 Intense was the excitement on board the Beaver during 
 
 |ihe next few minutes. When first sighted l)y Rae the 
 
 iR'liale was about a mile and a half away, going at half-speed 
 
 in the direction of the mainland, probably chasing a school 
 
 ipf the tiny fish which formed its food. It evidently did not 
 
 otice tlie r.pproach of the steamer, for it kept right on, send- 
 
 g up spout after spout as though for the fun of the thing. 
 
 To cfct a cfood view of the chase Rae had hastened back 
 
 to tlio fore-top, and there, trembling with excitement, 
 
 watcliod every movement of the monster as though his very 
 
 life were at stake. It was his first sight of a whale, and he 
 
 thought it a very wonderful olnject. Furthermore, having 
 
 be<n the first on board the vessel to observe it, he felt all 
 
 the more eager for the capture. 
 
 On went the steamer, drawing nearer and nearer to its 
 
 prey, and still the latter did not take warning. Presently 
 
 it came to a stop, perhaps to enjoy a good mouthful of food, 
 
 •nd at once the Beaver's engines stopped also, letting her 
 
 glide through tlie water with the impetus already received. 
 
 " Now's our chance," said Mr. Dounflas in an undertone. 
 
 kVe nuist fire before she starts again. Is the gun ready ? " 
 
 " Yes, sir," replied the mate in whose charge it \vas. 
 
 hall I fire?" 
 
 imer, or 
 
 as made 
 take it 
 } inter- 
 uch a> 
 
 and ;i 
 s worth 
 
Ive-i 
 
 30 
 
 IN PERILS OF WATERS. 
 
 " Take good aim, and let her have it," was the response. 
 
 All on board held their breath as the mate sighted alon;^ 
 the l)rcech of the little cannon, and Tiac nearly fell oiF his 
 lofty perch in his anxiety to see him do it. Unconscious of 
 the danger so imminent, the whale lay like a log amid the 
 wav^cs that lapped its black sides. There was a moment of 
 thrilling suspense, and then came a report that stunned the 
 ears of all, while the gun kicked clear off its carriage, and 
 rolled down into the Icc-scuppers, the mate just mannging to 
 dodge out of the way. 
 
 At the same instant the whale, throwincf its huo-o body 
 almost clear out of the water in a spasm of mortal agony, 
 dived into the depths, leaving upon the surface a trail of 
 V)lood that showed the ball had found its way to a vital 
 part. A cheer went up from those on board the steamer, 
 and ]\Ir. Douglas, forgetting his wonted reserve in the ex- 
 citement of the moment, clapped the mate warmly upon the 
 back, exclaiming, — 
 
 "Well aimed, Ross; a capital shot! She's badly hit 
 wnthout a doubt." 
 
 ]?ae gave a lusty cheer at the success of the shot, and 
 would have liked to wave his cap also, but he needed botli 
 hands to hold on. Every eye now eagerly scanned the 
 surface of the water, watchinjx for the first siofn of the 
 wounded monster's reappearance. They had not long to 
 wait. Scarce three minutes had passed when, with a rush 
 like that of a locomotive, it shot out of the water only a few 
 lengths away from the steamer. For some moments it 
 thrashed around, beating the waves into foam with thunder- 
 
 [l. 
 
it, and 
 botli 
 Ml the 
 )f tlic 
 Uvj, to 
 vusli 
 la few 
 iits it 
 Imdor- 
 
 'CiiiMHi; Its st>/ij;x'us, It t\>>i- iiou'ii on tiic ititiiucr at /ii.'i ./■ini.' 
 
 I'liJI! 33. 
 
 ! 
 
:«l 
 
 incT stro 
 witli fa 
 g<ntly ii 
 civature 
 iiijiny i; 
 fitriigglet 
 Ujtoji ]iei 
 
 '• Bac 
 engineer. 
 
 The 
 
 •jcliiinsy a 
 
 if 
 
 IS a nia(I( 
 Iho collisi 
 1 tl lose 
 it'Ui'Iy kn 
 Scrambled 
 '•' 81)00 
 lembers ( 
 .^liile Mr. 
 
 fcplaec till 
 ii'cd from 
 Hut it 
 irtlier liai 
 ly almost 
 rater in g 
 pitifully 
 " Stand 
 m" 'ip a c 
 •ork. TI). 
 
IN PERILS OF WATERS. 
 
 33 
 
 iiTj; strokes of its tremendous tail. Then its eye, inflamed 
 witli fury, fell upon tlie Llack hull of the Beaver rocking 
 rrtiitlv in the waves awaiting the end. At once the suffering 
 creature connected the presence of this intruder wiih the 
 injury inflicted, and determined on revenge. . Ceasing its 
 strucvdes it headed towards the steamer, and bore down 
 jpon her at full speed. 
 
 '■ Back her ! back her ! " shouted Mr. Douglas to the 
 
 jngnieer. 
 
 The order was promptly obeyed ; but how could so 
 ^hnnsy a craft as the Beaver hope to evade such a pursuer 
 is a maddened whale ? Hardly had she got way on when 
 ^ho collision came with appalling force, hurling to the deck 
 jlII tliDsG who had not something to hold on In', and so 
 icarly knocking Rac off his lofty perch that he instantly 
 icranibled down for fear of further danger. 
 
 " Shoot her ! Harpoon her ! Lance her ! " cried different 
 lembers of tlie crew, in dread of a repetition of the charge; 
 diilo Mr. Douglas, with the aid of the mate, strove to 
 kplacc the gun on its carriage, that another shot might be 
 ^it'd from it. 
 
 I'ut it was not necessary; the whale was incapable of 
 
 itii'tlier harm. With its huge head wofully battered, it now 
 
 [ay almost motionless, its life-blood spreading out over the 
 
 f^'ater in great crimson patches. One more flurry, and that 
 
 pitifully weak one, and it was all over. 
 
 "Stand by to secure her!" shouted Mr. Douglas, snatch- 
 iL( up a coil of rope as though he himself would do the 
 ork. There was on board, however, a seaman who liad 
 

 34 
 
 IN PERILS OF WATERS. 
 
 been on more than one whaling cruise, and he knew exactly 
 what had to be done. 
 
 The steamer moved up alongside the inert body, and Iv 
 a dexterous twist the ex-whaler got a purchase around tlie 
 flukes of its tail. The rope was then hauled tight, aiv] 
 another havinix been fjot round the head, the whale was 
 safely fastened fore and aft to await further attention. 
 
 Great was the rejoicing on board at this successful 
 ending of the hunt, for the prize was certainly one of the 
 largest of its kind, and could not fail to yield a big supply 
 of whalebone. 
 
 But iust when the conofratulations were at their heioht 
 the engineer appeared with a grave countenance, and beck- 
 oned Mr. Douglas to one side. 
 
 " The hteanier's leaking badly," said he in a low tone 
 " There's two feet of water in the well alreadj^, and it's 
 gaining rapidly. We must man the pumps, and make for 
 shore as fast as we can." 
 
 Mr. Douijlas's face clouded over at this startlinfj com 
 munication. 
 
 " Are you quite sure ? " he asked. " I'll go and see for 
 myself." 
 
 Ho hurried below ; while Rae, who had been standing 
 . < , and overheard all the engineer said, looked after him 
 ;- '..usly. 
 
 Presently he came up on deck again, and one glance at 
 his face was sufficient to show that the engineer's report wa^ 
 only too correct. Not a moment did the chief factor hesi- 
 tate. It was very trying to lose the prize so cleverly won 
 
 Ibelpless i 
 ^ao move 
 
jy PERILS OF WATERS. 
 
 35 
 
 com- 
 
 )ut luiman life was far more precious, and it was now in 
 serious peril. 
 
 " Cut loose the whale immediately," he commanded. 
 
 The mate, who already had been reckoning up his share 
 of tlie proceeds of the whalebone, turned round with an 
 expression of mingled amazement and protest upon his 
 honest features. 
 
 I " Cut loose the whale, sir ? " he exclaimed in a tone of 
 incredulous inf^uiry. " Do you mean it, sir ? " 
 
 " I do mean it, Ross," replied Mr, Douglas ; " and there's 
 not a moment to lose. We've got to make a safe harbour 
 inside of an hour or go to the bottom." 
 
 Realizing that the chief factor was indeed in earnest, the 
 niato, without stopping to ask further questions, seized a 
 hatchet, and in as little time as it takes to tell it severed the 
 iropcs that bound the whale to the steamer. As the huge 
 helpless mass rolled away from the Beaver the latter began 
 to move through the water, and soon was making lier way 
 jit full speed towards the mainland. 
 
 Nootka Sound was the nearest haven, and for this Mr. 
 |)ouglas steered, while the men toiled at the pumps with a 
 lriu;our that sent the water nfushin<]f in 2;reat streams throuf^h 
 |he scuppers. Rae, filled with fears that prevented his 
 peeping still, oscillated between the engine-room, where 
 lere was apprehension lest the water should rise sufficiently 
 
 put out the furnaces, and the deck, where those who 
 rcre not at the pumps hung over the bulwarks anxiously 
 joting the steamer's progress shoreward. 
 
 Although the Beaver was really doing her best, it seemed 
 
 (478) 
 
36 
 
 IN PERILS OF WATERS. 
 
 to the anxious men as though she were only crawling through 
 the water, and more than once Mr. Douglas called down to 
 the engineer, — 
 
 " Can't you give her more steam, Mackenzie ? she seems 
 to be going very slow." 
 
 Only to be answered, — 
 
 " I daren't give her another pound, sir. The boiler 
 wouldn't stand it." 
 
 Thoroughly alive to their danger, Rae kept close by j\Ir. 
 Douglas. In the absence of his father he looked to him for 
 protection. Nor did he do so in vain. As he returned to 
 the wheel after one of his visits to the engine-room, the chief 
 factor laid his hand kindly on the boy's shoulder, and looking 
 into his face said in a cheering tone, — 
 
 " Don't be too much frightened, Rae. If the worst comes, 
 I'll look after you, and get you safe ashore somehow. But 
 I think we'll make it all right." 
 
 In spite of the incessant toil at the pumps, which, to tell 
 the truth, were far from being as efficient as they ought to 
 have been, the water gained steadily in the hold until a rise 
 of only eighteen inches more would bring it up to the 
 furnace fires, and once these were quenched tliere Vv^ould he 
 no hope of saving the steamer from foundering. 
 
 In the meantime Nootka Sound was opening out, and 
 the increasin^c nearness of its entrance sustained the courage 
 of the Beavers passengers. Mv. Douglas had never explored 
 it before, although he had gone past it several times, nor 
 was any one else on board competent to act as pilot. But 
 he had entire faith in himself, and trusted to his acquaintance 
 
 rwith ol 
 was to 
 sandy 
 iiuiitil til 
 Oil 
 )eril of 
 jained 
 the nio 
 raves, 
 ions, 
 -^ - thug 
 tooni. 
 tor launc 
 i'or the 1 
 their ffui 
 Three 
 feached 
 the most 
 ih]y four 
 
 I, 
 
 [r. Douii 
 'hero wa 
 phe point 
 re^'eal itsi 
 Now J 
 )etakcn li 
 punce, nc 
 lim, scan 
 leeded. 
 In thi 
 
ly PERILS OF WATERS. 
 
 37 
 
 }, and 
 (iirage 
 )lore(i 
 5, nor 
 But 
 Itance 
 
 with other parts of the coast to guide him now. His hope 
 
 was to find within the sound some sheltered cove with a 
 
 Bandy bcacli upon which the steamer could be safely run 
 
 until the leak could be repaired. 
 
 On pressed the little steamer, panting as though the 
 
 poril of the situation was fully realized. Steadily the water 
 
 gained in the hold, in spite of the most strenuous efforts of 
 
 'the men at the pumps, and the vessel sank lower in the 
 
 ,Avaves. Jklr. Douglas stood at the wheel, Ids face set and 
 
 ^ ions, not a w^ord passing his lips save an occasional word 
 
 • . the engineer which Rae hastened to carry to the engine- 
 
 ooni. The other men were busy getting ready the boats 
 
 or launching, and putting in provisions to last for a week. 
 
 Fur the rest they would, if necessary, have to depend upon 
 
 •Jheir guns. 
 
 - Three-quarters of the hour had passed when the steamer 
 
 tcached the entrance to the sound. In fifteen minutes at 
 
 ^tho niost the steamer must be beached, or she would inevit- 
 
 mhly founder. Yet, keenly as he glanced to right and left, 
 
 ,%Ir. Douglas could discover no place suited to his purpose. 
 
 Tliero was no alternative but to keep on, hoping that when 
 
 -the point on the right w^as rounded a sandy cove would 
 
 -^fevcal itself. 
 
 < Now Rae, finding the strain of anxiety hard to bear, had 
 
 etakcn himself to his favourite post high up the mast, and 
 
 hence, not less intently than Mr. Douglas was doing below 
 
 |iini, scanned the shore for the safe harbour so urgently 
 
 lieeded. 
 
 i , 
 
 I in this way he had the good fortune to be the first to 
 
■P 
 
 T 
 
 38 
 
 IN PERILS OF WATERS. 
 
 espy what was sought, and when the Beaver turned the 
 point at the entrance to the Tinpananing Canal, as the long 
 narrow inlets of the sea arc called on Vancouver Island, his 
 voice was heard shouting eagerly, — 
 
 " There's the place ! See, there ! there 1 " 
 
 Every eye was turned in the direction indicated, and, 
 sure enough, just around the corner as it were, a beautiful 
 little bay came into view that fullilled every object sought. 
 It was perfectly sheltered from the prevailing winds, its 
 waters were consequently smooth and clear, and at its 
 farthest curve was a white sandy beach shining in the sun. 
 
 " Thank God ! " exclaimed Mr. Douglas devoutly, while a 
 cheer went up from the steamer's crew. Keeping her head 
 straight for the beach, he gave orders for the engines to be 
 slowed, and in a few minutes more, with so gentle a shock 
 as to be hardly perceptible, the Beaver slid up on her soft 
 bed, and all danger of foundering was over. 
 
 " Stand by to lower the boat ! " called the chief factor, 
 looking immensely relieved as he let go the wheel, and 
 hastened forward just as Rae dropped upon the deck from 
 the riGf<T:in<x. 
 
 " Good for you, my boy ! " he exclaimed, catching Rae by 
 the shoulders, and lifting him clear off his feet ; " your eyes 
 will make y-our fortune yet. This is just the sort of place I 
 wanted. Come along with me in the boat, and we'll see if 
 wo can find out what's the matter." 
 
 A careful examination both outside and inside the 
 steamer's bow revealed the fact that the blow of the maddened 
 whale had been sufficient, not to actually stave in any of 
 
IN PERILS OF WATERS. 
 
 39 
 
 the timbers, but to strain them apart in such a way as to 
 cause the leak which had been so threatening. The damage 
 (lone was happily not beyond the skill of the carpenter to 
 lepair, and a couple of days' work at the most would suffice 
 for the job. 
 
 Immense was the relief of all on this being made known, 
 and as sundown was not far off, the crew at once set about 
 iiialving the vessel secure in her position. Anchors were 
 accordingly set out astern, and the cables hauled taut, so 
 that in event of the wind changing there would be no chance 
 of the stern swinging round ; and then, there being nothing 
 further to do for the present, the evening meal next claimed 
 attention. 
 
 The following morning, after a further inspection of the 
 leak, and the giving of full directions to the carpenter, Mr. 
 Ijouglas announced that he would make a visit ashore and 
 • sec what the country was like. A party of six was quickly 
 made up, comprising, besides himself, the engineer, the mate, 
 a couple of the seamen, and Rae. 
 
 There was at first some doubt about Rae being taken ; 
 -. but although he said nothing, he looked so imploringly that 
 '] the chief factor had not the heart to refuse him. 
 
 " Very well then, come along," he said good-humouredly, 
 Ml in answer to the boy's unspoken petition. " But be sure and 
 keep close to me, and don't attempt to do any exploring on 
 your own account." 
 
 " I'll promise, sir, with all my heart," shouted Rae, 
 I rushing off to get his rifle and ammunition. 
 
 The woods clothed the country right down to the shore, 
 
 \ 
 
 \ 
 
40 
 
 IN PERILS OF WATERS. 
 
 so, instead of landing beside the steamer, IVIr. Douglas liad 
 the boat take thcni some distance up the inlet to a spot 
 where tlic forest was not so dense, and then he sent it back 
 to the steamer with directions to return an hour before 
 sunset. 
 
 Before entering the w^oods the chief factor reviewed 
 his little company to make sure that every gun was loade<l, 
 that every one had his hatchet and hunting-knife at belt, 
 and that both he and the engineer had their pocket com- 
 passes to guide them in case of getting astray in the forest. 
 
 " Come now," said he, having satisfied himself on these 
 points, "let us be off. I'll take the lead, and you, Ross," 
 pointing to the mate, " bring up the rear. Rae, you fol- 
 low me." 
 
 Thus they set off in Indian file through an opening in 
 the forest that [)romised an easy way into the interior. 
 
 Imposing as the trees had appeared when seen en mam: 
 from the deck of the Beaver, they proved on close acquaint- 
 ance to be for the most part lia-.re crooked stunted scrubs 
 full of knotty excrescences. T) loy were principally firs, with 
 here and there a cedar or a cypress, although wherever there 
 was any open prairie land oaks showed themselves in fair 
 proportion, while in the low lands the white maple gre^v 
 abundantly. 
 
 Near the shore the country was rough and rocky, and 
 the walking difficult, so that, not only for Rae's sake, but 
 for his own, Mr. Douglas made frequent halts. Signs of! 
 bird life abounded. Coveys of grouse and partridge, startled 
 at the approach of the white intruders, went whirring away 
 
 brforc 
 
 pli'iitifi 
 
 No 
 
 ; they w 
 
 i Douglas 
 
 I that til.: 
 
 the Noo 
 
 'the dav; 
 
 " Wi 
 
 ! party of 
 
 " nevertl 
 
 they not 
 
 Iiii anx 
 
 mvAit w, 
 
 In tl 
 
 ;' for the ] 
 
 ) lief ore it 
 
 '1 watched 
 
 ' iinpossibl 
 
 ', only by a 
 
 ' throiudi t 
 
 O 
 
 "The^ 
 
 .> 
 
 " Look to 
 
 -.1 
 
jy PERILS OF WATERS, 
 
 41 
 
 before them, v/liilo woof.lpcckers and buUlinches seemed 
 
 plentiful. 
 
 No attempt was made to bag any of them, however, as 
 tliey were not yet worth the ammunition ; and, moreover, ]\[r. 
 Dou«''las wanted to make as little noise as possible in order 
 that the attention of the natives mi^i,Oit not be attracted, for 
 I the Nootka Indians had borne an evil reputation ever since 
 I the days of the early Spanish explorers. 
 
 " With our six rifles we are more than a match for any 
 party of Indians we are at all likely to encounter," said he ; 
 " nevertheless I'd prefer that we saw nothing of them, and 
 they nothing of us. It's their country, not themselves, that 
 I'm anxious to become acquainted with. The company 
 might want to put up a fort here some day." 
 
 In this desire, however, he was fated to disappointment, 
 for the party had not advanced more than a mile inland 
 hefore it became evident that their movements were beinff 
 watclicd by a band of Indians, the size of which it was 
 impossible to judge since their presence was made known 
 only by an occasional glimpse of them as they slipped silently 
 throiii^h the trees to rio^ht and left. 
 
 " They're all around us," said Mr. Douglas in a low tone. 
 " Look to your rifles, my men." 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 ON LAND AND SEA. 
 
 iiil 
 
 THE action of their leader more than his words caused i 
 the little party to quickly close up ranks until all its | 
 members were in touch of each other. Then, with their 
 forefingers upon the triggers of their guns, they moved 
 steadily forward, keeping as sharp a look-out as possible. 
 
 An ambuscade so far from reinforcements might prove 
 a serious matter ; and, anyway, it was Mr. Douglas's desire 
 to establish a friendly footing with the natives, and he was 
 determined to avoid to the last anything approaching a 
 collision. 
 
 The thick of the forest was not just the place in which 
 to open 1 M gotiations with the people whose ancestral domain 
 was being invaded ; and the chief factor, therefore, pushed 
 on in the hope of coming to an open glade or bit of meadow 
 land, wIku'c he might hold audience with them if they could 
 be persuaded to show themselves. 
 
 For some time the Nootkas made no further demonstra- 
 tion than an occasional hoot, which was evidently a signal 
 from those on one side of the white men to those on the | 
 other. But presently, as if taking courage from the lattcr's 
 
ON LAND AND SEA. 
 
 43 
 
 iistra- 
 
 n the 
 otter's 
 
 ilence, they began to let fly arrows, some of wliicli whistled 
 hreateningly near. 
 
 " Keep cool now, men," commanded Mr. Douglas. " Don't 
 re until I give the order." 
 " Very good, sir," was the prompt response. 
 Now Rae had not the slightest idea of disobeying the 
 hief factor, but, as luck would have it, a minute or two 
 ater his foot caught in a hidden tree-root, and in the attempt 
 save himself from pitching forward he dropped his rifle, 
 ?whicli was set oflf by the fall. 
 
 Seeing the tension of nerves they were under it was no 
 wonder that the unexpected report made them all, including 
 iRae, jump as if they had been shot; and Mr. Douglas, 
 Isvhceling about, demanded sharply, — 
 
 '• Who fired that shot ? What's the meaning of it ? " 
 Rao, having just picked up both himself and his rifle, 
 urned an appealing face up to the irate leader. 
 
 " It was my gun, sir," he murmured ; " but indeed I 
 uldn't help it. I tripped over a root, and it fell out of 
 y hand." 
 
 On seeing how matters stood Mr. Douglas's indignation 
 0(lcratc(l. 
 " You must be more careful, my boy," said he. " That 
 4hot inav have done us a ffood deal of harm." 
 
 Iiinnediatcly following the report there had been a lively 
 -istling among the trees, which sounded like men rushing 
 antically through them in a state of panic. The engineer 
 poticcd it, and so did the mate. 
 
 " I tliink it did us more good than harm, sir," said the 
 
44 
 
 ON LAND AND SEA. 
 
 latter, " for it scared the Indians out of their wits, if I'm not 
 much mistaken." 
 
 Mr. Douglas looked keenly about him, while something 
 closely approaching a smile played over his firm mouth. 
 
 "The Nootkas have not had much experience of fire- 
 arms," said he, " and they no doubt thought Rae was aiming 
 at them. I hope, however, they're not frightened away 
 altogether, for I want to have a talk with them if they'll 
 give me the chance. Let us push on ; I think I see an 
 opening ahead." 
 
 Continuing their march a hundred yards further, they I 
 came to the break in the forest of which Mr. Douglas's well- 
 trained eye had caught a glimpse, and then a halt was 
 called, and they gathered in a group in the centre of a lovely j 
 glade that seemed just meant for a meeting-place. 
 
 They all knew perfectly well that the woods around | 
 them hid scores of dusky forms, and that every movement 
 was watched by flashing eyes full of hostile intent ; but they I 
 maintained as calm a front as though they were merely out % 
 hunting, and had stopped for a brief rest. 
 
 Rae, already beginning to feel weary from the tramp, 
 threw himself down in the deep grass, and watched with | 
 intense interest Mr. Douglas's efibrts to get the Indians to 
 show themselves. 
 
 Leaving aside his rifle and hunting-knife, and picking up | 
 a wi. p of grass in lieu of a flag of truce, the chief factor 
 advanced about half-way between his party and the edge 
 of the forest, calling out in a dialect that he hoped would be 
 at least partly intelligible : " We are friends ; we mean no 
 
ON LAND AND SEA. 
 
 45 
 
 harm; we want to give our red brothers presents — see!" 
 and he held up some gaudy brass trinkets that glittered in 
 the sunshine. 
 
 Whether his words were intelligible or not, his actions 
 were clear enough, and presently, as he stood there, his 
 whole attitude and expression bespeaking good-will, first 
 one, then a second, and a third Indian emerged cautiously 
 from the protection of the trees, holding tightly on to their 
 Lows and arrows and clubs, as if afraid to be without them. 
 
 Noting their manifest trepidation, Mr. Douglas called 
 for Kae, and when he came up placed him in front of him, 
 saying, — 
 
 " We've not come to fight, but to be friends. See, this 
 is my son. He is no warrior. He will speak peace to you." 
 
 Then handing Rae the trinkets, he bade him go forwards 
 and ofll-r them to the Indians. 
 
 At the sight of the unarmed boy approaching them with 
 the glittering presents the Indians got more bold, and, 
 dropping their weapons, began to advance towards him, 
 moving at first in a hesitating way, but quickening their 
 pace as the desire for the proffered presents overcame their 
 apprehensions, until at length anxiety to be the first to 
 reach them banished all other feelings, and, each one deter- 
 mining not to be outstripped by the others, all three broke 
 into a run. 
 
 On they came with eager, outstretched hands, so close 
 together that had it been a foot-race the judges would 
 certainly have been obliged to declare a dead heat. Rae 
 valiantly stood his ground, and as not one of the runners 
 
 'W: 
 
mm 
 
 46 
 
 ON LAND AND SEA. 
 
 slackened his pace in the slightest, the result was a collision 
 that sent the boy rolling over on his back and scattered the 
 trinkets in all directions. 
 
 Paying no heed to the prostrate lad, the three Indians 
 bumped heads in a frantic scramble for the prizes they 
 sought, and Mr. Douglas, who had run up in some ahirm 
 lest Rae had been injured, felt strongly tempted to admin- 
 ister a good kick apiece by way of teaching them better 
 manners. 
 
 He contented himself, however, with calling them clumsy 
 swine ; and as Tiae the next moment jumped up witli a 
 broad smile on his face, evidently none the worse for his 
 upsetting, his anger vanished at once, and he burst out 
 laughing instead. 
 
 "Bless my heart, Rae," he exclaimed, "if that wasn't 
 one of the funniest things I ever saw. Why on earth didn't 
 you dodge those fellows when you saw them bearing down 
 on you like that ? " 
 
 " I thought they'd go to one side of me, sir," replied Rae, 
 " I never dreamed of their knocking me over." 
 
 " You went down like a nine-pin, my lad. Are you sure 
 you're not hurt ? " 
 
 " Not a bit, sir. I just tumbled over on the grass as easy 
 as possible." 
 
 By this time the Indians had found all the trinkets 
 among thom, and were absorbed in rapt admiration of the 
 trumpery things, which meant more to them than a new 
 diamond necklace to a duchess. 
 
 "Just look at them, Rae," said Mr. Douglas; "they'iel 
 
ON LAND AND SEA. 
 
 47 
 
 nothing but children, are they ? But I must make the most 
 of this chance to have a talk with them." 
 
 B}' tlint of a vigorous use of the sign code he was able 
 to eke out his scanty knowledge of the Nootka dialect, and 
 make liimsclf tolerably well understood, with the result that 
 the Indians, seeming to be perfectly satisfied as to the good 
 intention of the visitors, promised to meet him at the sea- 
 shore the following morning, and to bring with them a lot 
 of furs for barter. 
 
 They then disappeared in the depths of the forest, and, 
 feeling very well pleased with what he had accomplished, 
 Mr. Douglas suggested that search should be made for water, 
 and after they had despatched their lunch they should 
 return to the place of meeting with the boat. 
 
 A .spring of delicious water was found after but little 
 search, and in high good humour tlie party sat down to 
 "1 iliscuss the contents of their knapsacks. The steamer's cook 
 liad dune his duty nobly, and there was enough and to spare 
 f'tr all, hearty though their appetites were. 
 
 While the men were having a pipe after their meal, Rae, 
 tVeling thoroughly rested and refreshed, strolled off on his 
 "wn account, for his was a very active and enterprising 
 -piiit, and in spite of oft-repcatcd parental injunctions he 
 would take ventures that were certainly beyond his years. 
 
 He had his rifle in hand, and in his heart was the hope 
 "f getting a shot at a fox or a squirrel just for the fun of the 
 thing. He was quite an accurate marksman already, and 
 flit fully equal to disposing of a bear should he happen to 
 meet one. He was not anxious to do so, however, having 
 
 m 
 
 'ki,^ii!iiii*nM^_ 
 
48 
 
 ON LAND AND SEA. 
 
 sufficient common-sense to realize that for the present he 
 might be content with the conviction that he was a match 
 for any oixlinary Bruin without running the risk of having 
 the conviction readily disturbed. 
 
 The spring which had supplied water for lunch grew 
 into a little brook farther on, and Rae followed its course, 
 thus having a sure guide back to his friends. In one place 
 the brook raa close to the edge of the forest, and as Rae 
 sauntered along his «.|'uck ear caught the sound of a rustling 
 in the underbriJ?^ on the other side. 
 
 At once he dropped to the ground, and, with forefinger 
 on trigger, peered eagerly in the direction from which the 
 noise proceeded. For a moment there was perfect silence. 
 Then the rustling recommenced, and in greater volume. 
 Evidently some large animal was making its way to the 
 water, and would soon become visible. 
 
 Rae's heart almost stopped beating in the intensity of 
 liis excitement. Here was a chance for him to distinguish 
 himself by bagging some big game while the men were 
 taking it easy. Not a hint for help would he give until he 
 had done his best alone. Another moment's suspense, and 
 then just across the narrow brook, and right in front of 
 hiin, the head of a great elk broke through the thicket. 
 
 As if scenting some danger, and yet not feeling suffi- 
 ciently sure of its presence to dash away with his thirst 
 unquenched, the .superb animal stood like a statue, only its 
 palpitating nostrils moving as it snuffed the air. This was 
 the time for Rae to fire, and he had just got his rifle to the 
 shoulder, and in another instant would have planted a bullet 
 
ON LAND AND SEA. 
 
 49 
 
 in the elk's broad breast, when its splendid brown eyes were 
 turned full upon him, and he thought he read in them so 
 moving an appeal for mercy that, yielding to an impulse of 
 tt'iulerness, he dropped his rifle and sprang to his feet, ex- 
 claiming as if in reply to a spoken question, — 
 
 " No ; I won't shoot you. It would be a cruel shame to 
 kill such a beauty as you are. So clear out before the men 
 see you." 
 
 The elk did not need to be told twice. With a snort of 
 sudden affright it wheeled about, and galloped off at a 
 fnuitie pace that soon carried it out of hearing. 
 
 Just at that moment Mr. Douglas came up with a look of 
 inquiry on his face. ^ 
 
 "Well, Rae, what have you been doing? Whom were 
 you speaking to ? " 
 
 Looking the picture of confusion, Rae hung his head, 
 and hesitated to answer. He had a very sensitive spirit, 
 and shrank from ridicule, however good-natured. He felt 
 sure Mr. Douc^las would lauo'h at him when he told what 
 liail occurred. 
 
 "Come, my boy, speak out," urged the chief factor. 
 ■ There's nothing to be ashamed of, I trust." 
 
 "Oh no, sir," responded Rae; "but" — and the blush 
 Icopened on his brown cheek — "I'm afraid you'll laugh at 
 1110 when I tell you." And then without more ado he pro- 
 e< edcd to tell about his letting the elk go unharmed. 
 
 Instead of laughing at him, Mr. Douglas, when he had 
 tinished, gave liim a hearty clap on the back in token of 
 warm approval. 
 
so 
 
 ON ZAND AND SEA. 
 
 " Indeed I won't laugh at you, Rae," said he, in his most 
 cordial tone. " You did the right thing, and I'm proud of 
 you for it. The elk wouldn't have been fit to eat if you 
 had killed it, and so its death would have done us no good, 
 We kill too many creatures just for the sake of killing 
 them." 
 
 Feeling immensely relieved at this unexpected commen- 
 dation, Rac picked up his rifle again, and went back with 
 Mr. Douglas to the others, for it was now time to retrace 
 their steps in order to meet the boat at the appointed ren- 
 dezvous. 
 
 They found the boat awaiting them, and made good 
 speed back to the steamer, where they were met with the 
 cheering news that the carpenter had ascertained the full 
 extent of the damage, and would have it all repaired by the 
 end of the following day. 
 
 The next morning Rae was up with the dawn, and out 
 on deck to see if there were any signs of the Indians. Sure 
 enough there they were, a whole tribe of them apparently, 
 squatted at the edge of the forest, waiting patiently for the 
 white men to give them their attention. 
 
 He waved his cap, and shouted a hearty good morning 
 to them ; upon which their chief stood up, and made signals 
 in reply that Rae construed to moan something like "The 
 top of the morning to you, my boy." Whereupon Rae felt 
 strongly tempted to jump into the boat and paddle ashore, 
 so as to be the first to sec what the Indians had brought 
 with them for barter. 
 
 But on second thoughts it seemed better for him to wait 
 
ON LAND AND SEA. 
 
 51 
 
 until Mr. Douglas landed, which, of course, would not be 
 until after breakfast ; so he called out, " I can't go in-shore 
 just now, but will in a little while," and then ran below to 
 see if the others were up yet. 
 
 He met Mr. Douglas just coming out of his cabin, and 
 told him the Indians had come. 
 
 "Good!" said the chief factor; "I'm very glad of it. 
 We'll go ashore as soon as we have had breakfast, and see 
 what we can do with them." 
 
 Rae was greatly pleased at Mr. Douglas saying " we " in 
 the way he did. It seemed to put him on the same plane 
 as himself, and, although it was little more than a chance 
 expression on the hitter's part, it seemed to feed the boy's 
 sense of self-importance to an extent that Mr. Douglas 
 never contemplated. The liability to over-estimate himself 
 was the weak side of Rae's character, and it would take 
 some sharp experiences to teach him the wisdom he needed. 
 That these did not fail to come will duly appear. 
 
 Immediately after breakfast Mr, Douglas went ashore, 
 attended by as many men as could be spared from the work, 
 for he wanted to make a deep impression upon the Nootkas. 
 The Indians received him with considerable dignity, and 
 seemed to feel entirely at their ease, although their visitors 
 carried their rifles as a precaution against any attempt at a 
 surprise. 
 
 They were a tall and well-formed people, with counte- 
 nances betokening a fair degree of intelligence in spite of the 
 extraordinary effect produced by the flattening of the liead, 
 which is done in infancy wdiile the skull is soft. Their 
 
 (47ii) 
 
 4 
 
52 
 
 ON LAND AND SEA. 
 
 hair, which was either black or dark brown, being never 
 cut, liiing in long thick locks over the shoulders, and for 
 many of them was their sole head-gear in all weathers. 
 Their eyes were dark hazel, and their skin the tint of a dirty 
 copper kettle. Their features were for the most part those 
 which generally mark the North American Indians — name]}-, 
 long nose, high cheek-bones, and largo, ugly mouth; but 
 owing to the flattening of the head already mentioned, their 
 foreheads were villanously low. Upon the whole, they 
 could scarcely be called prepossessing, although they were 
 not absolutely repulsive. 
 
 Rae, looking at them in a critical spirit not entirely free 
 from contempt, found himself feeling thankful that he had 
 not been created after that fashion ; for, even though the 
 men were somewhat fine-looking, the w^omen had very ugly 
 flat noses, and were extremely dirty, wdiile the children ran 
 about as naked as the day they were born. Now in Rae 
 the love of beauty and the sense of decency were naturally 
 very keen, as they had been in his mother, and if a little 
 dulled by constant contact with what was shocking to both, 
 still they never became torpid as they were in many of those 
 around him ; consequently to the end of his days the natives 
 remained objects of repugnance to the extent that they were 
 either dirty or indecent. 
 
 Mr. Douglas, however, did not bother himself on these 
 points. His chief concern was whether they had furs in 
 plenty, and if this were satisfied, he was w^ell content. In 
 the present case he had not much cause for satisfaction. 
 The Nootkas were better fishermen than trappers, and spent 
 
ON LAND AND SEA. 
 
 53 
 
 far more time in their canoes than in the forest. They had 
 some good skins nevertheless, and at the end of the day's 
 bartering he had acquired, at the cost of a lot of trumpery 
 trinkets, and a couple of dozen hatchets and hunting-knives, 
 with a few kettles thrown in, an assortment of furs worth 
 many scores of pounds in London. 
 
 There were some superb otter skins from both the land 
 and sea animal ; several bear skins, both the black and 
 brown ; a lot of wolf skins, black and white ; and a large 
 niiiiiber of minx and squirrel skins, the latter being hardly 
 of any \alue. 
 
 "It wouldn't pay to establish a post here," said Mr. 
 Douglas, reviewing the day's work. " These skins probably 
 fuviii the pick of the tribe's stock, and there wouldn't be 
 another such lot for a year. I think I'll have the Beaver 
 call here every spring, though. I'll promise these fellows 
 some guns and powder the next time I come if they'll have 
 a good lot of skins ready. That'll make them take more 
 interest in trapping." 
 
 The natives showed great delight on hearing this. They 
 liad seen muskets in the hands of some of the tribes t* '/■;e 
 south with whom they were at war, which gave the others 
 a great advantage, and the prospect of being put on even 
 terms filled them with joy, so that they readily promised to 
 have plenty of skins ready against the Beavers return. 
 
 Rae had among his possessions a pretty little mirror set 
 in brass that he valued a good deal ; but seeing the barter 
 going on, the spirit of business took hold of him, and he got 
 out his treasure to see what he could do with it. The 
 
54 
 
 ON LAND AND SEA. 
 
 moment it was shown an eagerness to have it was manifested 
 by several of the Indians who had furs to give in exchange. 
 But Rae was in no hurry to sstrike a bargain. Holding \ 
 mirror up so that it flashed in the sun, he walked slowly 
 around inviting bidders. 
 
 Some very good bear skins and a pile of uiinx skins 
 were offered him, but he shook his head until finally a 
 stalwart young brave, taking him to one side, carefully 
 unrolled a sea-otter skin the like of which Rae had neve* 
 seen before. It was a beauty indeed, full five feet long, an 
 in perfect condition, the fur being as smooth and even a 
 velvet. 
 
 Rae did not hesitate a minute. Handing over the mi' . 
 he took up the skin, and made haste on board the Be y""' 
 for fear the Indian might change his mind. When Mr. 
 Douglas saw his ac(|uisition, and learned the cost of it, he 
 exclaimed, — 
 
 " Well, laddie, you've outdone us all. This skin is worth 
 three of any of the others we've got. It's fit for a prince. 
 You must take good care of it, and it will buy you something 
 fine in London when we send the furs over in the autumn." 
 
 " I know just what I want too, sir," said Rae, looking up 
 archly. 
 
 " And what may that be, my son ? " asked the chief 
 factor. 
 
 " Why, a Manton rifle with silver all over the stock, like 
 the one that efentleman had who was at Fort Vancouver 
 last summer." answered Rae. 
 
 Mr. Douglas laid back his head and laughed heartily. 
 
ON LAND AND SEA. 
 
 55 
 
 ig 
 
 " Upon my word," he cried, " you are aiiiLitioiis beyond 
 a douU. Nothing else will satisfy you but as fine a ritle as 
 Governor Simpson's. Well, well, what are we coming to? 
 The younger generation must needs go far ahead of their 
 fathers. Look here now, Rae ; wouldn't something more 
 modest suit you equally as well ? " 
 
 Qiiite taken aback by this outburst, which was entirely 
 unexpected, for, having cherished the notion in his heart 
 for a whole year, Rac had come to look upon it as something 
 quite natural and proper on his part, he had nothing to say 
 in liis own defence, and the tears began to gather in his 
 eyes, he being very sensitive to ridicule. 
 
 Noticing this, Mr. Douglas checked a bantering remark 
 that was just upon his lips, and instead said in a soothing 
 
 '~r\ryr\ , 
 
 " Never x^.^nd, Kae ; there's no harm in flying high, is 
 there ? If you can't get just what you want in this world, 
 it's at least some compensation that }ou tried for it ; and you 
 certainly aren't likely to fail for lack of trying." 
 
 This turn to the subject materially relieved Rae's feelings, 
 and it was not long before he was whistling merrily as he 
 watched the crew getting ready to float the steamer off her 
 sandy bed into deep water again ; for the leak had been 
 successfully mended, and the little Beaver was ready to 
 resume her voyage northward. 
 
 The getting off proved a matter of some difficulty. Both 
 anchors were carried out as far astern as possible, and while 
 all on board except the engineer and his assistant heaved 
 on the cables lustily, the engines were working full speed 
 
S6 
 
 ON LAND AND SEA. 
 
 astern. For some minutes their joint efforts were of no 
 avail. The steamer remained fast, and concern lest she 
 should prove a fixture began to be felt. 
 
 But Mr. Douglas did not share it. Ordering a rest to be 
 taken, he spoke words of encouragement ; and then calling 
 upon the men to put forth their mightiest efforts, he himself 
 lending his own enormous strength, there was a long pull, 
 and a pull all together, with the result that, amid a burst of 
 cheers, the Beaver slid slowly but steadily from off the sand- 
 bank into deep water, while Rae clapped his hands and 
 danced a jig of joy on the poop. 
 
 They did not attempt to leave Nootka Sound until the 
 following moining ; and then, with every prospect pleasing, 
 and all tlie signs promising, the steamer headed northward 
 for Fort Simpson. The voyage thither was marked by no 
 special incident, yet was full of enjoyment to Rae. The 
 weather being favourable all the way, he spent his time on 
 deck or in the cross-trees, keeping a keen look-out for any- 
 thing noteworthy. 
 
 He was always hoping to sight another whale ; but al- 
 though he saw plenty of seals and porpoises, no whales came 
 into view. Even if they had, it was not likely that Mr. 
 Douglas would have sanctioned another hunt, if for no other 
 reason than that too much time had been already lost, and 
 no farther delay could be risked. 
 
 Tlie Beaver made only a short stay at Fort Simpson, and 
 Rae had no time for a run ashore, which he rather regretted, 
 as he had by that time been at sea long enough to hanker 
 for a touch of the solid earth. But for this he had to wait 
 
ON LAND AND SEA. 
 
 57 
 
 until, having turned south once more, the steamer dropped 
 down to Fort M'Laughlin on Milbank Sound. 
 
 As this fort was to be abandoned in favour of the new 
 cstaltlishment at Camosun Bay, a stay of some days was 
 necessary while the garrison with their belongings, and the 
 stoves and stock of furs, were being got on board. Rae not 
 being required to help was free to do what he pleased, and 
 having in the course of tlic first day struck up an acquaint- 
 ance with a bright young lialf-breed several years his senior 
 who could speak English fluently, he was persuaded by him 
 to venture on an expedition for which he omitted to ask Mr. 
 Douglas's permission, and which came very near having 
 serious consequences for himself. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 IN DOUBTFUL COMPANY. 
 
 RAE'S new companion bore the unusual name of 
 " Saucy Alec," for which he was indebted to his pert 
 way of speaking. This habit had brought him into deep 
 disfavour with his seniors and superiors. Indeed, but for 
 his being the son of one of the most useful men at the fort, 
 and having himself a more than ordinary share of skill as 
 a hunter and fisherman, he would not have been allowed 
 about Fort M'Laughlin at all. As it was, his presence was 
 simply tolerated by the factor ; and he lived a kind of out- 
 cast life that caused him to hail with delight the advent of 
 a visitor who, knowing nothing of his dubious reputation, 
 might be won over to companionship for a time at least. 
 
 ]\Ir. Douglas being very much engrossed in the task of 
 transferring on board the Beaver all that was worth taking 
 away, had no time for Rac, and, having cautioned him to 
 keep out of mischief, and not go far from the fort, left him 
 to his own resources. lor the first few hours the boy 
 wandered about wondering what h*^ should do with him- 
 self, and feeling much like a butterfly among a lot of busy 
 bees. To him came Saucy Alec, smiling his sweetest, and 
 
7A' DOUBTFUL COMPANY. 
 
 59 
 
 to 
 lin 
 
 id 
 
 holdiiif'' out a branch of the Indian pear-tree well laden 
 with the reddish-black luscious fruit which the natives 
 prize so highly. 
 
 " Are these for me ? " asked Rae, his mouth watering at 
 the sight of the berries, for they were the first he had seen 
 that year. 
 
 " Yes, if you like them," responded the half-breed. 
 
 " Oh, I do like them ! " cried Rae. " I think they're the 
 best berries on the coast ; don't you ? " and taking the 
 branch, he picked half-a-dozen of the tiny pears, and 
 crainiiied them into his mouth. 
 
 Well pleased at the favour with which his offering was 
 received, Alec stood smiling, while Rae gave himself up to 
 the enjoyment of this unexpected treat too fully to resume 
 tlie conversation until the branch was stripped bare. Then 
 holding it in his hand, and regretting it did not have twice 
 as many berries upon it, he smacked his lips and said, — 
 
 " I'm very much obliged to you; and — what's your name?" 
 
 The half-breed's face clouded over n little as he answered, — 
 
 " They all call me Saucy Alec ; but it isn't fair. I'm no 
 worse than the others, though they do say I am. They 
 treat me very badly, they do." 
 
 Now there is no chord in a boy's heart so readily touched 
 as that of sympathy wnth those who complain of not getting 
 fair play. The instinct of championsliip is at once aroused, 
 and a side is taken without the faintest thought of looking 
 into the real facts to ascertain just who is in the wrong. 
 
 Rae had never before seen the boy who now sought his 
 friendship ; but he impulsively assumed that he was a 
 
6o 
 
 IN DOUBTFUL COMPANY. 
 
 much-injured individual, and was ready not only to take 
 the truth of his story for granted, but to listen to anything 
 he might suggest. 
 
 " Well, I won't call you Saucy Alec, any way," said he, 
 his countenance beaming with good-fellowship. " I like you 
 too much already to call you such a name ; I'll just call you 
 Alec — that will be all right, won't it ? " And as the other 
 nodded assent, he added, " My name is Rae — Rae Finlayson. 
 My father is to be factor of the new fort at Camosun 
 Bay ; and I'm here with Mr. Douglas, who is the chief factor 
 of the company, you know." 
 
 The half-breed's eye opened at this. He had not imagined 
 the new-comer was a person of such importance, and this 
 increased his anxiety to establish a good footing with him, 
 He was silent for a few moments as he racked his brain 
 trying to think of something that would prove of special 
 interest to llae. Then his face lit up, and he asked 
 eagerly,— 
 
 " Wouldn't you like to see my otter ? " 
 
 Rae's eyes danced at the question. 
 
 " Oh, yes ! " he exclaimed. " Where is it ? Can you show 
 it to me right away ? " 
 
 Alec nodded expressively, and then, drawing near to Rcie, 
 said in a meaning whisper, — 
 
 " But you mustn't let anybody know ; it's my secret." 
 
 The fact of its existence beimr a secret of course served 
 to intensify Rae's curiosity, and he asked, — 
 
 " Is it near here ? When will you take me to see it ? " 
 
 " This afternoon," responded Alec. " You see that point 
 
IN DOUBTFUL COMPANY, 
 
 6i 
 
 over there ? " indicating with his linger a rocky projection 
 on the shore about two hundred j'ards from where they 
 stood. " You meet me there as soon as you get your dinner. 
 Mv canoe is hidden there. And say," he added, " have you 
 (fot a gur of your own ? " 
 
 " Of course," answered Rac ; " a line little rillc." 
 
 " Good ! " said Alec ; " bring it with you. You may get 
 a shot at something." 
 
 Arrangements being thus perfected, the boys parted to 
 meet an hour later at the appointed rendezvous, Rae promis- 
 ing to keep the matter a secret. 
 
 On his way back to the Beaver, the first flush of excite- 
 ment at meeting with Saucy Alec having passed off, Rae 
 bcc!-an to feel some twino^es of conscience because of this 
 promise. In the bottom of his heart he knew that he 
 ought to ask permission of Mr. Douglas, whose charge he 
 was, but — and here came the rub — he knew equally well 
 that this permission would not be granted, and that he 
 would be bidden to stay by tlie steamer. 
 
 Accordingly he had quite an argument with himself, 
 whicli was not decided cither way when the call came to 
 dinner. As it chanced, ]\Ir. Douglas was not in the cabin, 
 nor did he appear until Rae had about finished, and then ho 
 seemed in such a hurry and so much preoccupied that the 
 boy ha<l no opportunity to address him, which made it 
 easier for him to decide in favour of keeping silence, even 
 although he was not altogether happy at the decision. 
 
 When dinner was over the men all returned to tlieir 
 work ; and the coast thus being clear, no one questioned 
 
62 
 
 IN DOUBTFUL COMPANY. 
 
 Rae wlicn, taking his rifle, he set off for the place where he 
 would meet the half-breed. 
 
 Alec was there awaiting him, and his tawny face lit up 
 at his approach. 
 
 " You've kept your word," said he, smiling until he 
 showed a double row of teeth white and ejleamino:. "I 
 was afraid perhaps you couldn't come ; and you've brouglit 
 your gun. Let me see it, won't you I " 
 
 Rae proudly handed him the rifle, and as his hand closed 
 upon it there came into his countenance a look of wild 
 desire that would have led a more observant person than 
 Rae to be somewhat concerned as to its safety. But Rae 
 had no suspicions. In the company of the half-breed he 
 had also forgotten all his compunctions, and was resolved 
 to enjoy himself to the best of his ability. 
 
 " Where is your canoe ? " he asked by way of a hint, for 
 Alec seemed disposed to spend a good deal of time over tlie 
 rifle, fondling it much as a young girl might a new doll. 
 
 "Oh, just near here!" was the reply, uttered in atone 
 of indifference. Then, recollecting himself, Alec added more 
 politely, " I hide it in a sort of cave, so that the other boys 
 won't meddle with it." 
 
 " Come along, then, and let us get it," said Rae, who was 
 impatient to be on the way to the otter. 
 
 With an expressive sigh, Alec handed back the rifle, and 
 started off around the point, leaving Rae to follow as he 
 might. 
 
 A cleft in the rock that Rae w^ould have passed without 
 noticing proved, on closer inspection, to be the opening into 
 
IN DOUBTFUL COMPANY. 
 
 63 
 
 the cave in which Alec kept his canoe. This was a small 
 but very stanch craft, cleverly fashioned out of a single 
 lo"'' of wliite cedar, the gunwales inclining outwards so as to 
 throw off the waves, and the bow and stern richly decorated 
 with grotcs({ue figures of men and animals. 
 
 How such a boy as Saucy Alec came into possession of so 
 fine a canoe was a question that he might have found it 
 troubhsome to answer, but Rae never thought of asking it. 
 His mind was wholly occupied ^vith the novelty of the 
 situation and the prospect of having some kind of an 
 adventure before the day ended. 
 
 " Where are we going ? " he inquired when they had 
 taken their places in the canoe and begun paddling. 
 
 " Over to that island," answered Alec, pointing in a 
 nortli-westerly direction to an island that rose above the 
 waters of Milbank Sound, about two miles distant. 
 
 '■ What, so far as that ? " exclaimed Rae in a tone of 
 dismay. " Why, that's such a long way off." 
 
 An ugly look showed itself on the half-breed's face. 
 
 ' You're not afraid to go, are you ? " he said sneeringly. 
 
 " No, I'm not afraid," he returned ; " and I don't want 
 you to hint that I am. But it's a long way to go in this 
 little canoe, all the same." 
 
 The fact of the matter was, Rae did not at all fear going 
 out in the canoe, but he did fear being so lato getting back 
 that Mr. Douglas would want to know where he had been, 
 and then the whole story would have to come out. 
 
 Realizing from the tone of Rae's reply that lie had gone 
 too far, the half-breed sought to make answer by saying, — 
 
64 
 
 IN DOUBTFUL COMPANY. 
 
 " Oh, the canoe can stand anything, and you paddle so 
 well we'll get along very fast." 
 
 This ingenious bit of flattery was well aimed ; and his 
 good-humour being thereby thoroughly restored, Rae plied 
 his paddle vigorously without further question. 
 
 The canoe rode the waves like a sea-gull, and propelled 
 by the two paddles, glided onward at a rate of speed that 
 brought it to its destination within an hour from the time 
 of setting out. 
 
 The island was a wild, desolate-looking place, with a rocky 
 shore and a scrubby twisted crown of trees. No human 
 being, red or white, ever made his home there. Indeed, few 
 others than the half-breed had visited it at any time, and this 
 was the very reason he had chosen it for the purpose of keep- 
 ing in secrecy one of the strangest pets that ever a boy had. 
 
 The moment he set foot on shore, Rae asked, — 
 
 " Where's your otter ? Let me see him right off, won t 
 you ? 
 
 Again a frown came over Alec's face. His companion's 
 impatience irritated him. This was the first time he had 
 revealed the existence of his pet, and he naturally wanted 
 to make the most of it, whereas Rae sought to rush the 
 business through in a way that would dei)rive it of much of 
 its importance. 
 
 " Don't be in such a hurry," he replied rather gruffly. 
 " I'll show him to you in a minute." 
 
 Fcelinof the rebuff, Rae said nothinix more, but turned to 
 look back towards the fort, and as he did there came o^er 
 him a feeling of uneasiness that was due to his suddenly 
 
IN DOUBTFUL COMPANY. 
 
 65 
 
 realizing what a distance separated him from his friends, 
 and how completely he was in the hands of a young half- 
 breed, of whom he knew nothing save what the lad had 
 himself told him. 
 
 Immediately he wished himself back at the fort, and 
 re^Tctted that he had ever come away. Saucy Alec was a 
 strange sort of a chap, and not at all a comfortable com- 
 panion. He would certainly do his best to get back as 
 quickly as possible. 
 
 While these thoughts were passing through his mind the 
 luilf-breed had drawn the canoe up on the beach, and then, 
 picking up Rae's rifle quite as if it had been his own, said 
 pleasantly enough, — 
 
 " Come along, now ; I'll show you my otter." 
 
 His curiosity reasserting itself, Rae dismissed his appre- 
 hensions and followed Alec up the rocky beach, and into the 
 mass of trees which covered the upper part of the island. 
 He wondered as he walked up if Alec kept his pet among the 
 tiees, for that would be an odd place for a sea-otter ; but he 
 'lid not like to say so after the manner in which his first 
 questions had been received. Plunging into the thick 
 growth. Alec pursued a tortuous course, turning this way 
 and that way for no apparent reason ; the real truth, how- 
 ever, being that his purpose was to so confuse his companion 
 that he could not possibly again find the way unassisted, 
 hi this he was so completely successful, that when, at the 
 ond of ten minutes, he came out on the beach not two hun- 
 dred yards from where they had landed, Rae felt quite sure 
 they were not less than a mile distant. 
 
 ■i i 
 
66 
 
 IN DOUBTFUL COMPANY. 
 
 " Where on earth are we now ? " lie asked, looking 
 blankly about him. 
 
 " Still on \}\Q island," answered Alec with a sardonic 
 grin. 
 
 " You needn't tell me that," responded Rae petulantly. 
 " I mean, how far from where we left the canoe." 
 
 " Oh, never mind about that," said Alec. " Come, I'll 
 show you the otter." So saying he pulled aside some bushes 
 which masked the mouth of a cave, and pointing to the 
 narrow entrance, said, — 
 
 " Creep in there. I'll come right after you." 
 
 Rae did as directed, and found himself in a good-sized 
 cave, well lit through a fissure in its roof, and having at the 
 bottom a shining pool of sea-water, into which there had 
 evidently just sprung an animal of some kind. It was a 
 very romantic place, fit for the secret bower of a mermaid, 
 and there came to Rae a fcelino- of exultation at beinc 
 admitted to its recesses. 
 
 While he stood just inside the entrance watching the 
 pool, the half-breed, who certainly had not followed as 
 promptly as he promised, pulled himself in, and at once 
 asked, — 
 
 " W^hat do you think of my cave ? " 
 
 " I think it's just splendid," replied Rae ; " but," looking 
 all around, " where's the otter ? I don't see it about." 
 
 " Then you don't know how to use your eyes," s^aid Alec, 
 "whose manners certainly had much need of mending. 
 
 As he spoke he climbed down to the edge of the pool, 
 and gave a carious kind of cry resembling that of a sea-bird. 
 
IN DOUBTFUL COMPANY, 
 
 At once tlie still .surface of the water was broken into 
 rippU''^, ill the midst of which appeared the head of the 
 otter as the creature made its way to him from the other 
 side of the pool. 
 
 " J)()n't move a step," called out Alec, noticing that Rao 
 was ah(jut to approach him. " Kahlan can't hear strangers. 
 \m\\ frighten liim." 
 
 liae, who felt for the time completely in subjection to 
 lii.s companion, at once became motionless, and then had the 
 pleasure of seeing what no wlute boy had ever seen before 
 —a full-grown sea-otter in captivity, and at least partially 
 tamed. 
 
 The animal swam up close to where the half-breed stood, 
 and, the latter retreating a few steps and holding out a 
 bii: sea-urchin, in its earxerness to jxc't the echinoderm it left 
 the water altogether, thus giving Ilae the op)portunity of 
 getting a perfect view of it. 
 
 It was a splendid specimen of its kind, the fur being in 
 tine condition, and of a most lustrous softness, and ebony shim- 
 laoring, and from the blunt, bewhiskered nose to the root of 
 the short, stumpy tail the creature measured full four feet. 
 
 Xo\v, young as he was, Rae had heard enough about the 
 sea-otter, the most precious prize in the whole held of fur- 
 hunting, to fully appreciate what he now said ; and as the 
 creature pounced eagerly upon the sea-urchin, ami crunched 
 it between his strong, fiat molars, he exclaimed, with a sigh 
 of admiration, — 
 
 " My, what a beauty ! I wish he was mine. How did 
 you catch him ? " 
 
 (1T>) 5 
 
68 
 
 AV DOUBTFUL COMTANY, 
 
 Evidently well satisfied at the cntliusiasrn of his com- 
 panion, Alec explained that one da\^ ho had chanced to espy 
 this otter darting,' into the cave through an opening on the 
 beach. At once he had set to work to Llock up the opening 
 M'itli boulders, and had then succeedetl in making the animal 
 a prisoner. This was in the early spring, and ever since he 
 had been visiting it regularly, and keeping it supplied witli 
 clams, crabs, mnsscls, and sea-urchins, so that it had grown 
 sleek in confinement. His idea was to keep it until tlie 
 autunni, and then kill it, and sell its skin to the Hudson 
 }3ay Company. 
 
 " Oh, but must you kill it ? " Rae exclaimed ; and then 
 remeniboriiig the otter-skin he had on board the steamer, 
 he added, " But, of course, you must ; that's the only way 
 you can get anything for it." 
 
 Alec nodded by way of reply. He had been in a kind 
 of brown study for a moment or two, from which he sml- 
 denly awoke with the question, — 
 
 " Look here, Rae, will you give mo your rific for the 
 otter ? " 
 
 Rae started, and the colour came into his ^aco TIk 
 half-breed looked so eager, and had alren .cted so 
 
 strangely, that he shrank from saying "no." ^et h' liad 
 no itlea of assenting He already possesse<l one ottc '^kin, 
 and if ho let his rifle 2^0 it might be months before it could 
 be replaced. There certainly w^as not another like it to he 
 had north of San Francisco. 
 
 " That wouldn't be a fair exchange," he began diplomat- 
 ically. " Your otter is worth half -n -dozen rifles like mine.' 
 
 " Xe^ 
 
 coming i 
 
 want tli( 
 
 W(jrtli, tl 
 
 " Wei 
 
 ingly; "1 
 
 My fatlie 
 
 an'l ho ^ 
 
 with it." 
 
 AVliilo 
 
 fjrowinir 
 
 only incre 
 
 his own \ 
 
 that Rae : 
 
 h(jttom of 
 
 narrow op 
 
 Alec's 
 
 bound iic ! 
 
 " No, y 
 
 " You're n( 
 
 I want." 
 
 Tliorou 
 though to 
 
 " ^\ 31 
 not L :ng t 
 
 '' J]ut I 
 
 11 sinkini; int 
 
 lial). reed's 
 
 " I don' 
 
IN DOUBTFUL CO Mr ANY. 
 
 69 
 
 "Never yoii rniiul that," retimed Alec, a hard look 
 comiiiL;" into his face that increased Kae's uneasiness. " I 
 want the rifle; and if I'm willin^i,^ to give more tlian its 
 worth, that's my Lusiness and not yours." 
 
 " Well, I'm sorry I can't oblige you," said Rue, liesitat- 
 ingly; " but, really, I mustn't swop my ritle for anything. 
 My father gave it to me as a present on my last biruiday, 
 and he would be very cross with me if I were to part 
 with it." 
 
 While he was speaking the half-breed's face had been 
 growing darker and more determined. Rae's opposition 
 only increased instead of diminishing his resolution to have 
 his own way, and he took on so forbidding an expression 
 tliat Rae moved tow^ards the cave's mouth, wishing to the 
 bottom of his lieart that he was on the other side of the 
 narrow opening. 
 
 Alec's keen eyes observed the movement, and with a 
 bound he sprang up between Rae and the exit. 
 
 " No, you don't," he snapped through his clenched teeth. 
 "You're not going to get away from here until you do what 
 I want." 
 
 Thoroughly alarmed, he threw up his right arm as 
 though to ward off a blow. 
 
 " Oh, you needn't be so frightened," sneered Alec. " I'm 
 not ,L ing to strike you, but I am going to have your gun." 
 
 " But I don't want your otter," pleaded Ilao, his voice 
 sinkini;- into a sob as he saw how completely he was at the 
 halt reed's mercy. 
 
 " I don't care anything about that. You needn't take 
 
70 
 
 IN DOUBTFUL COMPANY. 
 
 liiiii it' you don't want liim," broke in Alec roughly — "and 
 now that I come to think of it, I won't let you have it 
 anyway ; but I'll take your riHe, all the same." 
 
 Kae leaned back against the wall of the cave, while a 
 sense of helplessness came over him so strongly that only 
 by the utmost effort could he restrain the tears that filled 
 his eyes. He could not l)ring himself to surrender his be- 
 loved rille. If Alec took it he would liavc to do it by force, 
 not with his consent. 
 
 The half-breed evidently realized this, for, as if wnvxy of 
 the argument, and determined to put an end to it, he gave 
 liae a look that was little short of nuirderous in its menace. 
 
 " 8t;)y here now until I give you the word to come out. 
 If you dare to move I'll stick this into 3'ou," he declared, 
 drawing from his belt a long, keen Innitingdvuife. Then, 
 with a sudden si)ring, ho divetl throuLrh the mouth of the 
 cave, leaving Eae white, and trendjling with apprehension, 
 
 " Stay where you are ! " he sliouted again as, snatching 
 up the rille, he plunged into thick undei'growth, and van- 
 ished. 
 
 Fur some minutes after he had disappeared Iiae re- 
 mained inside the cave. Then, takinii' couraij'e from tlie 
 siU^nce without, he cautiously climl)ed into i\\o open ;iir, and 
 looked anxiously around him. There Avas no trace of the 
 half-breed, and,o\ving to the ingeniously twistt'd a.nd doubled 
 way in which he had led Ivae to the cave, the latter was 
 entirely at a loss as to his present position. 
 
 He could see nothing of the fort. He nnist therefore be 
 on the other side of the island from that where thev hfi'l 
 
 ^1 
 
"With a iuMiii ^/>ring Sw Ui-cd through ti'ie mouth of the c<ii't'. 
 
 I'agi! ;o. 
 
p 
 
 laiii.led, 
 
 to make 
 
 the caiK 
 
 out to cL 
 
 as lie si 
 
 Iiad to 11 
 
 lie (larec 
 
 without 
 
 being iii, 
 
 anything 
 
 "Oh 
 
 and in ji 
 
 here witl, 
 
 do fur tli( 
 
 canoe aiK 
 
 This 1 
 
 gather st; 
 
 if he weri 
 
 island ? ' 
 
 taken, his 
 
 iu his Ijelt 
 
 he a jiautl 
 
 of Wolves 
 
 Terrific 
 
 toilsome in 
 
 spmng fro 
 
 ■'^pniiued a 
 
 the end of 
 
 ^lirectioii \ 
 
IN DOUBTFUL COMPANY. 
 
 73 
 
 iani.le<J, and tlie first thing for him to do was undoubtedly 
 to make his way with as little loss of time as possible to 
 the canoe. Unhappily, in his bewilderment, when setting 
 out to do this he turned to the right instead of to the left 
 us lie should have done, and the consequence was that he 
 liai] to make the circuit of the greater part of the island, 
 lie dared not trust himself to find a path through the trees 
 witliout Alec's aid, so he stuck close to the shore, and this 
 being made up of sli2")pery boulders, prevented his moving 
 anything like speedily. 
 
 " Oh dear ! " he groaned as he toiled over his diilicult 
 and in ])laces dangerous road. " I do wish I hadn't come 
 here with that wild fellow. There's no knowinq; what he'll 
 do for the sake of getting my rifle. He may go off in the 
 canoe and leave me here alone." 
 
 This last thought was so appalling that Rae stopped to 
 gather strength to bear up against it. What would ho do 
 if he were really deserted by the half-breed on the lonely 
 island? What indeed could he do I His rifle havino- been 
 taken, his only -weapon Avas the hunting-knife which hung 
 in his belt. Ho had seen no wild animals, yet there might 
 be a panther lurking in the depths of the wood, or a pack 
 of Wolves only waiting for the darkness to spring upon him. 
 
 Terrified as never before in his life, llae resumed his 
 toilsoine march, more than once getting a nasty fall as he 
 sprang from boulder to boulder, and narrowly escaping a 
 sprained aidvlc. At last, weary and breathless, he reached 
 the end of the island nearest the fort. One glance in that 
 ilirection was suflicient to tell the story. Already a full 
 
74 
 
 IN DOUBTFUL COMPANY. 
 
 half mile from shore, and dancing swiftly over the waves at 
 the bidding of Alec's vigorous paddle, was the canoe, every 
 moment increasing the distance that separated it from him. 
 The half-breed had fulfilled his sinister threat in tlie 
 way Rae most dreaded, and the poor boy was alone on tlie 
 island, with the evening shadows already beginning to 
 darken about him. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 BACK TO FORT CAMOSUN. 
 
 IT would be very unjust to Rao to deem liim unmanly 
 because, when he fully realized his situation, lie sat 
 down upon a boulder and burst into tears. Looked at in 
 any pos,sil)le light, his position was an extremely trying one. 
 Even tliou<di he and the otter were the only livino- creatures 
 on tlio island, so that he had nothing to fear in the way of 
 attack, he was utterly without food and shelter for the 
 night, while there was no certainty of relief on the morrow. 
 
 Search would, of course, be made for liim by Mr. Douglas 
 as soon as he was missed ; but who woidd put the searchers 
 on the right track ? His setting forth with the half-breed 
 luul perhaps been observed by no one, and "Saucy Alec" 
 would assuredly take good care not to let it be known, if 
 indeed he showed himself in the vicinity of the fort again 
 until the steamer had gone. 
 
 \\ liile these thoughts were chasiniic ouii another through 
 the boy's distracted brain, the darkness was coming on 
 apace, and presently its soft folds silently enveloped him as, 
 having dried his unavailing tears, he peered eagerly in the 
 
76 
 
 BACK TO FORT CAMOSUN. 
 
 direction of tlie fort in the faint hope tliat even yet succour 
 niiglit come to him. 
 
 Tlic top of the hard boulder made a poor couch upon 
 which to spend tlie night, so he cautiously crept up into the 
 fringe of the trees, then throwing himself down with his 
 back against a smooth trunk, and his face toward the fort, 
 prepared to pass the long hours of darkness as best he might. 
 
 Meanwhile what were they doing on board the Beaver I 
 Wlien supper time came without bringing Rae, who was 
 usual!}'' so prompt at meals, his appetite having an unfaihiig 
 vigour, Mr. Douglas naturally began to ask as to his where- 
 abouts. Getting no satisfaction from those around him, lie 
 promptly despatched a couple of the men to the fort to 
 make inquiry there. 
 
 They fulfilled their commission faithfully enough, hut 
 they returned without any delinite information ; whereupon 
 Mr. Douglas, becoming quite concerned, set off himself, de- 
 termined to sift the matter to the bottoui. His persistent 
 inquiries at first, however, met with no better result, and he 
 was about to return to the steamer in considerable anxiety 
 of mind, when an old woman came up to him and said, in a 
 hesitating Avay, — 
 
 " IVlay you be looking for the white boy, sir ? " 
 
 " That's just what I'm doing," responded ]\Ir. Douglas. 
 "Do 3'ou know anything about him ?" 
 
 " I'm thinking 1 saw him go off in a canoe with Saucy 
 Alec," said the old woman with a look that implied more 
 than Mr, Douglas understood, and caused him to ask in his 
 most imperious way, — 
 
BACK TO FORT CAMOSUN. 
 
 77 
 
 " And who is Saucy Alec, pray ? I never heard of the 
 ffeMtlcinan before." 
 
 Tlui'c were many answers vouchsafed to this question 
 by those standing around, from which Mr. Doughis gathered 
 tli.at Rae's choice of a companion had not shown much dis- 
 ciL'tiuii, and tliat it woukl be well for him to inquire very 
 closely into what had become of the two lads. 
 
 It was too late to accomplish anything beyond inquiry 
 tliat night, but by dint of persistent questioning Mr. 
 Dou"las did elicit the facts that Rae and the half-breed 
 had been seen in a canoe paddling up the sound, and had 
 not been known to return. 
 
 Mr. Douglas accordingly went back to the steamer, de- 
 termined to institute a thorough search for the missing boy 
 tlic iirst thing in the morning, and, when he found him, as 
 lie felt perfectly confident he would do, to give him such a 
 lecture as would teach him to take better care of himself 
 for the future. 
 
 And now to return to Rae, compelled to pass a lonely 
 vigil on the desolate island, which, for aught ho knew, 
 miglit number among its denizens a hungry panther, or 
 pei'cliaiice a fierce catamount. 
 
 "Oh, if I were only back on board the Beaver!" ho 
 cried as he gazed longingly seawards. " What a fool I was 
 to trust that rascal of a half-breed ! It just serves me right, 
 it docs. I had no business to go off without asking Mr. 
 Douglas's leave." At this he paused for a moment, and then 
 Went on, "If I had asked him he wouldn't have let me go 
 
7^ 
 
 BACA' TO FORT CAMOSUN. 
 
 — tliat's certain! and so I wouldn't have got into this trouble. 
 Oh dear ! If I ever get safe back I'll never, never do it again." 
 
 Poor Rae ! he was receiving a sharp lesson on the truth 
 that good resolutions are of little use in mending matters 
 after the harm has been done. The time they are of service 
 is before the temptation has carried the day. 
 
 In his desperate loneliness the boy's tlioughts now 
 turned heavenwards. He was wont to say his prayers wiUi 
 tolerable regularity, the good habit having been begun be- 
 fore his mother's death, and continued in obedience to his 
 father's wishes. But it was in a very mechanical way, 
 being little more than the repetition of a number of phrases 
 learned by rote, and murmured over without much attention 
 to meaning. 
 
 Never before had Rae really felt the need of prayer ; but 
 it came upon him now, and falling on his knees at tlio foot 
 of the tree he prayed for protection and deliverance with all 
 his heart. 
 
 He was easier in his mind after this, and in a little while 
 managed to fall asleep, the night air being free from chill. 
 
 He had been asleep some hours when suddenly an ciiv- 
 piercing cry rang through the .shadowy stillness, and caused 
 him to .spring to his feet trembling with terror. Were Lis 
 worst fears well founded ? Did panthers have their lair 
 upon the island? and had they discovered his presence? 
 In his first frio-ht he made a frantic effort to climb the 
 tree at whose base he had been sleeping; but there were 
 no limbs within reach of his hands, and the trunk was far 
 too big for him to clasp his arms around it. 
 
 where 1 
 
 Presi 
 but inste 
 
 "W 
 but an 
 v;oultln' 
 
 He 
 au'ain, so 
 long hou 
 \vere one 
 of (lawn 
 all thuug' 
 
 Faint 
 watch fo 
 coniinof t 
 cover liis 
 to aiiswei 
 
 The e 
 appeared 
 liis heart 
 eytj caugl 
 he (lescrii 
 of tlie SOI 
 
 " The; 
 liat, altli 
 from the 
 after me. 
 
BACK TO FORT CAiMOSUN. 
 
 79 
 
 He could not run away, for it was too dark to see a 
 yard ah^ad. He liud no other alternative than to stay 
 where he was, and hope for the best. 
 
 Presently the cry rang out again, this time nearer at hand, 
 but instead of being still more terrified, Rae broke into a laugh. 
 
 " Well, if I'm not a goose," he said aloud ; " it's nothing 
 but an old screech-owl after all. If I hadn't been asleej), it 
 v.'oultln't have frightened me like that, I'm sure." 
 
 He was now too thoroughly awake to get to sleep 
 again, so he made shift as best he could to while away the 
 long hours, until at last, just as in very weariness his eyes 
 ^Yere once more beginning to grow heavy, the first streaks 
 of dawn showed themselves along the eastern horizon, and 
 all tliought of further sleep was banished. 
 
 Faint with hunger, but full of hope, he set himself to 
 watch for the boat which he confidently counted npon 
 coming to his relief, although how Mr. Douglas would dis- 
 cover his whereabouts was a question he had not attempted 
 to answer to himself. 
 
 Tlie sun had risen hiu-h in the heavens before there 
 appeared any indication of his faith being justified ; and 
 his heart was growing sick with deferred hope when his 
 eye caught the flash of oars in the sunlight, and to his joy 
 he descried a boat makinir its wav alono: the southern shore 
 of the sound. 
 
 " There it is ! " he cried, dancing about and waving his 
 hat, although there was no possii)ility of his being seen 
 from the boat. " That's Mr. Douglas. I knew he'd come 
 after me. Olr I wish I could make him see me 1 " 
 
So 
 
 BACK TO FORT CAMOSUN. 
 
 Going out to the end of tlie point he shouted and swunrf 
 his hat, and tried in every way possible to attract tlie atten- 
 tion of those on board the boat. But all in vain. Thev 
 were over a mile distant ; and, moreover, by jMr. DouglasV 
 directions, they were closely scanning the southern shoro of 
 the sound, as his purpose w^as to go along that side ful- 
 some distance, and then cross to the northern shore, and 
 examine it for traces of the missing boy. 
 
 Rae's heart sank as the boat went on past him. 
 
 " Oh dear, oh dear!" he groaned. " They didn't see mo, 
 and they couldn't see me, and they'll go back to the steamer 
 without findinof me." 
 
 Yet he kept his eyes fixed upon the boat, until it liiul 
 almost vanished in the distance, and then a ray of hope 
 came from seeinsjf it chano-e its course to the nortliern shore 
 of the sound. 
 
 '• Perhaps it'll come nearer on its way back," he said, 
 taking comfort from the idea ; and hastening to the otlier 
 side of the island, he chose a projecting point, upon which 
 he stationed himself, with his coat in his hands ready for 
 use as a fhiix of distress when the rii>-ht moment came. 
 
 After what seemed a painfully long wait, the boat re- 
 appeared creeping down the nortli shore, and the instant it 
 was within range Rae resumed his efforts to attract tlie 
 attention of its occupants — shouting with all the strcngtli 
 of his lungs, and waving the coat to and fro in a frantic 
 fashion. 
 
 This time, happily, his efforts were crowned with success. 
 Mr. Douglas, happening to turn his keen glance from the 
 
BACK TO FORT C AMOS UN. 
 
 81 
 
 shore out over the sound, Cciuii^ht siglit of the little figure 
 (lancing about on the top of a big boulder. 
 
 "Hey! — what's that?" he exclaimed, shading his eyes 
 witli his light hand so as to g'et a better look. " Tliero's 
 Kae, for sure, signalling to us with all his might. Give 
 way, men! He's out on the island yonder. Who'd ever 
 liave thought of finding him there ? " 
 
 Kae's dance of anxiety changed to one of joy as he saw 
 tlie boat turn and come straight toward him. 
 
 " Hurrah ! " he shouted. " They've seen me at last. H's 
 all riu-ht. Hurrah ! hurrah ! " 
 
 III a few minutes the boat was at the breach, and Mr. 
 Douglas, springing ashore, took hold of Rae with both 
 lianils, not to embrace him, although that was really what 
 he felt in his heart like doing, but to give him a good 
 sliaking in well-assumed anger. 
 
 " You young scapegrace ! " he exclaimed, " is this where 
 I find you ? HoAv came you here, and what liave you got 
 to say for yourself going ofi:' without my leave, and having 
 to be hunted up like this ? " 
 
 l\ae was too glad and grateful for being hunted up to 
 attempt to make any excuse for himself. 
 
 " I've nothing to say for myself, sir," he replied. " I did 
 wrong in going off with Saucy Alec. But please forgive 
 nie, won't you, I\rr. Douglas ? I won't do such a thing 
 a-'ain ; indeed I won't." 
 
 There could be no doubt as to the spirit of sincere 
 penitence in which he spoke, and Mr. Douglas's tone was 
 nuicli less severe as he said, — 
 
82 
 
 BACK TO FORT C A MO SUN 
 
 M 
 
 " Oh ! of course you're sorry enough now, antl wish you 
 hadn't clone it. But you know the best time to get sorry is 
 before you get into mischief, and the most of times you won't 
 get into it at all." 
 
 " I'm sure I wish I hadn't got into it this timcj" said Rae, 
 with a rueful countenance, " for it's cost me my beautiful 
 
 gun. 
 
 "Cost you your T)eautiful gun!" echoed Mr. Douglas in 
 a tone of surprise. "What do you moan ? Tell me about it' 
 
 As Rac told his story the chief factor's indignation 
 blazed \\'vA\. 
 
 " The scoundrel ! " he cried hotly. " The dirty thiovinij 
 half-breed rascal ! I'll make him sweat for this if it takes 
 me a week to catch him. Jump into the boat, and we'll get 
 back to the fort as quickly as possible." 
 
 Rae was just about to obey when he thought of the 
 otter in the cave. 
 
 " Oh ! but the otter," he exclaimed. " We won't leave 
 the otter, will we ? It's mine now, you know." 
 
 Mr. Douo'las hesitated for a moment. " Is it worth 
 waitinq* to o-ot ? " he asked. 
 
 " Indeed it is, sir," responded Rao. " Just come and see 
 him. 
 
 With some reluctance, for he was impatient to bo off, 
 Mr. Douglas called a couple of the men, and they followed 
 Rae to the curious cave, where they found the creature dis- 
 porting itself in the central pool. 
 
 It M'as with considerable difficulty that they were 
 enabled to catch it unhurt and get it to the boat, but they 
 
BACK TO FORT CAMOSUN. 
 
 S3 
 
 tlniilly succeedeil ; and once tlii.s was aecornplislied, the 
 cliicf factor gave orders to return to the furt with all 
 
 SpCL'il. 
 
 On reaching there he at once suninionod the veteran 
 lunitcrs and trappers, Indians and half-breeds, and offered a 
 reward that made their eyes gleam fiercely for the capture 
 of Saucy Alec and the recovery of Rae's gun. Ke was not 
 to lie injured in any way, but to be brought to him for 
 piini.slnnent. The hunters and trappers at once set out with 
 H vigour that boded ill for the half-breed in spite of his 
 head-start. They knew he would not go far inland, but 
 v;ould remain somewhere in hiding until the departure of 
 the steamer, and then come forth to Haunt his ill-gotten 
 liooty with impunity, as the Beaver might never revisit 
 Milbank Sound. 
 
 Two days passed before anything was lieard of the 
 fugitive, and then the most expert of the hunters returned 
 liearing Rae's rifle uninjured, but without the half-breed. 
 Ho ex[)lained that he had got upon Saucy Alec's trail, and 
 run him down the previou.s evening just as he was preparing 
 his supper. lie came upon him so suddenly as to get pos- 
 session of the gun, which had been placed against a tree, 
 before the half-breed discovered his presence, and then, re- 
 alizing his powerlessness, he had dashed off into the depths 
 of the forest without attempting to show fight. The hunter 
 had followed him until it was too dark to proceed, and then 
 made his way back to the fort, content with having accom- 
 plished at least one-half his mission. 
 
 Mr. Douglas was so pleased at the recovery of the riile 
 
 f 
 
84 
 
 BACK TO FORT CAMOSUN. 
 
 that he gave the successful hunter the full reward, much to 
 the delight of the veteran, who had not expected sucli 
 liberal compensation. 
 
 " Tliere now, Rae," said the chief factor, handing the litle 
 back to its owner, who fondled it as a girl would her 
 favourite doll, " you have your beautiful rifle again, and I 
 hope you'll take better care of it henceforth. You've come 
 out of this scrape pretty well, I think, for now you've got 
 tlie otter too, whose pelt wdll be worth a good deal if yuu 
 can manage to keep him alive until next winter. It's worth 
 your trying, at all events." 
 
 " I'll do my best, sir," answered Rae, " to take care of 
 both my ritle and the otter, and I hope I'll never give yoii 
 so much trouble aixain." 
 
 The Beaver having by this time completed taking on 
 board all that was to be removed from Fort M'LauL-liliii. 
 Mr. Douglas yielded to the request of some of the younger 
 members of his party that a bonfire might be made of the 
 dismantled buildings. As soon as nijj'ht came the torch was 
 applied in different places, and soon stockade, storehouse, 
 and dwelling were in flames, presenting a fine picture to 
 those on board the steamer. 
 
 Rae watched the conflagration with intense interest. 
 Every boy dearly loves a blaze, and this was the finest he 
 had ever seen in his life ; and jTt all the time he was enjoy- 
 ing it he felt certain qualms of regret that such strong, solicl 
 buildino-s should o;o ui) in smoke. 
 
 " Oh dear ! " he sighed, speaking to himself, " it does 
 seem a pity for those houses to be burned up like that. 
 
BACK TO FORT CLUOSUAT. 
 
 85 
 
 They ]nii;lit have been given to the Indians who are going 
 to stay here all the time." 
 
 }[['. Douglas, wlio was standing near by, overheard tliis 
 speech, and said in reply to it, — 
 
 " And what do vou think the Indians woidd do with the 
 buildings if we did let thuni have them V 
 
 "Live in them, I suppose, sir," responded Rae, feeling a 
 little abashed at being overheard. 
 
 " Not a bit of it, Ixae," returned the chief factor. " They 
 very much prefer their own tents. What they'd do would 
 he to use the buildings as wood- piles in M'inter, and they'd 
 not bo bothered cutting a tree down for firewood until the 
 huildings were burned down to the last stick." 
 
 His mind made easier by this explanation, Puie gave his 
 whole attention to the brilliant spectacle before liim; and 
 presently he saw in silhouette against the glowing back- 
 ground a form that he at once felt sure could be none other 
 than that of the rascally half-breed. 
 
 lb' innnediately called Mr. Douglas's attention to it. 
 
 "That's Saucy Alec," he said, "I'm sure of it; and see 
 he's danciiiiJ!: about and shakiuLr his ilst at us. He's mad 
 hecause we've got his otter arid he hasn't got my gun." 
 
 "He'll 1)0 madder still if T can lay my hands upon him," 
 said Mr. Douo-las, beckoning' to some of his men to come to 
 liiin. "Til nfive him a taste of the cat-o'-nine-tails that ho 
 won't forgot in a hurry." 
 
 A few moments later a boat shot quietly out fiom 
 behind the Bmver, and rowed rapidly shoreward. At first 
 the half-l)i'ccd did not seem to notice it, and lie continued liis 
 
86 
 
 BACK TO FORT C A MO SUN. 
 
 insolent gestures of defiance ; but just as the boat touelietl 
 the beacli, his eye fell upon it. Instantly he stopped his 
 dance, and drew liiniself together in readiness for a sprinn-. 
 Then as the men sent after him made a dash to seize him 
 he darted away lilce a startled hare, and went bounding oif 
 into the darkness with a defiant laugh that could be hoard 
 above the roar and crackle of the flames, and that was the 
 last Rae saw of Saucy Alec. 
 
 The following morning the Baiver steamed out of ,Mi!- 
 bank Sound, and turned southward on the way back to 
 Camosun Bay. The business for which he had made tlio 
 trip having been completed, Mr. Douglas's thouglits now 
 l)egan to be exercised concerning the new fort in process of 
 erection. 
 
 " I wonder how fast they've got on since wo left," lie 
 said to Rae. " Your father'll do his best to hurry them up, 
 I know ; but he hasn't many men to help him, an<l those 
 Indians didn't seem to take kindly to work." 
 
 " IndecMl they didn't, sir," answered Rae ; " and tlicy 
 seemed kind of sulky, some of them, as if they weren't any 
 too well pleased at the fort being built." 
 
 "Did they?" impiired ]\[r. Douglas in a toiK^ of kion 
 interest. "I didn't notice anything of the kind myself, 
 Tell me what makes you think that." 
 
 Kae in response told of some things he had seen, which 
 caused Mr. Douglas to look grave, and to shake his \\vm, 
 saying, "I don't cjuite like the look of that." After a mo- 
 ment's silence, he gave Rae one of his (juick penetratini,' 
 glances, an<l added, "You've a sharp pair of eyes, my hoy 
 
BACK TO I'ORT CAMOSUN. 
 
 87 
 
 and you use them to good purpose. Wluit 3'ou've told me 
 is very important ; and I want you when we get ])ack to just 
 be on the look-out for anytliing of the same kind, and to 
 let mo know of it at once. We may have some trouble 
 Avitli the Indians before we get our fort thoroughly estab- 
 lished. I'd much prefer not to have a quarrel with them ; 
 I lilt if we do, I'm bound to give them a lesson tlu^y'U bo 
 in no hurry to forget." 
 
 No special incident marked the return voyage, the 
 weather being prosperous, and the sturdy little Bcavcv 
 psiiitiiip: and pulFmg steadily through the glistening waves 
 uhli' lie rounded the cape into Juan de Fuca Strait, and 
 pressed on for Camosun Bay, where she arrived in the 
 afternoon just in time to fire off lier gun as a salute to the 
 settincj sun. 
 
 Almost before the anchor dropped, INlr. Finlayson was 
 alongside in a canoe, and springing on board caught Kae in 
 his arms to give him a parental hug that fairly squeezed the 
 breath out of tlie bo v. 
 
 "Safe and sound !" lu; cried exultantly. "^Tr. Douglas 
 has taken good care of my laddie. Oh, but Tm glad to 
 have vou back aLraiu !" 
 
 liae was no less glad than his father at their reunion, 
 aiiil wanted to begin at once to tell him of his adventures; 
 but Mr. Douglas now claimeil the attention of his chief 
 subordinate, and l\ae had to content himself with the 
 promise of his father's society so soon as the chief factor 
 could spare him. 
 
 Considerable progress in the construction ot' the foit had 
 
 ,«i 
 
88 
 
 BACK TO FORT CAMOSUN. 
 
 been made during the Beavers absence ; but a great deal yet 
 remained to be done, and Mr. Douglas ordered all hands to 
 lielp to the utmost of tlieir ability, that no time might be 
 lost in rendering the place thoroughly defensible. 
 
 There was a good reason for this, as from the country 
 round about, and the contiguous mainland, the natives were 
 floclving in to see wliat was going on, and were encarnpiiirj 
 on every side as though they meant to stay. They all 
 seemed well-armed, but had not brouu'ht their wives or 
 children with them, which circumstance the fort-buildurs 
 regarded with suspicion. 
 
 Tlie latter now numbered fiftv men in all, armed to tlie 
 teeth, and constantly on guard against surprise, so that tlie 
 Indians, even if thus disposed, would not be in a hurry to 
 venture an attack. 
 
 They did, liowever, seize every opportunity for pilfering 
 any article that came within their reach, and it was not safe 
 for one of the workers to lay aside a tool for an instant. 
 Axes, hatchets, saws, and hammers acquired a most pro- 
 voking habit of disappearing, and at times Mr. Douglas gut 
 so irritated by this petty thieving that it required all his 
 powers of self-control to keep him from calling the TiKhans 
 to summary account. 
 
 This, however, would have been the worst possible policy 
 to pursue, as not only for the sake of the safety of the fort, 
 but in the interests of trade, it was most necessary to main- 
 tain as friendly relations as possible with the natives; and 
 so the stalwart chief factor bottled up liis wrath towards 
 tliem, relieving himself by mvintj vent to it when with 
 
 capable 
 Afc 
 left bell 
 her \\o\> 
 bcastion ^ 
 succcssic 
 to say g( 
 would b 
 lie was 1 
 stavino' 
 
 Vancouv 
 
BACK TO FORI' CAMOSUN, 
 
 89 
 
 Mr. Fiiilayson he smoked his evening pipe on tlie declv of 
 I he Bt'dver. 
 
 Yet, in spite of these difficulties, under his vigorous 
 direction the work went steadily on, until at last, three 
 months after the return of the Beaver from lier nortliern 
 trip, the stockade, with bastions at the angles and dwellings 
 ;uid storediouses inside, was completed ; and in the month 
 of October, Mr. Douglas pronounced the new establishment 
 capable of taking care of itself. 
 
 A few days later, amid long and lusty cheers from those 
 left behind, the Beaver with the chief factor on board took 
 her noisy departiu'e, Rae standing on the top of the highest 
 bastion of the fort, and sending off blank charges in quick 
 succession from Ids rille in token of farewell. He was sorry 
 to say good-bye to the steamer. He felt somehow as if they 
 would be safer at the fort with lier in the harbour. But 
 he was not one to borrow trouble, and he nuich preferred 
 staviiiii' at the new establishment to returning to Fort 
 Vancouver, 
 
CHAPTEll VI. 
 
 THE ATTACK ON THE FORT. 
 
 FORT CAMOSUN wlieii complctcl was a decidedly 
 imposing structure. It stood on the east side of the 
 inlet, directly opposite the chief village of the Songhies, 
 which was distant some four hundred yards. It was in the 
 form of a square, each side measuring one hundred and lifty 
 yards, and being composed of cedar pickets twenty feet in 
 height ; while at the north-east and soutli-west angles roise 
 octagonal bastions to a height of thirty feet, from whose 
 parapets half-a-dozen cannon pointed menacingly. Inside 
 the s(|uare were the stores, five in number, the blacksmith's 
 shop, the dining-hall, and chapel. Then there were the 
 powaler-magazino, the men's barracks, and the residence of 
 Mr. Finlayson, which had a corner all to itself. 
 
 A remarkable thinof about the construction of the fort 
 was that, extensive and impregnalde.. at least to Indians, as 
 it ai)peared, not a single iron nail had been used. Houses, 
 bastions, and palisades alike were put together simply with 
 wooden pegs, and the many years that tliey stood intaot 
 bear testimony to the tlioroughness of the work at the 
 beginning^. 
 
THE ATTACK OA THE LORT 
 
 91 
 
 When, on the completion of the fort, the Beaver steainec) 
 awav to Fort iNi.squally, it was for the purpose of making 
 one more trip, and this time lier cargo consisted mainly of 
 cattle, so that the new settlers might not lack for milk and 
 butter. These cattle were of Mexican origin, and so wild 
 and luimanageablc that the saying, "As wild as a steer," 
 might have arisen from the way they behaved. 
 
 As soon as they got their hoofs on shore they In'oke away 
 from their guardians, and with heads and tails erect darted 
 hither and thither, scaring the Indians, wlio had never seen 
 any creatures of the kind before, and knockinr;' down half-a- 
 duzcn women and children before plunging into the thicket, 
 where they vanished from sight. 
 
 This happened late in the afternoon, so no effort was 
 made to u'o after them then, but the following mornino- Mr. 
 Finlayson gave orders for a " round-up " of the runaways. 
 (Jreat was Rae's glee at the announcement. Here would be 
 tine fun indeed. There were no deer in the nei2:hbourhood 
 of the fort to hunt, but the cattle would for the time pro- 
 viilt3 a tolerable substitute; and although they could not bo 
 shot, yet they had to be caught and driven back to the fort, 
 and there would be lots of excitement doino- that. 
 
 In this expectation he was not disappointed. Bi'ight and 
 early the recovering party set out. When Mr. Fiidayson 
 saw Rae making preparations to join it he was at first in- 
 clinid to demur; not that he had any fear of harm from the 
 cattle, but rather from the Indians, in whom he had not yet 
 come to place nmch confidence. 
 
 " Are you going too, llae ? " he asked, as lie saw his son 
 
 H 
 
92 
 
 THE ATTACK ON THE FORT. 
 
 biickliii;;' on his belt in wliicli liiin^' his luintin;^"-kiiife, and 
 tlii'ONvino- Ills powder-Hiisk over his shoulder. 
 
 To be sure I am, fatlicr," responded Rao, " if you'v 
 
 ■e no 
 
 objections. 0_L!,'den says he'll be j^'lad to have my help, and 
 
 I tliink it will be <j!;reat I'un." 
 
 The father coo-itated for a moment, 
 for Rac made him reluctant to have tl 
 
 , His intense afiection 
 le boy out of his si^i;'lit 
 any more than lie could help. Yet he realized that to yield 
 to this feeling" would be very unfair to his son, who would 
 ere loni;" have to fiujht his own battles unaidecb and who 
 coukl learn to take proper care of himself only by bein;^- 
 given proper freedom of action. 
 
 " Did Oij;'den say lie wanted you, Rac ? " ho asked, more 
 for the sake of delaying his consent than for any other 
 reason. 
 
 " Yes, indeed ho did," replied Rae eagerly. " He said I'd 
 be as good as a man to help to corral the cattle." 
 
 " Well, then," said I\lr. Finlayson, *' will you stick close 
 by Ogden, so that if anything happens ho can look after 
 
 you 
 
 ?" 
 
 " Certainly, father, if you want mo to," was the prompt 
 answer. 
 
 " Very well then, my boy, you can go," said the ftither , 
 •' but remember keep Ogden in sight, and don't let one of 
 these crazy creatures get its horns into you, and keep a keen 
 eye for the Indians. They might try some mischief." 
 
 Ogden was the next in authority to Mr. Finlayson-— a 
 great stalwart Englishman, devoted to the interests of the 
 Hudson Bay Company, and on the sure road to a factorship 
 
 at no dist; 
 Finlayson 
 in his owi 
 sidei' in t 
 was his 
 lie had 1 
 the little 
 
 The rd 
 men in tin 
 dozen. Tl 
 the tii'st p 
 uneven th 
 second pla 
 \Yitli the re 
 
 They al 
 they might 
 sions to la 
 started. Tl 
 the fort, ai 
 prove mere 
 
 The en 
 the task of 
 
 Rac str 
 Ogden, whi 
 of his joy. 
 
 "JustM 
 and the big 
 you. Did ; 
 yesterday ? 
 
THE ATTACK ON THE EORT. 
 
 93 
 
 .1 
 
 ;it no distant day. ITo took a jj,Toat interest in Rao, and Mr. 
 Fiiilayson knew that the boy was as safe under liis care as 
 ill his own. Neverthck'ss liad lie had only himself to con- 
 sider in the matter he would have kept Rac back, for ho 
 was his only son, and ni)on him ho concentrated the love 
 ho had borne for tlie wife and mother whoso o-rave lay in 
 the little burying-ground at Fort Vancouver. 
 
 The rounding-up party comprised ten of the smartest 
 men in the garrison, and Mr. Ogden and Rae made up the 
 dozen. They set forth on foot for two good reasons. In 
 the tirst place, the forest was so dense and the ground so 
 uneven that horses would have been useless ; and, in the 
 second place, the only horses they possessed had stampeded 
 with the rest of the cattle, and were roaming wild with them. 
 
 They all carried their guns and hunting-knives, and, lest 
 they might have to remain out over night, sufficient provi- 
 sions to last over the next da3^ A merrier party never 
 started. They had been toiling hard for months constructing 
 the fort, and this was their first holiday. That it would 
 pi'ove mere pastime they never doubted. 
 
 The errant animals would not have gone very far, and 
 the task of driving them back could hardly be a difficult one. 
 
 Rae strode along at the head of the party beside ]\[r. 
 Ogden, whistling gaily, and skipping about in the fulness 
 of his joy. 
 
 "Just wait till I sight tliat red steer with the white face 
 and the big horns," he said ; " I'll make him jump, I promiso 
 you. Did you see the way he knocked that little girl over 
 yesterday ? He wants to be taught good manners." 
 
94 
 
 THE ATTACK ON THE FORT 
 
 *' Pcilifips yon won't find tlie critters so easy to nianafje 
 as yon tliinlv, llae," said Mr. C)^'den with a smile. " They 
 may tnrn Tartar on ns, and «^ivc ns lots of trouble." 
 
 " Oh I I guess we'll be a match for tlieni if they Jo," 
 responded Kae, wlio had no lack of self-confidence. 
 
 Chattiny; to";ether and banterinf^ one another, the men 
 puslied furtlior and further into the forest, wliich was pretty 
 dense, although the trees did not rise to a great height. 
 They found traces of the objects of their search, but fur a 
 long time got no glimpse of tlie cattle themselves. In fact, 
 it was close on mid-day before the foremost of the party, a 
 bright young trapper who had the sharpest eyes in the band, 
 stopped suddenly, and pointing to the right, said in an 
 undertone, — 
 
 " There they are; Lut let us go easy, or we'll scare them." 
 
 Mr. Ogden at once divided his men into two sections, one 
 to go to the right and the otlier to the left, so as to surround 
 the herd from the rear ; and creeping forward as silently as 
 possible, they thus drew near the unsuspecting cattle. 
 
 The arrangement seemed to succeed admirably^ and Mr. 
 Ogden was just about to give the signal to close in upon the 
 animals, and get them herded together, when the very steer 
 of wliich Rae had spoken, lifting its head in a startled way, 
 gave a loud bellow and bounded off, steering straight for 
 where Hae stood. 
 
 Now had it not been for his boast about teaching this 
 creature better manners, Rae would ha\'e been disposed to 
 let him ha\e a wide berth ; but in view of his speech he felt 
 bound to oppose his passing as best he could, so standing his 
 
THE ATTACK ON THE TORT 
 
 95 
 
 t-idund bravely, he swung Ills ritle and shouted at the top 
 uf liis voice. 
 
 Hut tlie ivd steer, who really seemed possessed of a devil 
 of some kind, neither stopped nor swerved in its course. 
 With horns lowered and tail uplifted on it came, in spite of 
 Jiaes frantic efforts. The rest of the party -were too Lusy 
 looking' after the other cattle to observe the boy's danger, 
 and before any of them had a chance to interfere the .steer 
 had caught him on his horns. 
 
 'Oil! he'll be killed," cried Mr. Ogden, fully expecting 
 to see him to.s.scd in the air. 
 
 Ihit such was not the case. Instead of beinn' fluni; into 
 space, Eae w^as seen to be holding on tight to the creature'.s 
 head, and to be thus borne along as it continued its mad 
 career. 
 
 "Head him off! stop liini ! stop him!" shouted Mr. 
 Ogdcn, thoroughly alarmed at the boy's perilous plight, and 
 (lashing after him himself at a rate that was most creditable 
 for a man of his age, while the other men who were witiiin 
 sight followed his example. 
 
 Of course, the more they shouted and the faster they ran 
 the more terrified the steer became, and considerini,^ the 
 handicap Rae's weight upon his head must liave been, it was 
 certainly surprising what speed he developed. In this ex- 
 citing fashion the chase continued for full a hundred yards, 
 and as Rae held on like grim death, and the steer's strength 
 showed no signs of slackening, there was no telling how much 
 longer it would have been kept up had not the intervention 
 of a deep narrow gully brought it to a sudden termination. 
 
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 THE ATTACK ON THE EORT. 
 
 PTano-in;^ on in tlic way he was, Rac's body blinded the 
 eyes of Ins straii^^e steed, so tliat tlie creature could have no 
 notion of what was ahead. Conse([uently, when lie came to 
 the ^'ully, instead of swervin<jj aside, lie plun<;-e(l plump ju 
 with such terrible force as to nearly break his neck, aiul 
 to completely break one of his fore-le<;s, while his unwilling- 
 jockey was sent tlyin<jj ao-ainst the opposite bank so violently 
 as to deprive him of both breath ond senses. 
 
 When j\lr. O^-den rushed up luantini;', and trembling- with 
 apprehension, he foinid th.e steer ^tru;j;<^lino; in helpless a;;"ony 
 in the bottom of the <;'ully ; and a few yards above, on a 
 kind of ledj^e, lay Rae, to all appearance dead. 
 
 " God help us ! " he exclaimed, " the boy's done for, I 
 believe." 
 
 Leaping recklessly into the .i;"ully, he scrambled up be- 
 side Rae, and lifted his head with his left hand, plaeiiii;' 
 the rii^-ht over his heart. Innncdiately his cotmtenancc 
 briii'litened. 
 
 " He's not dead,"' he ci'ied in a tone of vast relief, "he's 
 only winded, maybe. (^h ! I hope there are no bones 
 broken." 
 
 By this time a couple of the other men had come up, an<l 
 with their aid Rae was tenderly lifted out of the gully, and 
 placed at the foot of a ti-ee on a bank of moss while one 
 hurried oil' to a spring near by for water. 
 
 When this was dasheil in his face Rao revived, and 
 opening liis eyes looked around in a dazed way. 
 
 " What's liappened ?" lie asked faintly, and then with a 
 groan of pain, " Uh, my head ! " As he made to put his hand 
 
 up tr) It 
 
 with iir 
 
 The] 
 
TIFE ATTACK ON THE FORT. 
 
 97 
 
 up to it lu' i^^ivc .iiiother <;-i'Oiin, " My ai-m ! \vli<it's tlie matter 
 with my arm ? It hurts dreadfully." 
 
 Then lie lost consciousness a;;-ain, and looked as if W, 
 rrally was all over with liim. 
 
 " Poor little cliap!" said Mr. Oi;'den feelino-ly, "he's had 
 .1 bad shakini^ up. lUit I y'uess it's not much worse. Well, 
 well have to leave those cattle alone for to-day, and '^yX the 
 hoy hack to the foi't as quickly as possible. J lis father 
 knows a pjod deal about doctoring, and hell fix him up." 
 
 So with their hnntin;i;-knives they cut down a lot of 
 Im.uhIis, and lashing them together made quite a comfort- 
 ahlo struLcher, on Mhicli Tlae was placed, and borne ott' care- 
 fully. Thry had not gone far before his senses came back 
 to him: but Ills head ached so fiercely and his whole body 
 was so full uf pain that he felt no disposition to talk, 
 hut lay (juietly on the stretcher tloing his best to stifle 
 the gi'oans that would well up to his lips, foi- his suflerings 
 wiic ivnllv severe. 
 
 Mr. Finlayson, who had been standing on the top of one 
 of the bastions, looking out for the return of the cattle, 
 c.iUL'iit si^ht of the little procession as soon as it emeriivd 
 from the forost, an<l at once hastened down to meet it, his 
 f;iiv full of concern. 
 
 "What's hapjH'Ued, Ogden :* " he demanded on getting 
 within earshot. ''Where's Kae ? Whom have you got 
 
 tl 
 
 II 're 
 
 -> / 
 
 "lis llae, sii-," replie(l Afr. Ogden; but don't ho 
 aLiiined. He's oidy been shaken up hy a full. He'll be all 
 Ji^ht presently." 
 
THE ATTACK OX THE EORT 
 
 Wlien Mac !icar<l liis fatlier'.s voice, lie raised liimsclf 
 with ^reat (liflieulty, and turning; a pale face in that 
 direction, maiia^^ed to murinur, " You iiuistii't Lo fii;;lit- 
 cnod, father; I'm luut a good deal, Imfc I'll get over it 
 
 soon. 
 
 :'(> 
 
 Going up to the stretcher, Mr. Finlayson took Ra(.''s fac 
 between his hands, and pressed a fervent kiss upon his fniv- 
 head, saying soothingly, — 
 
 " You'll tell me all ahout it after a while, Rae : come alttiv 
 now, and we'll try to find out how badly 3'ou'ro damago<l." 
 
 He did not want the others to see how much he uas 
 disturbed by the manner of his son's return, and takini;' 
 comfort from the cheering tone of his voice, put a luavo 
 face on the matter for the present. 
 
 On Kae beinix carefully examined, it was found that liis 
 right ai'iu had been badly strained, and there were a nuiii1"i' 
 of painful contusions on ditlerent parts of his body, I'Ut 
 otherwise he. had escaped injury save from the effects of tlio 
 shock, which might linger for a while. 
 
 ]\[r, Finlayson was immensely relieve(l on there bciii^- 
 no more serious conseipiences. 
 
 "You've come off remarkably well, my boy," ho sai«l, 
 " consi<lerin<x the circumstances. I must have that brute of 
 a steer \)()ke<l after at once, or the Indians will do it for mo. 
 You'll have the satisfaction of dining off him, Rae, in reveii;^^ 
 for the scurvy way he treated you. r>ut look here, Rae, what 
 am I to do with you I So sure as you get out of my siiiht 
 you have an adventure of some kind ; and although yur 
 good luck has carried you through thus far, who knows 
 
 when i 
 of wha 
 
 "you ^ 
 
 nothin; 
 vou kii- 
 
 can't bt 
 
 as thou 
 it go. 
 take vo! 
 
 I' 
 
 "Of 
 
 what I A 
 '^oiii"' t» 
 live to 1 
 firt soir 
 Fiiih'iyso 
 factor's 1 
 '• riori 
 
 l'« i'Velltl\ 
 l[lli|s(ill 
 
 lining th 
 
 brui.s 
 
 stiiutioii 
 wivk he 
 iit'xt adv 
 111 th 
 up, auil .v 
 I'ftter, a; 
 
TflE ATTACK ON THE FORT. 
 
 m 
 
 wlion it will f.iil yon, and tlion — well, I don't like to think 
 of Avliat that wonld mean." 
 
 " i5ut, father," replied Rao witli a qnizzical sort of smile, 
 "von wouldn't have me to stay round all the time, and do 
 notliinLj, would you ? I've <;ot to learn to look after myself, 
 VI )U know, and the sooner I do it the better, I suppose." 
 
 "Tliat's so, my hoy, that's so," assented Mr. Rao. "I 
 can't ho with you always." Tluni throwing' up his head 
 as tlioui;]! to <lismiss the suhjcct, he added, "Oh! well, let 
 it jj,o. It's no use bori'owini^ trouble. You'll just have to 
 take your ehances as I did at your a<^e." 
 
 "Of course I will, father," returne<l Kae, "and that's just 
 what I want to do. At the same time, T promise you I'm not 
 L^oiuL;' to run any more risks than I can help. I want to 
 live to he an old man, and perhaps I'll be the factor of a 
 f irt sumo day, as you arc now, father," and he «;*avo ^Mr. 
 riiilayson a lo(»k of fond pride that went straight to the 
 factor's heart. 
 
 "Clod o-iMMt you may, my boy," exclaimed Mr. Finlayson 
 tVivmily. 'Thei-e are many lots in life far worsen than a 
 iliiilsdii llay factoi", and I would like to think of you 
 li'ilini;' that post in due time." 
 
 I'-ruised and battered as lu; had been, Ihie's supei'b con- 
 stitution (juiekly threw oil' the ellects, and at tlu- end of a 
 wrtk he was out a;;'ain as lively as ever, and ready for the 
 iH'xt adventure. 
 
 In the meantime, the stray cattle had all bi'cn hunted 
 \\\\ and securely corralled until they should learn to behavo 
 ''(•tttr, aiid prove more M'orthy of bein;j; ti-uste(l. Then 
 
lOO 
 
 THE ATTACK ON THE EORT. 
 
 i)e<(an tlic task ol l»i-cakiii^- in tlic oxen for uso as (lr.ui;^li(- 
 animals, a process tlie Indians watcliod uitli profound 
 surprise and interest, not altoo-ctlior free from contempt. 
 
 " Wliat new species of game was tliis tliat tlic wliite men 
 had bronglit to the island," they asked one another, 'ami 
 wliieh, instead of hein^- killed and eaten, was hein^- carefullv 
 tamed to do the women's work ?" 
 
 Here, certainly, was a wondei' in its way, and rath.i- a 
 disturljinc,' one too, for not only was the ^^ame heinji^ diverte'l 
 from its pi'oper purpose, but it was depreciating" the Avortli 
 of wives, since, if the work that riii'htfulK' ouL-ht to he doiiu 
 by the women was done by these bii;" animals, why then, nf 
 course, the formei' would so fall in value that the j^ossessur 
 of six oi- ten wonld find himself a poorer man than In' 
 imni;ined. 
 
 Arguini^ from these premises, the Indians were not loni,^ 
 in coming to the conclusion that the white intruders n<«'l 1 
 to be taught that their innovation was not welcomed b\' tlu^ 
 original inhabitants. Kow, among those encamped in tin' 
 vicinitv of the fort was a band of Cowichans, whose eliirf 
 was Tsoughilam, and who had come down from the nnith 
 on a pluiulering expedition. The cattle of the fort-buildcis 
 offere(l 'i magnific<'nt ]^rey fo)' these brigands, particularly 
 the work animals, which were tlner, fatter, and more easily 
 approaclied than the others, it being the practice to turn all 
 the cattle out to graze in the daytime and to corral tlioiii 
 at nii>ht. 
 
 As it chanced, one afternoon that Ilae was strolling ahdiit 
 on the edm^ of the forest looking for a shot at some bird, ho 
 
 cauglit 
 a coU[i 
 ward t 
 
 Su 
 ilistaiic 
 tlifU 1: 
 lie ha^ 
 having 
 wliru h 
 and as 
 tlicir ri 
 
 It 
 
 rnptuiv 
 for \vlii( 
 • if a [)r( 
 respect 1 
 
 slauL-'htc 
 < ailing 
 
 the slaii 
 tempted 
 
 "Wh 
 animals 
 yuurs til 
 nature ; 
 asking n 
 
 " Xo^ 
 swored ? 
 '■ These I 
 
 (ITS) 
 
THE ATTACK OX THE TORT 
 
 101 
 
 cau;;"1it sii^^lit of a party of Cuwiclians cautiously sepai-atin<^ 
 ii ci)U[)lo of fat oxen from the herd, and (Iriviii*;- tlieiu to- 
 ward tlieir own camp. 
 
 Suspcctini;' .some mischief, he followed them at a safe 
 distance until he felt (piite sure what their purpose was; 
 tlifii lie hurried luick to tlie fort at tlie top of his speed, 
 lie had some dilliculty in findin;^' liis father, ^Ir. Fiida3'sun 
 liaviii<r i^one off alouij; sliore to a considerahle distance ; hut 
 whru he heard his son's report lie made all haste to return, 
 aiirl as soon as he arrived called a score of the men to take 
 tlieir ritles ami accomr)any him to the Cowichan camp. 
 
 It was alto;;vther against his polizy to liave any open 
 n'.jiture with the Indians, as that would defeat the main ohject 
 for which Fort Camosun was huilt — to wit, the cstahlishini;' 
 nf a [)rotitable trade in peltry; yet they nuist ho taught to 
 rL.spect the ri;j;hts of property, and to leave the cattle alone. 
 
 ily the time the camp was reached, the cattle had been 
 slaughtered, and the Indians were having a glorious feast. 
 ( 'ailing for the chief, W\\ Finlayson demanded payment for 
 the slain animals. Instead of complying, Tsoughilam at- 
 tL'ni[)tufl lu argue the matter. 
 
 '"What!" he exclaimed, with well-fi'igned surprise, '"these 
 animals yours! Did you make them? Are these liclds 
 yours that fatten them ? I thought them the property of 
 nature; and whatever nature sends me, that I slay and eat, 
 asking no question and paying no damages." 
 
 " Now, Tsoughilam, you know better than that," an- 
 swered ^. , . Finlayson, keeping himself well under conti-ol. 
 Tlu'so cattle were bi'ought from beyond the great sea. 
 
 li 'PI 
 
 (l;^) 
 
102 
 
 THE ATTACK OX THE EORT. 
 
 Tlit-y lt('lon!4X'(l to tliose ^v!l() l,jroni;'lit tlitiii ; aii'l unless you 
 make pi'opcr ivstitution, the gates ot" tlie lurt will be cIuslmI 
 against you." 
 
 "Close your gates if you liUe," cried the chieftain, his 
 tone changing to one of anger, "and I will batter th<iii 
 down. Close your gates, indeeil ! 'i'hink }'oii we did not 
 live before the white men came :* and think you we wuuM 
 die wcrt.i thoy swept from our shores ? " 
 
 Seeing that argument was useless, and that threats would 
 be wasted in the then temper of the savage, Mr. Finlayson, 
 having once more sternly dcmandcil re[)aration, withdnw 
 to the fort to consider what was the best coui'se to pursue. 
 
 As soon as he had gone Tsoughilam despatched messengers 
 to the chiefs of tin; other camps to summon them to a 
 council meeting. They ]))'omptly came, and ha\ing regaled 
 them with fresh beef, the wily Cowichan addressed them in 
 fiery langnage. 
 
 '■ Reptiles have crept Inther!"' lie exclaimed; "reptiles 
 with strange stings, whom it were well to crush upon the 
 spot, lest they should soon overspread the whole i.'-huid. 
 The reward for such an undertaking may lie found behind 
 the palisades of the fort. Let us go and possess it." 
 
 Then arose 'Tsilalthach, chief of the Songhies, and )-[\v\. 
 "We and our forefathers have lived in happiness upon this 
 island for many years before the existence of these strancrers 
 was known. We have eaten the frnits of the earth, have 
 bathed in the waters and in the sunshine, have hunted our 
 forests unquestioned of any, ;ind have fought our enemies 
 manfully. Js all now to be taken from us T' 
 
'A, 
 
 an ilic <i.i.M ;/./'/i(/ ni'jat^tS rose uf<. 
 
Tlicn, 
 
THE ATTACK ON THE FORT. 
 
 105 
 
 The instinct of bloodshed was aroused. As one man tlie 
 asscniMcd savai,a^s rose up and cried for the wijiin;^^ out of 
 the unwelcome intruders and tlie lootini^^ of tlie fort. In 
 the clear evening air their shouts were easily heard at the 
 fort. 
 
 "They mean mischief," said Mr. Finlayson, sliaking his 
 head regretfully. " It's too Lad. I didn't want to figlit with 
 them, and yet they must be taught to respect the comi)any's 
 property. I wonder how soon they will attack us ? " 
 
 " Right away, father, to judge by their actions," responded 
 llae, who was standing beside Mr. Finlayson on the bastion, 
 and looking over toward the encampment. 
 'J "No, no, Rae ; you don't know them as well as I do. 
 
 They won't attack for a Avhile yet. They've got to work 
 themselves up to it first." 
 
 And so it proved. At the fort unremitting watch was 
 kept night and day, but the Indians spent the time in sing- 
 ing and shouting and feasting until two full days had elapsed. 
 Then, having assembled all their forces, they summoned 
 courage to commence operations. 
 
 Midst savage yells and tei'rifying antics, calculated in 
 tlieir opinion to put to flight the bravest, they advanced as 
 near to the palisade as they dared, and then, taking advan- 
 tage of every natural means of concealment, sent in showers 
 of niusket-balls that riddled the stockade and came pattering 
 upon the roofs of the houses. The siege of the fort had 
 begun in earnest, and with many hundred savages as assail- 
 ants it was no joking matter, despite the strength of the 
 1( n't ill cations and the thorough equipment of the garrison. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 DIFFICULT FLAYMATES. 
 
 THE liail of bullets against the stout stockade and sub- 
 stantial roofs of the fort was ke])t up for some time 
 with great vigour, but without inilicting any loss whatever 
 upon the garrison. 
 
 Nor did it elicit any response. Much as the men would 
 liave liked to give the Indians some proofs of their marks- 
 manship that they would not be in a hurry to forget, Mr. 
 Einlayson would not permit a single ritle to be discharged. 
 
 " No, my good fellows, no," he replied to his subordinates, 
 eager for the fray. " I don't want a drop of blood to be 
 shed if it can possibly be helped. If we have to light, 
 wliy, fight we will, and I've no fears as to the result; 
 but I still have hopes of settling this thing without one 
 life beinii lost." 
 
 After a while the savages grew weary of wasting their 
 precious annnunition to no purpose, and their fire slackcnotl, 
 until finally it ceased. Then Mr. Finlayson seized the oppor- 
 tunity of carrying out a scheme that had been evolved in 
 his busy brain. 
 
 Appearing upon one of the bastions, he called to Tsougbi- 
 
DIFFICULT PLAYMATES. 
 
 lo: 
 
 lain to como -Nvitliin parleying distance, assniing" liini tliut 
 IK) liai-iii ^volll(l 1)0 (lone him. 
 
 In a vc'iy licsitating fashion Tsoiigliilani drew near, 
 taking care to liave at IkukI a good big trce-stunip heliind 
 vliich lie niiglit dodge if tlierc shouM he any sign of 
 ti-eacliery on the part of the white nu-n. When )\e was 
 ntar enough, Mr. Finlayson ad<lrossed him thus: — 
 
 "What wouM you do:* What evil would you bring 
 upon yourselves? What folly to think of breaking do ii 
 uur strong Avails with 3'our i:)Oor guns ! Know you not that 
 with one motion of my Imger I could blow you all into 
 pieces ? And I will do it too," he cried, raising his voice, as 
 if in growing anger. " Look at your camp now ! " 
 
 As ho brought out the last word at tlie top of his voico 
 there was a tremendous report from the bastion beside him, 
 and a nine-pounder belched forth a double charge of grape- 
 shot, which, striking into the midst of the frail cedar lodges, 
 smashed them into splinters. 
 
 With a terror-stricken howl, Tsoughilam dived behind 
 his stump so recklessly that he tripped and tiMaied a com- 
 plete somersault, landing on the broad of his back, in which 
 position ho lay for a minute, iiardly knowing whether some 
 of the cannon's contents had found a mark in him or not; 
 while from the throats of his tribesmen went up woful wails, 
 I'ecausc they felt sure many of their women and children 
 must have fallen victims to the terrible thunder-machine. 
 
 And so, indeed, the}'' might have done, but for the 
 humane precaution of Mr. Finlayson, who, before he l)egan 
 the parley, had sent his interpreter secretly out of the back 
 
io8 
 
 DIFFICULT PLAYMATES. 
 
 gate of the fort to warn the inmates of the lodges selected 
 as a target of their approaching danger, which warniii;^- 
 being duly heeded, no further liarm was done Ly the grape- 
 shot than the converting into kindling-wood of some cheaply- 
 made lodges. 
 
 When the l)adly-scared savages had recovered their 
 senses, and ascertained that tluTc had been no fatal iujniy 
 done to their dear ones, they consulted together, with t1ie 
 result that a deputation of chiefs came slowly towards tliu 
 fort and asked for a parley. 
 
 j\[r. Finlayson invited them within the stockade, oflcring 
 two of his men as hostages for their safety. The offer was 
 accepted, and the deputation entered the fort. 
 
 " Now, my friends," said the factor, assuming his gravest 
 and most dignified demeanoui-, while Rae watched him willi 
 profound admiration, he seemed so superior in every way to 
 the squalid savages, " I want to show you, that although I 
 did not make any return to your fire, how easy it would 
 be for me to utterly destroy you and all the rest of the men, 
 and all your women and children, if I wanted to do so." 
 
 Then he showed them all his men drawn up in lino 
 ready to fight, and armed with rifles, i^istols, and hunting- 
 knives. He also took them upon the bastion, and let tluiu 
 see the cannon with the cartridges and balls at their side. 
 
 Having done this, lie led them back into the centre of 
 the enclosure, and ordering the garrison to form a circle 
 round them, he said quietly but firmly, — 
 
 "You see, my brothers, that I speak only the truth. 
 But I do not want to destroy. I want that we should bo 
 
DIFFICULT PLAYMATES. 
 
 1C9 
 
 friends. Therefore, I say let tlio.se who killed the cattle he 
 L;iveii up for puiii.shinent, or let the cattle be paid for in furs 
 at tlu'ir full value." 
 
 The Indians listened attentively, pronii.sed to report all 
 that tliL'V had seen and heard to their tribes, and withdrew 
 ill manifest perturbation of spirit. Th.e factor's word.s and 
 silent ari^unients liad evidently produced a deep eil'ect. 
 
 "Unless I'm nuich mistaken, my boy, they'll do ouv? 
 thiuLi: or the other before the sun n'oes down," said Wx. Fin- 
 liivson in a sanuuine tone, his countenance slhjwini'" how 
 ivliived he felt at the prospect of an honourable and satis- 
 factory solution of the situation. 
 
 Sun.set .saw tlie fullilmcnt of his prediction. Another 
 and a larL;'er deputation came from the encampment, thi.s 
 lii.ic beariui^- bundles of furs, which they deposited in front 
 uf the main gate. j\lr. Fiidaj'son ordered the i;"ate to be 
 thrown open, the bearers of the indemnity liled solenuily in, 
 and were received with all duo ceremony. 'J'Ik* skins were 
 countrd and appraised. Their value was pronounced sufli- 
 cient, and then the ])ipe of peace was pi'oduced, and vows of 
 friendship formally made. 
 
 Lefore they departed the ln<lians bcLi'^ed 3Ir. Finlayson 
 to li't them have another exhibition of the jtowers of the 
 wondt-rful gun, and he williiiu^ly assented. So next morning 
 an old canoe was moored out in the harbour about midway 
 httwcen the fort and the cncam})mcnt. Then taking careful 
 aim he sent a ball clear through the canoe, and ricochetting 
 across the smooth water to tlu.' opposite shore. 
 
 The Indians were entirely satisiied. If the white in- 
 
no 
 
 DIFFICULT PLAYMATFS, 
 
 ti'iulurs li.'id sncli foarful weapons as that, tlicrc was Lut one 
 tliini,^ to do — namely, to be as friendly as possible with tlicm, 
 wldcli liencefortli they took good care to he, and Fort 
 Caniosun never was again attacked by any of these baiuls, 
 nlthoug'li they di<l not by any means give over their thieving 
 propensities, but seized every chance of picking np any 
 "unconsidered trifles" belomxin^j: to their white brothers 
 which fell in their way. 
 
 The atmosphere of peace wliich now brooded over tlio 
 fort was ver}' favourable to the carrying on of the out-duor 
 operations, which were the factor's next concern. 
 
 The garrison could not al\va3's be dependent upon Fort 
 Vancouver for food supplies. They must create them f«»r 
 themselves as soon as possible. Accordingly all hands were 
 set to work to clear the land surrounding the fort, and pre- 
 pare it for the reception of seed, while a large lot was fenced 
 in for pasture, so that a visitor to Camosun Bay might have 
 taken tlie establishment to be chiefly of an agricultural 
 character instead of being a fur-trading depot. 
 
 Kae soon found these proceedings decidedly lacking in 
 interest. He had not suilicient strenu'th or skill to guide a 
 plough. He soon got tired of splitting rails for the fences. 
 There never was a boy born who took kindly to the hoe or 
 spade, and as his father did not insist upon his lending a 
 liand, leaving him to follow his own sweet will in the matter, 
 lie presently came to feel very much like a butterfly among 
 a lot of bees. Everybody but Idmself was busy, and so busy 
 that they liad no time to give to him. Naturally enough 
 therefore he looked about him for companions who would 
 
DIFFICULT PLAYMATES. 
 
 1 1 1 
 
 not l>c so engrossed, and qiiito as naturally liis eyes straj'ed 
 across the bay to where tlic Indian camps were clustered on 
 tlic fartlicr shore. 
 
 His father had never forl)i<klon his makiiiLi' friends with 
 the Indians, although he had warned him against trusting 
 them to any extent, Ijecause he believed them to be treach- 
 erous at heart, however friendly they might seem on the 
 surface. But as the da3's went by in peace and quietness 
 tliis feeling of insecurity disappeared, and so when one day 
 Kac asked his father if he might go over to the Indian 
 encampment, Mr. Finlayson made no objection, contenting 
 himself with a warning not to get into any kind of a dispute 
 with the lads there. 
 
 llae owned a light swift canoe which his father had pro- 
 cmvd for him, and in the management of Mdiicli ho had 
 become quite skilful. In this he paddled across the bay, 
 and jumping ashore made his way to the encampment with 
 as easy an air as if ho were a long-ostal>lishcd visitor. 
 
 None of the men were visible, they being all away fishing 
 or hunting, but a number of children could be seen peeping 
 out i)f the doorways of the lodges or from behind them in a 
 timid way, as though afraid to meet the wliite bo}-. 
 
 Anxious to establish himself on a friendly footing, Rac; 
 tailed to them, and made sii}"ns intended to indicate his 
 desire for a closer acquaintance, in response to which they 
 presently began to emerge one by one,, and to gather about 
 him with eyes full of curiosity. 
 
 They were quite a lot of gO(xl-lo(^king youngsters, and 
 Rue thought they promised well as playfellows, so he put 
 
IT2 
 
 DIFFICULl^ PLAYMATES. 
 
 forth his most gracious manner, and made vigorous efforts 
 to explain to tliem tliat he liad come over to be their friend, 
 and wanted tliem to feel at tlieir case witli liim. 
 
 He was such a handsome boy, and had sucli a winuiii;;- 
 way, that altliougli lie could use only a few phrases of tlu-ir 
 lan<;-na<;"e, he quickly won the confidence of the youn;;' 
 savages, and ere long they crowded round him to examine 
 his clothing, and admire tlie hunting-knife and pistol lie 
 wore in his belt. 
 
 They had bright, intelligent faces, and seemed (piite well- 
 behaved and kindly disposed, so that Rao soon felt at home 
 amongst them, and spent the whole morning in thuir 
 company. 
 
 On his return to the fort at dinner time, he reported to 
 his father how well he had got on, and then gave Mr. Fiii- 
 layson an idea that had not occurred to him before. It was 
 of the first importance that as friendly relations as possible 
 should exist between the fort and the encampment. Now 
 what was there to prevent Rac being the connecting link to 
 unite the two together ? He could go freely to the cneaiiip- 
 ment, and from time to time invite the Indian l)oys to come 
 over to the fort for a little feast or somethinix of that kind. 
 In tliis way the hearts of their parents would be won, and 
 a neighbourl}^ feeling established that could not fail to be 
 mutually beneficial. 
 
 " I'm very glad you've been over there," said he, wdien ho 
 had thought this all out. "I was a little doubtful about 
 your going, I confess, although 1 didn't say so, but now I 
 believe you couldn't have done a better thing. I api)oint 
 
DIFFICULT PLAYMATES. 
 
 113 
 
 
 yuii my aiultassador to the Son^liies, and yoii must make as 
 many fiiends amono- them as you can. It will Ije a ^'ood 
 tiling- all round." 
 
 JIae did not understand precisely what it meant to Itc an 
 ambassador, huu he grasped clearly cnouf^h the idea that he 
 was to act as liis father's re'n'esentative, and this tickled 
 him innnensely. A little while afterwards he came to his 
 father with a request that made the factor burst out 
 laii^bing. 
 
 '• Father," said he, with a blush that betrayed his con- 
 sciousness of what he was about to ask being likely to 
 expose him to some ridicule, " if I'm going to be what yow 
 call your ambassador to the Indians, oughtn't I to wear a 
 uniform ? " 
 
 ^\'lu'n Mr, Finlayson had done laughing, he told Rae to 
 stand up straight in front of him, and looking him over with 
 a critical eye, as though he were taking his measure, he said, 
 still smiling, — 
 
 "A uniform, Rae; what kind of a uniform would you 
 like ? Ked coat, blue trousers, gold lace, and cocked hat 
 with feathers ? " 
 
 Rae looked down to the ground, and the blush deepened 
 on his cheek as he replied in a tone that had a hint of 
 petulance in it, — 
 
 ''No, father, you know well enough 1 didn't mean all 
 that; but I do think I might have some kind of a uniform. 
 The Indian boys would think all the more of me." 
 
 Seeing how much in earnest his son w^as, Mr. Finlayson 
 stopped his bantering, and said (piite seriously, — 
 
114 
 
 DIFFICULT PLAYMATES. 
 
 " Yoii'ro not far wrong, my boy, and I'll see if we can't 
 fix up something for you." 
 
 At this Rao's face became radiant. ' father, will 3'ou?" 
 he exclaimed eagerly. " What a dear good father you are ! 
 and will you see about it right away ? " 
 
 " Why, yes," responded the factor ; " I'll have a talk with 
 Tailor Jim aboiit it." 
 
 " Tailor Jim " was a member of the garrison who had 
 learned the trade of tailorin*]!; before his adventurous, rovin"- 
 spirit caused him to throw aside the goose and shears for 
 the gun and hunting-knife, and after drifting about tlie 
 west coast he had finally found his way into the employ 
 of the Hudson Bay Company, whore his knowledge of the 
 needle rendered him a most useful acquisition to any of the 
 establisliments. 
 
 Without loss of time Tailor Jim was consulted. He 
 entered heartily into the spirit of the thing, and after the 
 matter had been discussed at some lenii'th, it was settled 
 that out of the cloth in the stores he should make Rae a red 
 tunic, and blue trousers with a red stripe, which, with a blue 
 cap and a white belt, certainly could not fail to give him a 
 thoroughly martial appearance. 
 
 In fact, when the uniform was completed, and Rae, feel- 
 ing as proud as a peacock with a perfect tail, strutted np 
 and down the centre of the enclosure in order that all the 
 garrison might admire his fine feathers, the military idea at 
 once entered his mind and took complete possession of it. 
 
 " father," said he, his face glowing with excitement, 
 'I'm going to be a soldier, and I'll get up a regiment 
 
DIFFICULT FLAYMA2ES, 
 
 "S 
 
 among the IiKliau boys, and I'll drill tlicni. Won't that 
 he fine ? " 
 
 3Ir. Finlayson smiled indulgently. 
 
 'A line notion no doubt, my boy, but you'll have a hard 
 jnb to carry it out. Those liarum-scarum brats \\'\\\ never 
 do what you tell them. You're welcome to tr^-, of course — 
 it'll lo no harm ; but you mustn't be disappointed if you 
 can't make anything of it." 
 
 '• Oh, never fear," replied Rae confidently; "I'll manngc 
 tlitnn all right. 1 know how to do it." 
 
 The factor shook his head doubtingly. " You're young, 
 my son, you're young, and things seem easier now than they 
 will when you're twice your age. But never mind; the best 
 way to learn is by trying, and you'll have the experience 
 thouLi-li you o'i^in nothinii' else." 
 
 Full of energy for his new scheme, Rae had the carpenter 
 make him half-a-dozen wooden swords and a score of wooden 
 muskets. For himself, as connnander of the force, he secured 
 a small cutlass that happened to be in the armoury of the 
 fort, and with this hung at his belt he felt quite eipial to 
 anvtliini:'. His knowlediiv of drilliuL-' was very slight, but 
 he had some idea of marching in step and so forth. This, 
 liowe . er, did not trouble him. What he lacked in knowledge 
 lie made up in enthusiasm, and he ^A'as determined to have a 
 good time anyway. 
 
 But when he came to put his brilliant idea into execu- 
 tion, he found the goiu''- fiU' from beiniz- as smooth as he had 
 fondly hoped. 
 
 In the first place, the young Indians seemed to think it 
 
ii6 
 
 DTFPICUT/r PLAYMATES 
 
 was some kind ot* hidden desio-n to entrap tlicm into tlio 
 Ijonda^G of the company, and it took a lot of cuaxing and a 
 good many presents of sugar lumps and brass buttons, for 
 which au Indian boy will venture almost anything, to over- 
 come this objection. 
 
 Then, in the second place, the Indians' keen sense uf 
 humour made them fully alive to the ridiculous side of the 
 matter. They certainly did look about as much unlike what 
 they purported to be as it is possible to imagine, and the 
 ludicrousness of their appearance was not lost upon tliein. 
 Now above all thinu's an Indian cannot endure beini; laui-hei] 
 at, so that liae had no easy task to convince them that it 
 wasn't all a big joke, but was really a very interesting play. 
 And iinally, when at last he did succeed after infinite trouble 
 in getting some twenty of the boys into line, they ditlered 
 so astonishingly in their conception of what he wanted them 
 to do that it would certainly have sorely tried the staidest 
 of Quakers' control over both his temper and his laughter to 
 see them perform. 
 
 They twisted and turned, and tripped over one another's 
 toes, and jaunned their wooden muskets into each other's 
 backs, and threatened one another's eyes with the points of 
 their wooden swords. In fact, moved in part by bewikler- 
 ment and in part by miscuief, they made confusion worse 
 confounded, until at last in sheer despair Rae threw hiiiiself 
 on the ground, hardly knowing whether to laugh or to cry. 
 
 " Oh dear," lie groaned, " they'll never learn to be soldiers, 
 and we might have such good times if they only would."' 
 
 Seeing his evident concern, the Indian boys crowiled 
 
DIFFICULr PLAYMATES. 
 
 1 1 
 
 round liiin. loukin;i* as contrite as tliev knew liow, and after 
 some expo.stulation witli them, llao felt encoura^^cd to make 
 another essay. This time they certainly did better, altlioui^h 
 thrir attemi)t to '* fonn fours" would have sent an ordinary 
 (hill-ser;;'eant into convulsions of cither wrath or lau«;hter, 
 according- to the way he took it. 
 
 "All! now that's a o'ood deal better," said Tlae, with a 
 pleased smile. " You'll learn it all right in a little while, if 
 viv.i'll oid\' stiek at it," 
 
 But it was just there the chief dilTicultv lav. They did 
 not want to stiek at it. Their volatile natures soon wearied 
 of till' new amusement, and Rae f<jund his rciriment fast 
 falling- to pieces for lack of interest. 
 
 In the emergency a new idea came to him. Instead of 
 trying to drill the boys into a regular regiment, as had been 
 his lirst plan, he divided them into two bands, and giving 
 the Icail of one division to the son of Tsilalthach, the Songhies' 
 chief, he took the command of the other himself. 
 
 llis scheme was to have some of that mimic warfare 
 which is so dear to the heart of every boy ; and now lie found 
 Ills savage playmates as full of interest as he could wish. 
 To phi}' at fighting was quite according to their taste, and a 
 plan of campaign was speedily settled upon. 
 
 Not far from the rear of the camp rose a little hill, whoso 
 sti'cp sides were almost bare of trees and shrubbery, while 
 tlie top was levelled off as thoui!-^!! by hand. It suited Rae's 
 purpose admirably. They would play defending the citadel, 
 taking turns in being garrison and assailants. 
 
 VNishing to be nuignanimous at the start, Rae gave Tasga, 
 
ITS 
 
 Dll'I'ICUf/r PLAYMATES. 
 
 the cliii'ftaiii's son, tlic first defence of the liill, wliile he 
 undertook the attack. As it was easier to defend tlian to 
 attack, Rae thouirht it onlv I'air tliat lie should have tlie 
 majority of the boys on his side, so it was a;;-reed that there 
 should he eleven in his })arty to only nine of their o[){)onent.s. 
 
 The itreliminaries heiuij,' thus satisfact(jril v arrani-ed, tlio 
 pr()C(;e<linLi;s opened by 'J'asL^a and his hand takini^ up their 
 position on the sumniit of the hill, where they awaited the 
 onset of Ilae and his supporters. 
 
 Creepin<4' cautiously up the slope, the latter had almost 
 reached the sunnnit before the others made anv si-ni of 
 resistance. Tiien suddeidy they spi-ang upon their oppo- 
 nents, and haviiiL;- been well instructed by Taso-n, who had 
 the niakinii's of a famous war-chief in him, seized th.em by 
 the elbows, turned them round, and sent them tumbliiiu,- 
 down the hill before they had time to recover from the 
 unexpected inL;'enuity of the onset. 
 
 Kae went with the rest. He had not been looking for 
 this kind of a reception, and was as much caught ofl' guard 
 as they were ; but when he had picked himself up after his 
 undignilled descent, he vowed he would make a better 
 showing the next attempt. 
 
 Accordiu^'ly, altliou^-h aecordinii' to tlie understandinL-' at 
 the start he and Tasga should have changed [)laces, he 
 shouted to him to stay where he was, as he would try again 
 to dislodu'c him. This suited the buddino- chieftain all right, 
 and Rae proceede(l to harangue his little band in vigorous 
 style after the manner of counnanders upon the eve of battle. 
 
 " We must get them down out of tluit this time," he said. 
 
DltflCi 'L T rr.A ] \ V. 1 7'ES. 
 
 119 
 
 , .! 
 
 '110 iiiattcT wliat it costs. They ,i;-<)t tlu; start of us last 
 tiuu', l)iit tluy Nvuii't do it anaiii. 1 know a trii-k that is 
 worth two ot" tlioirs." And tluju he hastened to exphiiii to 
 theiii what lie meant. 
 
 Ili^ hi»ys heartily approved of his plan, te>tif}'iv.;^- their 
 tuthiisiasni hy wild whoops pro}»hetic of victory; and when 
 hf flit that he had worked them up to the ri^'ht J)itch, lie 
 ltd them forth to a second essa}'. 
 
 This time Tas;j;a and his force came part of the way down 
 to meet them, the ease with which the first overthrow was 
 accomplished having made them over-conhdent. Kae re- 
 joiced at this, for it rendered more certain the success of his 
 plan oi' campaign. 
 
 With every facidiy attent, and every nerve and muscle 
 n.a<lv for instant action, the two hands of hovs drew near to 
 eicli other. When tlny^ were almost within touching dis- 
 tance there was a pause. Tasga's boys knew well enough 
 they cotUd not repeat the manieuvre wdiicli had proved so 
 biilliaut a success before, wdiile llae's boys were waiting the 
 signal to do what had been enjoined upon them. 
 
 This came in the single word " Now," which Kae sud- 
 denly shouted, at the same moment throwing himself for- 
 ward as thouo'h to bow at Taso-a's feet. Ihit instead of 
 making obeisance to him, he grasped him by the aidvles, 
 anil putting all his strength into one mighty effort, threw 
 iiim over his back in such a way that he landed licad first 
 behind him. 
 
 The same stratagem being successfully carried out by 
 liis supporters, the result was that almost in the twiidvling 
 
 (trsi 
 
 8 
 
120 
 
 DIFFTCVLT PLAY}rATE^. 
 
 of an eye the positions of tlio two pnrtios •wore complcttlv 
 reversed, liae's occupying;- the crest of tlie hill, Avliile Tas-rji's 
 were on tln^ slope below tlu'iii. 
 
 Now wlien llae liad been routed lie took liis disconilituro 
 quite o-ood-humouredly. .and tlie same spirit was shown h\- 
 his companions; but on 'Pa^^-a tlie clever ovoi'throw ha^l an 
 entirely dillerent olFect. For a moment he lay still as if 
 stunned, an(l liae, who had lK';j;un to cIkmi- triumphantly, 
 cheekcil himself throut-'h fear that Tasj>-a had been hurt. 
 
 The next instant, however, he was ei'uelly undeceive'l, 
 for th(! wilv Tiulian, whose savai-'e teiiii)er had been ar()U>r(l, 
 leaped to his fcH't and hurled himselt' at Rac with the 
 li;j;htning'dike spring- of a wild cat. 
 
 Nor was his rapidity of action the only point rif rosem- 
 blance. Not content with gripping* Ptae around the waist, 
 as thouo-h he would fain break his back, he sank his wliito 
 teeth deep into his left shoulder, causing him to shriek witli 
 pain and alarm. 
 
 The extreme suddenness and startlinu- fen-ocitv of Taso-a"s 
 attack almost paralyzed the white boy for an instant, l-iit 
 it was only for an instant. He had a temper as well as 
 Tasf^a, and it at once rose to blood heat. 
 
 "You young brute!" he cried, "will you dare to bite 
 mo that way ?" And taking a fresh grip of the Indian he 
 bore upon him with all his strength, forcing him steadily 
 backward, until by a clever clip of the heel he knocked his 
 left foot from under him, and so threw him violently back- 
 ward, falling with him to the ground. 
 
 In the fall Tasira's teeth were shaken from their vicious 
 
DirrrcuLT playmates. 
 
 I 2 I 
 
 as 
 
 iiite 
 lio 
 
 llily 
 his 
 
 lioM, M\(\ before lie coull close them a^'.iiii in the same way 
 Iwic, whoso wrath was now fully aroused, ha'.l both hands at 
 his throat. 
 
 l''p to this time Tas^a's supporters had looked on in 
 .•iiiiaz^'inent at the turn allairs had taken, hut when they 
 saw the pli^^ht of their leader they were moved to action. 
 ( iiviu^' v<iit to fierce cries, they f;'athered round the stru<^- 
 oliui;' pair with looks that boded ill for Kae. They knew 
 little of and cared less for ti • principle of Ih-itish fail- play, 
 ami ^•(jod-humoured as their sport had been up to the 
 mninent of their leader losini;- his temper, they were quite 
 ready to turn it into a savage tight without any n-gard to 
 the immense disparity of odds, for Rae could hardly count 
 upDU nnich assistance from the Indian boys who had made 
 up his party. 
 
 ous 
 
CHAPTER YIII. 
 
 AFLOAT A G A I X. 
 
 RAE way decidedly getting tlie Letter of tlie -struggle 
 with Tasga, and would soon have had hiui at his 
 mercy, when several of the hitter's companions tlung them- 
 selves into the struggle, and tore the two combatants p'lart, 
 not indeed with the idea of putting an end to the contest 
 of stren^i'th, but rather of j^'iving Tasga an unfair advantage 
 by lending him their aid. 
 
 It was at this juncture, and just when Ilae's position 
 was positixely critical — for the Indians were in the mood for 
 any kind of mischief — that most timely and welcome relief 
 came from an unexpected quarter. • 
 
 It seemed that Tasga's mother, the chief's favourite wife, 
 ana some of the other women of the camp had been unob- 
 served spectators of the game of defending the citadel which 
 Ilae had introduced, an<l thoy had thought it very good 
 sport indeed up to this point. But now their (juick instinct 
 told them that the fun was champed to earnest, and that thov 
 had better interfere, so, shouting shrill commands addressed 
 to their respective sons, they hurried up the hill to where 
 the ring of excitcl boys had closed ominously around Kae. 
 
 >i 
 
AFLOAT AGAIN. 
 
 licli 
 
 |)Oil 
 
 net 
 lioy 
 
 leve 
 
 Tliey did not stop to in(|nire into tlie merits of tlio 
 matter. They simply laid hands upon the boys, and pidled 
 them away, until at last Rae was left standing alone, a trifle 
 dazed and out of brcatli, but as full of spirit as ever, while 
 
 Tas<'-a, strui^^irlin'j' vain 
 
 ilv to 
 
 f 
 
 escape irom his 
 
 h 
 
 m 
 
 otl 
 
 lers smew 
 
 y 
 
 frasp, glared at him with the eyes of an enraged panther. 
 
 Now llae's perceptions were as keen as could be at all 
 expected in a boy of his age, and lie did not need to look 
 around twice to take in the fact that the more quickly ho 
 made himself scarce in that particular locality the greater 
 practical wisdom he would show. 
 
 It might seem more dignified to stand his ground, and 
 demand an explanation uf Tasga's inexcusable outljreak, but 
 it certainly was not expedient; so relieving his mind by 
 calling out jauntily, " Well, good-bye till you learn how to 
 behave better," he dived through the circle of boys and 
 women, and making no pretence to stand upon the order 
 of his going, set otl' at full speed for the beach, and, launch- 
 ing his canoe, had got a hundred yards out into the bay 
 hffore the Indian boys could break away from the women's 
 hands to follow him. 
 
 Mr. Finlayson enjoyed a hearty laugh at Kae's vivacious 
 recital of his exciting experience, even though lie regretted 
 the turn atlliirs had taken. 
 
 '■ It's too bad, Rae, these young rascals didn't Ijchave 
 better. I was hoping j'ou'd be able to make friends with 
 them. Ihit they're all a bad lot, I'm afraid, and we'll just 
 have to give up the idea of trying to be sociable. They're 
 Hut to be trusted, any of them, old or young, and I'm glad 
 
124 
 
 AFLOAT AGAIN 
 
 we've found it out before they liad the chance to do us any 
 harm. You'll have to stick pretty close by the fort after 
 this, and not go out of sight uidess you are with the men." 
 
 llae could not dispute the propriety of this injunction, and 
 yet it certaiidy was hard for an active, enterprising boy like 
 himself to be confined to the enclosure of the fort, unk'S.s 
 some of the men lia})pened to be going into the woods or 
 out upon the bay. Of course they did this nearly every 
 day, and were always glad of his company. 
 
 But even then llae often found the time hang heavy 
 upon his hands, and accordingly Avhcn one of the company's 
 schooners came up from Fort Vancouver with some supplies 
 for Fort Camosun, and he learned that she was to continue 
 lier voyage as far as Fort Simpson, the thought at once 
 came into his mind of going with her. 
 
 At iirst i\Ir. Finlayson strongly objected. He was not 
 only very loath to part with llae — for the boy was the very 
 apple of his eye — but he did not altogether think it a safe 
 expedition. The schooner, to Ije sure, could follow the 
 iimer course, and not go out into the ocean. Still there were 
 dangers even in these land-locked straits and inlets ; and, 
 moreover, llae was undoubtedly inclined to be rash, ho\Y- 
 ever seriously he might purpose to be cautious. 
 
 Yet Rae pressed his petition so Avarndy, supporting it 
 with such promises of being careful, and the captain of the 
 Plover seemed so willing to take the boj', that in the end 
 Mr. Finlayson's resolution weakened, and he gave a mani- 
 festly reluctant consent. 
 
 * It's foolish, of course, for me to pay attention to it,"' he 
 
AFLOAT AGAIN. 
 
 said, " but somehow or other I've the feeling that you'd 
 bctUT not ,!^-(), Kae." 
 
 '• Well, I'atlier/' responded H;ie, making a heroic eflort to 
 compose himselt", '" if you really don't want me to go, I won't 
 ii-lc you any more. Uut'' — and here there came into his 
 countenance a pathetic look that somehow brought out with 
 special emphasis his resemblance to his dead mother — "you 
 kuow there's not much fun for me here, and I do so love to 
 lie at sea." 
 
 It was now the father's turn to be lieroic. Laying a 
 lirm band upon his own feelings, he let a pleasant smile take 
 tlie place of the grave look his face had worn, and giving 
 iuie a little push, from him, said in a jocular tone, — 
 
 "Oh! all right then, have your own way. You don't 
 want to be tied to your father's coat-tails, that's plain 
 enough, and I suppose it's no more than natural. You 
 didn't get your fondness for the water fiom me, that's 
 certain. I'm (piite content with dry land, and you make 
 nie feel a good deal like the old hen that hatched a 
 duel-; ling." 
 
 In high o'lee at havino' oained his father's consent, llae, 
 al'ter thanking him warndy, rushed oil" to tell Captain 
 Ihuisoii, and to make arrangements for the trip. 
 
 The Plover had a neat little cal»in in Mliich there was a 
 spare berth that Rao could have, and the boy found huge 
 dcli;iht in <:'('ttiuL!" his various belonL''ini''s aboai'<l, and stow- 
 ini,' them awav in the lockers beneath his berth. 
 
 He had only one day in which to do this, s(j that tho 
 l;ours were full of bustle; but, thanks to his father's 
 
126 
 
 AFLOAT AGAIN. 
 
 afreetionate care, notliinn- was oniittod tliat lie could possibly 
 need. Indeed, no lad ever went upon a similar expedition 
 more completely equipped. Leside a chest full of clothing, 
 lie liad another containini;- amnuniition, medicines, trinkets 
 for barter with the sava^'es, knives, hatchets, pistols, and 
 some carefully-packed dainties to vary the monotony of the 
 fare on shi[)board. Thus with his fine riile and handsome 
 ]unitin<j;- knife he lacked positively nothing', nnd it was 
 Avith no small dei^rec of pride that he exhibited his outfit 
 to Captain ITanson, who showed himself duly impressed 
 thereby. 
 
 The Floirr sailed on a beautiful mornino- in late sininu', 
 and the last that Rae saw of the fort as the vessel rounded 
 the point, was his father standing upon the southern bastion 
 waving his hat in farewell. Little did the boy imagine how- 
 many days would pass, and what strange adventures he 
 would have, ere his eyes once more fell upon that famili;ir 
 figure. Happily for him the future seemed as bright as the 
 day itself, and he took no anxious thought for the morrow. 
 
 (iliding out into the broad Strait of Juan do Fuca, the 
 Plover cauti'ht in her white sails the full strenp'th of the 
 breeze blowing in from the Pacilic, and thrashed merrily 
 through the white caps that flecked the blue brine, line 
 roniped about the deck in great spirits. He had nothing to 
 fear from sickness this time, and the more the trim little 
 vessel heeled over at the Viidding of the breeze the better it 
 suited him, even though ho had to hold on tight bv the 
 main shrouds to save himself from rolling ignominiously 
 into the lee-scuppers. 
 
AFLOAT AGAIN. 
 
 12' 
 
 If lie had known tliat fanions old f^onu', — 
 
 A \vct slici't and a fl 
 
 owiusr sea, 
 
 
 A \\ ind that fcillows fast, 
 And lills the wliiti' and rustling sail, 
 And bends the gaUant mast," 
 
 lie certainly would liave been sinn'ing- it with the full force 
 of his lung's ; Ijut, lacking this knowledge, he had to content 
 liimsL'lf with successive exclamations of delight as the 
 schooner ploughed her way swiftly noi'thward, steering for 
 the Western shore of San Juan Island. 
 
 iler course lay close to that island and through TTaro 
 Strait, and the strong fresh westerly hreeze Leing all that 
 could he desired, making but little tacking necessary, Captain 
 H.'uison at the tiller did not re(|uire to give his mIujIo 
 attention to it, and was ready to answer the questions Ivae 
 showered upon him, and to tell what he knew of tlie dif- 
 ferent places coming into view. 
 
 " ])o we stop anywhere on the way to Fort Simpson ? " 
 lie asked, wondering if the country on either side of the 
 strait had other inhabitants than wild animals, and perhaps 
 a few Indians. 
 
 "Why, yes," replied the captain; "we'll put in at 
 Xanaiiiio for a couple of days, an<l we must call at Port 
 Iviipert. Why do you ask, ]\ae ? Do you think you'll be 
 gi'tting tired of the schooner ? " 
 
 " (^h, no," responded Eae, " not that at all ; but you see 
 I'vi' a lot of ti'inkets and thinc:s to buv furs with if I get 
 a chance, and I'm glad you do stop somewhere, for I suppose 
 tlioro'll lie some Indians around, and I can do a little trade 
 on luv own account." 
 
 --»•*— 
 
I2S 
 
 AFLOAT AGAIN. 
 
 "Just listen to llie lad!" Lauglied the captain. "Wliv. 
 you don't look old enough to be done playing, and yet lien.' 
 you are planning how to make your fortune at trading.. 
 You evidently believe in begliniing young, Kae." 
 
 " I do that," returned Eae promptly. " I want to make 
 my ^Yay in the world, and the sooner I begin the better. 
 I don't want my father to be doing everything fur iik\ 
 althouii'h ' — and here he ijave a lauu'h that was half a sio-h at 
 the thought of his father left lonely at the fort — "I am sure 
 he'd rather do it than have mo go away from him ; but a 
 fellow must strike out for Inmself some time, mustn't lie, 
 captain ? " and he turned an appealing look upon the master 
 of the schooner, being anxious that he should justify liis 
 course of action in coming away. 
 
 " To be sure, to be sure." asserted the mariner as cordially 
 as llae could desire. " Not that I blame your father at all, 
 you know," he liastened to add. " If I had a bov like von, ' 
 and he gave Rae a glance of fraidv approval, " I'd see it his 
 way, no doubt. Now there's poor little Freckles there, if liis 
 father had lived to give him a fair start he'd perhaps have 
 come to something ; but you see he died when Freckles was 
 nothing but a baby, and the mother soon followed him, aii'l 
 the little fellow ' ;^s knocked about there at Vancouver, the 
 Indians •, u li;^ • ^ be kinder to him than the M'hitc folks 
 most of I. 'J ;';)^' f-i'il he came to be not nuich better than 
 a half-brced cub, uiL..ough there's not a drop of Indian bluod 
 in his veins." 
 
 " Poor Freckles ! " said Puie in a tone of deep sympathy : 
 "is that what makes him so queer? I didn't like him a bit 
 
 Til 
 
 ^W^^s^^ 
 
AFLOAT AGAIN. 
 
 129 
 
 until now, but I feel so sorry for liim I'm just going to be 
 fi'iencls witli liini." 
 
 "Co aliead by all means, my boy," salil the captain. 
 "Tluj poor lad seems frightened of me, although 1 haven't 
 meant to be hard on him, and I just took him on board to 
 get him away from the fort, they were all so down on him 
 there." 
 
 Freckles was a boy aljout Rae's own ago that filled the 
 same position on board the schooner that the little servant 
 girl does in a London boarding-house. Ho was cabin boy, 
 cook's help, and sailor's drndge combined. 
 
 However pathetic his history, his personal appearance 
 was anything but attractive ; indeed it would not be easy 
 to picture a boy more lacking in elements of interest. He 
 was lanky and loose-strung of iigure. His features seemed 
 iiiou1<1(m1 each after a different pattern, his nose being as long 
 and as thick as his lips were contracted and thin, while his 
 eves were out of harmon}' with both. His otherwise colour- 
 less complexion was thickly dotted over with freckles of 
 plnnomenal size and depth of tint, hence the nickname 
 Avhich had practically supplanted liis proper designation. 
 As for his expression, lie always seemed to be suggesting, if 
 not actually saying, " You may kick me if yon want to, but 
 I'K'ase don't!" 
 
 Vet, Freckles, whose right name by the way was Kory 
 M('alhun, had honest Scotch l)lood in his veins, and it was 
 only the hardships of his lot working upon a naturally shy, 
 sensitive nature which had made him what lie was. But 
 little kindness had he ever known, though more than his 
 
130 
 
 AFLOAT AGAIN. 
 
 share ol -.uHs lia<l fallen to liiiii, and lie presented a startlino- 
 contrast to llac, \vlio bad always lived in an atniospliere of 
 love and prosperity. 
 
 The idea of cultivatini^^ Frcckles's acquaintance in order 
 to be kind to him having entered Eae's mind, it was not his 
 way to tarry loni:^ aljout putting it into execution, and so, as 
 soon as he saw the boy alone, leaning over the bulwark in 
 a disconsolate fashion watchin2j the waves dashing auainst 
 +^^0 scliooner's side, he went up to him, saying cheerily, — 
 
 " She's going fine, isn't she, Freckles ? ])on't you love 
 sailing along like this ? " 
 
 Tliere was such unmistakalile good-fellowship in the tone 
 no less than in the words themselves that Freckles fairly 
 gasped with astonishment. He had not been addressed in 
 that fashion for many a day, and there were tears in his 
 pale blue eyes as lie turned them upon llac. 
 
 "Yes, sir," ho murmured almost inaudibly, "the Phu'ev 
 is a good sailer, and ( aptain J bauson knows how to make 
 her go her best." 
 
 Rae laughed merrily at the first part of Freckles's 
 response. 
 
 "Look here,"' he said e'ood-humouredlv, "you mustn't 
 say 'sir' to me. Freckles. Fm no older than you are, nnd 
 
 • ' sirs' for tlie 
 
 I'm not y 
 
 lastc 
 
 nywny 
 
 -P T 
 
 cnptain, and just call me Eae. Do you understand ? " 
 
 "Yes, sir — Rae, I mean," stammered Freckles, who still, 
 it was clear, felt ill at ease, despite Eae's anxiety for him to 
 come upon an even footing with himself. 
 
 c'ouph 
 
 Tl 
 
 lere vou < 
 
 ro au'ain, Freckles," lauii-hed Rae. "You're 
 
AFLOAT Jl;J/.V 
 
 13' 
 
 pcitVc'tly ridiculous, and you must get over it ri»^lit away if 
 
 voii wai 
 
 it to be tVicuds. 
 
 '['lure was souR'tliin^' so sincere an<l frank in "Rae's ad- 
 vances that even timid, duubtino- Freckles ljeL;iin to feel his 
 licart expand in response to them, and there came a new 
 li'dit into his eve and an unaccustomed Hush to his clieek 
 as he said shviv, — 
 
 "I'd like to ])e friends ^vith you if you'll let me. I've 
 Ht'ver had a friend. ]']verybud3''s been hard on me except 
 Captain lin'"" on," 
 
 " Of CO' i I'll let you, Freckles," responded Rae heartily ; 
 ■■ that's Just what I've been trying to i;'et into your head. 
 
 Y 
 
 uu see 
 
 I'm o'oini!' to be on board the iV 
 
 orer 
 
 for tl 
 
 le next 
 
 couple of months, and we can have <:;ood times toi^-ethei-, 
 call t we r 
 
 Freckles's reply was a nod of unusual vi(;"our for him, 
 and he was just about to say somethini^, when a sharp call 
 
 if '■ Freckles, Freckles ! wdiere are v 
 
 ou, you 
 
 lubl 
 
 ler 
 
 f 
 
 rom 
 
 the li'allev made him start as if he had been struck, and 
 he scuttled off to obty the cook's beliests, wdiatever they 
 lni^'ht be. 
 
 "Poor Freckles I" soliloquized Pvae, following- the sliam- 
 
 e s 
 
 had a hard 
 
 blino; fio-ure with a look of sympathy. "II 
 
 time of it, that's certain ; but I'll do what I can to make 
 
 tl 
 
 un^s ("asier 
 
 for 1 
 
 nm. 
 
 All that day the Plover kept steadily on throuo-h the 
 beautiful straits that divided the islands which made a 
 rei,nilar archipelaf^^o of the sea intervenine- between Van- 
 couver Island and the mainland. A more enchantiuij: sail 
 
132 
 
 AFL0A2' AGAIX. 
 
 couM hardly 1)C iina<4'ine<l. Tlio breeze was steady and 
 stroi);^'; tlie sun sliono witli unclouded laillianey ; the shores 
 on either han<l were clothed to the very water's ed;;v with 
 the richest verdure ; the white and L!;ray <;'ulls fluate<l liii;h 
 in the air in great circles, or swam gracefully upon the 
 wave-tops; but no sio*n of human habitation could be dis- 
 cerned. The speedy schooner seemed to be voyaf;ing into 
 an earthly paradise whose utter loneliness required some 
 explanation; for what fairer spot could men wish to 
 inhabit ? 
 
 This was the inquiry which rose in llae's mind after ho 
 had been a long time scanning the landscape in the hope of 
 detecting some sign of the presence of man, and he went to 
 Captain Ifanson with it. 
 
 "Do any people live on the land there ?" answered the 
 captain ; " well, not many, I shouhl say — leastwise, I've never 
 seen them. But then I've only Iteen through here a cou})le 
 of times before, and I've never landed except at Nanaimo." 
 
 " I'm sure it nuist be a fine country for Indians," saiil 
 Rao, "and I wonder you haven't landed to see if there 
 weren't some of them about." 
 
 The captain turned round so as to look straight into 
 Rao's face. 
 
 "You sly fellow ! don't I know what you're driving at! 
 You want me to put in at some likel}' place on the chance 
 of finding Indians for you to work off some of your trinkets. 
 Isn't that it ? " 
 
 Rae blushed as he nodded assent, adding, — 
 
 " \Vell, that's all right, captain, isn't it ? I want very 
 
 » 
 
 t 
 
AFLOAT AGAIN 
 
 
 niucli t(j lirliig lioiiK? sonic fjjood skins to niaki^ a present to 
 ftitlK'i' for bcini,' so good as to let nie j^^o witli you." 
 
 " Ili_i;ht enoni,^li, my V)oy," rcsponiled the captain; "an<l 
 rd lie ulai.l enough to ohlige you if I could only spare the 
 time, hut I've got to push on as fast as I can, for they'll be 
 waiting for nie at Fort Simpson." 
 
 That Captain Hanson was sincere in his reason for not 
 delaying was evident from the way ho seized every oppor- 
 tunity to get all the speed he could out of the Plovei', and 
 the sturdy little schooner fairly tore through the Avater 
 iiii(U'r tlie pressure of a full cloud of canvas. 
 
 Skiitino: the eastern shore of Galliano and Gahriola 
 islands, there lay on their right the glorious Gulf of Georgia, 
 whose waters in the day-time were the playground of schools 
 dt" hlaek whales that adbrded Kac, constant amusement l>y 
 tlirir antics, and at night glowed with lirilliaut phosphor- 
 escence beyond tlic power of words to describe. 
 
 Xanaimo was reached in good time, and Rae had leave 
 tVoiu Captain Hanson to spend the whole day ashore, as the 
 schooner would not start airtiin initil the following morning. 
 
 He at once asked that Freckles be allowed to accompany 
 liiin ; and his request being granted, he proceeded to fit out 
 the delighted boy for hunting, as ho intended to get somo- 
 'lody from the fort to act as cifuide and take him into the 
 
 forest. 
 
 Finding that Freckles knew nothincj about the use of a 
 ville, he gavo him a pistol with instructions not to fire it 
 unless he was very near what he wanted to shoot, and also 
 <i liatchet and huntinu-knife to hann; in his belt. 
 
 * I 
 
T34 
 
 ir/.OAT j(;j//v. 
 
 'J'luis equipped, ami witli a whole day's respite from 
 work before liiiii, Freckles l)ecaine almost radiant. He luiil 
 never l)et'ore in his life felt so elated. Kae's chainpionship 
 and society were already bei^-inning to work a change in him 
 for the better. 
 
 At the fort Uae hail no ditliculty in seciirini;' the services 
 of a half-breed as i^uide, and then set forth into the forest 
 sanLiiiine of returnini;' with a cjood bai,^ 
 
 The half-breed knew the country round about thor- 
 ou<^hly well, and Rae having promised him a silver half- 
 (k)lhir if they had a good day's sliootijig, ho was determined 
 to earn the reward. 
 
 It was not long before they came upon grouse in plenty, 
 and Ivae used his riile with such good ellect that presently 
 as many birds were secured as they cared to carry. Freckles, 
 stimulated by his companion's example, tried his luck witli 
 the pistol, and, as much to his surprise as delight, actually 
 succeeded in wiiminii' a youiiix bird, that, after an excitimj- 
 chase, he was able to finish with a blow from a stick 
 
 Thus they journeyed on, enjoying themselves tlioroughl}", 
 and o-ettino- deeper into tlic forest, until by noon Kae thouLfht 
 they ]vdd gone far enough. So they halted for lunch beside 
 a small stream of cool, clear water, it being decided to re- 
 trace their steps as soon as they had eaten and rested. 
 
 The half-breed bore a capacious knapsack well filled with 
 biscuits and cold meat, and the three were having a good 
 time disposing of them in the shade of a big tree, when a 
 strange, wild scream rang through the forest that sent a 
 thrill throuirh their hearts, and caused the half-breed dogs. 
 
 as th 
 aii'l 
 
 was 
 liiin. 
 to se( 
 whusd 
 
AFLOAT AGAIN. 
 
 ^Ih 
 
 two ui:,']}' curs of the kiu'l always scon al»ont an Tixliaii 
 villaL;e, to set up a furious harkin;^'. 
 
 "A panther I" cxclanne<l tlie hall'-hreod iniih-r liis breath, 
 as tliough afraid of tlie animal hcariiiL;- liini. " lie's seen us, 
 nii'l he's ang-ry." 
 
 At the mention of the word "panther," Rae's first feeling 
 was one of alarm, and the impulse to fly came strongly over 
 liim. Dut for very shame's sake he resisted it, and striving 
 to seem quite unconcerned, asked the half-breed in a voice 
 whose steadiness surprised himself, — 
 
 " Do you see him ? Is he near us ? " 
 
 The half-breed, gazing intently in the direction whence 
 the cry had come, was silent for a few minutes; and then, 
 pointing to where the shade was deepest, he wdiispered, — 
 
 " There he is ! see his eyes ! " 
 
 Rao bent his eyes thither, and after a moment caught 
 the gleam of the creature's lliiy orbs, as, crouching upon the 
 lower limb of a huge birch, it seemed ready to spring to the 
 attack on the slightest provocation. 
 
 Freckles at the lirst alarm had taken up his position 
 Uliind Tlae, his right hand holding the pistol tremblingly, 
 while his left fumbled with the hatchet that hung in hia 
 lielt. He was thoroughly frightened, but preferred staying 
 M'ith the others to running away alone. 
 
 When the first spasm of fright had passed with Rao 
 another feeling took its place — to wit, the ambition to kill 
 the fierce brute that had introduced itself so rudely, and to 
 I'ving its skin and head back to his father as a trophy of his 
 prowess. 
 
136 
 
 AFLOAT AGAIN. 
 
 " I'd like to kill that panther," said he in a low tone to 
 the half-breed. ' Will you help me ?" 
 
 Now the half-breed would have very much preferred 
 beating a retreat, and leaving the panther in possession of 
 the field ; but when Rae had the daring to propose that they 
 should stay and fight it out, he felt ashamed to refuse, so in 
 a very reluctant way he said, — 
 
 " All right ; but we've got to look mighty sharp," 
 
 Conscious of tremors that he could not control, yet despis- 
 ing himself for having them, Rae looked carefully to his rifle 
 to make sure that it was properly capped, then felt for his 
 hunting-knife, and o-athered himself toijether for the strutralo. 
 
 " Aren't you going to run for it ? " came in a hoarse 
 whisper from behind, where Freckles stood, wondering why 
 flight was delayed an instant. 
 
 " No, I'm not," answered Rae without turning his head ; 
 " but you may if you want to." 
 
 Freckles half turned as thouo-h to make a start, then 
 jerked himself back, looking very shamefaced. 
 
 " I won't run," ho muttered, " since he won't." 
 
 Truly the latent lorccs of the poor bo^^'s nature were 
 being brought out with astonishing rapidity in the new 
 atmosphere ho was now breathing. 
 
 The panther, seeing that they intended to stand theh' 
 ground, seemed to lose some of" the eagerness for the prey it 
 had first shown, and Rae, not'.ng this, began to fear lest it 
 should turn tail and vanish into the depths of the forest. 
 
 " I'm going to try a shot at him ; you fire too," said ho to 
 the half-breed, who stood on hia left. 
 
AFLOAT AGAIN. 
 
 m 
 
 ■11 
 
 
 The latter gTunted assent, and, levelling the old flint-lock 
 that he carried, pulled the trigger at the same instant with 
 Rae. But only a single report rang out. The flint-lock had 
 missed lire, as it was apt to do only too often, earning many 
 a malediction from its disgusted owner. 
 
 Rac liad taken careful aim for the space between those 
 flaming eyes, and that his bullet had sped straight and true 
 was evident from the panther tumbling in a yellow heap at 
 the foot of the tree, to be pounced upon by the snarling 
 doci's. 
 
 With a shout of exultation Rae rushed forward, in spite 
 of tlie warning of the half-breed, who knew well how mar- 
 vellously tenacious of life such creatures are. Nor was 
 the warniiiG: without o'ood reason. 
 
 The panther had been " only scotched, not killed," by the 
 Itullet, and a minute sufficed for it to recover itself sufficiently 
 to meet Rae with a roar, and a display of gleaming fangs 
 that brought his charge to a sudden stop. 
 
 "Take care! "cried the half-breed, who had kept some 
 distance in the rear, althougli Freckles had followed close 
 upmi Ills friends heels. 
 
 Ihit there was neither time nor space to take care. 
 Switcliing its tall violently from side to side the pantlier for 
 fin instant glared at Rae with eyes appalling in tlieir baleful 
 iutousity, and then launched its tawny form full at him ! 
 
 Whence came the inspiration Rae assuredly could not 
 tell, but in that awful moment Avhen the infuriated creature 
 was manifestly gathering itself for the spring the thought 
 {lashud into the boy's mind : " If I stand still, J. cannot escape 
 
138 
 
 AFLOAT AGATX, 
 
 it. If I try to run, it ^Yill bo upon my back. But if T dart 
 towards it at the same moment that it springs, won't it leap 
 clear over me ? " 
 
 Arguing thus, he threw himself forward as though he 
 were diving, falling headlong full ten feet from the spot 
 upon which he had been standing when the panther sprang 
 at him. 
 
 The scheme succeeded admirably. Instead of being 
 struck down by those dreadful claws he escaped untouched, 
 the brute landing a yard beyond him. 
 
 But was it only a temporary respite ? Before ho could 
 do anything in self-defence the panther would be on him 
 again unless instantly checked, and who was to do this? 
 The half-breed's gun was empty, and he himself stood twenty 
 feet away, seeming afraid to render assistance. 
 
 Could any aid be hoped from Freckles ? 
 
CHAPTEll IX. 
 
 A WHALE AND A WIIIKLPOOL. 
 
 I'^O the end of his days Freckles was never able to 
 explain how he came to do it, although he was fond 
 of telling the story, because he always considered his action 
 then the greatest achievement of his life. 
 
 This was what occurred. The spring of the panther, 
 wliicli had carried it beyond Ilae, brought it almost at 
 Freckles's feet, and instead of quailing before the furious 
 hnite, the boy, inspired by a passionate anxiety for lUio 
 ratlier tlian by any concern for his own safety, thrust his 
 pistol right into the animal's gaping mouth, and pulled the 
 trigger. 
 
 It could not have been l)etter done. The bullet crashed 
 into the creature's brain, and with a frightful contortion it 
 lulled over between the two boys, this time dead beyond a 
 doubt. 
 
 Springing to his feet Rae rushed at Freckles, and throw- 
 ing his arms about his neck hugged him afl'ectionately, at 
 tlie same time waltzing him round on the sward, while lio 
 shouted joyously, — 
 
 "Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah! we're the boys for the pan- 
 
140 
 
 A WHALE AND A WHIRLPOOL 
 
 tilers ! Aren't M'e, Freckles ? I hit liiin first, and you 
 finished him off. That's tlic way to do it." And round and 
 round he went, until, getting completely out of breath, he let 
 go of Freckles, and threw himself down on the grass to rest. 
 
 To have a demonstration like tl.ds made over him was 
 such a novelty to Freckles that he had no idea how to re- 
 spond to it, so he just quietly submitted, but his happy face 
 showed how he enjoyed it all. As for the half-breed, when 
 he had recovered from his astonishment at both the boys 
 escaping unhurt, he cautiously approached the panther, and 
 after touching it with his foot to try if it was mKpiestion- 
 ably dead, cut the creature's throat so as to make assurance 
 doultly sure. 
 
 " Hailn't you better skin him while you're about it?" 
 suggested Rae. " I want his fur, and his head too, to take 
 home to my father." 
 
 NothinL>' loath, the half-breed went to work in a wav 
 that showed him to be an experienced hunter, and it was 
 not long before he had the panther stripped of his yellow 
 coat and neatly decapitated. 
 
 This accomplished, the next business was to get back to 
 Nanaimo with all speed, for the afternoon shadows were 
 already lengthening. 
 
 Thanks to the half-breed's intimate acquaintance witli 
 the country, they were able to take a shorter route than 
 that by which they had come, and it was not yet dark wlun 
 they reached the fort, where Captain Hanson Avas awaiting 
 them with rising impatience. 
 
 '■ What's ke[)t you so long ? " he demanded. " I was just 
 
 k 
 
 \\ 
 

 ''Freckles thrust his Jiistoi right into the aninuil's t,^<'/>ittg mouth.' 
 
 ''••«>-■ «5> 
 
A WHALE AND A IVIIIRLPOOL. 
 
 143 
 
 al)Out tliinking of sending out a couple of tlic Indians to 
 hunt you up." 
 
 "That's what kept us, captain," replied Rae, pointing to 
 the tawiiy bundle tliat the half-hrced bore. "Open it out 
 and show him what it is," he added in a tone of triumph to 
 the dusky porter. 
 
 Tlie half-breed threw the bundle down, and spread out 
 tlie skin so that it seemed to belong to a larger animal than 
 was really the case. 
 
 " I'here now ! " Rac cried proudly. " What do you think 
 of that ? " 
 
 Captain Hanson's eyes opened wide with wonder. 
 " Hollo ! " he exclaimed, " that was a nasty brute. How did 
 vou kill him ?" and he looked at the half-breed as though 
 
 t o 
 
 he took it for oranted the credit would beloniij to him. 
 
 " No, no," said Ilae energetically, rightly interpreting the 
 captain's glance. " He had nothing to do with it. We did 
 it all ourselves, didn't we, Freckles ? " 
 
 " You did ? " queried the captain ; " and liow did Freckles 
 help ? " 
 
 Thereupon Rac related the whole story, Freckles listen- 
 ing with as much interest as though it were all new to him. 
 
 When he had finished, Captain Hanson gave them each 
 a hearty clap on the back, saying, — 
 
 "Good for you, boys ! You're regular heroes. Won't your 
 father be proud of you, Rae ? And as for you. Freckles, Fve 
 got quite a different notion of you. I'd no idea there was 
 such good stuff' in you." 
 
 Freckles blushed violently, and looked as if he'd like to 
 
I 
 
 144 
 
 A WHALE AND A WHIRirOOL. 
 
 run away from .siicli unaccustomed praise. As for making 
 any reply, that was quite beyond his powers. 
 
 The men at tlie fort pronounced the panther's skin a 
 very good specimen indeed, and an old Indian who had skill 
 in that business undertook to prepare it carefully, and have 
 it all ready for Piae when the schooner called on her way 
 back from Fort Simpson. 
 
 At dayliglit the following morning the P/oi'crbade good- 
 bye to Nanaimo, and resumed the voyage northward. The 
 prosperous weather continued, and the sail up the broad 
 Gulf of Georo'ia was alto^'ether delii-ditful. At Rae's inter- 
 cession, Captain Hanson relieved Freckles of his duties as 
 cook's assistant and sailor's fag, directing him simply to act 
 as cabin boy, keeping the cabin in order, and being ready to 
 do anything for him that might be required. 
 
 This change of work gave him a good deal more leisure, 
 and this w^as just what Rae wanted, as the boys -were then 
 able to be a o-ood deal to£!'ether, and Rae found Freckles to 
 be by no means the poor company he seemed at first. The 
 boy had a good deal of ingenuity, and was quite clever with 
 his fingers, wdiile his brain could work actively enough 
 under favourable circumstances. 
 
 The small black wdiales that romped about in the Ijlue 
 water interested the boys greatly, and one morning, when 
 the schooner was lying becalmed, Rae asked Captain Hanson 
 to allow him to go off in the boat with a couple of llie 
 sailors, and see if they could not harpoon a wdiale just for 
 the fun of the thing. 
 
 As there seemed no prospect of a breeze for a couple of 
 
A WHALE AND A ll'If/RirOOL. 
 
 145 
 
 hours at least, the captain consented, on condition tliat tlie 
 boat should not go more than half-a-mile from the schooner ; 
 so off they started, Rae, Freckles, and the two youngest 
 sailors — an enterprising quartette indeed. 
 
 As their object was amusement, not business, Rac under- 
 took the harpooning, while the sailors had the oars, and 
 Freckles held the tiller. 
 
 The surface of the bay was glassy smooth, except where 
 broken into ripples by the gambols of the whales. It was 
 not easy to get near enough to any of the big fish, altliough 
 they did not seem to be keeping any sort of a look-out, but 
 iust havinic a good time amonrj themselves. Airain and 
 auain the boat was sent after one of them in vain, and the 
 sailors were beginning to get tired of the work and to sug- 
 gest returning to the schooner, when, in the nick of time, 
 they got \Yithin striking distance of a tine big fellow, and, 
 with a tremendous effort, Rae hurled the heavy liarpoon so 
 tliat it sank deep into the black shiny body just below the 
 fore-fin. 
 
 The instant it felt the iron the whale rushed forward 
 a little way, and then dived, taking out the line at a 
 tremendous rate, until the whole length of it (which was 
 only a couple of hundred yards, for it was not a regular 
 whaling line) had been exhauste»l. 
 
 In his eagerness to follow its course, Rae had continued 
 standing in the bow of the boat, and Freckles for the same 
 reason had jumped up on the stern thwarts, where he stood 
 craning his long thin neck as he watched the outrunning 
 line. 
 
146 
 
 A WHALE AND A WHIRLPOOL. 
 
 Now Rac liad fastcnud the boat end of the line to the 
 bow seat, and wlien tlie last foot had run out the whale, 
 of course, did not stop to consider the consequence of tlie 
 sudden strain that must come, but kept rii^ht on, the efl'cet 
 beino- to ^^ivc a tremendous jerk that sent Rac sideways 
 overboard, threw Freckles backward into the water, and 
 tumbled both the sailors in the bottom of the boat as 
 though they had simultaneously "caught a crab." 
 
 Captain Hanson, who saw the whole thing from the 
 schooner, where he was lounging upon the pooj:), burst into 
 a roar of laughter that caused the cook to thrust his head 
 out of the galley with a look of inquiry on his countenance. 
 
 " Look there ! " cried the captain, hardly able to speak 
 for laughing, pointing to the boat which lay motionless on 
 the water, for the sudden jerk had torn the harpoon from 
 its hold, and the whale's task of towing- was over. " Oli 
 if you only could have seen them turn somersaults, and 
 tumble into the water. I never saw anything funnier in 
 my life." 
 
 " But, captain, won't they be drownded ? " asked the cook 
 anxiously, as he caught sight of the two boys' heads bobbing 
 about in the water some yards astern of the lioat. 
 
 "Not a bit of it, cookie," laughed the captain. "They 
 can both swim like seals, I know. See, they are making fur 
 the boat now. Tliey're all right.*' 
 
 Sure enough the boys were already swimming towards 
 the boat, wdierc the sailors awaited them with outstretched 
 arms, and in another minute they were both on board, save 
 for the wetting no worse for the mishap. 
 
A IVIIALE AND A WHIRLPOOL. 
 
 147 
 
 They at once made tlioir way ))ack to the schooner, for 
 there was no more whale hunting to be done that day. 
 Fiae seemed a g'ood deal chagrined at the ludicrous termina- 
 tion of his enterprise. He hated being laughed at, and 
 Captain Hanson thought the affair altogether too good a 
 joke to be passed by in silence, so he indulged himself in 
 a "'ood deal of banter, until, seeing that I\ae's self-control 
 liad about reached an end, he wound up with, "Oh, well, 
 better fortune next time, I\ae. You made a fine throw of 
 the harpoon any way, and that whale won't forget you in a 
 hurry." 
 
 " No, nor I won't forget him," responded Rae ruefully. 
 " I never liad such a toss before, and I'm not anxious ever 
 to have another, I can tell you." 
 
 Freckles said nothino; at all. He had feared a scoldini:j 
 from the captain, although he was in no wdse to blame ; but 
 there being no sign of this he held his peace, in spite of the 
 efforts of the men on board to draw him out. 
 
 By noon the much-desired breeze appeared in full force, 
 and Captain Hanson, eager to make up for lost time, clapped 
 on all sail, and steered a straight course for Discovery 
 Passage. His hope had been to reach there early in the 
 afternoon, so as to have plenty of time to pass through 
 before dark, for it was a difficult piece of navigation. But 
 the long morning's calm had upset his calculations, and it 
 was not far from sundown wdien the Plover made the 
 entrance to the passage. 
 
 Having been that w^ay only once before, and then when 
 the tide was at the full, and the getting through an easy 
 
148 
 
 A WHALE AXD A IVniRLPOOL. 
 
 matter, lie liad no knowledge save from the stories of the 
 Indians, wliicli he but bait' lielieved, of the daiif!;er.s of the 
 Yaculta llapids in the middle of the passage. According t<j 
 the Indians, these rapids were the home of an evil spirit 
 that ahode in these depths, and delighted to la}' violent 
 hands upon canoes, and to drag their occupants down to 
 death. As a matter of fact, they were the centre of action 
 of a maelstrom far more to be feared than the famous one of 
 Norway. When the tide from the Gulf of Georgia ebhed 
 out in full rush, the whole gorge would be white with 
 foam and filled with waves rising and breakinij- madly, 
 while deep, black, funnel-shaped holes boring down into the 
 water, and fountains boiling up like geysers, boded ill foi' 
 the fate of any vessel, great or small, that might be so 
 unfortunate as to bo caught in this mig'hty whirlpool. 
 
 Borne on by the breeze, the little Plover, all unwitting 
 of the perils ahead, kept her course steadily, and Captain 
 Hanson was just about congratulating himself upon the 
 progress made, and beginning to look around for a con- 
 venient cove wherein to anchor for the night, when the 
 schooner rounding a bend in the passage came right up^ii 
 the maelstrom, already working with menacing vigour. 
 
 At once the command was given to " about ship,"' ami 
 every efibrt was put forth to save the vessel from the grasp 
 of the dread whirlpool, Lut it was too late. Alrea<ly 
 Yaculta, as the Indians called the supposed evil spirit, had 
 hjld of her keel, and, instead of moving away from the 
 dauiier, the schooner drew swit'tlv nearer to it. 
 
 Realizing the futility of escape. Captain Hanson ordered 
 
A WHALE A.\D A WHIRLPOOL, 
 
 149 
 
 down all the sails, and biddinp^ every one lay hold of some- 
 thin'; tliat might serve to tluat them if the schooner sank, 
 
 lie .0(1, — 
 
 •' Wo've in a had fix, and God knows how we'll set out 
 of it. You must be ready for the worst. The Plovers a 
 stanch little craft, but she's o^ot a hard iiL-'ht before her. 
 We ^an only hope for the best. If she does _l;-o down, per- 
 haps vve'll be able to scrandde ashore somehow." 
 
 T'le prospect of accomplishing this seemed very frail 
 iiidei 1 ; and as Rae gazed in growing tciTor at the leaping 
 \vav( i and boiling swirls, into the midst of which they M'ere 
 hel' 'ly speeding, he felt a pang of regret that he had 
 ev / 1^0. t Fort Camosun at all. 
 
 ^ it it was too late to do anything else than regret it 
 now. They v>v.i' ; m within clic power of Yaculta, and 
 could do nothing save pray i'v^r deliverance. 
 
 The schooner presently began to take on a circular 
 motion, and the wisdom of the captain in ordering down 
 the sails now manifested itself, for the violent swaying to 
 and fro of the vessel threatened to tear the masts from their 
 sockets ; and if the sails had still been set, they assuredly 
 wouli] have gone by the board. 
 
 The Plover and her crew were in a perilous plight 
 indeed. The violence of the whirl evidently increased 
 instead of lessened. On every side great funneldike pits 
 opened in the water, any one of which seemed large enough 
 to engulf the schooner ; and, to crown all, darkness was 
 rapidly drawing near. 
 
 Possessed by a common fear, all the members of the 
 
15° 
 
 A WHALE AND A WHIRLPOOL. 
 
 vessel's company gcatliered about Captain Hanson at the 
 stern, all distinction of rank being forgotten in the face of 
 the awful danger tlicy shared. 
 
 Rao grasped the captain's arm with one hand, and with 
 the other took hold of Freckles. No one spoke. There was 
 a strange fascination in the whirling, seething waters chat 
 paralyzed speech, if not thought itself. 
 
 Round and round the schooner spun, the circle of her 
 orbit cfrowins: ever smaller, until it seemed as thouo'h there 
 could be only one more turn and then she must plunge bow 
 Strst into the glossy chasm yawning to receive her. But 
 before this happened the whirlpool suddenly filled up, and 
 she came to rest for a moment in a space of comparatively 
 smooth water. 
 
 " Thank God ! " ejaculated the captain ; " I thought wo 
 must go down," 
 
 Yet the danwr was not over. Another whirl formed 
 almost iunnediately, that in its turn caught the unresisting 
 schooner in its perilous embrace, and once more the terrify- 
 ing; motion was beo-un. 
 
 Never could Rae forget that experience. On cither side 
 of the passage the tree-clad shores were silently darkening 
 as night came on ; beyond the spliere of the whirlpool the 
 water lay still and smooth as glass ; in the soft warm air the 
 night hawks were already swooping this way and tliat, 
 uttering their jarring notes ; all was quiet antl peaceful save 
 where the sturdy little schooner struggled bravc^ly with the 
 fell might of the maelstrom, which strove with seeming 
 diabolic zeal to drag her down into its fr'^-d depths. 
 
A WHALE AND A IVHIRLPOOL. 
 
 i5t 
 
 »g 
 
 y- 
 
 .he 
 
 mg 
 
 In its erratic course, as she was flung from one whirl to 
 anotlier, the Plover worked over towards the eastern side 
 of the passage, until she approached so near that Captain 
 Hanson thought he saw a chance of escape. Against eitlier 
 bulwark were lashed two great long sweeps, for use in even-t 
 (;f it being necessary to move a short distance during a 
 cahii. In them now lay his hope of salvation for liimself 
 and his companions. 
 
 " Stand by to pull out the sweeps!" he cried. " Quick 
 now, every one of you." 
 
 Tlie three sailors and the cook each sprang for a sweep, 
 cut the lashings with their knives, and in a trice had the 
 lieavy things in the water and ready for use, with the fore 
 and main stays doing duty as thole-pins. 
 
 "(live \vay now, my men, with all your might! Give 
 way, I tell you ! " was the next order. And keeping their 
 balance as best they could on the rocking deck, the men 
 bent to the oars, while the captain jammed the tiller hard-a- 
 port, and the two boys held their breath in anxiety for the 
 result. 
 
 For some minutes the whirlpool seemed to laugh at 
 their efforts, but presently the schooner showed some signs 
 of responding to the double appeal of oars and rudder, 
 noting which Captain Hanson cricil with the ring of grow- 
 ino- confidence in his tone, " She feels 3'ou ; she's moving 
 right! Pull away, pull away! Give it to lierl" 
 
 Thoy did pull away, putting every ounce of nmscle in 
 their bodies into each stroke ; and Rae and Freckles joined 
 their boyish strength to that of the two men nearest the stern. 
 
152 
 
 A WHALE AND A WHIRLPOOL. 
 
 " Keep ifc up ! " roared the captain, pressing hard on the 
 tiller that seemed to be fio-htino- with him for its freedom ; 
 " we're gaining headway." 
 
 Sure enougli so they were. The sweeps had been put 
 in at a fortunate moment, and their influence slowly hut 
 steadily made itself felt. Little l:)y little the schooner 
 moved towards the outer ring of the whirl, until presently 
 she was held by that circle alone. 
 
 Then shouting, " Back water, port ! Pull hard, star- 
 board ! " he swunn; the tiller round to the other side, and, 
 responding to the pressure, the gallant little Plover edged 
 herself clear out of the cruel wliirlpool into the kindly 
 placid water of a welcoming cove just before the last ray of 
 light faded from the western sky and darkness fell upon all. 
 
 Exhausted by their tremendous eflbrts, the sailors barely 
 had strength to let go the anchor before they flung them- 
 selves down on the deck, panting like hounds after a long 
 chase. 
 
 Rae rushed up to the captain, and taking his big brown 
 liairy right hand between both of his, fairly hugged it in 
 the energy of his joy. 
 
 " Oh, sir ! " he exclaimed, " but that was a close shave, 
 wasn't it ? 1 was sure that awful whirlpool was going 
 to get us." 
 
 "And I don't min<l allowing that I was somewhat of 
 the same opinion myself, Rae," responded Captain Hanson. 
 " But a miss is as good as a mile ; and now we've gjt out of 
 it, we'll take good care to stay out, I can tell you." 
 
 Remaining in the cove all night, the Plover awaited the 
 
A WHALE AND A WHIRLrOOL. 
 
 153 
 
 0" 
 
 hour next clay when the tide had reached its full height, 
 obliterating all the treacherous whirls, and then taking ad- 
 vantage of a strong breeze blowing straight up the passage, 
 she spread her white wings and sped swiftly out of the 
 Yiiculta's realm, bearing away a remembrance of one awful 
 lionr there that would endure as long as memory lasted. 
 
 Working her way through Johnstone Strait into Queen 
 Charlotte Sound, she safely threaded the intricacies of the 
 Broughton Archipelago, and so came out into the open 
 stretch at the head of Vancouver Island, where the good 
 hick which had hitherto attended her course deserted her 
 for a while, and she hail to struggle against baffling head 
 winds and throuo-li bewilderiu!:'' mists and foe-' that do- 
 iiianded all the seamanship and watchfulness of captain and 
 crew to reckon with. 
 
 Rae found this part of the trip desperately dull. The 
 drenching mists made staj'ing on deck most uncomfortable, 
 evt'U though there had been anything to see or do there, and 
 the small cabin felt very close and stufly. His chief re- 
 source lay in his books, of which he had brought a box 
 containing " Robinson Crusoe," "Arabian Nights," "Captain 
 Cook's Voyages," and also the works of Shakespeare, Scott, 
 and Milton ; for his father, like most Scotsmen, possessed a 
 tine literary taste, and had taken pains to cultivate Rae's 
 interest in the great masters of literature, so that the boy 
 Iiad already learned to appreciate, in no small degree, the 
 •'eanty and sublimity of their work. 
 
 Whenever Freckles hail an hour to spare, Rae would read 
 
 to him ; and it was wonderful, in view of the small chance the 
 Ure) 10 
 
154 
 
 A WHALE AND A WHIRLPOOL. 
 
 boy had hitherto had of developing his intellect, how much 
 he understood and enjoyed of the treasures in prose and 
 poetry thus revealed to him for the first time. 
 
 He would listen to Rae with open mouth, eyes alight 
 with intelligence, and heart throLLing with vivid interest ; 
 and whenever the reader paused — for his innate courtesy 
 kept him from interrupting — he would have questions to 
 ask that Rae was often sore put to to answer aright. In- 
 deed, sometimes he couldn't answer them to his own satis- 
 faction, and would have recourse to Captain Hanson, who 
 had a pretty well-stored mind ; and in this way the man 
 and the two boys were brought closer to one another, and 
 their friendship made rapid progress. 
 
 Rae found no small pleasure in acting as Freckles's 
 teacher. Under his father's directions, and with his con- 
 stant encouragement and aid, ho had himself been educatctl 
 in a way that, if it was not altogether in accordance witli 
 the usual scholastic methods, at least gave him the command 
 of an amount of practical knowledge that many boys 
 brought up in cities might well have envied. 
 
 The three R's he had lono- ao-o mastered, while in 
 history, geography, and English literature he had made 
 good progress. The best feature of his training was this— 
 he had not merely learned enough to take rank with tlie 
 ordinary schoolboy of his age. but he had ind»ibed the 
 spiiit of learning. He was always eager to know more 
 about thincfs. He had a strons; ambition for intellectual as 
 well as ph3^'^ical prowess. 
 
 In Freckles he found as earnest a scholar as teacher 
 
A JVIIALE AND A WHIRLPOOL. 
 
 T55 
 
 (1 
 
 111 
 
 could desire, albeit the poor boy's utter lack of oppor- 
 tunity in the past made him surprisingly ignorant of many 
 tilings that Rae thought he ought to know. Of course Kae 
 could not always bear this in mind, and sometimes his 
 patience would be overtried by Freckles's foolish answers or 
 stupid questions. 
 
 But when he would say something sharp and stinging, 
 instead of attempting to retort, Freckles would put both his 
 hands to his face, after a fashion he had, as though he were 
 trying to hide behind them, and murmur piteously, — 
 
 " Forgive Freckles ; Freckles did not know better." 
 
 Whereupon Rae's warm heart would swell with sym- 
 pathy, and he'd pull the boy's hands down, saying sooth- 
 ingly,— 
 
 " Oh, don't mind me, I'm such a spitfire. Try again, 
 now." 
 
 So Freckles would make another attempt ; and thus the 
 teaching proceeded, with considerable benefit to Freckles 
 lit least. 
 
 \\\ 
 
 love 
 a-5 
 
 s^ 
 
 Ricv 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 RASPBERRIES AND OULACIIAN. 
 
 AS the Plover kept on her way to Milbank Sound, and 
 the mists continued to hang about her, Captain 
 Hanson often liad recourse to a method of piloting that 
 could hardly have been relied upon elsewhere. 
 
 The shores rose steep and rocky from the sea, and gave 
 back a quick, clear echo to the voice, taking advantage of 
 which the juariner, trusting to his acute senses, felt his course 
 along by the way the sound of his hail was flung back to 
 him. It was, to be sure, a rather dangerous method, to be 
 attempted only by expert pilots ; but Captain Hanson had 
 faith in himself, and only once did his skill seem to fail him. 
 
 The fog had been particularly thick, and the breeze 
 light and baffling, so that his patience had been tried to the 
 utmost, and he had come as near to feeling reckless as 
 was possible in one of his cautious nature. He was very 
 anxious to reach Milbank Sound before nightfall, and so 
 kept on one tack rather longer than was just wnse. 
 
 Rao, in default of other amusement, had gone up to the 
 bow to watch the waves curling away from the schooner's 
 cutwater; then tiring of this, he had crawled out on the 
 
 th 
 
RASPBERRIES AND OULACHAN. 
 
 157 
 
 bowsprit as far as he could, and strove to pierce the ob- 
 scurity of the enfolding fog. 
 
 His position gave hiui the first glimpse of the danger 
 ahead; and he had just time to turn and shout with all his 
 might, " Captain Hanson, look out ! we're running into 
 something- !" when right in front of the schooner there sud- 
 (Iriily loomed out of the mist a great dark body that might 
 liavc been the side of a mountain. 
 
 Instantly the captain put the hehn hard-a-port, at the 
 same moment roaring to the sailors to let go the main- 
 sheet. The obedient schooner swung round as though on 
 a pivot, until her sails flapped idly in the wind ; and it was 
 not a moment too soon, for there, so close that its shiny 
 face might be touched from the deck with a long boat-hook, 
 was a pinnacle of rock rising sharp and stern from the sea, 
 one touch of which would have smashed the schooner's prow 
 into kindling-wood. 
 
 Captain Hanson drew a deep breath as the full sense of 
 the deadly peril in which he and his companions had been 
 came upon him. 
 
 " God bless your sharp eyes, my boy 1"' he exclaimed, 
 turning to Rae. " I ought to have kept on hailing ; but 1 
 tliought we were clear in the middle of the entrance to the 
 suund, and that I'd be only wasting my breath. That was 
 a close shave ! — I know you, you scoundrel," he cried, 
 " You're one of those villanous needles that some old witch 
 must have stuck here to wreck good ships on. But 
 yuu\e not got us this time, and we'll give you a wide 
 berth next time, I can tell you." 
 
158 
 
 RASPBERRIES AND OULACHAN. 
 
 He had hardly spoken before, as if in obedience to the 
 touch of a fairy's wand, tlic fog vanished to right and left, 
 and i\lilbank Sound opened up bright and smiling on the 
 port-bow, inviting immediate entrance, and oflering im- 
 munity from the dangers and difficulties which had been 
 besetting the schooner. 
 
 During the passage up the sound and through Graham 
 Reach, which divided Princess Royal Island from the main- 
 land. Captain Hanson told Rae many stories of the Bella 
 Bella Indians, who inhabited that part of the coast, and 
 bore the reputation of being a most treacherous; blood- 
 thirsty, and turbulent tribe. 
 
 " There's nothing too mean or too cruel for these vermin," 
 said the captain, who hated anything underhand, and had 
 no respect for one who didn't fight fair. " They'll lie the 
 hide off their tongues. They'd cheat a blind baby out of 
 its rattle ; and wlienever they're in a big majority, they're 
 ready to kill us white men on sight for nothing more than 
 the tobacco in our pockets." 
 
 All this, of course, made Rae very curious to see some 
 specimens of the Bella Bellas, provided no risk be run in 
 doing so, and he was therefore well pleased when, as the 
 schooner was lying becalmed one morning about half-a-milc 
 olF shore, a canoe was seen to emerge from a shadowy tionl, 
 and make towards the vessel in a cautious, tentative way, 
 as though its occupants were not at all sure of the reception 
 they might have. 
 
 When the canoe drew near, Rae could not help admiring 
 its fine lines and the curious carving's with which its bow 
 
 
 iMHft 
 
RASPBERRIES AND OULACHAN. 
 
 159 
 
 was enriched. It had evidently been cut out of a single 
 white cedar trunk, and was about twenty feet in length by 
 two in breadth, with the gunwales spread outwards so as to 
 cast off the surge in rough water. Six men kneeled along 
 the bottom two by two, and with strong strokes of their 
 paddles sent the buoyant craft skinnning through the water, 
 while a seventh Indian sat in the stern steering skilfully. 
 
 "It's perfectly amazing wdiat the fellows will do in one 
 of these canoes," said the captain. " Xo storm scares them 
 if they want to be afloat, and they'll face a sea that I 
 wouldn't in the best ship's boat I've ever seen. I wonder 
 what they're after this time. If they've any good furs I'll 
 not object to trying a little trade with them, so long as no 
 more than three come aboard at once." 
 
 The canoe having come within hailing distance, Captain 
 Hanson mounted tlie poop, taking care to let his ritle, whieh 
 he held in his hand, be plainly in sight, and shouted out a 
 salutation he had learned on a previous voyage. The steers- 
 man of the canoe seemed surprised at the familiar words, 
 liiifc answered promptly, at the same time holding up a big 
 heaver skin in token of his desire to trade. 
 
 The captain's eyes glistened at this, and he beckoned 
 the canoe alongside, saying to the steersman, — 
 
 "You come aboard alone. Let the others stay in the 
 canoe." 
 
 But the steersman did not like this idea. lie apparently 
 feared treachery, and kept his seat, thougli still exhil)iting the 
 beaver skin and pointing to a pile of others in front of him. 
 
 "The rascal's a good deal more afraid of us than we are 
 
i6o 
 
 RASPBERRIES AND OU LAC HAN. 
 
 of liim/' laughed the captain. " Suppose you go on board 
 tlie canoe, Eao, and act as go-between, I don't "want any 
 of them up on deck if I can help it. ' 
 
 Nothing loath, Rae clambered over the bulwark and 
 dropped into the canoe, rather to the astonishment of all its 
 occupants, none of whom had expected this move. But 
 their natural imperturbability was soon regained, and with 
 expectant eyes, but silent lips, they awaited the next pro- 
 ceeding. 
 
 Captain Hanson now^ lianded Rae down a couple of 
 knives, and some of the trinkets w hich deliu'ht savaire souls, 
 and asked the Indian to lay beside them on the thwart the 
 skins he was willing to give for them. At onc(i the Bella 
 Bella showed himself a good bargainer, for his offer was mani- 
 festly below the market rates along the coast; and Captain 
 Hanson, not wanting to spend much time over the business, 
 as the wind might spring up at any minute,said impatiently, — 
 
 "Come now, none of 3'our nonsense, just double that 
 quick, or there'll be no trading to-day." 
 
 The Indian looked up for a moment with a fierce, re- 
 sentful gleam in his eyes, then quietly put as many more 
 skins on the pile. 
 
 "That's more like it,"' said the captain. "Now keep it 
 up on that basis." 
 
 So the trading went on until the stock of skins had 
 passed from the hands of the Indians to the white men ; and 
 Rae was about to climb back on the schooner, wdien a sharp 
 cry came from Freckles, — 
 
 " Look out for your knifo, Rae 1" 
 
RASPBERRIES AND OULACIIAN. 
 
 i6i 
 
 In imitation of the sailors, Rac wore at his side a slicath- 
 knife of wliich he was very proud, and wliieh he ahvays 
 kept as keen as a razor. All the time he was in the canoe 
 one of the paddlers had been e^'ing this knife with longing; 
 and when Rae turned his back to climb up the schooner's 
 side, he thought his chance had come. 
 
 But Frt'cklfs, whose fears had been excited by what 
 Captain IJanson had said concerning the evil character of 
 the Bella Bellas, and who in consequence had watched Rac 
 uith some concern while the trading was going on, divined 
 the savage's predatory purpose ere he had time to execute 
 it, and uttered the cry of warning. 
 
 Kae did not wait to look around. He knew at once 
 what Freckles meant, and lashing out vigorously with his 
 right foot, caught the would-be thief so cleverly under the 
 cliin as to tumble him over backwards across the canoe, 
 which he infallibly would have upset had not the steersman 
 instinctively thrown his weight to the other side, and thus 
 niiuntained the balance. 
 
 Not pausing to take in the effect of his kick, Piac threw 
 himself over the bulwark ; and it was well he acted so 
 promptly, for the Indian he had thus capsized, while still 
 lying on his back, hurled his hatchet at him with nmrderous 
 fury, and it stuck quivering in the very spot where an 
 instant before he had been balancing- himself. 
 
 "Ah, 3'ou would, would you ?" cried the captain fiercely 
 at this wicked though futile effort, and pointing his rifle 
 straight at the steersman, he roared, " Now get off with you 
 as quick as you can ! Do you hear me ? " 
 
l62 
 
 RASPBERRIES A. YD OULACHAN. 
 
 He was both heard and understood. With faces full of 
 sullen fury the Indians plied their paddles, and the swii't 
 canoe shot away from the schooner's side. 
 
 "A f,food riddance of bad rulildsh," said the captain ; and 
 then pointing at the nice little pile of prime beaver skins on 
 the poop, " IJut we've lost nothing by their accjuaiiitancu, 
 that's sure ; and you, Rac, shall have the best skin in the 
 pack to rcmcndjer the Bella Bellas by, seeing you've come 
 off with a whole skin yourself." 
 
 Keeping steadily on, the P/o re r passed through Grenville 
 Channel into Chatham Sound, and at last, one beautiful 
 afternoon, reached the end of her trip at Fort Simpson, 
 which occupied a couuuanding position on the north shore 
 of the Tsimshian Peninsula. 
 
 The schooner arrived just as the great spring fishery of 
 the oulachau, that remarkable little fish which is so highly 
 esteemed by the Indians of this district, was drawing to a 
 close, and Bac was astcmished at the niultitudc of canoes 
 which blackened the beach and the number of lodges that 
 surrounded the stockade. Ho had never seen so many 
 Indians together in his life before, and their numbers some- 
 what appalled him. 
 
 " What a tremendous lot of them there is ! " he said to 
 Captain Hanson, when the riovcr, having safely avoided 
 the many rocks and ledges which complicated the passage, 
 had got to the wharf, and the Indians Hocked down full of 
 curiosity. " Do they always keej^ quiet, and never give any 
 trouble ? " 
 
 " Indeed that they don't," laughed the captain. " Why, 
 
RASPBERRIES AXD OV LAC HAN. 
 
 163 
 
 of 
 
 tlioy'vc attacked the fort half-a-dozen times, , ,nd tried to 
 liurn it down more than once; but they've always got the 
 worst of it, and they're learning more sense. All the same, 
 I wouldn't trust any of them any further than I could see 
 tlioiu. Tliey're a poor lot at best." 
 
 When Rae heard this he made up in his mind that he 
 would never go ashore without his pistol and knife in his 
 belt, and that he'd take good care not to get out of sight of 
 the fort unless he was with a party. His previous experi- 
 ence had taught him caution in this respect. 
 
 The scene around Fort Simpson was certainly a remark- 
 able one. Fully ten thousand Indians were camped together 
 within a mile radius, the principal tribe being the Tsim- 
 •sliians, to whom the whole peninsula belonged, although a 
 score of other tribes were represented. What had brought 
 them was the oulachan fishery, now nearly at an end ; and 
 the catch having been somewhat better than usual, they 
 were all in high gooddiumour, and unstinted feasting and 
 revelry was the order of the day. 
 
 As soon as the schooner had been properly berthed, Cap- 
 tain Hanson went up to the fort taking Rae with him. 
 Tliey fou <1 the gate tightly closed, and sentinels with loaded 
 rifles looking down upon them from the top of the tall 
 stuckade ; for so lono- as the Indians were about, the gar- 
 risen acted as if ,1 state of siege prevailed, and nobody 
 was allowed to enter the gate until he had passed their 
 inspection. 
 
 Of course CapL.iin Hanson was admitted at once, and he 
 and Hae received a warm welcome from the factor and his 
 
164 
 
 RASPBERRIES AND OULACHAN. 
 
 P 
 
 stafl', who were exceedingly glad to have visitors from the 
 south with tlie latest news. 
 
 While his elders talked business, Rae amused himself 
 roaming about the enclosure, and comparing Fort Simpscn 
 with Fort Camosun, his conclusion being that although the 
 former was certainly a very strong and well-built establish- 
 ment, still his father's charge was upon the whole the best, 
 and he would a m'eat deal rather have his home there than 
 amoncjst the Tsimshians. 
 
 Thus meditating, he came to a fence enclosing a primitive 
 kind of garden whose principal product seemed to be rasp- 
 berry bushes, of which there was quite a thicket under the 
 lee of the lofty stockade. 
 
 The garden gate being open Rae ventured to enter, and 
 on approacliing the bushes was delighted to lind them laden 
 with berries the like of which he had never seen before. 
 
 He was both hungry and thirsty, and his mouth watiTcd 
 for the tempting fruit. " I must have some of those berries," 
 lie said to himself. " I wonder whose they are." He glanced 
 around to see if there \vas anybody to ask, but besides the 
 sentinels away over at the gate no one was in siglit. 
 
 " There's sucli a lot of them," he went on, " they'll never 
 grudge me a few mouthfuls, so here goes;" and without 
 more ado he began to pick. 
 
 Oh how delicious they were ! Inch-long globes of crim- 
 son sweetness that had never known witherinnj heat or 
 nij^ping cold, for the climate of the place is moist and warm 
 like that of a greenhouse. 
 
 Rae's hrst idea had been to eat only a few^ — -just enough 
 
RASPBERRIES AXD OULACILhV. 
 
 16: 
 
 ■ver 
 hout 
 
 lugh 
 
 to cool Lis mouth and satisfy liis sense of taste — Liit the 
 very first berry that melted in his mouth banished tliat 
 notion, and he attacked the bushes \\\i\\ a vigour tliat 
 betokened a determination to make the utmost use of his 
 opportunity. 
 
 He had about got well started, and, with both right and 
 left hand going busily, was managing to keep his mouth 
 luxuriously full, when sud<lenly there fell upon his ear in a 
 harsh voice, with a decided Scotch accent, the demand, — 
 
 " Hi there, ma young callant ! wha telt ye ye mielit bo 
 takin' ma berries the noo ? " 
 
 Rae gave a jump as though a bullet had hit him in the 
 back, and turning round faced his questioner with a coun- 
 tenance whose Ijurning blushes betrayed his confusion. It 
 would have been utterly futile to feign innocence of berry- 
 picking, even had he been disposed to do so, which, however, 
 ho was not; for wliatever other faults Rae had, there never 
 could be any ground f(jr doubting his veracity. With 
 fnigers and. lips stained so deeply that they outvied Ids fiery 
 cheeks, he stood silent. Ife had been caught reddianded, 
 auil ho was not o'oing to aggravate the offence by proflerino- 
 trumpery excuses. 
 
 The old Scotchman seemed somewdiat taken aback at 
 finiling the despoiler of his garden to be an entire stranger ; 
 liut immediately recovering himself, he approaclied Rao with 
 so threatening a mien that the boy instinctively shrank 
 lack, and looked around an /lously for some way of escape. 
 
 Only one avenue was open. He must dart across tlio 
 garden diagonally and leap the fence at the point farthest 
 
i66 
 
 RASPBERRIES AND OULACHAN. 
 
 away from tlio old man, who was now within a few yards 
 of him. To see his chance was to seize it. Witli the lioiind 
 of a startled deer he sprang away, and ])efore the gardener 
 could turn to pursue him he had reached the fence. It was 
 not a high one, and touching his hands upon its upper bar 
 he vaulted over it easily, and was about to continue his 
 flio-ht in the direction of the buildino; where he had left 
 Cai)tain Hanson, when another man came round the corner 
 of a storehouse near by, and the irate gardener shouted to 
 him, — 
 
 " Hand that fellow, wull ye, Jock, till I come up wi' ye ?" 
 
 Whereupon the man with a quick rush caught Kae by 
 the tail of his coat, and held him fast until the old Scotcli- 
 man made his way around by the garden gate and hurried 
 up to them, looking the very picture of wrath. 
 
 But what he would have said or done to Hae must 
 remain only matter for conjecture, as just at this moment 
 the factor of the fort, accompanied by Captain Hanson, 
 appeared upon the scene, and at once inquired what all the 
 fuss was about. On being told by the gardener, who con- 
 fidently counted upon the despoiling of his raspberry bushes 
 being adequately avenged, instead of looking grave, he burst 
 out laughing, and, Injdng his hand kindly on llae's shoulder, 
 said in a conciliatory tone to the indignant informer, — 
 
 " Why, Tammas, if you knew who this is you wouldn't 
 be so wrathy. This is the son of your good friend, "Mr. 
 Finlayson, now factor at Fort Camosun. Surely you 
 w^ouldn't deny him a helping of your tine berries." 
 
 The chauixe that came over the old man's fjrizzled coun- 
 
RASPBERRIES AXD OULACHAN. 
 
 167 
 
 10s 
 
 'I', 
 
 n't 
 \x. 
 on 
 
 \\- 
 
 tcnance at this information was like the sun breaking 
 throuuli a dark Lank of clouds on a chill autr.nm day. 
 
 " And sac ye'ro Rod Finlayson's bairn ! " ho exclaimed, 
 taking hold of Rae's hands, and looking into his face as if to 
 try and trace a paternal likeness there. " Wcel, weel, had I 
 but kenned it, you shoidd have been fu' ^Yelcome to ilka 
 berry in the bit garden. Yer faither was a guid frien' to me 
 lang syne, and I'm verra sorry I spak sae uncouthly tae 
 ye. But ye'll no be mindin' an auld man, and ye'll hac yer 
 till 0' berries forbye." 
 
 And so saying, Tammas drew Rae back towards the 
 garden ; and the boy, only too glad to finish his feast, went 
 willingly along, without troubling himself to inipiire why 
 the old man held so high an opinion of his father. 
 
 It was not till ho was returning to the schooner with 
 Captain Hanson that he learned the particulars. It seemed 
 tliat Tannnas Saunders, who was one of the oldest employees 
 in the Hudson Bay Company's service . the coast, was also 
 one of the most difficult to manaQ-e, beinof o-iven to occasional 
 over-indulgence in drink, and not at all amenable to dis- 
 cipline at any time. 
 
 Of the ditferent oflicials under whom he had served from 
 time to time none had shown so much patience and for- 
 bearance as i\rr. Finlayson, and finally, when dismissal by 
 chief factor Douglas seemed inevitable, he had secured for 
 liim a commutation of the sentence to banishment to Fort 
 Simpson, where emplo3'ment as gardener was given him, and 
 he behaved tolerably well. 
 
 For this reason he looked upon W\\ Finlayson as tho 
 
i68 
 
 RASPBERRIES AND OULACHAN. 
 
 best friend he had in the world, and in token of his regret 
 for the rough treatment he had shown his son Lefore being 
 made aware of Ids identity, he appeared on the Plover early 
 the next morning with a hirge pannikin heaped full of 
 luscious berries. 
 
 " For the laddie's breakfast," he explained to Freckles ; 
 and when Rae came on deck, and accepted the offering m ith 
 hearty thanks, the old man grew radiant, and said in an 
 appealing way, "Ye'll be tellin' yer faither that Tanniias 
 Saunders wishes him weel, an;.l was unco glad to see his 
 bonnie bairn." Which, of course, Rae rendily promised to do. 
 
 As soon as breakfast, including old Tannnas's timely and 
 most acceptable contribution, had been despatched, prepara- 
 tions were made for taking part in the oulachan fishery, 
 which had strongly enlisted Eae's interest. 
 
 Captain Hanson and his men were all too busy unloading 
 the schooner to attend to anything else, but Freckles was at 
 liberty ; so the two boys went off together in the dingey, 
 which they were perfectly competent to manage. 
 
 Rae had often seen oulachan oil, but not the fish itself, 
 and he was very glad of the opportunity to make its ac- 
 quaintance. It is a curious little fish about the same size 
 as the Atlantic capelan, and having the same silvery appear- 
 ance; but it has a distinctive delicate flavour when freshly 
 caught, and it contains more oil than any other known fish. 
 It melts like a lump of butter in the frying-pan; and often, 
 when dried, threaded with a spruce wick, and stuck in a 
 bottle, makes an excellent substitute for a candle. Hence 
 its name of "candle-fish." Their nund)ers arc enormous 
 
RASPBERRIES AND OULACHAN, 
 
 [69 
 
 d slioals of them comi 
 
 fr. 
 
 ^e 
 
 jjeyond all computation, 
 tlie sea will fill the mouth of the Nassc River from hank to 
 hank. The natives rake, shovel, dip, and sieve them by 
 canoe loads, and either dry and string them, or press out 
 their oil and store it away for winter use. Tliis was the 
 fish that Iiac was anxious to catch, and as the harhour fairly 
 swarmed with them he ran no risk of disappointment. 
 
 As a fishing implement Eae had secured a strong scoop- 
 net whicli Captain Hanson happened to have, while Freckles, 
 ill default of anything better, had brought a longdiandled 
 dipper which ho had slyly abstracted from the galley with- 
 out the knowledge of the cook. Between the seats of the 
 dingey was a large tub, that the boys felt sanguine of filling 
 before they returned. So oflf they started in high spirits, 
 each taking an oar. 
 
 All over the harbour were the Indian canoes, their occu- 
 panis busy gathering in the harvest of animated silver. It 
 was a scene of intense activity and interest. The canoes, 
 propelled by sinewy paddlers, darted hither and thither 
 in keen pursuit of the shoals of fish that in diflerent 
 tlirections gave the blue water the appearance of molten 
 ■silver. 
 
 Xor was everything going as smoothly as might be 
 desired. With their wonted greed and childish im])atience 
 the Indians were constantlv comini'- into collision, and the 
 Estill niornini!: air resounded with shouts of aiiL'-er and defiance 
 as they squabbled over their quarry, although in good sooth 
 tliere was enough and to spare for all. 
 
 " We'd better not get into the thick of it, Freckles, had 
 
 (47^) 
 
 11 
 
lyo 
 
 RASPBERRIES AND OULACHAN. 
 
 we ? " saiti Rae, eying the turmoil with some concern. 
 "We'll just keep outside the crowd, and pick up what flsli 
 we can." 
 
 They accordingly rowed quietly along at some distance 
 from the canoes, and contented themselves with picking up 
 some of the fish that had broken away from tlie main body, 
 and were darting about on their own account. They were 
 having fairly good luck, but the tub was tilling slowly, and 
 as Rae could not regard with equanimity the prospect of 
 returning to the schooner with it less than full, he koi'fc 
 moving the dingey nearer to the centre of activity, until 
 presently they were right into the main body of the li^li, 
 and able to scoop them up freely. 
 
 This occupation was so absorbing that neither he nor 
 Freckles took note of what was G;oing on around them, so 
 tliat they never could tell whether it was done accidentallv 
 or with riiaUce prepense. At all events, just when they were 
 both stooping, Tlac to empty liis scoop-net into the tub, and 
 Freckles to get another dipperful of fish, a big canoe struck 
 their boat heavily amidships, with the eflect of causing botli 
 boys to take a sudden header, the one into the tub, the other 
 into the water. 
 
 To a disinterested spectator the sight must have boon 
 extremely comical ; for Eae got his shoulders wedged in in 
 such a way that for a minute or two he could not extricate 
 liimself, ill spite of his frantic struggles, but stuck there with 
 his lecfs wavino- in the air like danirer sij-'nals; M'hile Freckles 
 was so surprised at being precipitated right into the slippery 
 shiny multitude of fish that, forgetting he could swim well 
 
 
 ■ 
 
I^ASPBERRIES AXD OULACHAX. 
 
 171 
 
 ten 
 
 ill 
 
 ktc 
 
 th 
 
 ics 
 
 rell 
 
 enough, he thrashod round wildly and shouted for help at 
 the top of lii.s voice. 
 
 Even the unusually staid savages, and particularly those 
 on board the canoe Avhicli had been guilty of the collision, 
 were moved to laughter, and suspended their fishing opera- 
 ti'^ns for a time to watch the fun. 
 
 Happily there \vas no fear of any serious consequences ; 
 i'or Rae, beyond a couple of slight bruises on his shoulders, 
 and a liberal coat of lish scales and slime on his iace, was 
 none, the worse for his wallowing in the tub, while Freckles 
 quickly regained his self-control and scrambled back into 
 tlic boat aci'ain. 
 
 But oh ! how furious Kae felt. To submit to such an 
 affront in silence was something of which his fiery nature 
 was not capable, and the moment he regained his balance in 
 the stern-sheets he proceeded to scold the Indians in right 
 good fashion. 
 
 " You great stupid loons ! " lie cried, " what did you 
 mean by doing that ? We weren't interfering with you in 
 any way. You think you're very clever, no doubt, to play 
 such a trick upon a couple of boys. You wouldn't (hire do 
 it if we were men, ' and so forth, until his wrath had some- 
 wliat spent itself ; and then seeing that he might as well 
 have been addrcssino- the winds, so little effect did his tirade 
 produce, he brought it to a rath(>r lame conclusion by 
 stopping ill the midst of a sentence and bidding Freckles 
 pnll away, as they would go back to the schooner and leave 
 the oulachan and the Indians to themselves. 
 
 Rae returned to the Plover in a reirular fit of the sulks. 
 
172 
 
 RASPBERRIES AND OU LAC HAN. 
 
 for he felt that his dignity liad received \:ji\ unmerited 
 downfall, and that too in the sight of Freckles, wliich 
 greatly aggravated the matter. 
 
 It was no mitigation of the affair that Freckles had 
 shared in the unpleasant experience. lie had no dignity 
 to lose ; hut with Rae, who liked to be looked up to hy 
 the other as a sort of hero, it was altogether different; for a 
 hero with his head in a tub of fish, and his legs frantically 
 kicking in mid-air, could hardly command the respect np- 
 propriatc to the character. 
 
 It was therefore some little time before Rae got haelc 
 his wonted serenity, and meanwhile he wandered oil' alone 
 along the shore with a heart full of longing to invent soiuo 
 way of getting even with the Indians. 
 
 But that evening, when, after dinner with the factor, he 
 learned from his lips some of the thrilling experiences the 
 crarrison had been tluTjUgh since the establishment of the 
 fort in its present position, he came to the very wise con- 
 clusion that it was a case of discretion being the better part 
 of valour. 
 
 Among all the stations estal)lished by the Hudson Baj' 
 Company on that far western coast, none had had so large a 
 share of danger as Fort Simpson. Again and again during 
 the season of the oulachan fishing, when they were gathered 
 in ahnost overwhelming numbers, the Indians had attacked 
 it fiercely, more than once being nearly successful in burn- 
 ing it down. 
 
 Fortunatel3^ however, owing to their utter lack of con- 
 certed action, and their wretched ec^uipment of weapons of 
 
 I 
 
RASPBERRIES AM) OULACHAN. 
 
 173 
 
 11- 
 n- 
 
 uar, every attcmjit liad been frustrated ; and now tliey 
 scL'rned to have learned wisdom, and to be willing to let the 
 f(»rt alone. 
 
 During tlie remainder of the stay of the Plover, Ixac 
 auiiiscd himself as best ho could ; and although the time 
 hung rather heavily upon his hands, yet he made no further 
 attempt at catching oulachan. The one experience he had 
 liad of that was sufficient to satisfy him for some time to 
 come. 
 
 By the end of the week all the stores the schooner 
 carried for the fort had been transferred to the warehouses, 
 and their place taken by bales of furs to be brought down 
 to Fort Vancouver. Then there M'as a farewell dinner at 
 which the culinary resources of the establishment were 
 taxed to their uttermost, and the following morning the 
 Plover shook out her white wings, and with a favouring 
 breeze began her homeward voyage. 
 
 Not until now did Captain Hanson mention to Rae a 
 project that ho had been nursing for some time past. 
 
 " I've been thinking, Rae," he said, as the tw^o sat to- 
 gether in the stern, while the schooner, with every inch of 
 canvas drawing to the full, cut her way through the Avhite 
 caps, " that it might be a fine thing to run over to the Queen 
 Charlotte Islands and do a bit of trading with the Ilaidas. 
 You see there's no particular hiu'ry aliout our getting back, 
 ami the weather's sure to be fine yet for a month anyway, 
 and We've got a lot of things still on hand yet that the 
 Indians would like very much to have ; and so taking it 
 altogether, it's pretty clear to my mind that it wouhl be a 
 
174 
 
 RASPBERRIES AND OULACHAN. 
 
 good notion to sec if those Haidas haven't got some pelts 
 that would pay for the trouljlc of [;"oing after them. If 
 there have been no Russian vessels down to them lateh', 
 they'll be pretty sure to have some, Isow what do you 
 say, my boy ? Are j'ou beginning to feel homesick, or would 
 you like to see something of the Haidas ? " 
 
 Rae did not keep the captain waiting long for his 
 answer. Eager as he was to see his father again, the 
 prospect of seeing the Haidas, those famous freebooters of 
 the coast, of whoso warlike exploits he had heard many 
 stirring tales from his father and others, was altogether too 
 attractive to his adventurous spirit not to reconcile him to a 
 slight postponement of his return to Fort Camosun. 
 
 " Why, captain," he said promptly, " I say go to the 
 Queen Charlotte Islands by all means. I've heard lots of 
 stories about the Haidas, and I'm longing to see some of 
 them. Oh, I hope you'll go over there. It won't take very 
 long, will it ? " 
 
 " Oh, no, it won't take us more than a week out of our 
 course at the most," answered the captain ; " and if the 
 luck's with us, and we get a good otter skin or two, well 
 think well of ourselves for making the trial." 
 
 So the diversion to the Queen Charlotte Islands was 
 quickly decided, and the Plovers course changed to a more 
 westerly one accordingly. 
 
 \s was always the case when full of some new idea, Eae 
 could talk of nothing else but the Haidas, and he fairly 
 showered questions upon Captain Hanson, who, to tell the 
 truth, had not much information to give, having never 
 
 h 
 ii 
 c 
 
 P 
 tl 
 
 , 
 

 BASPBERRIES AXD OULACITAN, 
 
 175 
 
 visited tlic islands before, althon.i;-li the tbou:j,-]it of doing so 
 had entered his mind on previons voya<;vs. Little did Rae 
 imagine as they drew near the home of the Ifaidas how 
 eventful this visit would turn out to he, and how it would 
 postpone his return to Fort Camosun for more months than 
 the days of the captain's calculation. 
 
 II 
 
CTTATTEU XI 
 
 TO THE (^UEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS. 
 
 TO reach the Queen Charlotte Iskind.s from Fort Simpson 
 tlie Plover had to make her way out of Chatham 
 Sound, i^assing' between Dundas and Stephen Islands into 
 the brOad expanse of 1 lecate Strait, and then strike abnost 
 directly across for Skidegatc Iidet, which affords the best 
 entrance to both Craham Island on the north and i\Ioresl>y 
 Island on the south. 
 
 Such line weather had fallen to the schooner's lot hitherto 
 tliat those on board her took it for ij-ranted the same o'ood 
 fortune would attend them in their detour; but in this 
 expectation they were to be grievously disappointed. They 
 had not long left the protection of the arcliipelago through 
 which they had been pursuing their course for so many 
 weeks before the north wind, as though it had been only 
 waiting for its opportunity, fell upon them fiercely. 
 
 The sea rose to a hei^'ht it coidd never attain in the 
 sheltered straits, and the sturdy little vessel, with only a 
 triple-reefed jib and foresail set, leaped gallantly from billow 
 to billow, ao-ain and ao-ain burvino- her nose in the foaming 
 mass, and being saved from a smothering only by the 
 
 
TO THE QUEEN CJIARI.OTIE ISLANDS. 177 
 
 lie 
 
 a 
 
 |\v 
 
 o 
 
 lie 
 
 splendid soain.insliip of ( ^iptaiii llanson, wlio tnid*^'! the 
 wliucl liinisL'lf, and never ttjok Ids eyes oil" tlie bow. 
 
 A wildtT storm Rae had never expeiicnced, and liis 
 liciU't sank as the sehooner staLi-^'ercd on through the 
 seethinii: waters, the Utile canvas she carried threateninjj 
 every minute to tear the groaning mast from its socket, 
 or to be blown away from its own gronnnets like a pud' 
 (if smoke. 
 
 Freckles, who was not by any means born for a sailor, 
 tried to keep on deck for a while, as all the others were 
 there ; but soon his courage failed him, and he crawled 
 below, where he could not see the tumult of the waters, 
 however much he might feel it. 
 
 Creeping carefully up besi<.le the captain, Ilae ventured 
 to suggest, — 
 
 '"Hadn't we better turn back, captain, and not try to 
 get over to the islands ? " 
 
 Without moving his ej^es from the bow. Captain llanson 
 answered in a voice of unusual griiflhess, — 
 
 "Turn back is it? and how do you tliink we're to 
 manage that when it takes all I know of sailing to keep the 
 schooner on her keel as it is ? " 
 
 Kac didn't understand why the Plover couldn't keep) ^ai 
 her keel just as well if she were beating back to Chatham 
 Sound as if she continued on to the Queen Charlotte Islands; 
 but, as the tone of the captain's answer implied that he 
 ought to be able to see for himself why the former course 
 was impracticable, he deemed it better to say nothing more 
 in the matter, and laying hold with both hands of a friendly 
 
■rji 
 
 178 TO THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS. 
 
 bclaying-pin, lie strove to keep liis footing on the deck 
 despite the pitching and rolling of the schooner. 
 
 Rvnininiv straij-ht before the wind, as she was doinc--, the 
 Ploicr was threatened with a double danger. The wind, 
 whose violence showed no signs of abating, threatened to 
 carry away one or both of her masts ; and the huge billows, 
 witli which she seemed to be running;: a mad race, were eaacr 
 to spring upon her from astern. 
 
 Captain Hanson thoroughly understood the situation, 
 and certainly no man could have shown more skill and 
 promptness of action in avoiding both dangers. Indeed, 
 after a while, when he had again and again by a quick turn 
 of the wheel evaded an on-rushino- sea or saved the hard- 
 pressed mast, he began to grow more confident of his powers, 
 and to find a kind of fierce pleasure in this struggle with 
 the elements that seemed so bent upon overwhelming him 
 and his companions. 
 
 ''1\\Q, Plover will weather it riu'ht enough," ho said to 
 Rae, an exultant expression relaxing the hitherto stern 
 fixedness of his face. " She's a saucy craft, and in my 
 hands a match for any gale." 
 
 That moment Rae happened to glance astei'ii, and what 
 he saw caused l.\is eyes to start from his head with fright. 
 
 "Look, captain, look! quick!" lie cried in the shrill 
 accents of terror. 
 
 The captain turned his head, and beheld a huge billow- 
 that seemed to tower half-way to the top of the mainmast 
 rearing its snowy, seething crest right behind, and ready to 
 topple over upon them. 
 
 1'^ 
 a- 
 
 al 
 
TO THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS. 179 
 
 hat 
 ii'iU 
 
 low 
 
 luist 
 V to 
 
 '■' Heaven lielp us ! " he exclaimed, throwing himself upon 
 ilic Avhcel with all his strength, and spinning it round in his 
 liands. 
 
 But he was just a moment too late. With an awful roar 
 the great wave broke upon them, flooding the schooner's 
 dock from stern to stem, and sweeping away everything 
 that was not lashed fast. 
 
 Both he and Bac wore smitten to the deck by the irre- 
 sistible onset of the billow. Happily, however, they kept 
 their places, the one holding on to the wheel and the other 
 to a coil of rope that hung to the belaying-pin, and the 
 instant the deluge had passed over them Captain Hanson 
 Mas on his feet again issuing orders to the half-drowned 
 sailors that they hastened to obey as best they could. 
 
 The saucy little Ploi'cr had been "pooped" — that worst 
 of nil disasters that can befall a vessel — and whether the 
 relentless billows would prove her deathblow or not would 
 soon be manifest. The coJjin had been filled with water, as 
 was inevitable, driving poor Freckles out on deck again, 
 where ho lay almost flat on his breast, lifting a pitiful face 
 up to the captain, as though to say, — 
 
 "0 captain, is it all over with us ? Will we never see 
 land aci:ain ? " 
 
 If the hold was as full as (Ik? cabin, the schooner must 
 iouurlor, for she couhl never hold her own against the gale 
 ill that condition. Tlie sailors were ordered to try the 
 pninps. They did so vigorously, and to their vast relief 
 ascertained that there was hardly any water in tlu^ hold at 
 '^h; upon which cheering inforuuition being comuumicated 
 
i8o TO THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLAiYDS. 
 
 to Captain Hanson, he gave a hoarse chuckle, and a new 
 light cainc into his face. 
 
 " Hurrah ! the Plovers days are not ov^er yet. Let out a 
 reef in that foresail. There'll be no more pooping if I crai 
 help it." 
 
 The reef being let out, the schooner at once responded 
 to the pressure of the additional canvas ; and although the 
 mast seemed as if it would break oti' short, it held notwith- 
 standing, while the vessel, in spite of her added burden of 
 water, bounded over the waves triumphantly. 
 
 That tremendous billov. seemed to have been the storm's 
 supreme effort, for, soon after, its violence began to abate, 
 and ere evening fell the worst had passed, and there was 
 nothing more to be feared from that quarter. 
 
 Captain Hanson thought it wase to lie -to during tlie 
 night, as he did not know how far out of his course the gale 
 mio-ht have blown him ; and when he took his reckoniuL;- 
 next morning he found his wisdom proved by the discovery 
 that he was a long way south of Ski dogate Inlet, and would 
 have to beat back acjainst a head wind. 
 
 This would have been sufficient to cause a less deter- 
 mined man to change his plans, and keep on his way hoiiie 
 instead of proceeding to the islands. But the captain had 
 a good spice of obstinacy in him, and was not to be tururd 
 aside from his purpose by an ordinary gale, even though it 
 had included a very narrow escape from being " pooped." 
 
 So the schooner was put about, and all that day thrashed 
 throuo-h the waves, makinof somewhat slow but steady pro- 
 gross towards Skidegate. As they stood off and on from 
 
 MMk 
 
TO THE QUEEN C HARLOT I^E ISLANDS. iSi 
 
 rale 
 
 mg' 
 
 itcr- 
 omc 
 luul 
 
 lU'il 
 
 1 it 
 
 the coast, which they made about mid-day, Rao was busy 
 witli his glass sweeping the shore in hopes of discovering 
 some signs of liuman life. But nothing of the kind was 
 visible, and at last, feeling much disappointed, he asked 
 Captain Hanson if the islands were really inhabited. 
 
 " I can't for the life of me make out anything that looks 
 like people being on the land. Surely therc'd be camps or 
 something, wonl .n't there?" he said, in an impatient cone. 
 
 "Ah, Rae," said the captain laughing, "3''ou're too eager 
 altogether, Do you expect the Haidas to be waiting for us 
 in their U!!t".'S when they've no idea we're coming. Faith, 
 you'll not have to look long for camps or canoes either once 
 we get into Skidegate Inlet." 
 
 And, sure enough, no sooner had they made the entrance 
 and passed a little way up than on either side groups of 
 Indian habitations came into view, and a number of canoes 
 were paddled rapidly towards them. 
 
 " There now, Rae," said the captain, " will that satisfy 
 vou { 
 
 V 
 
 "Indeed it will," said Rae. "Why, what a lot of them 
 there are ! " 
 
 Hy the time the schooner had come to anchor she was 
 surrounded by a cl()U<l of canoes containing men, women, 
 and ehihlven full of curiosity with regard to the new- 
 comers, and Rae, from the vantage-point of the bulwarks, 
 had a fine opportunity to study them in return. 
 
 lie was at once struck by their marked superiority in 
 general ap|)earancc to any Indians that he had over met 
 before. Their skin, instead of being dark and dirty, was of 
 
t82 to the queen charlotte islands. 
 
 a clear olive tint, and their features were finer in their lines, 
 while their bodies were tall and well formed. Their hair 
 was black and coarse, and it was noticeable tliat the faces 
 of the men were as smooth as those of the women, owing to 
 the practice of pulling out tlie moustache and beard as soon 
 as the}'' began to show themselves. 
 
 The canoes, too, in which they had come out were finer 
 than ordinary, being fashioned out of single logs of red 
 cedar, with pointed bows and flaring gunwales, and richly 
 carved and coloured. Some were capable of carrying forty 
 persons, while others were light and small, for the use of 
 only two paddlers. Nearly every canoe liad a full load, and 
 the chattering of their occupants as they commented upon 
 their visitors was like that of a multitude of parrots. 
 
 That the savaixes had not entire confidence in their white 
 brothers was manifest from the fact that they evidenced no 
 desire to be allowed on board. On the contrary, they kept 
 off at a slight distance, as though perchance they feared tlio 
 crew of the PJover might attempt to jump into their canoes. 
 
 At the outset Captain Hanson found himself faced by 
 the ]-)rob]em of holding communication with the Haidas. 
 The dialect they spoke had little in common with any of 
 those on the mainland with which he was familial', and none 
 of las men had ever seen a Uaida before. 
 
 Tb' must needs fall back upon the sign language there- 
 fore, and this he at once put into vigorous use. At fir.s! the 
 Indians seemed puzzled, but after a while they showed mnrt- 
 intelligence, and ventured to reply in their own fashion with 
 the result that some soi't of an mider.standiug was readied. 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
tlio 
 
 3GS. 
 
 :IS. 
 of 
 
 110 
 
 ?ro- 
 ilio 
 
 -itli 
 
 TO TlfE QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS. 1S3 
 
 The captain made clcav liis desire to trade, whereupon 
 a Haida wliose dress and appearance betokened superior 
 laiik invited him to go on shore, and he accepted tlie in- 
 vitation, taking Rac with him and also two of the sailors; 
 tlie other two, with the cook and Freckles, being left in 
 eliarg'o of the schooner, with instructions to allow no Indians 
 to come on board on any account. 
 
 All four of those o'oinc'' on shore were armed to the teeth, 
 not so much because Captain Hanson antieii)ated having 
 recourse to the weapons, but rather that their ajipearance 
 might induce respect and let the natives see that their 
 visitors were not to be trifled with or imposed upon. 
 
 As Rae looked about him upon landing, his attention 
 was at once claimed by what is th.e most characteristic 
 feature of all Haida villacjes — namely, the wonderful and 
 liiysterious carved posts which stood in front of every 
 dwelling. No other aboriginal people have anything like 
 these posts. In Skidegate village each house — for the Tn- 
 iliaus live in regular houses, not in tents — had at least tvro 
 such ert'ctions in front, and they were all dillerenl as to size, 
 lit'inkt, and carvinu's. 
 
 ''AVliy, captain," exclain\ed Rae, as his eye wrndered 
 from one to the other of these posts down the long line that 
 ran from end to end of the village, "what are those things, 
 and what do they mean ? I never saw anything like them 
 Lffuro."' 
 
 "No more did T," responded the captain, "and to toll 
 M'liat they're for is beyond me. Pt'ihaps the people worship 
 them when they've got mjthing else to do." 
 
1 84 TO THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS. 
 
 Rae's curiosity was so stirred tliat this intlofinite reply 
 did not content liim ; so he turned to a young llaida, and, 
 pointing to a particularly tierce-looking post wliich Lore on 
 its head two gigantic grotes(|ue heads adorned with huge 
 liorns, shouted in liis ear as if he were deaf, — 
 
 " What is tliat for ? Can you tell me ? " 
 
 Tlio Indian started at the question, and an ngly look 
 came into Ids face, as though he suspected Tiac of making 
 fun of either him or the post. He shook his head very 
 decidedly, and moved away in evident ill-humour. 
 
 "I guess you'd Letter not press that question, Rae," said 
 Captain Hanson, whose (piick eyes seemed to miss nothing 
 that transpired. " Perhaps ho doesn't understand you. 
 Anyway, they are a suspicious lot, and ready enough to 
 take oiTence, so don't ask many questions." 
 
 Kae fully concurred in the wisdom of the captain's 
 counsel, 3'et as they passed one after another of these strange 
 posts with their carved faces and elaLorate decorations he 
 did long to ask some one wdiat they all meant. 
 
 Next to the posts, what impressed him most was the 
 size nnd solidity of the Ilaida houses. They all stood in a 
 lonii' row with their gaLlc ends to the Leach, which indeed 
 served as the street of the village, and were constructed of 
 great slaLs of cedar lai<l upon stout posts driven deep into 
 the earth. Some of them were more than fifty feet in 
 Lreatlth at the front, and ran Lack as far, while the roof 
 ridge rose nearly twenty feet aLovc the tloor. 
 
 But, as Rae soon learned^ so largo a house was the aljode 
 of more than one fanuly. In fact, four or five families 
 
TO THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISI.AXPS. 185 
 
 he 
 
 tlic 
 in a 
 lecd 
 1 of 
 into 
 in 
 
 i 
 
 Iroo 
 
 |)0(ie 
 lies 
 
 would slmro its nccoiiiniO(lation,l)cing all ivlated, and liaving 
 as the liead of the liouseliold the oldest male ineiiiber of the 
 group. 
 
 Following their guide, the four ^vhite vi.sitors were 
 1)rr>U'dit to a house that occupied a conmiandino; site in the 
 crutre of the villaii'e. Before it stood the two larirest carved 
 posts of all, quite startling affairs, Leing huge human faces 
 crowned with gigantic hats of a kind that no London hatter 
 ever put upon the market. 
 
 This was evidently the palace of the chieftain, and they 
 were now- to have audience with him, their guide striving 
 to impress upon them as best he could by means of signs 
 that the chief was a most important personage, and that 
 tilt y nuist not fail to do him appropriate honour. 
 
 llae did not take tliis in, and Captain Hanson had not 
 time to explain what was meant before they all found them- 
 selves in the great man's presence. The room being imper- 
 fectly lighted by a hole in the roof, it took the visitors some 
 fuw minutes to get their bearinijs. 
 
 When their eyes had become accustomed to the gloom, 
 they saw before them, squatting upon a raised platform at 
 the farther end of the spacious chamlicr, an ohl man, who 
 pivsi'iitly rose to his feet and extended his arms w ith the 
 palms turned up, evidently in token of greeting. 
 
 <'aptain Hanson at once iniitate<l him, at the same time 
 hi'wing low, and the sailors followed suit; bnt Kae was so 
 taken up with gazing at the chief and his surroundings that 
 he never moved. 
 
 It must be said that there was good excuse for the boy's 
 
 07S) 
 
 12 
 
1 86 TO THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS. 
 
 failure to make a proper oljeisancc, for certainly the old 
 chief was no ordinary being in point of appearance. His 
 stature was ahove the connnon, his body thin and spare, yet 
 his linihs were strong and muscular. His eyes M'ere largo 
 and goggling, seeming ready to start out of their sockets. 
 Flis forehead was deeply wrinkled, not merely by ago, hnt 
 from a continual frown; all of which characteristics, joined 
 to a lonjx visage, hollow cheeks, high cheek-bones, and a 
 decidedly ferocious expression, made him look to Rae most 
 uncomfortably like some sort of a bogey man. 
 
 He was clothed in a kind of cloak greatly prized among 
 the Haidas, which they obtained in trade from the Tsiin- 
 shians. It was shaped somewhat like a shawl, with a blunt 
 point behind, and surrounded by a thick fringe of twisted 
 wool. Finely shred cedar bark had been used as a warp for 
 this cloth, on which the wool of the mountain goat had been 
 worked in witli a very excellent effect. Like Joseph's coat 
 that got liim into so much trouble, it was made of many 
 colours, black, brown, yellow, and white predominating, and 
 each colour being a sepanite piece artfully sewn to the others, 
 so that no seam was visible. On his head was a turban of 
 shred cedar bark twisted together, stained a dull red, and 
 decorated with the orange-coloured bills of puffms and some 
 brilliant feathers. Altogether he was quite an imposing- 
 looking iiguro, and his attendants could hardly be blamed for 
 feeling incensed at Kae's neo-lect to do him reverence. 
 
 As neither the chief nor the captain knew a word *'f 
 each other's language, and there was no one to interpret, 
 conversation could not be otherwise than extremely limited; 
 
TO THE QUEEX CHARLOTTE ISLAXDS, 1S7 
 
 11 for 
 
 jprct, 
 litecl ; 
 
 k 
 
 yet by dint of vigorous gesticulations, and much dramatic 
 action, they did succeed in making mutually plain the fact 
 that they were both eager for trade, and that Wni chief had 
 a lot of fine furs to barter for the captain's goods. 
 
 This being settled, the chief, assuming as genial an ex- 
 pression as his ferocious countenance was capable of mani- 
 festing, gave some orders to the women, who had all the 
 time been grouped about his primitive throne eying the 
 visitors with glances of shy curiosity, and they disappeared 
 at the back, returning soon with wooden pjlattcrs heaped 
 high with food, which was placed 1.)eforc tlieir guests. 
 
 liae glanced questioningly at Captain Hanson as though 
 to say, " It's queer-looking stufF; must we cat it ? " 
 
 And the captain answered his look by saying in an 
 undertone, " You nuist eat some of it, or they'll be mortally 
 offended." 
 
 The viand in question proved to be halibut, which was 
 the main article of food amoui;' the Haidas. It had been 
 roasted in strips before an open fire, and albeit somewhat 
 smoked and lacking in basting, still it did not taste so very 
 ill, and Piae, by a great effort, managed to gulp down a few 
 iiiuuthfuls, although not nearly enough to content the hos- 
 pital)le desires of the hosts. 
 
 kittle did he imagine as he then made his acquaintance 
 with Ilaida halibut, and to the bottom of his heart hoped 
 ho nu'ght never sec anything more of it, that in the days to 
 come he would have to make many a meal off the same 
 thing, and indeed, at times, be very glad to get enough of it 
 to satisfy his appetite. 
 
i88 TO THE QUEEX CHARLOTTE ISLANDS. 
 
 After the halibut 
 
 kind of ben 
 
 soaked 
 
 cainc some 
 
 oiilachau grease that the Indians cvi(k'nt]y reg'arde(l as 
 a great dainty, but witli uhich tlie Avhitc men could do 
 nothing ; and then the fc^ast being ended, Captain Hanson 
 signified his desire to withdraw. 
 
 The chief apparently wished to prolong the interview, 
 but the whole party were anxious to gut out into the fresh 
 air again, and so they took their departure, Rae this time 
 remembering to make liis bow with as much formality as 
 the captain himself. 
 
 On their way back to the boat they were attended by a 
 crowd of curious natives, who watched their faces keenly, as 
 though they would read therein the impression their village 
 and themselves made upon the visitors ; and it thus fell to 
 Rao's luck to once more give oftence by being moved to 
 lauci'liter at the sight of some women who were standinij' 
 beside two of the carved posts. 
 
 Not content with tattooing their cheeks and decorating' 
 their dress with shells and bits of bright metal, these tawny 
 belles had sought to increase their beauty by inserting their 
 very largest labrets in their lips, and hanging curious-looking 
 ornaments to their noses. The labrets, which caused the 
 lower lips to protrude fiir out over the chin, were hideous 
 enough in themselves, l»ut tlic nose appendages were alto- 
 gether too much, and Eae, forgetting that although their 
 new acquaintances could not understand his speech they 
 could interpret his actions with an accuracy that went far 
 to make up therefor, nudged Captain Hanson with his el1)OW, 
 and indicating the Haida ladies by a glance in their direc- 
 
 ) 
 
TO THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS. 189 
 
 rir 
 ing 
 the 
 ous 
 Ito- 
 loir 
 hoy 
 far 
 
 rec- 
 
 
 tion, .Siii<l, with a sinile of iniiiL^led aiimscinciit and iiityiiii,' 
 C()nteiiii)t, — 
 
 "Just look there, captain. ])i(l yon ever sec such gnj's ? 
 And to think that they imagine tliat makes tlieni lu'aiitifnl ! 
 Fgli ! it makes them look more like pigs than human 
 hcings/' 
 
 Without thinking, Captain Hanson looked as directed, 
 and at once the appropriateness of liaes simile appeared to 
 him so strongly that he could not resist smiling at the pitiful 
 frights into which the poor women had been converted by 
 their savac-'C adornments. 
 
 Cat the next moment the sudden darkening of the faces 
 of the men around showed him that ])oth he and Rae had 
 been wanting in discretion, and grasping his companion's 
 arm with a vigour that caused him to look up in surprise, 
 he said in a tone that showed some agitation, — 
 
 " See here, my lad, you mustn't make remarks on these 
 people. They guess pretty sharply at what you mean, and 
 it riles them ; so just be careful, and M'hatever you think, 
 keep it to yourself until you're back on board the Plover.'' 
 
 Rae rather resented being thus sat upon, so to speak, 
 and it made him sulky for a time, so that lie had no dis- 
 I'osition to indulge in further remarks; but by the time 
 they had got back to the schooner this little cloud had 
 vanished, and when Freckles met him at the bulwarks with 
 welcoming grin, he made up for his temporary silence by 
 shouting out, — 
 
 " Freckles, but they're a queer lot ! you never saw 
 such odd-looking folks in your life. The w- anen wear rings 
 
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iQo TO THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS. 
 
 in their noses just like pigs, and stick saucers in their lips 
 to make them pretty." 
 
 Freckles was, of course, eager to learn all about it, and 
 Rae regaled him with a picturesque account of what he ha<l 
 seen, which the boy appreciated higldy, and which made 
 him full of eagerness to get ashore and see some of those 
 curious sights for himself. 
 
 He expressed tliis desire to Rae, who at once approved, 
 and promised to arrange the matter with Captain Hanson. 
 
 " If the captain isn't going oft' himself to-morrow, I'll ask 
 him for the dingey, and we'll go on our own account. We 
 might have some fun, you know." 
 
 " Oh, that will be fine ! " exclaimed Freckles, clapping 
 his hands. " Do you think the captain will let us go ? " 
 
 "Of course he will, if I ask him," said Rae, looking most 
 consequential ; " and we'll take some trinkets with us, and 
 try to do some trading." 
 
 When Captain Hanson came on deck the following 
 morning he found his schooner fairly besieged by a multi- 
 tude of canoes, many of whose occupants held up bundles of 
 furs the moment he appeared, and by their gesticulations 
 made it plain that they were anxious to barter them off for 
 what he minjlit have to oive in exchano-e. 
 
 <n o o 
 
 Not wishing to seem too eager to purchase, he told tlieni 
 to \vait, that he was not ready to attend to them just then, 
 and proceeded to take his breakfast in a leisurely fashion, 
 while the impatient savages clustered closer to the vessel, 
 and kept up a continuous chattering in their own tongue. 
 
 Having finished his breakfast and smoked his pipe the 
 
TO THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS. 191 
 
 ng 
 
 Iti- 
 
 captain was ready for work, and gave orders tliat the goods 
 he had to barter should be brought up on deck and spread 
 out on the poop. He still had a good assortiiicnt of Iiatchets, 
 kettles, tin pans, brass chains, glass beads, a'.id other articles 
 dear to the savage heart ; and these being duly set forth on 
 the poop, he invited two of the occupants of the nearest 
 canoe to come on board with their pelts, and begin business. 
 
 They showed some hesitation at hrst, evidently prefer- 
 ring to remain in their canoes ; but after a little persuasion 
 they climbed over the bulwarks, bearing bundles that made 
 Captain Hanson's eyes glisten when they were opened 
 before him, for their contents were nearly all sea-otter skins 
 of large size and line quality, worth a goodly sum apiece, 
 and if he had to give his entire stock of goods for simply 
 the two bundles he would make a profitable trade. 
 
 But if the furs pleased the captain, much more did his 
 goods delight the savages. The sight of so many articles 
 tliat they coveted heaped together in such profusion fdled 
 their souls with the desire for possession, and they were 
 ready to barter away everything they owned, including 
 their wives if need l)e, to secure the treasure before them. 
 
 Lilt of course Captain Hanson was not going to allow 
 tlie first pair of purchasers to corner the market ; so, having 
 carefully examined the skins they brought, an<l put his own 
 valuation upon them, he laid beside them a lot of things — 
 a couple of hatchets, two tin pans, an iron kettle, and so 
 forth — and signitied that that was what he would give for 
 tlie furs. 
 
 At first the savages protested vigorously, and sought 
 
w 
 
 192 TO THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS. 
 
 with their own hands to add more articles to the pile. But 
 the captain promptly stopped that, and made it clear that 
 he would not increase his offer ; whereupon they grew sulky, 
 and pretended that they had lost all desire for trade, rolling 
 up their skins again to take them away. 
 
 But Captain Hanson was not the man to be fooled hy 
 any such shallow artifice as that, and, lighting his pipe, ho 
 sat himself placidly down until his customers should conic 
 around to his way of thinking. 
 
 They hesitated and hung about, exchanging counsel in 
 a low tone, and even made as though they would return to 
 their canoes ; but the captain continuing impassive, thoy 
 finally gave up the attempt to have their own way, and 
 throwing down the furs again, proceeded to pick up tlic 
 different articles offered in exchange, and to hand them 
 over to the other occupants of their canoe. Then they took 
 themselves off with frowns of disappointment still becloud- 
 ing their tawny faces. 
 
 As soon as they were gone two others were allowed on 
 board, and these went through pretty much the same pro- 
 cess of bargaining, without gaining any more by it than 
 their predecessors had done. It was while they were in the 
 midst of this that Rae took the opportunity to cask Captain 
 Hanson if he and Freckles might go ashore in the dingey ; 
 and the captain's attention being absorbed in the business, 
 he replied without clearly understanding the purport of the 
 question, " All right ; but don't go far, and be back soon." 
 Whereupon Rao ran off joyfully to make preparation for the 
 shore-going. 
 
TO THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS. 193 
 
 )k 
 
 .1. 
 
 ■ss, 
 
 10 
 )) 
 
 11. 
 lie 
 
 Being anxious to effect as profound an impression as 
 possible, Rae accoutred himself as though he were going on 
 some warlike expedition. His powder-flask and bullet-pouch 
 were hung across his shoulders, in his belt were his pistols 
 and hunting-knife, and in his hand his rifle, while Freckles 
 he provided with another rifle and the necessary ammunition. 
 
 Off went the two in high spirits, Rao answering one of 
 the sailors who asked him what he was going to do, — 
 
 " Oh, I'll tell you when T got back. We're going to have 
 some fun, anyway." 
 
 " Well, take good care of yourselves, my boys," was the 
 response, " and don't let the Indians keep you." 
 
 " Oh, not much fear of that," laughed Rae carelessly ; 
 " we'll be back in o-ood time for dinner." Then turning: to 
 Freckles he added, " Give way now ; let's lose no time," and 
 ofl' they rowed toward the shore, little dreaming what 
 strange and varied experiences were in store for them, and 
 how many days would pass before they would again have 
 dinner with people of their own kind. 
 
 While the boys were rowing ashore the bartering went 
 on busily aboard the schooner, Captain Hjinson feeling 
 tempted to hug himself after each batch 0/ his customers 
 went away at having made one more excellent bargain. 
 Had he taken time to be more observant he could hardly 
 have failed to notice a rather strange thing — to wit, tliat 
 the Indians, as soon as they disposed of their furs, went 
 straight back to the village, not to remain there, but to 
 return almost immediately fully armed with spears and 
 bows and clubs. 
 
■ t 
 
 194 TO THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS. 
 
 They did not approach the PloveVy but kept together in 
 a group about a hundred yards away, as if biding their time 
 for some purpose tliey all clearly understood. 
 
 The trading took up the whole morning, and in the 
 meantime Rae and Freckles liad landed on the beach before 
 the chief's dwelling, drawn up the dingey, and started out on 
 their adventures. Rae greath'' enjoyed filling the post of 
 guide, and took care that Freckles should miss nothing of 
 interest as they strolled along. The wonderful carved posts, 
 the laro;e and substantial dwellinfrs, so different from and 
 superior to the ordinary Indian lodges, the curiously tattooed 
 faces of the men, and the hideously ornamented features of 
 the women — these and other things were observed and coui- 
 inented upon with lively interest. 
 
 Nobody addressed them, or made any overture in tluit 
 direction, although they in their turn were the objects of 
 many keen glances ; and had they been on the look-o\it 
 for anything of the kind they could hardly have failed to 
 notice that here and there the men were gathered in little 
 knots, talking in low tones, and casting meaning looks at 
 the boys. 
 
 They continued their walk to the very end of the lino 
 of dwellings, and then were about to retrace their steps, 
 when a gaily -dressed Indian boy about their own age 
 appeared at the doorway of the last house, and made signs 
 for them to enter. 
 
 Freckles took no notice and kept on, but Rae halted. 
 
 " Shall we go in ? " he asked, more as a matter of form 
 than otherwise, for liis own mind was already made up. 
 
 MM 
 
to 
 
 Ltle 
 at 
 
 line 
 
 age 
 
 TO THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS. 195 
 
 " Do you think we had better ? " inquired Freckles, who 
 liad begun to feel rather ill at ease where everything was 
 so strange, and to wish himself back on board the schooner. 
 
 " Just for a minute. I want you to see the inside of one 
 of their houses ; come along," was Rae's response ; and 
 ^n;asping Freckles's arm he moved towards the lad, whose 
 sallow face lighted up as he saw his invitation being ac- 
 cepted. 
 
 Following him, the boys presently found themselves in 
 the midst of a number of men and women, who looked at 
 one another with significant smiles. They were escorted to 
 the platform at t)ie other end, which was the place of 
 honour, and were no sooner seated than several young girls 
 appeared bearing platters of baked halibut, boiled salmon, 
 and berries dipped in oulachan grease. 
 
 It was too soon after Ijreakfast for the boys to eat 
 anything, even for manners' sake, so they firmly refused ; 
 and then, there being nothing else to do, sat in silence, 
 ftcling very awkward, and regretting that they had come in. 
 
 Rae had just made up his mind to get away when the 
 report of a rifle fell on his ears. 
 
 '•' Hollo ! " he cried ; " what's up ? Let's get out and see," 
 and he started for the door. 
 
 But the instant he moved, and Freckles with him, half- 
 a-dozen of the Indians sprang before them to bar their exit. 
 They were captives in the hands of the Haidas ! 
 
 :orm 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 
 IN THE HANDS OF THE HAIDAS. 
 
 Mm 
 
 m 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 THE first shock of surprise at finding his way out of 
 the dwelling opposed by savages, whose grim faces 
 showed only too plainly that what they were doing was not 
 by way of a joke, or of over-zealous hospitality, but in dead 
 earnest and with threatening intent, brought Rae to a sudden 
 halt, and for a moment he looked at the men before him in 
 silence. Then the full sense of his danger coming upon him, 
 he made a sudden plunge between the two just in front, 
 bending low and almost going upon his hands. 
 
 It was a clever trick, learned in the game of chase that 
 he used to play with the half-breed boys at Fort Vancouver, 
 and had he had only those two men to reckon with it would 
 have succeeded, and he would have reached the door of the 
 dwelling. 
 
 But behind them was an old hag, having a heavy piece of 
 wood in her hand, and when she saw Rae's stratagem, and 
 while he was still bent forward, she lifted her club and 
 brought it down with brutal force upon the back of his 
 head. 
 
 Over on his face he went, as lifeless apparently as tlic 
 
IN THE HANDS OF THE TIAIDAS. 
 
 197 
 
 hat 
 :cr, 
 
 uia 
 
 tlic 
 
 of 
 ami 
 ami 
 his 
 
 the 
 
 bit of wood which had felled him ; while poor Freckles, who 
 was already held tight in the grip of a stalwart Haida, and 
 was making no effort to free himself, set up a piteous cry of 
 fright. 
 
 " Oh, you've killed him, you've killed him ! " he shrieked. 
 '' Oh, you wicked, wicked men, you've killed him, and he 
 never did you any harm ! " 
 
 Now it was by no means the policy of the Indians to 
 kill their prisoners. They had other purposes in view, and 
 wlicn the man who evidently exercised chief authority in 
 the dwelling saw what the old woman had done, he went up 
 to her and administered a tremendous box on the ear that 
 nearly tumbled her over in her turn. Then bending over 
 Rae he picked him up quite tenderly, and bore him to his 
 own bed, upon which he placed him gently, issuing some 
 orders to the women as he did so. 
 
 They at once hurried to bring water, with which the 
 Indian splashed Rae's face liberally, and in a few minutes 
 the boy's eyes opened, and he gave a look around of l)ewil- 
 derment and alarm, in the course of which he caught sight 
 of Freckles. 
 
 " What's the matter. Freckles ? " he asked anxiously, 
 raising himself on the bed ; " what are they doing to us ? " 
 
 Poor Freckles, with eyes brimming over and lip trem- 
 bling, managed to stammer out, — 
 
 " They've taken us prisoners, and I don't know what 
 they're going to do with us." 
 
 With a groan Rae fell back upon the bed, for his head 
 
 gave h 
 
 nn agonizing pain. 
 
198 
 
 IN THE HANDS OF THE HAIDAS. 
 
 " Oh, where's Captain Hanson ? " he murmured. " Why 
 didn't he come after us ? Why did we come ashore alone ? " 
 
 Had he been able to look out upon the inlet he would 
 have seen something calculated to make him feel even worse 
 than he did ; for with all sail set the Plover was speeding 
 away towards the open sea, chased by a swarm of canoes, 
 whose occupants vainly strove to stay her progress, or to 
 pick oft' her crew with their arrows. 
 
 This is what had happened while Kae and Freckles were 
 in the house which now held them as captives. As has been 
 already stated, each canoe when it had completed its trading- 
 went ashore, and its occupants, having carried their acquisi- 
 tions to their homes, immediately returned fully armed, and 
 took up their station not very far from the schooner, where 
 they waited silently with an evident purpose. 
 
 When all the trading was over, much whispered consul- 
 ts" fcion miijht have been observed amonoj the Indians; ami 
 presently the canoes spread out, as if to encircle the schooner. 
 
 It was this movement which first attracted Captain Han- 
 son's attention. At the first glance he perceived that mis- 
 chief was brewing, and diving down into the cabin promptly 
 reappeared with his rifle, bidding each of the men to get his 
 own iunnediatcly. They obeyed ■with alacrity, and in a 
 trice the four men with loaded rifles were standing together 
 at the stern ready for battle, if that was what the savages 
 meant. 
 
 When the latter saw that their evil design had been sus- 
 pected they were thrown into confusion, and seemed afraid 
 to advance, seeing which. Captain Hanson, who realized tluit 
 
IN THE HANDS OF THE HAIDAS. 
 
 '99 
 
 'Hi 
 
 lan- 
 
 liis 
 n a 
 
 sus- 
 rii 
 
 there was not a moment to be lost, having discliargod his 
 riHe into the air, gave orders for the anchor to be slipped 
 and the sails hoisted. 
 
 Both commands were executed while the Indians still 
 hung off irresolutely. They were all eager enough to take 
 possession of the vessel and plunder her of the many things 
 tlioy had not been able to purchase with their furs, but not 
 one of them was anxious to lose his precious life in the 
 transaction ; and they knew well enough that if they at- 
 tempted to board, those dreadful rifles would be sure to 
 make short work of at least one apiece. 
 
 So making the welkin ring with fierce cries and angry 
 imprecations, that would have had no effect upon the white 
 men even if they could have understood them, which, how- 
 ever, they did not in the least, they moved this way and 
 that way, as though trjung to evade Captain Hanson's 
 keen eyes. 
 
 ^leantime the sails rose into place, and there being a 
 stronfj breeze from the east blowinix through the inlet, the 
 Plover began to move before it at a rate that would soon 
 distance the canoes. 
 
 Not until now did Captain Hanson bethink himself of 
 Rao. He had been so enGjrossed with the trading, and then 
 startled with the sinister stratacrem of the Haidas, that he 
 had not thought of anything else until tl.J danger from 
 attack was practically over. 
 
 " Where's Rae ? " he demanded L;uddenly of the cook, who 
 was standing nearest to him of the men ; " I haven't seen 
 him for some time. Is he down in the cabin ? " 
 
200 
 
 IN THE HANDS OF THE HAIDAS. 
 
 " No, sir, he's on shore," answered the cook ; " he and 
 Freckles went off in the dingey about an hour ago." 
 
 " God help them ! " exclaimed the captain. " I remember 
 now his asking my leave when I was so busy. I hardly 
 took in what he was saying ; and he's a prisoner now, sure's 
 I'm born. What is to be done ? " and he looked back at the 
 fast receding village as though he thought of turning about 
 and going to Kae's rescue. But the next moment he shook 
 his head despairingly. 
 
 "No," ho muttered to himself; "it's no use. We're no 
 match for them as we are. They'd only make prisoners of 
 the whole of us, if they didn't kill us. I must get down to 
 Fort Camosun as quick as I can, and come back here with 
 enough men and guns to scare those rascals out of their wits. 
 God grant they do the boys no harm in the meantime." 
 
 And so with heavy heart the captain kept on his way, 
 feeling like a coward for thus apparently leaving the boys 
 to the mercy of the cruel Haidas, yet realizing clearly 
 enough that it would be utter folly with his little handful 
 of men to attempt a rescue. 
 
 When Rae's senses fully returned, and he understood the 
 situation into which his undue enterprise hod brought him- 
 self and Freckles, he was the most miserable of boys ; and 
 when the chief took him to the door and showed him the 
 white sails of the Plover just vanishing at the mouth of 
 Skideijate Inlet his feclinGjs could be no lonojer controlled. 
 Throw^ing himself down upon the ground, he buried his face 
 in his hands, while his whole frame shook with violent sobs. 
 "They've deserted us," he moaned; "we're left here 
 
AV THE IIAXDS OF THE HAIDAS. 
 
 ;oi 
 
 ftp 
 
 ■^ "IT 
 
 the 
 liin- 
 |an<l 
 
 the 
 i of 
 
 Ilea. 
 
 face 
 )bs. 
 lero 
 
 iiloiie. Oh, what will fjither do when the Plover gets hack 
 without me ? " 
 
 Freckles did Ids best to act as comforter, but his efforts 
 were all in vain until the passion of Rae's grief liad some- 
 what spent itself. Then the latter became more composed, 
 and the two had a talk together, which they felt free to do, 
 as none of the Indians could understanu ', word of their 
 language. 
 
 "We're in a bad fix, Freckles," s' 1 Rae mournfully; 
 "and ther;''s no knowinij when we'll get out .»f it. And it's 
 all my fault too. I'm always getting uitt> some kind of a 
 scrape. But I tell you what it is, Freckles, if we ever get 
 safe back to Fort Camosun, I'll take better care of myself 
 fur the future." 
 
 " Oh, we'll get back some time," responded Freckles 
 cheerfully, and to the boy's credit be it observed that he 
 showed a remarkable degree of fortitude in face of the 
 'langer that threatened. " Why," he added, his homely 
 countenance lighting up with sudden intelligence until it 
 hecame almost handsome, " they'll be sure to come back for 
 us, won't they ? " 
 
 In the depth of his contrition for what he now regarded 
 as his folly, and despair at being deserted by C?^)tain Han- 
 son, this thought had not come to Kae ; but the moment 
 Freckles voiced it, its reasonableness appealed to him at 
 once, and he grasped at it eagerly. 
 
 " To be sure they will," he cried, " and that's what Cap- 
 tain Hanson's gone away for. He'll hurry down to Fort 
 Camosun and get a lot of men, and then hurry back here, 
 
 (178) 
 
 13 
 
202 
 
 IN THE TTANDS OF THE HAIDAS. 
 
 and iiiako these villains give us up. We've only to be 
 patient and it'll be all right." 
 
 llae's heart lig-litened wonderfully at this view of their 
 situation. Gifted as he was with the fortunate faculty of 
 looking at the bright side of things, and forgetting as far 
 as possible the dark side, he began to plan out how long it 
 would take the Plover to reach Fort Caniosun and o-et Itack 
 to Skidegate Inlet, and, after much thinking, came to the 
 conclusion that three weeks would be an ample allowance 
 of time. 
 
 For three weeks, then, he and Freckles w^ould be in tlie 
 hands of the Haidas, and manifestly tlieir best policy was 
 to give as little trouble as possible, in order that their cap- 
 tors might treat them kindly, and not be moved to any 
 further violence. 
 
 " We must try to be very good boys, Freckles," said li;;e, 
 with as close an appearance to a smile as he was equal to in 
 his heavy-hearted state. " They won't be hard on us if wc 
 don't give them any trouble. I suppose they'll take every- 
 thing we have," he went on ruefully, " and that means 111 
 lose my rifle and pistols, and other things. Oh dear! oli 
 dear ! oh dear 1 but we have made a mess of it and no 
 mistake." 
 
 While the boys thus talked they were watched by a 
 group of Plaidas, of both sexes and all ages, who stared at 
 them as though they were some strange kind of animals, 
 and exchanged comments in their guttural speech. Some 
 of the men would evidently have liked very well to make 
 o\it what Kae and Freekhvs were saying to each other, tlioy 
 
 
IN THE IIAXDS OF THE HAIDAS. 
 
 203 
 
 interference 
 
 JlllV 
 
 .v(l at 
 
 lUlills, 
 
 I801110 
 tliev 
 
 looked at them so intently ; b 
 to disconcert them at all, and 
 
 Indeed, now that the Plover had disajipeared, and tlio 
 dii\i(ey been broken into fire -wood — for this was done 
 shortly after the boys' enptnre — the savages showed no 
 desire to restrict the movements of their captives. They 
 of course always kept a sharp eye on tliem, but when the 
 two, more for the sake of something to do than for any 
 other reason, set out for a stroll along the beach, no one 
 liindcred, and they were allowed to wander about as tliey 
 pleased. 
 
 By-and-by tliey began to feel very hungry, and to won- 
 der where they would get their next meal, and what it 
 would be like. But nobody seemed to thiidv of their wants, 
 or to have anything in the way of food to offer them. 
 
 They were getting into a very disconsolate mood when 
 a happy thouglit flashed into Kae's mind. 
 
 "Look here, Freckles," said he with liriuhteniniTf face, 
 '■ let's go back to the house where they made us prisoners 
 and toll them they've got to give us something to eat. It's 
 tl.eir business to look after us since they've kept us against 
 our will." 
 
 " To be sure," assented Freckles ; " they must give us 
 enough to eat anyway." 
 
 So the pair of them trudge<l back, and entering the 
 house as if they belonged there, by dint of very expressive 
 pantomime soon made the women understand what they 
 wanted. 
 
 But ])efore the women dared tlo anything they had to 
 
204 
 
 IN THE HANDS OF THE HAIDAS. 
 
 get instructions from the chief, who was not then in the 
 dwelling-, and the hungry boys had to wait until he could 
 be hunted up and his approval secured. At last, however, 
 this was accomplished, and then they were served with the 
 same fare as that which they had refused earlier in the day 
 — namely, ])aked halibut and boiled salmon, with berries 
 soaked in oulachan grease as a relish. No salt, no bread, 
 no knives, no forks — nothing but bare fingers and keen 
 appetites. 
 
 But they were very, very hungry, and the lish had a 
 tempting savour, even if it was untemptingly served ; so 
 the}' fell to with great vigour, and paused not until all sense 
 of emptiness amidships had disaitpeared, and they felt in 
 nuich better luimour. 
 
 The greasy berries they could do nothing with yet, 
 though they looked so good that Rao determined to find 
 out where they could be picked, so that he might eat them 
 fresh, when he felt sure they must be delicious. 
 
 Their hunger satisfied, and nobody seeming to exercise 
 any control over their movements, they went out again, after 
 courteously thanking the women who had served them, and 
 who evidently appreciated their smiles though they could 
 not understand their words. 
 
 " And now that they've got us," said Rae, " I'd like very 
 nuieh to know what they want to do with us. They're nut 
 QjoinL!: to kill us, of course." 
 
 "Oh no, they wouldn't do that surely," broke in Freckles, 
 giving a shudder at the very mention of the word kill. 
 
 ''Certainly not," continued Kae, somewhat curtly, for ho 
 
 I 
 
AV THE HAXDS OF THE HAIDAS. 
 
 I very 
 
 Dot 
 
 Ikies, 
 .1- ho 
 
 didn't like to liavc Freckles .showini:; so much feelini:!: when 
 he found it no easy task to control his own. " That vroiild 
 do them no good, and they want to make something out of 
 us. I guess they are just going to hold us for a ransom, 
 that's what it is ; and when father comes Lack in the 
 Plover, as he's sure to do, they'll make him give ever so 
 many things before they give us up, do you see i '' 
 
 "That's just it; you're right," responded Freckles, em- 
 phasizing each sentence with a confirmatory nod. 
 
 "Well, then, we've just got to wait, that's all," said Rae, 
 " for we certainly can't run away." 'J'hen after a pause he 
 added in a doleful tone, " Oh niv ! but won't we oet sick of 
 that everlasting fish and those horrid berries ! They seem 
 to have nothing else to eat here." 
 
 Freckles made no reply to this. He had been use<l to 
 pretty poor fare all his life, and so long as a sound skin was 
 left him he had no disposition to be at od<ls with fate, pro- 
 vided sufliicient food of some kind or other came his way 
 each day. 
 
 From thoughts of fare the ^I'ansition to thoughts of ac- 
 counuodation was very natural, and so Eae's next remark, 
 after an interval of thoughtful ivilection, was, — 
 
 "Where do you think they'll let us sleep, Freckles? 
 Tliere doesn't seem to be any room in those houses. They'n* 
 just swarming like ant-h(>aps already; and I couldn't bear 
 the idea of sleeping there anyway, tor you see the women 
 and the girls sleep there as well as the men, more like 
 animals than human beings. Ugh ' " and he gave a most 
 expressive grunt of disgust. 
 
2o6 
 
 JN THE HANDS OF THE HAIDAS. 
 
 Freckles shook his head doubtfully. lie liked a com- 
 fortable bed as well as any other boy, and he saw little 
 prospect of having it in one of the dark and close-smelling 
 Haida dwellings. 
 
 " Do you thiidv they'd let us sleep outside, Rae ? " ho 
 asked. " We might fix up a kind of lodge, just for ourselves, 
 you know." 
 
 Rae sprang to his feet, for they had been reclining un a 
 bit of grass near the beach, with a beaming face, and giving 
 his companion a hearty slap on the back, exclaimed, — 
 
 " Good for you, Freckles ! that's a great notion. We 
 must go and sec about it at once, and -f they make no 
 objection we will have the thing put up to sleep in to- 
 night " 
 
 So off they went, this time straight to the chief's house 
 where Captain Hanson had been received ; for Rae shrewdly 
 arofued that in a matter of this kind his word would be law, 
 and if they got his consent they would have no further 
 difficulty. 
 
 They found the strange-looking old man at home, and 
 Rae beofan at once the task of fretting him to understand 
 what they wanted. 
 
 The scene wdiich ensued was amusinc: enouLih to have 
 entertained a larger and more critical gathering of spectators 
 than had the privilege of being present. The old chief, 
 whose name by the way was Hi-ling-a, signifying " thunder," 
 seemed in a very gracious mood, and anxious to understand 
 the desires of his white captives ; but in spite of his good- 
 will and Rae's most ingenious pantomime, he could nut 
 
/.y THE HANDS OF TJIE IIAWAS. 
 
 207 
 
 no 
 lo- 
 use 
 (llv 
 
 IVL' 
 
 ors 
 ief, 
 cr, 
 n.l 
 
 0(1- 
 
 iiot 
 
 iq)prelieiid the hitter's meaning, so that the chance of the 
 boys gaining their point seemed very faint, and tliey 
 were about to give up in despair, Rac fearing le>>t they 
 iniglit irritate the chief by persisting, wlien tliere came 
 forward a young M'oman, wlio but for the labret which 
 (hsHgured lier moutli would have been quite pretty, and 
 who by the richness of her dress evidently belonged to the 
 chief's family. She was, in fact, his favourite daughter, and 
 Itorc the pleasing name of Kaitza (star). She had been a 
 silent observer of the interview, and did not venture to take 
 any part in the proceedings until her quick intelligence told 
 lier that the boys were not making themselves understood 
 by the chief at all, whereas she thought she fully caught 
 tlieir meaning. 
 
 Gliding up to her father, she touched him on the arm 
 and whispered something in his ear. 
 
 lie looked up in a surprised questioning way, and seemed 
 to doubt the accuracy of her suggestion ; but she repeated 
 it at more length, and Rae's face brightened as he saw signs 
 uf comprehension in the old man's countenance. 
 
 But if he understood, he was not at first disposed to 
 assent. He shook his head in a way that was not promis- 
 ing; and after a little more talk with his daughter, who 
 Mas manifestly pleading the boys' case, a messenger was 
 despatched to bring somebody in to him. 
 
 With growing uneasiness Rae waited further develop- 
 ments, although Kaitza made efforts to encourage him by 
 bestowing furtive smiles upon him whenever she caught his 
 eye. The truth of the matter was, the tawny belle had 
 
»o8 
 
 IN TJ/E HANDS OF THE ILIWAS. 
 
 already conceived a warm liking for the handsome white 
 boy, and v/as resolved to do whatever lay in her power to 
 mitigate the inevitable miseries of his captivity. 
 
 In the course of half-an-hoiir the messenger returned, 
 brinijin^:^ with him the chief man of the house in which the 
 boys had been captured, who came next in rank to Hi-ling-a, 
 and counted upon succeeding him as chief of the village. 
 He was called Sli-goo (the otter), and from the very first 
 Ivae had taken a strong dislike to him because of his cruel, 
 cunnimx face. 
 
 He manifested some surprise at finding Rae in the c^^ief s 
 abode, an<l asked a question or two about it whicii old 
 Hi-ling-a answered very curtly, as though to suggest that 
 it was no particular business of his. 
 
 The chief explained Rae's request as it had been inter- 
 preted to him by Kaitza, in order that Sli-goo might give 
 iiis opinion about it. 
 
 Sli-goo listened gravely, regarded the boys in silence for 
 a few minutes, assumed his very sagcst look, and then 
 growled out something which Rae, from the disappointed 
 expression in Kaitza's face, I'ightly judged to be an un- 
 conditional noijative. 
 
 But it's an ill wind that blows nobody good. Althongl 
 Hi-ling-a had sent for Sli-Gfoo to consult with him in 
 the matter partly because of his rank, and pai-tly because 
 ho had been chiefly instrumental in the boys' capture, yet 
 he had no love for the fellow; and taking it into his 
 head that Sli-goo's judgment w\is influenced by the de- 
 sire to have the boys entirely in his own hands, the old 
 
IX THE IJAXDS OF THE IJAIDAS. 
 
 209 
 
 11 n- 
 
 In Li; I 
 
 111 
 
 yet 
 liis 
 
 lu 
 
 M 
 
 cliief determined to disappoint liim as to that, M'liilc apivec- 
 iiig with him not to allow them to put up a lodge for their 
 own occupation. 
 
 He therefore told Sli-goo that he would keep the 1)oys 
 ill his own dwelling, and take good care of them for the 
 present ; whereat Sli-goo waxed very cross, and went away 
 looking as sulky as ever his animal namesake could look, 
 while ITi-ling-a smiled grimly at him, as though to say, — 
 
 " You'd like to have everything 3'our own way, no 
 douht ; but you won't, so long as I'm chief of the village." 
 
 He then called his daughter to him, and they talked 
 together for a while ; after v^'hich she came to Rae, and 
 with true feminine tact and cleverness managed to make 
 liim understand that he and Freckles might have a corner 
 of the house all to themselves, with which arrangement 
 they had no other alternative but to be content. 
 
 Having done this, her next proceeding was to bring 
 them each a pair of large new blankets, such as the Haidas 
 obtained in barter from the Tsimshians, which Kac greatly 
 rejoiced to see, for they meant solid comfort at night, and 
 he (lid not intend to be any more miserable than he could 
 help during the period of his captivity. 
 
 One pair of the blankets lu^ at once iixed up in such a 
 way as to effectually screen their corner, seeing which the 
 kind-hearted Kaitza, who seemed to l)e able to do pretty 
 much as she pleased, brought him another pair for use as 
 covcrini]^, smiling and noddin<:f all the time with great 
 vivacity, so that Rae's heart began to warm towards her, 
 even thouo-h she were a savaue, and ho determined in his 
 
2IO 
 
 IN THE HANDS OF THE HAIDAS. 
 
 iniiid that when he got his freedom he would make lier 
 some handsome presents before goin^;* away. 
 
 Before ni^'litfall he and Freckles gathered a large 
 quantity of small cedar boughs that made a soft, springy, 
 and most fragrant mattress, and with one i)air of blankets to 
 sleep on and another pair to cover them, they had as com- 
 fortable a couch as two hearty, healthy boys could wish. 
 
 But, in spite of it all, a terrible sense of loneliness fell 
 upon Rae when, after they had turned in for the night ami 
 Freckles had fallen asleep, he was left to the company of 
 his own thoughts. Kindly as their treatment had been 
 since the first roughness attending their capture, he could 
 not forget that they were in the midst of a savage people, 
 capable of any cruelty they might feel moved to, and a 
 people whose habits and modes of life were in many -ways 
 intolei-antly repulsive. 
 
 To. describe the poor boy's state of mind as merely home- 
 sickness would be doing it faint justice. He was both 
 home -sick and heart -sick, and as he pictured Captain 
 Hanson bringing the news to his father, and the poignant 
 distress it would cause the factor, his burden of grief seemed 
 more than he could bear. 
 
 "Oh, why did I ever come away in the Plover?'' he 
 sobbed. " Doar father didn't want me to. He said he'd r. 
 feeling that something was going to happen to me. But I 
 just was bound to have my own way, and now this is what's 
 come of it. If I w^as the only one that had to suffer it 
 wouldn't matter so much, for I'm sm^e I deserve it; but 
 poor father doesn't, and he'll feel just as bad." 
 
IN THE HANDS OF THE HA /DAS. 
 
 211 
 
 he 
 
 b'<l r. 
 
 jut 1 
 
 lliat's 
 
 •v it 
 
 but 
 
 In the course of the iiTc^niUir, excitiiii,' kind of life l\ue 
 liad been living of late, his good habit of praying at night 
 and morning had been very nuich broken into; but now he 
 turned to it with the conviction that he had no other re- 
 source, and lifted up his heart in silent yet earnest petition 
 to God to help him to bo bravo and patient amid all the 
 (litliculties and dangers that surrounded him, and to deliver 
 him from the hands of the Ilaidas as soon as possible. 
 
 Soon after he fell sound asleep, and dreamed that the 
 Plover had come back with his father and Mr. Ogden and 
 a number of other men, all heavily armed, and that tliey 
 liad marched right up to lli-ling-a's house and taken him 
 and Freckles off without anybody daring to interfere. 
 
 This dream made him so happy that it was a keen 
 reverse to be awakened in the morning by the shrill cries 
 of tlic children at the back of the house, and to find himself, 
 instead of safely back on board the schooner, still surrounded 
 by the squalor and strangeness of savage life. 
 
 Housing Freckles, who slept as peacefully as a baby, he 
 went out in search of a secluded spot for a bathe in the 
 invigorating brine. The day was bright and warm, and the 
 joy of the sunshine and the sea soon entered into his spirit, 
 'lispclling the gloom and helping hini to see things in a 
 more hopeful light. 
 
 As he looked out across the glassy surface of tlie inlet in 
 the direction from which the schooner would come, he said 
 to his companion, — 
 
 " Ah, Freckles, wouldn't it make your lieart glad to sec 
 the Plover'd white sails coming round that point ? " 
 
21 3 
 
 AV TflE ffANDS OF THE JfAlDAS. 
 
 " Tliat it would," responded Freckles. " But there's r.o 
 such chance for a month at any late. ])o you Ihuik those 
 people will he f^'ood to us right along ? " he added, with some 
 (higree of trepidation in his tone. 
 
 Kae lauirhed carelessly. This thoui,dit did not mw him 
 much concern. He had quite made up his mind as to the oli- 
 ject of the Haidas in making them captive. They were after 
 a ransom, that was all, and they'd treat them well enough s(j 
 long as they did not attempt to escape, which he had not the 
 slightest intention of doing, preferring to wait quiotly until 
 the rescue upon which he so confidently counted should come. 
 
 PLid he fully understood the savages' purpose concerniii!;^ 
 himself and Freckles his mind might not have been quite 
 so easy. lie was correct as regards the ransom idea, it is 
 true, hut that was not all they had in view. There was a 
 further reason for their conduct which he did not suspect, 
 lait which ere long would he made plain, and which had ho 
 known would have caused him much concern. But this 
 revelation would con\e soon enough, and in the meantime 
 he had quite enough to worry him. 
 
 As soon as they had finished their bathe the lioys wont 
 back to the chief's house, feeling more refreshed and with 
 appetites as keen as razors. Here Kaitza met them, smiling 
 expansively, and hastened to put before them platters filled 
 with smoking fish, to which they lost no time in p«iying 
 due attention. 
 
 " And now," said Eae, when they had finished breakfast, 
 " T wonder what thev intend to do with us ? It would ho 
 some satisfaction to know." 
 
/v Tin: iiAxns of the i/.udas. 
 
 21 T, 
 
 went 
 with 
 ling 
 iillo.l 
 ayini;- 
 
 kfrist, 
 
 d 1)0 
 
 Frccklrs nodded .'iHiiinativt'lv. 
 
 "Tluy must have .some plan in their heads," lie said, 
 Idoking Very \vise ; "but what 1 can't make out is, how 
 tliey're going* to expkiin it to \i^. seeing that we don't know 
 a word of one anotlier's kinguage " 
 
 "Dli, I guess that girl wili make us understand," re- 
 sponded Ilae. "Sec how she fixed evervtliinu' for us last 
 iilijlit. She's a real hriglit girl, I tell vou, and wouldn't be 
 bad looking if it weren't for those tliinij's on her nose and 
 lip. It's a pity tliat she doesn't know l»etter tlian to make 
 such a friglit of herself. !'<! like io tell her to take tliem 
 
 out. 
 
 While they were talking the old chief appeared, attendi-i] 
 by a couple of lads bearing the boys' rifles, which had been 
 brought up from the other house. They were delighte(l to 
 sec them again, as they feared they M'ere lost to them for 
 ever. 
 
 Handing each one his own rifle, lliding-a signified by a 
 gesture that they should follow him, and set off toward the 
 other end of the villaii-c, striding alonn- at a ijacc that the 
 boys found it difficult to keep up with, and seemed curi- 
 ously at variance with the chief's a[)parent age. 
 
 IJut if he was old and ugly, he was also tough and wiry ; 
 and as Rae followed in liis wake, he began to feel consider- 
 ably more respect for him than previously. He had taken 
 liim to be little better than a nuunmy, and was now being 
 eli'ectually undeceived. 
 
 When they had passed all the houses, Hi-ling-a bade the 
 boys stand still, while he went ahead about a hundred yards 
 
mv 
 
 14 
 
 /X THE ILIXDS OF THE I/AIDAS. 
 
 find liunc,' his decorated head-dress upon the side f)f a Ma^tdl 
 tree that stood out prominently. 
 
 Retm-ninLj, ho motioned to Pvae to take aim at the mark 
 ho had thus set. The l)ov naturally slu-aidc from doin^r so, 
 find trie<l to make the old man understand that some otli'i- 
 mai'k would serve ecpially well ; hut he could not chani^^j 
 his mind, and noting" that he was beginning to he pro- 
 voked, he said, — 
 
 "Oh, very well, have it your own way; hut if I spc/il 
 your fine hat. it's your own look-out." 
 
 Loadin'^ his <i:un careful] v, he aimed with ijfrcat delihora- 
 tion ; for hy this time half the inhabitants of the village 
 had gathered, and he realized that his skill as a marksman 
 was on that trial, and that success was all important. 
 
 When the report rang out the children screamed, the 
 women started and looked very much scared, and the men's 
 faces filled with wonder. The Haidas were not yet gener- 
 ally familiar with fire-arms, and had none in tlieir own 
 possession. 
 
 As the smoke blew away, old Hi-ling-a hastened over to 
 the tree and removed his head-dress, examining it eagerlv. 
 At once his grizzled countenance lit up with exultation in 
 a way that seemed a little puzzling, in view of the fact that 
 a biix hole was bored throu'di and throucjli the head-gear 
 and some of its ornaments shattered and spoiled. 
 
 Hurrying back to Rae, he pointed this out, smiling and 
 nodding his head, and g'iving vent to some guttural sounds 
 which the successful marksman rightly interpreted to 
 mean, — 
 
IX THE HAXDS OF THE JIM DAS. 
 
 2\ 
 
 pro- 
 
 spoil 
 
 bcra- 
 
 ■rlv. 
 
 oil in 
 
 that 
 
 -ffcar 
 
 aiul 
 nnds 
 I t.) 
 
 "tlood, good! well done! capital sliot!" 
 
 lacing" quite satisfied as to llae's skill, and not wishiiif^ 
 to expose his head-gear to further damage, lli-ling-a pointed 
 to a tree-trunk that made a good target about lifty yards 
 away, and Lid Freckles try his aim at that. 
 
 Freckles obeyed dutifully, and by great good luck, for 
 lit! had had little opportunity to become expert in shooting, 
 and was a poor shot, ho managed to plant a bullet fairly in 
 tlie centr iiaking the rotten wood send out a shower of 
 • lust that showed everybody he had not missed. 
 
 Au'ain the old chief smiled and nodded and irrunted. 
 Evidently he derived a peculiar satisfaction from the boys 
 being able to use their rifles so well, and had some purpose 
 in view concerning them which was of no small importance. 
 
 After the shooting was over he summoned to him the 
 lending men of the village, with whom he engaged in earnest 
 cunsultation, the boys once more being left to do as they 
 pleased. 
 
 In one way or another they managed to while away the 
 time, and when at mid-day they returned to the chief's 
 house, Rae could not fail to notice that they were the objects 
 of more consideration than they had hitherto been. Kaitza 
 was very pronounced in her attention, and l\ao thought he 
 ilotected in her look a certain impression of sadness which 
 puzzled him considerably. She had evidently something on 
 lier mind which jrave her keen concern. Rae would have 
 liked verj^ much to know what it was, but he could not ask, 
 and she could not perhaps have made it clear to him if he 
 liad asked. 
 
2l6 
 
 IN THE HANDS OF THE IIAIDAS. 
 
 Their dinner was much improved by the substitution of 
 broiled trout for the halibut, and the addition of a few 
 potatoes baked in the ashes. The Haidas raised a small 
 (quantity of these, having been given the seed by the traders 
 some years before. They called them "skow-skit," and 
 although, owing to poor cultivation, they were not nmch 
 bigger than crab-apples, the white bo3^s hailed their appear- 
 ance with lively satisfaction, and ate of them heartily. 
 
 Another welcome addition to their fare was the sal-lnl 
 berry, which they found much to their taste, so that they 
 got on very well indeed at this meal, and it made them more 
 hopeful for the future. 
 
 That afternoon there was a gathering of the chief men 
 in Hi-ling-as house, and what was evidently a most im- 
 portant consultation held, as the result of which two runners 
 were despatched northward on a momentous mission. 
 
 \ 
 
ition of 
 
 a few 
 
 a small 
 
 traders 
 
 t iiiucli 
 appear- 
 
 y. 
 
 3 sal-lal 
 lat they 
 ;in more 
 
 ,ief men 
 
 lost im- 
 
 runners 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 SAVAGE LIFE. 
 
 A 8 time hung heavy upon tlicir hands, Tiac determined 
 -^ j^ to employ it by entering, as far as possil)le, into tlie 
 life and occupations of the people around liiin ; and so the 
 next mornino:, when the canoes were startin;:: off to tlio 
 halibut grounds, without saying " by your leave," he and 
 Freckles jumped into the largest canoe, and sat down in a 
 way that said plainly, — 
 
 " We're going with you, if you've got no ol>jections." 
 
 The Indians seemed surprised at the action, and did 
 not push olF until one of them had run up to Hi-ling-a's 
 liouso and asked his approval, which was promptly granted, 
 however, and their minds being thus set at rest they ac- 
 cepted the unasked addition to their crew with their usual 
 stolidity. 
 
 A dozen expert paddlers kneeled in the bottom, and sent 
 their swift craft skimming: throufjh the suKjoth water with 
 sinewy strokes. Sitting comfortably in the stern, the boys 
 I'lt like princes, and Ixae took upon himself to encourage 
 the paddlers by calling out, — • 
 
 " That's the way ! Give it to her ! Now you're doing 
 
 (478) 14 
 
 it 
 
iilli 
 
 2l8 
 
 SAVAGE LIFE. 
 
 it!" and so forth, just as if tlioy were training for a race, 
 and he was their coacli. 
 
 Freckles, althoiigli a little appalled at his companion's 
 presumption, found it very amusing nevertheless, and it 
 kept him on the broad grin, to all of which the savages took 
 no offence, but seemed to consider it rii>-ht enoui^h. 
 
 The fishino' o-rounds were not far from the Skidecjate 
 Inlet, and the Indians knew well the localities where the 
 halibut most abounded. Having reached the spot, they 
 moored the canoe by means of a big stone secured to 
 a cedar-bark rope, and proceeded to get out their fishing 
 tackle. 
 
 When Rao saw their hooks he could with difficulty 
 restrain his laughter. They had two kinds in use, both 
 seeming absurdly largo and clumsy to the boy, who was 
 accustomed to the best Enii'lish manufacture. One kind was 
 of wood with a bone barb, beinc^ made from a forked branch, 
 or with two pieces of tough wood lashed together so as i<^ 
 make an acute anL>l(\ the bone l)arb beinrr fastened to the 
 lower piece so as to project backward and insure a good 
 hold. The other kind of hook was fashioned out of a thin 
 iron rod, bent round and sharpened to a point. For lines 
 they had strong cord, obtained in barter from the Tsiuishiaiis. 
 The bait used consisted of small fish cauii'ht inshore for the 
 purpose. 
 
 Having never before taken part in halibut fishing, Kao 
 watched all the preliminaries with lively interest, and wished 
 very much that he had a hook and line of his own, that lie 
 might try his luck. But none of ihe natives olFered to IciiJ 
 
 
Ig 
 
 botli 
 10 was 
 
 »r;incli, 
 
 as to 
 
 to tlio 
 
 a thin 
 
 ii' lines 
 
 Isliians. 
 
 or tlie 
 
 14, 1^:^^ 
 ivislu'il 
 
 111 at lie 
 i() lend 
 
 SAVAGE LIFE. 
 
 19 
 
 him theirs, so ho was forced to bo an idle spectator while 
 they liauled in one fine big fellow after anotlier, and he 
 found this too stupid to be endured for long. 
 
 Feeling about in his pockets he found a copper coin, and 
 this gave him an idea. The Ilaida nearest him was a ratlier 
 pleasantdooking young fellow, whose luck was outdone by 
 ]io one in the canoe. After he had cauirht several biij fish 
 llae thought it a good time to try him, and hokling tne coin 
 in one l^and he took up the line with the other, signifying 
 that he wislied to exeliange. 
 
 The Indian looked doubtful for a moment ; but the 
 attraction of the coin prevailed, and he handed over his 
 line, saying something which was no doubt a direction for 
 its proper use, but which went for nothing so far as I\ae 
 was concerned. 
 
 With the fisherman's instinct at its height, I\ae let out 
 his line, and waited eagerly for a bite. He was not kept 
 long in suspense. A. strong tug at the hook told him that 
 the bait was taken, and with a quick jerk he made sure that 
 the barb went duly homo. But when ho tried to pull up 
 his prize he found he had a very dillicult task on his hands 
 froni the others. With them the landing of their iish had 
 Iti'on an easy job, and ho was greatly surprised at the 
 resistance his manifested. 
 
 " Come here, Freckles," said ho, getting red in the face 
 from his exertion, "and lend me a hand. Ive hooked a 
 huge one, I believe.'' 
 
 Freckles took hold of the line, which was a very stout 
 one, and the two boys puUeil upon it lustily, their united 
 
220 
 
 SAVAGE LIFE. 
 
 strciir;"tli being not without result as the fisli slowly yielded 
 to it, ami presently beca'iie visible from the ciuioc. 
 
 By this time the Indians had become interested in Rae's 
 capture: and were all wateliin!:^' for its appearance. When it 
 did come into view, a broad yrin went from face to face 
 while a look of intense diso-ust came over the youna' fisher- 
 mans countenance ^ for his prize was not a monster halibut 
 as he had foiidly hoped but another of the flounder species 
 — to wit, a huu'c wolf-tlsh as useless as it was hideous. 
 
 Kae felt so incensed at being thus imposed upon, that, 
 grasping one of the paddles, he hit the ugly creature a 
 savage blow on the nose to stun it, and then drawing its 
 head aiongside tore out the hook, and with another whaek 
 of the paddle sent it ll3dng back to deep M'ater. no doubt 
 a sadder anil a wiser fish: Ho made no further attempt at 
 fishing that morning, l)ut vowed that some day soon he and 
 Freckles would go oil' by themselves, and see if they couM 
 not do better. 
 
 When the canoe retnrned to the village, they found the 
 inhabitants full of bustle and excitement. Some important 
 preparations wt^ro evidently in progress, but what they were 
 or with what object liac could not make out, curious as he 
 was to ascertain. No one took any notice of Freckles or 
 himself; even Kaitza seemed to bo engrossed with other 
 things. So the boys had nothing to do sa\e to look on, and 
 speculate as to what all the fuss was al)out. 
 
 "I believe there's fighting in the wind," said Rae, after 
 watching the llaidas for a while. "They're getting their 
 bows and arrows ready, and seeing after their spears. I 
 
SAVAGE LIFE. 
 
 2 2 T 
 
 after 
 
 tlieiv 
 1 
 
 woiulcr if tlioy're g'oing' to make a raid on sonic other 
 villai^^e. Those savaci'es arc always np to some mischief of 
 that kind. It seems as if they couldn't he content to let 
 one another alone." 
 
 Tliat nig'ht the whole population of the villaL;-e assemhled 
 in the open space before the chief's housi>, and the boys, 
 loalizini:;' that an event of no ordinary importance was to 
 take place, began to feel apprehensive as to ]io\v it woidd 
 concern them. Tliey had been well enough treated so far, 
 and had certainly taken care not to give anybody any 
 ulFeiice ; but none the less they were captives among a 
 savage people, who might have very strange and blood- 
 thirsty rites in connection with their religion, and as a 
 religions ceremony of some sort was evidently about to be 
 engaged in, who knew but what they might be otl'ered np in 
 sacrifice to the Ifaidas' gods? 
 
 i\ll this passed through Rac's mind, but he strove to 
 keep a firm hand upon himself, and said encouragingly to 
 Freckles, — 
 
 " There's no telling what they'll be up to, Freckles, once 
 they u'et iJ'oinGf. Father told nie some dreadful stories of 
 what the Indians do in their dances ; but we nnistn't let on 
 we're afraid of anything, so don't let them see you looking 
 scared whatever happens." 
 
 Freckles promised to d(j his best, and, keeping close 
 together, the boys Avaited in much anxiety lox what might 
 come to pass. Once or twice Rae caught Kaitza looking at 
 liim in the sorrowful way he had noticed before, and he 
 lunged intensely to be able to ask her if she thought any 
 
222 
 
 SAVAGE LIFE. 
 
 liarin was coiiiiiiL,^ to tlioin. But of course there was no 
 doin,L( tliat, so lie liad to content liiniself with lioping tliat 
 all would CL'o WL'll. 
 
 When the people had gathered in a great circle, leaving 
 an open space in the middle lighted hy two blazing fires of 
 pine knots, a strange silence fell upon thcni, as thongli the}' 
 were engaged in silent prayer. They were awaiting the 
 appearance of liiding-a and of the medicinc-nian, wdio 
 should be leaders of the exercises. 
 
 Presently there emerged from the chief's house the tall 
 form of the old man, looking most imposing in his extraor- 
 dinary costume. U}>on ids head was a sort of crown made 
 of the stout bristles from the whiskers of the sea-lion, set 
 upright in a circle, while between them feather-down was 
 heaped, wluch at each step he took was scattered on all 
 sides, falling softly like snow among the awc-struek spec- 
 tators. Around his shoulders he wore a very large Tsiiii- 
 shian blanket, made of fine cedar bark and the wool of the 
 mountain jxoat. 
 
 His leifs were covered with le^'ii'ino's, from which stuck 
 out innumeral)le pullin beaks, and his face was painted in 
 brilliant streaks of red and yellow that made him almost 
 unrecoLjnizable, 
 
 riovino" with oTcat deliberation and dignity, he made his 
 
 •■>'V io the ]>oint in the circle midway between the two 
 
 .■■■ :. and seated himself upon a broad tree-stump, while a 
 
 murmur, that probably meant applause, went round the 
 
 conLcreiration. 
 
 Glancing about till his eyes fell upon Ra*^ and Freckles, 
 
no 
 liat 
 
 in: 
 
 of 
 
 iie^ 
 tl 
 
 le 
 
 10 
 
 tall 
 
 ■aor- 
 
 ic 
 
 set 
 
 was 
 
 ill 
 
 IK'C- 
 
 snn- 
 
 tl 
 
 10 
 
 stuck 
 jil in 
 
 most 
 
 k' lii^ 
 
 11 
 
 two 
 le a 
 
 1 tl 
 
 10 
 
 icklo: 
 
 T/ii luhoi'c t'Xhit I'ciit,; little short of a/>/'aliiu^. 
 
 r.ik,'e z-2%. 
 
savA{;e life. 
 
 225 
 
 lie solemnly Ix^ckoncMl them to him, and placed them be.sido 
 liiu) on cither hand. They were sony to be thns separated, 
 yet they Loth had a feeling of relief at thus being taken 
 imder the old chief's wing. ITe had been their best friend 
 so far, and would no doubt take care of them now. 
 
 A low murmuring noise now began to be heard, which 
 gradually grew in strength until it Idled the air, at which 
 point there suddenly dashed into the circle a ligurc ev^n 
 more startling in appearance than the chieftain. 
 
 It was that of a man above the usual height, the body 
 being naked except for a breech -clout, but painted with 
 brilliant colours; wliilc instead of a human head was that 
 of a lujrriblc monster resend)ling a fabled dragon, with great 
 gleaming eyes and cavernous mouth tilled with cruel teeth, 
 the top of the head bristling with thick coarse liair, and the 
 whole etlect in the flashing firelight being little short of 
 appalling. 
 
 On the entrance of this monster into the circle the 
 drumming grew fast and furious, and there was added to it 
 an almost ear-splitting chorus of rattles, which were sud- 
 denly produced by the men and frantically shaken, the 
 women contributing their share to the noise by breaking 
 into a wild wailing chant that had something strangely 
 pathetic in its long-drawn modulations. 
 
 Involuntarily Freckles stretched out his hand behind tlie 
 chief's back to Rac for comfort, and then hand in hand the 
 boys watched with eyes full of wonder and apprehension 
 tlie savage ceremony. 
 
 Having looked about him in a rpiick fierce way for a 
 
 
2 26 
 
 SAV/IGE LIFE. 
 
 few iiiomeiits, tlic central liiiiirc now liocr.an t(» dance, at tirst 
 in tlie usual sloucliin<^ fusliion common anions; Indians, 
 Lendini,^ liis knees, but not liftinij: his feet f-^r from tlio 
 ground. This lie kept up without change for full lialf-an- 
 hour, the weird chorus of drums, rattles, and voices going (;n 
 steadily. Then he began to stamp violently on the ground, 
 and to give vent to deep grunts, in response to which the 
 music grew faster, and the voices Lecamo more piercing, and 
 thus the dancing and noise gathered speed and volume until 
 the man in the centre of the circle worked liimsclf uj) into a 
 kind of frenzy that was repulsive to witness. 
 
 Throwing aside his mask, he allowed his face to be seen. 
 It was covered with paint and perspiration. His eyes rolled 
 like a madman's, and foam gathered at the corners of his 
 mouth. Hanging up and down between the two fires that 
 were now blazing their brightest, he glanced this way and 
 that as though seeking for some object uj^on which to vent 
 his fury. 
 
 Rae shud<lered and shrank behind the chief. He did not 
 know at what moment the frenzied dancer niiuht sino-le him 
 out for some horrible part in the ceremony. 
 
 Presently the dancer paused, glared wildly about him, 
 and then began to creep down towards where the boys were, 
 in the manner of one stalkinix a deer. There was somethin!:j 
 so unearthly and appalling in his whole appearance that 
 Rae was rooted to the spot with terror. 
 
 Nearer and nearer with sly stealthy steps drew the 
 dancer, until he halted as though for a spring just in front 
 of Rae. The poor boy, chilled and faint with fright, cowered 
 
SAVAGE LI IE. 
 
 ^y -y *^ 
 
 not 
 him 
 
 liiin, 
 
 vere, 
 
 liing 
 
 that 
 
 the 
 
 Iroiit 
 
 }red 
 
 nt the foot of TTi-linL;'-a, who s.it as motionless as though 
 carved in stone. Freckles had sunk out of sight hehind the 
 chief. There was a moment of thrilling silence, for the 
 drummers and rattlers and singers had all suddenly ceased 
 their noise. Then came a hideous cry, more like the howl 
 of a wolf than any sound from a human throat, and with a 
 tremendous hound the dancer threw himself — not upon Ivae, 
 who had involuntarily shut his eyes in sheer horror, but 
 upon a dog that, all unmindful of the uproar, had been curled 
 up quietly at the feet of Ili-ling-a. 
 
 Seizino- the strufr^dinu: creature with both hands, so that 
 it ^^as powerless to bite, the dancer buried his teeth in its 
 haunch, and tore out a gory mouthful, which he hastened 
 to munch with great apparent relish. Then hurling the 
 animal, howling with pain, beyond the circle of enthralled 
 spectators, he followed it himself, disappearing in the dark- 
 ness amid a curious but sio-nificant murmur of relief from 
 the circle, whose feelings had been much wrought upon 
 during the ceremony. 
 
 As for Rae, it seemed as if he were wakinn- from some 
 awful nightmare. Ho had been simply paralyzed with 
 terror, and the whole performance seemed so abominaVile 
 that he fain would have run away into the darkness, only 
 that he did not dare to leave the chief, whom he had come 
 to look upon as his guardian. 
 
 Althou<xh the dancer hud vanished, the circle remained 
 unbroken, and evidently awaited further proceedings. 
 
 " Oh, I hope there's not going to be any more of it," 
 ^\hispered Rae behind the chief's back to Freckles, who was 
 
228 
 
 SAVAGE LIFE. 
 
 
 looldiiGj so pale tliat the tan spots on his face stood out like 
 hlotclies of colour. "That was awful, wasn't it? and tho 
 next thiiiLj may be worse." 
 
 Happily, however, his fears were not ful tilled. The next 
 thing was not worse, nor half so bad. After an interval of 
 silent expectation, during which performers had a chance to 
 give their lungs and muscles a needed rest, the music began 
 again, slow and subdued, and soon another figure entered 
 the ring. 
 
 This was the ska-ga or medicine-man of the tribe, and 
 the deity having been duly propitiated by the preceding 
 rite, he was now to give the people the prophetic message 
 which they were eagerly awaiting. 
 
 The ska-ga was a tall man, wofully emaciated from pro- 
 tracted fastincf, with hair ham^dno; over his shoulders in 
 tangled locks, and a garb that was tattered and frayed until 
 it seemed hardly able to hold together. In one hand lie 
 held a large rattle richly carved, in the other a hollow bone, 
 also carved and inlaid with pieces of haliotis shell. 
 
 Shaking the rattle gently, he walked wdth slow, hesitating 
 steps three times around the circle, keeping his e5^es bent 
 upon the ground, as though he were in profound thought. 
 At the third time he halted before the chief, and after re- 
 garding him so intently for a few minutes that the old man 
 was fain to drop his eyes in some confusion, the ska-ga 
 began to chant in a strange monotonous fashion, running the 
 words one into the other, so that even the chief could hardly 
 make them out, wdiile the others, eagerly though they 
 listened, evidently could not understand him at all. 
 
SAl'ACE LIFE. 
 
 2^9 
 
 Tho chant continuerl sovoral miniitos, lli-ihig-a's wi-iiikled 
 countoiiaiice at tiiiK s bivakiiiy- into a snii'.c as tlic medicine- 
 man spoke somctliing that was mnch to liis mind. 
 
 When the ska-ca ceased lie too vanisliotl into the dark- 
 ness, as the dancer had done, and tlien tlio cliief, for tlie first 
 time rising from his seat of honour, hecfan an a(Uh'ess to l»is 
 [)eop]e. He spoke in a low yet distinct voice at the start, 
 and they all crowded close so as to hear every word; but 
 as he proceeded his expression and tone became more im- 
 jvassioned. Tho words poured like a torrent from his lips, 
 his e^^es flashed fire, and his gestures were fierce and 
 warlike. The Indians responded with vigorous grunts 
 of approval, and with faces whose wild looks reflected his 
 own. 
 
 Finally, when he reached the climax of his oration, he 
 took hold of Rae and Freckles with either hand, placed 
 them in front of him, and shouted something, upon which 
 the whole gathering broke into a furious chorus of whoops 
 and yells that made the boys' blood run cold. " God help 
 us \ ' murmured Rae ; " they're going to do for ns now." 
 
 And it certainly seemed as if he were right this time, 
 for the excited savao-es surrounded them, looking as though 
 they wanted to tear them in pieces. 
 
 Yet through all this commotion Ifi-ling-a, the passion 
 attending his speech having spent itself, continued calm and 
 silent, while the pleased expression of his face showed that 
 he cordially approved of the tumult his people were creating. 
 
 If Rae could only liave understood the true nature of 
 the whole proceeding, instead of being territied he might 
 
mn 
 
 230 
 
 SAVAGE LIFE. 
 
 have felt ]iii.';lilv flaltcvcd, for this Wcas wliat had actnallv 
 taken place. 
 
 The llaida.s of SkideiJ-atc Inlet were in a chronic state 
 of war with the tribe whose settlement was at ]\[asset Inlet 
 to the north, and just before the arrival of the Plover they 
 had been planning and preparing fur an attack upon their 
 enemies. 
 
 Seeiiig liow few of the wliitc men tlierc were, the bril- 
 liant idea had entered old IJi-liniz-a's active brain of con- 
 turing the schooner and crew, and compelling the latter to 
 join their war-party, and give them the aid of their lire- 
 arms, which would insure complete victory. 
 
 The attempt on the schooner having failed, he had to be 
 content with the two boys, wlio had innocently placed them- 
 selves in his hands, and the whole object of the ceremony 
 which had been so trying to them was to secure the ap}>ro\-al 
 of the deities ot' the projected expedition. 
 
 The ska-ga had signified this in a manner more than 
 usually distinct for so oracular and distinguished a personage, 
 and all the fierce yelling and M'hooping was nothing more or 
 less than the delight of the Indians at haviuo" two such 
 chaih^ ions added to their army. 
 
 As for Kaitza and her sorrowful, sympathetic looks 
 which had intensified Rae's concern for himself and Freckles, 
 they were simply due to her fear of the dangers to Avhicli 
 the white boys must be exposed in thus going to war for 
 her tribe. She had fallen violently in love with Rae, and 
 the thought of his going away up to jMasset, and fighting 
 with the fierce and warlike Indians, gave her keen concern. 
 
 I 
 
SAVAGE JJJ/:. 
 
 '31 
 
 tlian 
 
 oiiagv, 
 
 ivo or 
 
 such 
 
 looks 
 cklcs, 
 •liicli 
 IV i'oi" 
 , aiul 
 
 icuvn. 
 
 ■\v 
 
 It was not until some time afterwards that ]{ae under- 
 stood all this, l>iit in tlie meantime, \vlien the excitement liad 
 
 subsided, and the people set themselves to feastini^^ without 
 manifesting any desire to eat him or do him any other 
 liarm, his mind grew easier, and not having any stomach 
 for the feast he slipped away with Freckles to the chiefs 
 house, wliere all was rpiiet, and they were ahle to get to 
 sleep, heing thoroughly wearied by the events of the day. 
 
 The village slept lat(! the next morning, and the boys 
 had been up and taken their daily swiui before any of the 
 Lillians made their appearance. 
 
 As Pvae looked at the long line of canoes drawn up on 
 the beach, and carefully covered with thick mats to prevent 
 the sun from warping and splitting their cedar sides, lie 
 said to Freckles, — 
 
 " Oh, if we could only just take one of those canoes and 
 paddle down io Fort Camosun, But we couldn't, of course, 
 and it's no use thinkinii- about it. We've i^ut to wait here 
 until the Plover comes back for us." 
 
 " But suppose, Ilae, the T'lovcr doesn't eome back,"' asked 
 Freckles, " what will we do then ? " 
 
 " The Plover not come back ! " exclaimed llae indignantly. 
 " What makes you say tliat ? Do you tlunk Captain Hanson 
 v,i)idd be so mean as to desert us altoiix'ther ?" 
 
 "Oh, no," protested Freckles earnestly. "That isn't 
 what I mean. But I was thiid^ing if the Plover shouhl be 
 wrecked on her way down. Von k'liow W(> had some narrow 
 escapes coming up ; and if anything like that shoidd happen 
 til lier, and .she never got to Fort Camosuu, wouldu't we 
 
2-7,2 
 
 SAVAGE LIFE. 
 
 jiave to stay lierc for tlic rest of our lives?" and tlic mere 
 tlionght of so lamentable a contingency made the Ijoy's eyes 
 grow moist and his lips quiver. 
 
 Now it was one of the sources of streno-th as well as 
 of weakness in Rae's nature that he was prone to take the 
 brightest side and most hopeful view of the future. He 
 was, in fact, a consistent optimist ; and while this had, at 
 times, the disadvantage of rendering him over-sanguine of 
 success, and therefore inclined to be rash in attempting 
 things, as we have already seen, still it also helped him to 
 keep np a brave heart in the face of adversity. 
 
 The idea of the Plover failino: to return had never entLrcd 
 his mind, and when Freckles suo-rfcstcd it he was angered. 
 
 " Look here, Freckles," he cried, with his face Hushed, 
 and his fists clenched as though he would strike him for 
 his ill-timed croaking, '"'I just wish you wouldn't talk tliat 
 "way. We've got enough to worry us without imagining 
 things that may never happen. I feel sure the riover's 
 comiuLi' liack for us ; and even if she doesn't, we'll find some 
 way of getting back to the fort. We're not going to stay 
 here always, you may depend upon that." 
 
 Freckles hung his head and looked very penitent. 
 
 "All right, Ivae ; I won't say anything more al)Out it," 
 he said humlJy. " JJut it just came into my mind, you know." 
 
 All that day the village was filled with bustle and pre- 
 paration. 
 
 The expedition was to go in canoes, and these were Ix'ing 
 })ainted and fixed up in the most elaborate manner of which 
 their owners were capable. The women were busy pro- 
 
 ' 
 
SAVAGE LIFE. 
 
 '■Z2> 
 
 lilt it," 
 [now." 
 ^d p ve- 
 il M'inc; 
 \vhicli 
 
 I' p)'0- 
 
 paring a supply of food, so that the Avarriors would not 
 have to depend upon what they could secure en route; and 
 
 childi 
 
 d 
 
 dit th 
 
 infection of war, and were 
 liavini'' nriniic combats, in wliich some of them, however, cfot 
 such hard knocks that their wails pierced the air. 
 
 Ili-ling'-a sent for the boys, and gave them to understand 
 that he wanted to know how many times their ritles could 
 l)e fired. Uac carefully examined the contents of their 
 powder-Uasks and bullet-pouches, and found that they had 
 each sufficient for about twenty-five charges, while their 
 cap-boxes were practically full. 
 
 On the old chief being informed of this he looked highly 
 P'leascd. Evidently he counted that in his white captives 
 he held the trump-card in the game of war he prepared to 
 play with the Masset Indians. They had no fire-arms, ho 
 kui'W, and were not accustomed to them, so that their effect 
 might well be to produce a panic that would place victory 
 in the hands of the Skidegate tribe. 
 
 There were more dancing and feasting' that niuht, but 
 luae and Freckles kept aloof. lli-ling-a did not require 
 their presence ; and although by this time all fear of personal 
 harm had vanished, the whole ceremony was so distasteful 
 that they wanted no more of it. 
 
 Another who remained away from the gathering around 
 tlie lives was Kaitza, and she hung about Rae in a way that 
 was really pathetic, and that he could not fail to notice. 
 It bothered him not a little, for it seem(Ml as if she nnist bo 
 wanting something; but as she could nut put her wish into 
 Words, he did nut know how to meet it. 
 
mmmKm 
 
 234 
 
 SAVAGE LIFE. 
 
 " Wliat can tliat girl be after, Freckles ? " Rao asked 
 somewhat fretfully of his companion. " She seems to have 
 something on her mind, and to be wanting to tell us ; Imt 
 how can she when we don't know a word of each other's 
 lanfmai-'e ? " 
 
 " Perhaps she doesn't want us to go with the others 
 wherever they're going," suggested Freckles, "She'd like 
 us to stay here and keep her company maybe." 
 
 " Tut," snorted Rae contemptuously ; " if that's her notion 
 she's upon the wrong tack. Catch me staying with her and 
 the women and children. I'm jx^ino- with the men, that's sure." 
 
 Poor Kaitza, who seemed to have some suspicion that 
 she was the subject of their talk, looked as if she would 
 give her very eyes to understand its drift ; and then slipping 
 away softly, she reappeared with a basketful of delicious 
 berries she had herself picked that day, and offered them 
 to the boys, her tawny face lighting up with pleasure as 
 she saw how heartily her gift was appreciated. 
 
 Rae thanked her warmly, and if she could not interpret 
 his words she ha<l no difficulty in reading the expression of 
 his face ; and this evidently satisfied her, for a very contented, 
 happy look came into hers, and she went back to her part 
 of the house with a light step, leaving the boys to settle 
 down for the night. 
 
 The following morning the warlike expedition set forth. 
 It was a most propitious day, bright, cool, aud free from 
 Aviud. One hundred and fifty braves formed the party, 
 IIi-lino;-a beinu: in command, and having Rae and Freckles 
 as his personal attendants. 
 
 I 
 
SAJ'.iai-: LiFR. 
 
 
 forth. 
 
 from 
 
 Iparty, 
 
 lockles 
 
 It required ten of the lari:fest canoes to carry them, as they 
 took with tlieiii a Ixiiiiititul supply of dried lisli, hcrries, 
 potatoes, and oulaclian grease, k'st tlicy nii^kt not he ahle 
 to ohtain sutHcieiit provision on the way. 
 
 These canoes were a(h)iirahle in their way, heing made 
 frtjiii single trees of the red cedar, wliich is liu'ht, durahle, 
 and easily worked. Their lines were very line, the requisite 
 auinunt of heani heinir obtained by steaming- the hollow lou:" 
 with water and hot stones, and inserting;' thwarts, while the 
 bow and stern were provided with strong spurs sloping up- 
 ward, and scarfed to the main body of the canoe. 
 
 They were very seaworthy craft, but had one serious weak- 
 ness wliicli needed to be uuarded auvainst — the wood wa^' ''nt to 
 split parallel with the grain ; and when heavily laih'U in rough 
 weather the strain would sometimes prove too much, causing 
 a bad leak, and placing the occupants in inuninent danger. 
 
 The chief's canoe was full forty feet long, and contained 
 twenty men besides Hi-ling-a and the bo\'s, and a large 
 (juantity of stuff. All paddled save the chief and Ivae and 
 Freckles, timl the two latter found it very pheasant to stretch 
 out comfortably in the stern upon a pile of blaidvets and l)e 
 liadi.lled along at the rate of six miles an hour by the power- 
 ful Indians, from whose vocabular}- the word weariness 
 seemed to have been banished, as hour after hour passed 
 au'l their mighty strokes never slackene(l for a moment. 
 
 The route lay along the western side of the island, which 
 was one continuous line of surf-beaten rock, so that the 
 canoes had to keep well out from land ; but the Indians 
 did not mind that, being accustomed to make trips across 
 
 07S) 
 
 15 
 
mm 
 
 236 
 
 SAVAGE LIFE. 
 
 Hcc.atc Strait to tlie mainlaml in order to trade witli the 
 Tsiiiisliians and other tribes. 
 
 Beyond the birds in tlie air or the fish in the sea, there 
 was absohitely no sign of living creature. 
 
 " Wliat a dreary, desolate country!" said Rae to Frecldes, 
 pointing to tlie coast by which they were passing. " Ju^^t 
 imagine having to live in such a place as that. Why, I be- 
 lieve I'd go crazy in a month." 
 
 "So wor'd ' ' assented Freckles. ''I don't like living 
 in the woods anyway. I'm sick of them. I wish I could 
 live in a phice \ '^er* :.^.erc was a whole lot of people, and 
 no Indians or wild animals. That's what I'd like." 
 
 "I would too," replied lUie — "for a while anyway. I 
 want to see something of the rest of the world. I'm getting 
 tired of this part of it. I wonder if I ever will get tij 
 Europe, or Asia, or any of those places." 
 
 "You will, of course, Rae," said Freckles very positi\'ely, 
 " but I'm not likely to, unless," and he glanced shyly at his 
 comj^anion as though to see how he would like the suggestion, 
 " you take me, for nobody else is going to do it." 
 
 Rae brought down his hand with a hearty slap on 
 Freckles's knee, and his face lit up with resolution. 
 
 "I will do it, Freckles," he exclaimed. "Just as sure as 
 I go mj'self, I'll take you along. There now, I promise you." 
 
 It seemed a vain pledge to give, situated as thev then 
 were, captives in a Haida canoe ])Ound upon a tribal foray, 
 and certain to encounter many dangers on both sea and land 
 while in the service of their captors, with no cei'tain pros- 
 pect of deliverance from them at any time. 
 
SAVAGE LIFE. 
 
 237 
 
 h tlie 
 , there 
 cckk's, 
 
 " JUf,t 
 
 , I be- 
 ll viiiL( 
 
 \ could 
 
 lo, and 
 
 rav. 1 
 
 gettiii.o; 
 get to 
 
 itivoly, 
 
 at bis 
 
 )'cstion, 
 
 ap 
 
 on 
 
 sure a>; 
 40 you."' 
 ^y then 
 1 foray, 
 nd hind 
 in pi'os- 
 
 But Freckles seemed to have perfect confidence in both 
 liae himself and in his future, and to believe that no matter 
 how unpromising the present might be, there was a good 
 time coming. 
 
 About mid-day the canoes made a stop at an inlet a little 
 south of Cape Ball, where a river ran down to the sea, and 
 there was a safe landing-place. 
 
 Here fires were lighted and dinner cooked, after which 
 a rest of a couple of hours was announced by the chief; and 
 seeing the Indians stretch themselves out for a sleep, llae 
 with his wonted enterprise determined upon a stroll, knowing 
 well that the party would not set off again without him. 
 
 Accompanied by Freckles, he went inland along the 
 river-side, wondering if there was an3'thing worth shooting 
 in this part of the island. He had no desire to try conclu- 
 sions again with a panther, but if something smaller and less 
 pugnacious turned up he was in the humour for a venture. 
 
 The stream turned and twisted so that tln^ boys were 
 soon out of siglit of the sea, but they knew they could not 
 lose tlicmselves so long as they kept in sight of the river. 
 Chatting carelessly, they pushed on until they were about a 
 quarter of a mile from the landing-place, an<l then Bao, 
 feeling the sun very hot, threw himself down in the shade 
 to cool off. Freckles followed his example. 
 
 They had not been there many minutes before there was 
 a rustling in the bushes just beyond them, and as they gazed 
 intently at the spot from whence the sound came, there 
 emerged into the open a large black bear, tossing his head 
 an<l sniffing the air in an inquiring way. 
 
mm 
 
 CHAPTER XTV. 
 
 WITH THE WAR-PARTY. 
 
 BEARS wore not plentiful in the Queen Charlotte Islands 
 at that time, hut they were to he found in certain 
 districts ; and as it happened, the Plaidas had landed at one 
 of the places, and there was nothing therefore extraordinary 
 about the boys lightiiig" upon one. 
 
 Of course the wisest thino- under the circumstances 
 would have been for them to keep perfectly still until 
 Bruin had drunk his fill of water and taken himself off 
 again. So long as they left him alone he certainly would 
 not molest them. Bears are too fond of peace to make an 
 unprovoked attack on anybody. 
 
 But the sight of tlio bear stirred Rae's spirit. What a 
 splendid opportunity now presented itself to distinguish 
 himself beft)re the Indians! To make a conquest of the 
 bear would insure the respect of his captors, and per- 
 haps in some way help towards the regaining of his 
 freedom. 
 
 Freckles had no such ambitious thoughts aroused. With 
 him on all occasions of the kind discretion was the better 
 
WITH THE WW R- r A irr\ 
 
 j\'irt (if vnlour. Hr was a linn lu'liovor in ili(^ couplet wliicli 
 
 tcacliL's tliat 
 
 ][o wlio fights, and runs uwivy, 
 Lives to fight anotlier day,"' 
 
 se 
 
 'sland>^ 
 
 certain 
 
 at one 
 
 xlinarv 
 
 ;anccs 
 until 
 If olf 
 would 
 ake an 
 
 ^Vhat a 
 mu'uisli 
 of the 
 1 pcr- 
 uf lii^ 
 
 With 
 bettor 
 
 with the modification tliat ho greatly preferred running 
 away Avitliout fighting at alh 
 
 Now lie phicked Rao's sleeve vigorously, an<l whispered 
 in a pleading anxious tone, — 
 
 "Let's run, Eae ; he hasn't seen us yet; come." 
 
 J)Ut instead of preparing to run, Kae carefully drew up his 
 ritle so that the movement made no noise, and levelled it at 
 the bear, who now presented his full front to them, 
 
 "Oh, don't, Kae, please don't," implored Freckles, and ho 
 put out his hand as though he would take hold of the ritle. 
 
 ]')Ut ]iae, without speaking, gave him a look that caused 
 him to shrink back abashed. Mortallv afraid of the bear 
 as he felt, he was still more afraid of offending liae, whose 
 favour was the sunshine of his life. 
 
 Taking aim M'ith the utmost deliljeration, for he wanted 
 to make sure work with the first shot, Rae pulled the 
 trigger. The report rang out sharp an<l clear, and at tho 
 same instant the bear rolled over at the edge of tho stream, 
 writhing in mortal agony. 
 
 " TTurrah ! " shouted Rae, springing to his feet and waving 
 Ills hat triumphantly, " I've done for him. He'll be dead in 
 a minute." 
 
 Tu this case, however, he counted upon too quick and 
 easy a victory. Just as he showed himself the bear recov- 
 ered from the first shock of the wound, and, catching sight 
 
! 
 
 240 
 
 iriTJI TJIE IVAR-PARTY. 
 
 of the tu'O boys, at once attribiitcMi to them liis sudden 
 suflei-ing. 
 
 Witli a dull voar lie rushed across the stream and char^vd 
 straight upon them before Rac had a chance to reloa<l. 
 
 "Now then, Freckles, run for it!" cried Rae, setting his 
 companion a good example, and away they went down the 
 bank of the stream, the bear in close pursuit, although the 
 great drops of blood which marked his path showed how 
 sorely he had b'.-en wounded. 
 
 Kae ran like a deer; but Freckles made poor speed, 
 slipping and stumbling awkwardly, so that he was soon in 
 the rear, and had to gasp out an appeal to Rao not to lea\c 
 him behind. lie had hardly spoken, and Rac ha<l just 
 turned to wait for him, when his foot caught in a tree-root, 
 and down he went, pitching his rifle ahead of him in his fall. 
 
 The bear was only a few yards froni him as Rac 
 shouted, — 
 
 " Pretend you're dead, Freckles. Don't move a muscle." 
 
 Freckles heard and obeyed. When Bruin reached him 
 he lay as still as a corpse, and the animal halted for a 
 moment to smell him over. 
 
 This gave Rae an opportunity to which he gallantly 
 responded. Freckles's rifle, still undischarged, lay upon the 
 grounel a couple of yards from where the bear stood over 
 the prostrate boy. Darting forward he picked it up, and 
 as the bear, noting his action, lifted his head with a fierce 
 growl, he placed the muzzle at his head, almost touchiuL;' 
 his ear, and flred before Bruin could move. 
 
 The bullet went clear throuLch the creatures brain, and 
 
WITH TJJK WAK-J'AKTV 
 
 241 
 
 ukMlh 
 
 
 iny Ills 
 \sn tlic 
 txh tlio 
 .'(1 liow 
 
 ■ speed, 
 soon ill 
 to leave 
 ad jii^t 
 ree-root, 
 
 his fall. 
 
 as llao 
 
 inscle." 
 ed liim 
 for a 
 
 allantly 
 )on tlio 
 od over 
 up, and 
 a fierce 
 oucliin^j' 
 
 without a sound lie collapsed upon Fivclslos, Ids c^rc-at 
 Weight fairly llatteniiig the pcjor felhjw auaiiist the hard 
 Ci'roiind, and s(pieezing* every atuiii of lueath out uf him. 
 
 Jhit liae promptly relieved him uf the oppre.ssive huulen 
 and stood him on his feet, laughing joyously as lie gazed 
 al>out him in a dazed, bewildered fashion as thoiiLih he did 
 
 not k 
 
 it what had h 
 
 d to h 
 
 am 
 
 and 
 
 Know just wnat nad Jiappeneu to nim. 
 
 Now in falling upon him the hear had rather liberally 
 bespattered him with his own bhjod, and this at once caught 
 Freckles's attention. 
 
 " Rae, I'm wounded, I'm wounded ! " he cried in a 
 piteous tone; "sec how I'm bleeding," and he put his hands 
 up to his face, Mhich certainly ]ia<l a horrifying appearance, 
 all gory as it was. 
 
 "Nonsense!" laughed llae, instantly surmising the true 
 soin'cc of the blood; "you're not hurt a bit. That's the 
 bear's blood on you." 
 
 " Are yoti sure ? " asked Freckles eagerly 
 right ? " 
 
 " Of course you're all right," replied Rae. 
 to the water and wash the blood ofi' yourself. There's 
 nothing else the matter with you." 
 
 With lightened heart Freckles did as he was l»id, and 
 came back looking cpiite himself again. 
 
 " Isn't he a monster, Freckles ? " said Rae, putting his 
 foot proudly on the bear's head. "Those llaidas will think 
 a good deal more of us wdieii they sec wdiat we've done, and 
 I guess father would be proud if he knew it too. See, there 
 are some of the Indians comincr alonr; now." 
 
 "Am I all 
 Run down 
 
^4- 
 
 wrrir the war party. 
 
 I 
 
 Tt was old lli-liiii^-.'i and liall"-a-dozcn of ]iis follower?:. 
 The clnef liad lioard the report of the rifle, and had at once 
 set out to learn what it meant. When he saw the hcj 
 lying prostrate and lifeless he nia<le no attempt to conceal 
 his astonishment. The killiiiL;' of such a creature was 
 worthy the comljined ellorts of a dozen of his most darin<"'' 
 'M)i'aves," but here it had Leeu performed Ijy a couple of 
 boys, and with little apparent dilhcultj''. 
 
 His followers evidently shared his feelings, and even 
 though they could not voice tlieui to him, Rae realized 
 clearly enough that he had gone up greatly in their estima- 
 tion, and would connnand their respect for the future. 
 
 At the connnand of the chief they set to work to sh 
 and cut up the bear, a goodly portion of the body being 
 brought back to the landing place, where a feast was at once 
 instituted, bear steak being regarded as a dainty of the first 
 order by the Indians. 
 
 Ixac felt in (hity bound to eat some of it himself, but did 
 not I'ke it particularly, very much preferring a good steak 
 of salmon or of halibut. 
 
 Freckles was fervently grateful for Eae's timely deliver- 
 ance of him from the bear's maw. He had (piitc given him- 
 self up as bej'ond hope when he fell right in the infuriated 
 animabs way, and his escape seemed to him something in 
 the shape of a miracle. As a result of his escape his devo- 
 tion to Ivae intensified, if that were possible ; and although 
 he had not the faculty of expressing himself in words, it 
 might be read easily enough in his looks, so that even the 
 savages were impressed by it. 
 
WJTII Tin: U'AR-IWNTY 
 
 M.^ 
 
 Anotlioi' conseqnenro of the slMyiiii;' of tlir I'car was tliat, 
 iiistcaJ ot" contiiiuin!J" their \u\'ai/e tliat aftrriiooii, tlio war- 
 ]i,'iity remained oveniii^lit, heiiiLC iimvillinc,' to proceed so 
 V)\v^ as a morsel of tlic bear vemaiued iinconsiinied. 
 
 The next dny broke dark and loweriiiL;-. The sky was 
 aslien gi'ay, and the sea looked like molten lead. Ivao was 
 weather-wise enough already to see that a storm of no 
 ordinary severity threatened, and he hoped that tlie TIaidas 
 would recogni/e it too, and decide npon a still fiii'ther 
 delay. 
 
 P^at althongh they scanned the clouds and the horizon 
 with serious countenances, and consulted earnestly for a 
 time, the decision was to press forward, so, after a hastily 
 prepared breakfast, they all end;arked in the canoes again, 
 and pushed on to the north. 
 
 rt.^'ULi; sure that before long the spray would be dashing 
 over the sides, for the sea was rising fast, llae rolled up the 
 ri!les and annnunition very carefully in a thick blaid>:et, and 
 put them where they would be least exposed. 
 
 As the canoes presseil forv.'ard the wind steadily increased 
 in strength. It was blowing from the north-east, and 
 although they wo\d<l not feel its iwW force until they 
 rounded Rose Point, at the upper end of the island, still it 
 soon severely taxed the utmost efforts of the sinewy paddlers 
 to keep the canoes straight in their course, and to make any 
 jnogrcss worthy of the name. 
 
 llae's apprehensions of danger grew keener with tlie 
 waxing of the wind. Admirably atlapted for their purpose 
 as the canoes were, still they "sverc only canoes after all, and 
 
244 
 
 WITH TJIE WAR-PARTY. 
 
 if t]io gale coiitiiiuGil to increase at its present rate, they 
 must ere lonijj prove unable to weather it. 
 
 But there was no siij'ii of turnino; towards shore. Indeed, 
 as Rae looked anxiously in that direction, and saw everywhere 
 as far as the eye could reach an interniinahle line of furious 
 foaininii: breakers hurliiK^ their wliite crowns aijainst an 
 unbroken wall of mighty boulders, he realized ckarly enouuh 
 that to attempt a landing there would mean certain destruc- 
 tion, and that the only alternative was to keep on in hope 
 of finding some inlet which might prove a harbour of refuge. 
 
 "We're in great dano-cr, Freckles," said Rae, taking hoM 
 of his companion's hand for comfort, "and unless the stoviii 
 stops soon, there's not much chance for us. Why couldn't 
 the In<lians," he added in a tone of petulant protest, "have 
 had the sense to see that it was ijoing to be like this, and 
 have stayed on shore until it got line again ? I'm sure 1 
 could have told them just what was coming." 
 
 "Perhaps they were afraid to stay there in case of the 
 other Indians iindiuij; them out," sucfo-ested Freckles. " They 
 seem to be talking very hard about something, and that may 
 be the reason." 
 
 "Humph," growled ]\ae. "They weren't sure of being 
 found out, but they were sure of the storm coming on, and 
 it would have been a u'ood deal better to have taken tluir 
 chances and stayed ashore, than to come out here and all bo 
 drowned." 
 
 Certaiidy, as the morning drew on, I\ae's view of the 
 situation seemed fully justilied. In spite of the strenuous 
 ertbrts of the paddlers, the headway made was hardly per- 
 
WITH THE WAR-PARTY 
 
 245 
 
 /t' thev 
 
 IikIccmI, 
 ■y where 
 
 fiuious 
 inst an 
 
 eiiouu'li 
 dcstruc- 
 iii liopc 
 I refiiQ;e. 
 
 lio' liol'l 
 
 le stovm 
 couLliit 
 t " have 
 liis, ami 
 1 suie 1 
 
 n of tllC 
 
 Thev 
 
 u 
 
 lat iiiav 
 
 if \m\\% 
 Ion, aii'l 
 m their 
 ll all be 
 
 of the 
 [•eiiuoiis 
 11 V per- 
 
 ceptible, and the point for which tlioy were ainiinL;', and on 
 the other side of which they hoped to find a safe landiiiL^- 
 placc, seemed to get no nearer. 
 
 Presently the waves began to break over the sides of the 
 canoes, drenchinij: all on board, and addinir discomfort to 
 danger; and not only so, but another peril, and a still more 
 serious peril, manifested itself. The amount of water that 
 came (jver the gunwale was inconsiderable, and could easilv 
 be got rid of l)y the bailers with ^^•llich each canoe was 
 supplied. But the leaking due to the straining of the wood 
 whcreljy it opened along the grain as the canoes pitched 
 and tossed in the heavy sea was another matter. 
 
 There was not one of the canoes that did not beLiin to 
 show the etl'ects of the strain upon it, the chief's canoe being 
 the best in this particular, yet Ly no means free from weak- 
 ness, and Rae noted with lively alarm that the water was 
 C'oniino; in faster than it went out, so seiziuLT a bailer he cried 
 to Freckles as ho thrust another into his hand, "I Fore, let 
 us bail for dear life. The canoe's iilling as fast as it can." 
 And then they two applied themselves to the work of 
 gt'tting rid of the water with their utmost energy. 
 
 Little by little tlie canoes crept nearer the point, the 
 Indians keeping to their paddling with an unllagging 
 enilurance that was really marvellous. Bred to the canoe 
 as the Indians of the plains to the saddUs they were capable 
 of maintaining the struggle against the storm for hoiu's yet, 
 provided the canoes did not become waterlogged and un- 
 manageable. Even in the midst of his anxiety l-Jae could 
 not help admiring the unbroken regularity of tlieir stroke, 
 
 — *' 
 
1 4b 
 
 WIT7[ rifE WAR PARTY. 
 
 iind tlio wonderful skill with which lIi-lino--a in the stern 
 evaded the onset of the waA'es, and kept many a foam- 
 crested l)ill(3W from breakinix viiiht on hoard and swamriinij' 
 them heyond recovery. 
 
 At lenLL'th, \)X dint of unrcmittinci: toil and unfailincc f^kil! 
 in seamanship, Hose Point was reached, and the fleet of 
 canoes turned due east in order to circunniavigatc it. J>iit 
 just at this moment the storm hurst upon them with a sudden 
 access of fury that there was no possihility of withstandilll:,^ 
 To face it was utterly impracticahlc ; to liy heforo it meant 
 to bo driven far out into Hecate Strait, and lost beyond a 
 peradventure. 
 
 Only one alternntive remained, and that was to make 
 for the sliore under the lee of the point, and attempt a 
 landiuii; no matter how fierce the breakers might be or 
 inhospitable the rocky l)each. IFi-lin^'-a promptly turned 
 his canoe shoreward, the others as promptly t\)llowed his 
 example, and, sunnnoning all their remaining strength for 
 one supreme effort, the paddlers bent to their work, while 
 the spray hissed savagely over them, and the billows sprang 
 at thiMr frail craft like wild oeasts furious for their prey. 
 
 It was a tremendous struofo-le, the result of which \\\\\\^ 
 in tlui balance for manv thrillini'' mirnites. Confnied to the 
 position of mere spectators, yet with their own lives at 
 stake, tlie boys eowere(l down in the stern of their canoe 
 seekinu' iirotection from tlie lil(.)ws of the Avaves continuallv 
 breakini;' ov(T the a'nnwale. They full\' realized their 
 danger, but bore up bravely against it, llae feeling it to he 
 incumbent upon him to mainiain a manly front in tlie 
 
WITH TTTE WAR-PARTY 
 
 247 
 
 presence of tlie Haidas, jiikI Freckles nobly imitating tlie 
 example thus set liim. 
 
 Little by little the shore was neared, but strive as they 
 iiii^lit to peer through the spume and spray, no gap in the 
 line of br»;akers offered a chance of a safe landing. 
 
 "We'll be dashed to pieces, Freckles, sure," said Rae, 
 referring more particularly, however, to the canoes than to 
 themselves. '"There's no good place to land. We'll just 
 have to go it blind, and trust to luck." 
 
 lie was right enough. Expert in every art of canoi'ing 
 a*^ the Haidas were, they had reached a crisis when all skill 
 went for nothing. They could only connnit themselves to 
 the boilini:; surf in the hope of .somehow surviving the 
 ordeal. 
 
 On they urged their canoes, rapidly becoming water- 
 IoL!'L''ed and unmanaii'eable. The breakers beiian to roar and 
 hiss about them like avenging furies ; a few yards more, and 
 thev would be in their midst. 
 
 As soon as the landing was decided upon, Rae had rolled 
 u}i the rifles and ammunition, each in a se[)aratc blanket, 
 and now he handed Freckles his, saying in a steady though 
 sad tone, — 
 
 "We'll want them if we ovt throu-di, so hold on tight to 
 yours." 
 
 A moment later and the crisis came. The paddlers 
 threw aside their paddles and .seized their s))ears ami bows. 
 <>ld Ili-ling-a rose to his feet, and stooil looking shonjward 
 with steadfast countenance, while he called out encourag- 
 ingly tc his men. liac and Freckles, grasping their pre- 
 
248 
 
 WITH THE WAR-PARTY. 
 
 cious bundles tightly, prepared to leap as soon as the canoe 
 struck. 
 
 It was as sudden as a flasli of linfhtnin<]:. CaiKdit up on 
 the back of a huge breaker, the canoe poised for one thrillino- 
 instant upon its foaming crest, and then was flung forward 
 as though it were a mere shaving. With a stunning crash 
 it smote the pitiless rocks, and fell into irreparable wreck. 
 
 The shock hurled all its occupants forward, but instantly 
 they recovered themselves, and sprang into the frothing 
 waves that strove hard to draw them l»ack to destruction. 
 Freckles happily leaped clear of the undertow, and, albeit a 
 little bruised, scrambled out of the breakers' reach, still 
 retaining his hold upon the rille. But Rae was not so 
 fortunate. As he jumped, his foot slipped, and he fell right 
 into the thick of the undertow, which promptly laid hold 
 upon him, and would have drawn him back to death hail 
 not the old chief, whose keen eyes seemed to miss nothing, 
 no matter what the turmoil might be, observed his perilous 
 plight, and, stretching out his long right arm, caught him 
 by the collar and dragged him to land by an almost super- 
 human effort. 
 
 By great good luck every one of those in JCi-ling-a's 
 canoe made cood their landimx ; but not so fortunate were 
 some of the others, for Avhen all had gathered together it 
 was found that six were missing, including two boys about 
 his own au'e that Rac had noticed in one of the other canoes, 
 and whose lifeless bodies were presently cast up by the sea, 
 which had worked its cruel will upon them. 
 
 There was no time for lamentation then, however. Thnt 
 
 \ 
 
lio canoe 
 
 it lip on 
 tbi'illinf( 
 forward 
 ng crash 
 ^vreck. 
 instantly 
 frothing 
 ;truction. 
 , albeit a 
 ach, still 
 s not so 
 fell right 
 laid hold 
 ath hail 
 nothing, 
 perilous 
 o-ht him 
 st siiper- 
 
 i-lin^'-a's 
 ate were 
 
 ;ether it 
 vs ahout 
 
 v canoes, 
 ' the sea, 
 
 JJVTI/ TflE UWR-PARTY. 
 
 249 
 
 r. 
 
 That 
 
 iiinst he left until the return to tlie village. The one thing 
 now was to consider what slioiild be done in the ditiicult 
 circumstances which surrounded the once imposing but now 
 most miserable war-party. 
 
 Nothing had been saved from the wreck save their 
 implements of war. liae and Freckles had each their ritle 
 and ammunition intact, and all the Indians had either bow 
 or spear, and many of them both. 
 
 The boys liad also saved their hatchets and hunting- 
 hnivos; but the provisions were all lost, and most of the 
 l)lankets. 
 
 The outlook was certainly a dreary one as the sur- 
 vivors, drenched and dishevelled, and most of them more 
 or less bruised, gathered around the chief for comfort and 
 consolation. 
 
 The old man bore himself with a stoical dignity that 
 was admirable to behold. He had no thouirht of bein!i' 
 l)ru.strated even l)y a disaster ap})arently so overwhelming, 
 but at once set himself to put heart int(j his men, and to 
 advise as to what should be done. 
 
 Ijv this time the storm bci-an to show si£>ns of blowini-' 
 
 *' O II (7 
 
 over. Fortunately it had not V)een accompanied with rain, 
 and everything being dry on shore, the Indians M'ero 
 presently able to produce a lire, before which the wh<;le 
 party could in a short time dry their dripping clothing, ami 
 become more comfortal)le on that score. 
 
 The next thoiiglit naturally enough was food, and for 
 this they must needs turn to tlie forest which stretched 
 dense and pathless as far as the eye could reach. Taking 
 
250 
 
 WTTH rUE WAR-PARTY 
 
 their bows and spears, a niinil)er of the Indians \Yent ofF in 
 quest of j^amo. llae would have liked to accompany thein, 
 but Hi-lini^--a detained him. The shrewd old man knew 
 little of the country round about, having been accustonicil 
 to make all his ex})editions by water, and he did not think 
 it wi<(i to run any unnecessary risks. They were no doubt 
 still a long way from the Masset villages, yet they might 
 chance upon a war-party of that tribe, and in that case 
 it would be better foL' l\ae and Freckles to be M'ith him 
 rather than wanderim-' throuiih the woods after game. 
 
 llae understood something of this, and it helped to 
 reconcile him to remain b}' the fire, although, having assureil 
 liimself that his rifle and amnnuiition were not the worse for 
 the sliipwreck, ho was anxious to give the sawages further 
 proof of his skill as a shot. " It just puzzles me," said he to 
 Freckles, "what's going to become of us now. We nuist he 
 a long, long way from Skidegate, and perhaps the Indians 
 don't know how to get back by land. You see they <lo all 
 their travelling by canoe, and I don't suppose thej'dl feel like 
 going ahead with their war-party after being wrecked. 
 What do you think ? " 
 
 Freckles scratched his head and tried to look very wise, 
 but could contribute no eidightening suggestion. lie lui'l 
 been bull'eted l)y fate so long and so severely that he was 
 becoming a sort of fatalist, accepting each new com}tlicati()i) 
 in his atlairs as simply another item in a progrannnc that 
 had to be gone through to the bitter end whether ho 
 liked it or not. 
 
 In tliis respect he presented a striking contrast to Pvao, 
 
WITfl THE WAR TARTY 
 
 251 
 
 off in 
 
 ■ thein, 
 
 knew 
 
 5tonif(l 
 
 tlihik 
 
 (loulit 
 
 niiij-lit 
 
 it case 
 
 th liiiii 
 
 pod to 
 
 assured 
 
 3rse for 
 
 fui'tliev 
 
 d lie to 
 
 uist 1h' 
 
 ndians 
 
 • lo all 
 
 xd like 
 
 llTckv'd. 
 
 V ^vise, 
 le liad 
 \w ^vas 
 lieatitii) 
 that 
 lier lie 
 
 Ikie, 
 
 who wonld fain 1)0 the master of his own fate so far as 
 might be possible, and who son^-ht to reconsider everything 
 that liappened, and desired a say in all that was coming to 
 pass concerning himself. 
 
 "I just wisli I could talk their language," continued Rae, 
 takiu"" Fi'eckles's silence for granted. " I know what I'd 
 advise them to do, and that is to make for the village as far 
 as they know how, and get a lot of new canoes if they want 
 to try again." 
 
 " That's the best thing," assented Freckles. " You tell 
 the chief, Kae, and perhaps he'll do it." 
 
 " I'm going to try," said Rae, and forthwith he went over 
 to lliding-a's side, and proceeded to try to make himself 
 understood by him. But all his vigorous pantonume and 
 eloquent speech went for nothing. 
 
 The utmost the old man could make out was that llae 
 wanted to go back to the village, and at this he shook Ids 
 head most decidedly. He had other plans than this for him, 
 and an immediate return to Skidegate was not one of them. 
 
 In fact what the chief had decided to do was worthy of 
 his darinii- and determined character. Seriouslv as his ex- 
 [K'dition had been disorganizeel by the disaster, after carefully 
 reviewing the whole situation, he had come to the conclusion 
 that the best horn to seize of the dilennua in which he found 
 himself was to continue on against the Massets. 
 
 Ih' argued this way. They were twice as far from 
 their own village as they were from their enemies. Oidy 
 six out of the whole nundter had been lost, all their weapons 
 had been saved, and, most important of all, llae and Freckles, 
 
 M'«) 1 (I 
 
252 
 
 WITH THE WAR-PARTY, 
 
 upon whom lie relied chiefly for victory, had conic oft' un- 
 scathed, and with the fire-arms uninjured. 
 
 By a sudden descent upon the JMassets from the forest, 
 whence tliey would never be expecting attack, an easy con- 
 quest might bo won ; and then once in possession of the 
 village they could supply themselves with canoes, and load 
 them with plunder and food, returning in triumph by sen. 
 
 It was a brilliant plan of campaign, worthy in evtiy 
 respect of its brave and sagacious projector, and he was 
 determined on its execution. In due time the hunting- 
 party returned, laden with grouse, ducks, and squirnds, 
 which their arrows had brought down, and which were 
 soon roasting before the fire, and sending out a most 
 appetizing odour that the hungry peo|)lc sniffed eagerly. 
 
 There was abundance for all, and after they had dined 
 heartily, and were feeling in good spirits again, Hi-ling-a 
 thought the time propitious for making known his plan. 
 
 It was not at first received with unanimous approval, 
 and several of the party ex2:)ressed their dissent vei;v 
 decidedly, which roused the old man to unusual energy of 
 speech, so that the discussion waxed warm. 
 
 " My goodness, I wish I knew what they're talking 
 about," exclaimed Ilao. " It's too bad we can't make out a 
 word of it, and I feel sure they're arguing about what they'll 
 do. If I could only talk to them I'd say to hurry back, and 
 I guess a good many of them think the same thing too." 
 
 He had read the faces of the opposition aright — th:y 
 were for an immediate return ; but the old chief was not to 
 bo moved from his purpose. He argued, and pleaded, and 
 
WITH THE WAR PARTY 
 
 253 
 
 off un- 
 
 i forest, 
 sy con- 
 
 of tlio 
 id loai] 
 J son. 
 1 evti y 
 he ^vas 
 untini,'- 
 [iiirrels, 
 ;h were 
 a most 
 rly. 
 (1 diiietl 
 
 i-1in^'-a 
 
 l;in. 
 
 )proval. 
 
 t very 
 
 cro-y ot' 
 
 I talking 
 :c out a 
 tlsey'll 
 [ck, auJ 
 
 )0. 
 )-th:7 
 
 not to 
 led, and 
 
 promised, and tln-eatened, until at leng-th ho carried his 
 point. One by one the ohjectors were overcome, until 
 liually the great shout which followed an especially earnest 
 appeal showed that he had won the day, and that all had 
 ])ceii brought round to his .side. 
 
 " It's no use," said Rae gloomily ; " they're going ahead. 
 See how liercc they look. I suppose they think that since 
 they've got our ritles they're bound to beat anything; but 
 they're much mistaken if they think I'm going to .shoot 
 anybody just to please them. If I have to do it to save njy 
 hie, I will of course; but I'm certainly not going to kill 
 people who never did me any harm — are you, Freckles ? " 
 
 "No, sir, not a bit of it," responded Freckles, with a 
 dcGfree of decision most unusual for him, but Mhich was 
 none the less entirely sincere, for there was nothing in the 
 world so repugnant to him as the thought of being the 
 means of anybody's death. Short of being killed himself, 
 he would endure anything rather than take another's life. 
 
 "Look here. Freckles," Eao went on, lowering his voice 
 to a whisper, although no one else but the one addn^sscd 
 WDuld have been any the wiser had he .spoken in a shout, 
 " ril tell vou what we'll do. If we do attack tho.se Indians 
 up there, and Ili-ling-a expects ns to hre at them, we'll just 
 aim away over their heads so as not to liit any of them, 
 and then whoever's killed on their side we won't 1)C to 
 blame, any way." 
 
 " That's it, Rao, that's the way to do," assented Freckles, 
 ruliliing his hands gleefully, for the idea of being made 
 to take part in a battle had been bothering him sorely ; 
 
254 
 
 WITH THE WAR-PARTY. 
 
 "and tlicn, of course, if the other Indians see tliat we're 
 not doing' tliem any harm, why, they won't hurt us, will 
 tliey ? " 
 
 " Tlicy ouihtn't to at all events," said Kae ; " but," anil 
 here ids face clouded with serious thought, " you know, 
 Freckles, if any of them do try to kill us, why, we'll just 
 have to lire at them, though I devoutly hope they won't, 
 for I don't want to be killed, nor do I want to kill anybody 
 else. 
 
 While they were thus talking together the old chief was 
 niviuLC linal directions to his followers, and soon the start 
 was made in Indian file, a veteran hunter, expert in wood- 
 craft, taking the lead, and the others following close behind, 
 Hi-ling-a and the two boys bringing up the rear. 
 
 The o'oing was difficult and toilsome in the extreme, the 
 forest being dense, and filled with underbrush that stub- 
 bornly opposed the war-party's advance. Although the 
 way was to a certain extent broken by those who were 
 ahead, Rae and Freckles foinid it very fatiguing, and ere 
 lone: began to falter and fall behind, so that the chief, 
 thinking that they were getting lazy, spoke sharply to 
 them, evidently bidtling them mend their pace. 
 
 " It's all very well for him to tell us to hurry up — for T 
 suppose that's what he's driving at," said Eae ir. a tone that 
 was almost sulkv, " but I'm doing the best I can ; and what's 
 more, Til bo giving out altogether pretty soon, and they'll 
 just have to carry me if they want to hurry along as they 
 are doinu*." 
 
 " And I'm tired out too," replied Freckles despondently. 
 
it we're 
 us, will 
 
 ut," Jiiul 
 I know, 
 e'll just 
 Y won't, 
 mybotly 
 
 luef was 
 lie start 
 n wooil- 
 ! behind, 
 
 eme, the 
 at stub- 
 iii'h the 
 lio were 
 and ere 
 
 ic 
 
 chii'f, 
 rply to 
 
 ) 
 
 for T 
 )ne that 
 .1 what's 
 they'll 
 as they 
 
 Do 
 
 // 
 
 til ink 
 
 7T// THE WAR-PARTY 
 carry mc i 
 
 lev 
 
 f I can't walk 
 
 '5; 
 
 any 
 
 no 
 
 lently, 
 
 you 
 farther i " 
 
 " We'll just try," said Rae, his face hrinhtenini;' with a 
 look of mischief. " Well sit down and refuse to M^alk 
 another step, and see what thcyU do," and suitini;' his action 
 to the word he dropped wearily on the f^a'ound. Freckles at 
 once iuiitatiu!^' his exani])le. 
 
 The instant they did so old Illding-a swung round, and, 
 looking very irate, began to scold them in great style, Eao 
 tried to explain as best he could, but to no purpose ; and 
 liiiallv the old man, his indiu'uution reachinrf fever-heat, 
 laid hands upon the boys, and dragged them to their feet, 
 giving them a push forward after the others. 
 
 Rae, however, w^as not to be intimidated in this manner. 
 He really was worn out ; for the exposure in the storm, the 
 misery of the shipwreck, and the lack of opportunity to 
 rest and recruit had exhausted his strena'th. He felt 
 perfectly confident that the Indians would not go on without 
 hiin, nor would they venture to show any real harshness 
 towards him, seeing that they counted so much upon his 
 rifle to aid them in their undertaking. 
 
 Accordingly, having taken a few more steps, lie threw 
 liiniself down again, exclaiming in his most despairing 
 accents, — 
 
 "It's no use; I'm done out, and I can't take another 
 step." 
 
 The cliief bent over him, and gave him a long and 
 .searchincf look which he bore without blenchincc. Then 
 seeming satisfied with his scrutiny, he shouted out after the 
 
256 
 
 WIJ'II TJIE WAR-PARTY, 
 
 rest of tlie party, half-a-dozcn of whom responded to tlie 
 .siiimnons. To tliese he said soiiiethini,^ in a lialf-persuasive, 
 half-coininanding tone that at first evidently did not meet 
 their approval, but to which they presently assented, mani- 
 festly t(; the old man's relief. 
 
 What it was the hoys (|uickly learned, for two of the 
 strongest members of the band came to them, and made 
 signs for them to get upon their backs. Hardly able to 
 contain his laughter, Rae mounted his human steed, Freckles 
 doing the same after his usual awkward fashion, and then 
 off they started again, Kae managing to tip Freckles a wink 
 that sent a broad smile over his homely countenance. 
 
 The progress of the burden-bearers was necessarily 
 much slower than before they were thus handicapped, yet it 
 was surprising how rapidly they did get along ; and frequent 
 changes being resorted to, the march was kei)t up steadily 
 all that day, save for a couple of hours' stoppage at noon for 
 dinner, if the mid-day meal of roasted grouse with no accom- 
 paniment might be so designated. 
 
 Of course the boys did not need to be carried con- 
 tinuously. They walked as much as they could, and TTi 
 ling-a evidently grew better pleased with them a^ lid 
 
 their best. 
 
 A good niglit's rest made the toils of the following day 
 easier to be borne, and towards afternoon the signs uf 
 growing excitement and anxiety in the party tcjld Rae that 
 they must be nearing the enemy's territory. The forest 
 had become more open, enabling the Indians to keep closer 
 together, and they all seemed to be sharply on the look-out 
 
i to tlio 
 •.suasive, 
 ot meet 
 l1, iiiaiii- 
 
 ) of tlic 
 id niailo 
 able to 
 Freckles 
 ,11(1 then 
 3 a wink 
 
 cessarily 
 3d, yet it 
 frequent 
 steadily 
 noon for 
 accom- 
 
 UVT// THE WAR-PARTY. 
 
 257 
 
 for anvtliiii!^' that ininlit indicate tlie presence of their foe. 
 Di ^lending mainly np(»n taking' *:h(>in hy surprise — for their 
 approach to he detected would nu;an, most prohahly, the 
 niiii of their enterprise — the utmost caution was therefore 
 exercised as they }»ushed forward, Hi-lin:;--a himself now 
 
 lii'inu' the leader. 
 
 ■ied con- 
 and TTi 
 lid 
 
 '1112: dav 
 
 f 
 
 signs u 
 
 lac that 
 10 forest 
 cp closer 
 look-out 
 
CHArTEll XV 
 
 TAKHX BY Tin: .M ASSETS. 
 
 "^"T^HE excitement, tliongli necessarily suUliied, was all 
 J- the more intense as the war-party crept silently 
 forward, Hi-linLf-a leadini;" tlie way with the noiseless step 
 of a pantlicr, and the others keeping close np so as to be 
 ready to act tha instant tlie command came. 
 
 Yet notliini;' was to be seen of the Massets, and they 
 must be entirely io'norant of their danijer. 
 
 Happily for them the ITaidas were overtaken by dark- 
 ness before tiny reached striking distance of their village, 
 and astute TTi-iing-a, instead of advancing further, retreated 
 a little ; foi- it M'as a characteristic of the Indian natniv 
 not to make a niglit attack, however favouralde the 
 opjiortunity. 
 
 That night the ITaidas went to IhmI supperless, for no lire 
 could bo lighted, nor. indeed, had the}' any game to cook 
 had tlicy had one. 
 
 Rao grumbled greatly over this, but there was no hel[) 
 for it, and in very illduunour ho wrapped himself up in his 
 blanket, feeling that lie was a nnich-abused individual. 
 
 The Indians settled themselves down to sleep with a 
 
TAKEX BY THE M ASSETS. 
 
 259 
 
 lio lire 
 cook 
 
 lidp 
 11 n his 
 
 11 ill a 
 
 placidity tliat would liavo Leon strange eiuMigh in \ iew of 
 tlifiu situation, but for the fact that (lurini;- the liours of 
 darkness they were in no more danger of attack from the 
 ]\Iasscts tlian the JMassets were of an attack from them, 
 and so they could curl np in tlieir 1)lankets with easy minds 
 until the return of the sun would send them forth to victory 
 or defeat. 
 
 With the hreak of day tlic whole party was astir, and, 
 there being no breakfast to prepare, was soon on the march 
 again. The boys by this time were feeling decidedly faint 
 f(ir lack of food, and had tlie march l)een kept up at the rate 
 of the preceding day, they would have neede*! to be carried 
 as before, 
 
 ihit the advance now was maile with exceeding caution 
 and slowness, so that they had no dilliculty in keeping 
 tluir places. Hunger, exposure, excitement, and exertion 
 had told heavily upon their young frames, and they were 
 hoth in a very dejected state of mind. 
 
 liac, indeed, was growing desperate. The whole pro- 
 ceeding was asjviijist his inclination, and his feelinn' now w as 
 that the sooner it ended in some way the better. 
 
 "Oh T d.) wish it was all over," he groaned; "I'm sick 
 of the business," 
 
 " So am I," chorused Freckles. " It's no fun f(jr us, that's 
 certain." 
 
 Whetlier or not it would prove fun fur the war-party 
 was now shortly to be seen. They were getting vei-y close 
 to the village, which, like their own, Avas luiilt along the 
 beach a little above InLih-water mark, with the forest cominq; 
 
wmmmm 
 
 260 
 
 TAKEN BY THE Af ASSETS. 
 
 clown to the roar of tlic houses, and tliiis affordinijf a ij'ood 
 cov'criiiu" for tlic attack. 
 
 Hi-liiig-a now began to dispose his men so as to make 
 them most effective. He divided them into three bands, 
 in order tliat an onset mii>-ht be made at the middle and at 
 each end of the village simultaneously, thereby giving the 
 idea of a larger force being engaged than was actually the 
 ca.se, and trusting to the confusion of the moment to prevent 
 the mistake being discovered before victory had been gaine<l. 
 The old chief took char2:e of the middle detachment, havin^" 
 Rae and Freckles at his side. 
 
 "We're in for it now," said liae, trvincc to look cheerful ; 
 "and I'd like to know how we're cominix out of it." 
 
 As silently as panthers they all crept forward, until the 
 roofs of the houses and the tall carved posts before their 
 doors could be discerned through the trees. Then, signing 
 to the boys to have their rifles read}^ iri-ling-a prepared 
 himself and his men for the furious rush which was, he 
 hoped, to decide the matter offhand. 
 
 With bows and spears grasped tightly, and faces and 
 forms quivering with suppressed excitement, the Haidas 
 stood like statues, awaitinn- their leader's command. It 
 came with a suddenness that was fairly startling. At the 
 chief's gesture both rifles rang out sharply on the clear 
 morning air, a hoarse wild shout from the Indians followed, 
 and then all three bands plunged down upon the village. 
 
 Ihit Eao, and Freckles with him, hung Indund. The 
 light was not of his choosijig, and he had no special inteivst 
 In the result. Tb^ could not see. therefore, that it w;i - i:i 
 
TAKEX BY THE MASSETS. 
 
 ;6i 
 
 a good 
 
 :o make 
 3 bands, 
 Q and at 
 nwjL, tlie 
 lally the 
 prevent 
 11 gained. 
 t, having 
 
 cheerful ; 
 
 until tlie 
 ore their 
 I, signing 
 prepared 
 was, he 
 
 aces and 
 Haidas 
 
 and. It 
 At the 
 
 ;lio clear 
 
 followed, 
 
 11 age. 
 
 id. The 
 interest 
 \va^ i;i 
 
 any wise inc'iniLent npon hini to risk his life needlessly, 
 lie would let the savages tight it out amongst themselves, 
 and take the l)est care of himself and Freckles that was 
 
 ibU 
 
 der th 
 
 arcunistance.s. 
 
 From their post in the rear of the village the boj^s conhl 
 sec something and hear more of the conflict that was raging. 
 Evidently the surprise liad not been so complete as lli- 
 ling-a hoped, and he was finding an unexpectedly sturdy 
 resistance. 
 
 Determined to lie low until it should be all over, the 
 hoys made their way to a dense clump of underbrush, 
 whence they could look out upon a part of the village street, 
 and thus watch the progre.ss of the strug^de. 
 
 At lirst the advantage undoubtedly lay with the Haidas, 
 and they bid fair to have matters all their own way. But 
 after the tirst shock of surprise, the Massets, who were in 
 strong force, all the men happening to be at homo, rallied 
 hravely, and seeing that the attacking party was not a very 
 large one, set upon their assailants with such vigour that 
 they in their turn bec;. . to waver. 
 
 Seeing this, Ili-ling-a waxed desperate, and performed 
 prodigies of valour, dealing deadly thru.sts with his long 
 spear, and doing the work of two warriors, until, unfortu- 
 nately, a Well-aimed arrow found its way to his Itreast, and, 
 stricken to the heart, the brave old chieftain threw up his 
 anus with an awful groan, and t'dl ])r()strate, never to iiLjlit 
 another battle. 
 
 His downfall sent terror into the hearts of his followers, 
 ilit y had already lost many of their number, and the sur- 
 
262 
 
 TAKEN BY TJ/E MASSETS. 
 
 vivors tlotcriniiied to seek safety in ili^■llt. Witliout more 
 atlo tliey tnriicd their backs upon their opponents and too]< 
 to their heels, vanishinir into the forest, with the ^[assets in 
 hot pursuit. 
 
 As tlie lattc^r passed tlio spot wliere tlie bo\-s were liid- 
 ini>', several of tlieui cau!J-lit siMit of the stranu'ers, and at once 
 surrounded tlieni with tlireatening loolcs ainl ready weapons. 
 
 But Piae, haying down his rilie, hehl out his empty hands, 
 at tlie same time summoning up his most pleasant expres- 
 sion ; and Freckles doing the same, the savages saw at once 
 there was nothino- to bo feared from them, and that thev 
 would prove an easy capture. 
 
 Still keeping their spears pointed, as though they would 
 prevent all possibility of treachery, they motic>ned for the 
 boys to move towards tlie village. They promptly obevetl. 
 anil soon were on the beacli before the houses, where a cro\\'d 
 of man, women, and children surrounded them, with staring 
 eyes of curiosity and suspicion. 
 
 Not that the ^[assets were unaccustomed to the sight of 
 white men, but they did nut understand the presence of 
 tliese two boys with a war-jtarty of their worst enemies ; an^l 
 liuslicd as they were with victory, and full of the lust of 
 blood, there was serious danger L.'st it might go liard with 
 the lielpless captives, who were not able to explain how 
 they came thither. 
 
 The chief of the village was among the pursuers of the 
 lleeing Ibiidas, and until his return nothing could be done 
 with th(; white boys ; so they were permitted to scat them- 
 selves upon a log in front of one of i\w houses, while the 
 
TAKEX /.']' T//K MASSE TS. 
 
 263 
 
 it more 
 i<l took 
 sseis in 
 
 at onco 
 
 :eapons. 
 
 y' hands, 
 
 expivs- 
 
 at once 
 
 lat tlicv 
 
 V wouM 
 for the 
 ohcycd, 
 a crowd 
 
 H starhig 
 
 •sight of 
 sence of 
 les ; and 
 lust f)l' 
 vd \vitli 
 lin how 
 
 ;s of t1i.' 
 l»e done 
 it thcni- 
 liilc the 
 
 crowd continued to g'aze at them with a persistent directness 
 that was not at all easy to bear. 
 
 "What are we in for now, Freckles?" aske<l llae, with 
 a sardonic smile, liis crowdinii' misfortunes liavinci* cnii'endcrcd 
 a reckless mood. '"Do you think theyll eat us? They look 
 ugly enough to do it." 
 
 "0 Rae!" murmured Freckles with a shudder, drawing 
 nearer his companion ; " 3'ou don't mean it, do you ? Would 
 the\' really eat ns ?" 
 
 He looked so appalled at the notion that Kae, in the 
 very midst of his misery of mind, could not forbear breaking 
 into a laugh. 
 
 ''You poor chap," said he, laying his hand soothingly 
 upon Freckles's shoulder, "please don't look (juite so scared. 
 r don't n\ean it, for I don't believe these Indians eat p(M-)ple ; 
 anyway, if they do, they've got enough of the Ilaidas to 
 last them a good while." 
 
 True enough, nearly one-half of the nnfortunate Haidas 
 hail met their death at the hands of the>se they had hoped 
 to c<in(pier so easily, and were now lying stretched upon 
 the shore with their life-blood dyeing the sand. 
 
 Presently a series of triumphant shouts announced the 
 return of the pursuing party. They <lid not come back with 
 empty liands either, but had so many prisoners that it 
 seemed as if the entire renuiinder of the Jb-udas nuist lia\(i 
 been captured. These prisoners of war nppeared ntteily 
 cast down. They had little doubt as to what theii' fate 
 would l)e, for in these inte)'-tribal coidlicts there was no 
 mercy shown to the vanquished. 
 
264 
 
 TAKEN BY THE M ASSETS. 
 
 "Poor fellows!" said Rae, forgetting for tlio moment his 
 own critical position as he looked upon these dejected pris- 
 oners of war. " They thought they were going to do great 
 things ; but they made a big mistake this time, and Tin 
 afraid, from the look of things, they will never have another 
 chance." 
 
 Just then the chief came up and inspected the boys with 
 undisguised interest. He was a stalwart man, with a franlc, 
 open countenance and a rather pleasing expression ; and as 
 Rae returned his scrutiny fearlessly, he ])egan to feel moi'e 
 hopeful of his fate. There was nothing cruel or unkind in 
 the savage's mien, and he might treat them as well as poor 
 old lli-linu'-a had done. 
 
 After a moment of rather trying silence, the clnef signed 
 for the boys to get up and follow him, which they gladly 
 did, for tluy were very weary of the attentions of the crowd. 
 They were led into a house much similar to the one which 
 had been their home at Skide^'ate, and some women havini^' 
 made their appearance, were presently served with a platter 
 of smoking fish, which, after the long fast they had endureil, 
 was inexpressibly welcome. 
 
 They at once fell to witli great vigour, to the manifest 
 satisfaction of the chief, m ho watched them emptying the 
 platter with an approving smile that certainly boded notli- 
 ing but good, and whose significance was not lost upon Rae. 
 
 "He's going to be kind to us," he said in a relieved tone 
 to Freckles ; " you see if he isn't. Whatever they do with 
 the other prisoners, they won't harm us." 
 
 "Oh, I'm so glad!" exclaimed Freckles. "But," ho 
 
TAKEX BY THE M ASSETS. 
 
 265 
 
 lent liis 
 ed pris- 
 lo great 
 111(1 Ini 
 aiKjtlier 
 
 lys ^vitll 
 ;i fraiilc, 
 ; an«l as 
 eel iiiDi'e 
 iikiud ill 
 [ as poor 
 
 cf si^■ll(;'(l 
 
 crowd . 
 
 le ^vllich 
 having 
 platter 
 
 endured, 
 
 nanifest 
 ing the 
 1 iioth- 
 011 Ihie. 
 'cd tone 
 do with 
 
 \\\ 
 
 t: he 
 
 added, " I'm so sorry for the others. I wisli they'd let them 
 olf too." 
 
 Rae shook his head with sorrowful decision. 
 
 "There's not much chance of that," he said. "Father 
 often told me what they do when they take prisoners this 
 way. I devoutly hope that we won't liave to see it. Wo 
 must stay inside liere, if the chief will let us." 
 
 The IMasset village was a scene of wild rejoicing and 
 revelry that day. The corpses of the dead Haidas were 
 gathered together in a pile, and the prisoners, bound hand 
 and foot, ranged in a circle round it. Then the whole popu- 
 lation, except the old women, who were hard at Avork pro- 
 paving the materials for a feast, amused themselves hy 
 heaping every conceivable indignity upon the dead and 
 injury upon the living, whom they thus tortured before 
 they added their bodies to the awful pile. 
 
 This continued M'itli little intermission throughout the 
 day and on into the night, when the ruddy glare of blazing 
 iircs lent an additional horror to the proceedings. At last, 
 the Massets growing weary of their cruel sport, the 
 wretched prisoners, many of whom were already half-dead, 
 were despatched M'ith brutal blows, and their bodies flung 
 upon the heap, while the worn-out revellers went to their 
 houses to recruit their energies with sleep. 
 
 To their unspeakable relief the boys were not recjuired 
 to be witnesses of these barbarities, and before they went 
 out next morning the bodies liad all vanished, they knew 
 not wliither, and there was nothing to show what had taken 
 place save some dark stains upon the sand. 
 
266 
 
 TAKEX BY THE ALISSETS. 
 
 So far as tlicy could tell, tlioy were themselves in no 
 more danger of personal violence than they had heen anion^* 
 the Ifaidas of Skid('i:'at(\ ^VlH■ther it was because of their 
 youth, or because the lu'iians tliought it wouhl pay them 
 better to keep them safe in order to obtain a ransom hji- 
 them, now that the passion of the light and the sub- 
 sequent rejoicing were over they met with nothing l»ut 
 good-natured if curious looks from their new cn])tors, an(l 
 no restraint being placed npon their movements, they soon 
 felt tliemselves as much at their ease as they had done at 
 Skidegatc. 
 
 The young chieftain impressed Rae very favourably. 
 He was evidently of a bright, amiable temper, and had a 
 sunny sniile that was very attractive. lie seemed qniti' 
 anxious to make the boj's nnderstand that he was kindly 
 disposed towards them, and they on their part n'sponded 
 heartily to his advances, so that, althougn they could not 
 speak a word of each other's language, they nevertheless 
 came soon to have an excellent mutual iniderstanding. 
 
 The chief showed great interest in their rilles, and lltie 
 fired a couple of shots out across the water for his benelit, 
 the sight of the bullet skipping across the smooth surface of 
 the water being hailed with lively satisfaction. 
 
 After Kae had iired twice the Indian's interest grew so 
 keen that nothing would do but that he nnist try his own 
 hand at shooting, so taking up the riile, he made signs for 
 l\ae to loarl it. 
 
 Eae felt afraid to trust him with it, but did not like to 
 refuse lest it should make him angi'v. Having carefully 
 
 I 
 
'es m 110 
 _'ii aiiionu" 
 ! of tlifir 
 .:>ay tlioiii 
 iisoiii for 
 tlie sub- 
 liiiT^- but 
 )tor.s, aiul 
 :hoy soon 
 i.l (lone at 
 
 A'DUvably. 
 nd had a 
 iu'<l quiti' 
 as kindly 
 •rspoiidfil 
 
 ould not 
 
 crtliC'less 
 iDl;'. 
 
 and Eae 
 Is Ixnieflt, 
 
 ;ui'faco of 
 
 Ids own 
 di^'ns for 
 
 l)t. likoto 
 .•arefuily 
 
 ■('.'('.vi' /,i.Vi':('.'/.7; i'w >i/H>>t mine a uoit'i o/ /'ii.ii 
 
 r.i>;e J69. 
 
 ■^ii« 
 
TAKEN BY THE M ASSETS. 
 
 269 
 
 loaded it, thoreforo, he attempted to show the chief how he 
 should hold it fwr fiiinf,'. 
 
 This, however, the chief resented. He had hecn watching 
 Rac closely when he was firing, and felt (|inte confident he 
 knew exactly what to do. Accordingly he raised the riHe, 
 and after looking prondly around, as though to say to the 
 spectators, of whom a nundjer had gathered, "See me make 
 the white man's magic. I can use his thunder and light- 
 niug stick too," ho shut hoth his eyes tight and pulled 
 the trigger. Close following the report came a howl of 
 pain, and, dropping the rifle as though it were red-hot, 
 the chief clapped both his hands to his right jaw, and 
 (lanced around, yelling out something which no doubt 
 laeant, — 
 
 "Oh my! I'm hurt! I'm hurt! The thunder and light- 
 ning stick has broken my mouth ! " 
 
 Rae at first was quite alarmed, not so much indeed on 
 account of the chief as of himself and Freckles, for if the 
 Indian were made angry by the mishap, he might visit his 
 anger upon them, innocent though they were. 
 
 Hut his apprehensions were happily altogether unfounded. 
 Instead of being incensed by his experience, the Indian chief 
 was tilled with profound respect for Rae, l)ecause ho could 
 manage so dangerous an affair without any trouble. He had 
 not noted that while Rae placed the butt of the rifle against 
 liis shoulder, and held it firndy there, he had rested it 
 against his cheek, and he therefore concluded that since the 
 white boy suffered no discomfort from the firing, he must be 
 made of much sterner stuft' than himself. 
 
 (47S) 1 7 
 
270 
 
 TAKEN BY THE M ASSETS. 
 
 Life in tlio Massot village soon settled down to very 
 inueli the same tliin:^- that it was at Skidegate. There was 
 so little difference between tlie tribes, both being brandies 
 of the Haida nation, that Rao wondered why they shouM 
 be at war at all. Their manners ami customs were very 
 similar, and even their dialect liad much the same souu'l. 
 [n every respect the boys were just as well off now as they 
 had been with the other Indians; but what fi'ave llac 
 2;reat concern was the thouii'ht of his father cominiic to 
 Skidegatc in quest of him, and not finding liini there. 80 
 far as he knew not one of the war-party had survivi'd. 
 Tliere would therefore be entire iixnoranco of its fate at 
 Skidegate, and his father's anxious inquiries would meet 
 with no response. That on being disappointed there he 
 would come on up to IMasset was hardly possible, unless he 
 had some hint of what had happened, and who was there 
 to fjivo him this ? 
 
 Pondering the situation, however, Rae could find small 
 ground for hope in that direction ; but instead of yielding to 
 despair, he began to think at once of some other way of 
 escape. A permanent residence among the Indians was of 
 course not to be considered for a moment. Escape he nuist 
 somehow, whether secretly or with the savages' consent, as 
 by ransom ; the only question was how it might be accom- 
 plished. After much thinking a way suggested itself, and 
 wdth a brightened countenance he explained it to Freckles. 
 
 " There's only one chance for us now that I can see, 
 said he, "and dear only knows when that will come. It's 
 this. You know these people go over to the mainland every 
 
TAKEN BY THE MASSETS. 
 
 271 
 
 o very 
 ■re was 
 ranches 
 
 re very 
 
 3 soun'l. 
 as tliey 
 
 IV c llao 
 
 )mmg to 
 
 lere. ^0 
 
 survived. 
 
 ^ fate at 
 
 uld meet 
 there ho 
 unless he 
 
 kvas there 
 
 ind sniall 
 liclding to 
 [r way of 
 Ins was of 
 
 he must 
 
 lonsent, as 
 
 Ijc accoiu- 
 
 itself, and 
 
 reckles. 
 
 can see," 
 
 nne. It s 
 land every 
 
 year to get their onlachan grease from the Tsinishians, and 
 to buy blankets. Now we must manage somtdiow to make 
 them understand that if they will take us over with tlieni, 
 and let the folks at Fort Simps(jn know they have us, they 
 can get a good ransom for us, do you see ? '' 
 
 "To be sure," responded Freckles, his face brightening 
 up as he grasped the idea; "they don't want to keep us 
 here always. We're no good to them, are wo ? " 
 
 " No good that I can see, except as curiosities," returned 
 Iwic, smiling grimly ; " but they might have a fancy for 
 ]<eeping us all the same. They miglit M'ant to adopt us, 
 you know. They do that sort of thing quite often. Now, 
 how would you like," he continued, pointing to a bent and 
 shrivelled hag of a woman, who was slowly creejnng past, 
 loohino: more like a witch than a human bein^Gf, "to be 
 adopted by her, and to be her son ?" 
 
 Freckles lifted up his hands in horror at the suggestion. 
 
 " No, indeed," ho exclaimed energetically ; " not a bit 
 
 of it." 
 
 Rao laughed at his perturl)ation. 
 
 "Don't be scared," said he; "there's not unich likelihood 
 in it, but I've heard of such thini-'s beinG" done. Hollo ! 
 here comes the chief, and he looks as if he had something to 
 say to us." 
 
 The chief, whose name was Sing-ai, signifying "sunrise," 
 had already taken a warm liking to the boys, and felt most 
 kindly disposed towards them, and he was now approaching 
 them in order to explain a scheme that was in his mind to 
 give tliem some amusement. 
 
272 
 
 TAKEN BY THE M ASSETS. 
 
 Witli mTafc animation he soiio-ht to make his meaninc; 
 clear, but all tliat Rac could make out was, that he proposed 
 to take them out hunting*, though whether the game was to 
 be human beings or wild animals he could not clearly 
 determine. He felt pretty sure, however, that it was the 
 latter, and sio-nified his williuirness to take a hand at it. 
 whereat the chief seemed much gratilied. 
 
 The next day quite a large party set out, Sing-ai acting 
 as leader, and having the boys by his side. They directed 
 their course towards the forest to the north-west of the 
 village, and it was not long before they were swallowed up 
 in its leafy depths. 
 
 Being thoroughly recruited by the rest of the past two 
 days, Rae and Freckles found no difficulty in keeping their 
 places in the procession. The country was more open than 
 it had been farther south, and the travelling wns con- 
 sequently much easier. Rae had many temptations to try 
 his skill on different kinds of game they met with in their 
 progress ; Init Sing-ai checked him the first time he raised 
 his ride, and made him understand that he wanted him to 
 reserve his lire for the present. 
 
 A little before mid-day the chief's reason for the action 
 was revealed. Making their way with great caution to the 
 sunnuit of a ridge, they looked down into the valley beyond 
 it, and there, feeding in blissful ignorance of their proximity, 
 was a small herd of wapiti, consisting of a fine stag, several 
 does, and a couple of fawns. 
 
 8ing-ai's eye glistened at the sight, and pointing first at 
 the deer and then at Rae's riile, he nodded his head, and 
 
TAKEN B V T//E MASSETS. 
 
 273 
 
 neamnfjj 
 )roposed 
 I was to 
 clearly 
 was the 
 Lid at it. 
 
 ai acting: 
 ' (lirccted 
 st of tlic 
 lowed \ip 
 
 past two 
 
 pin 
 
 O" 
 
 their 
 
 open than 
 was con- 
 3ns to try 
 1 in their 
 ho raised 
 3d hiui to 
 
 the action 
 non to the 
 
 7 h^^yf^"*^^ 
 
 Iproxhiiity, 
 
 liv", several 
 
 [n*'<' fn'st fit 
 head, aucl 
 
 smiled, as thoni^-h to say, "Xow yon can fire. That's the 
 reason I did not want you to do so before." 
 
 Making sure that he had a good cap on, Rao, resting the 
 rille upon the root of a tree, and striving io control the 
 nervousness which would assert itself — for both the import- 
 ance of the game and the presence of so many spectators 
 had their effect upon him — took long and careful aim at 
 the stag just behind the fore-shoulder, and fired. 
 
 At the instant of the report, the wapiti sprang liigh into 
 the air, made a frantic rush forward, and then fell over on 
 its side, kicking its loa's convulsively. 
 
 Witli a shout of delight the chief leaped down the slope, 
 followed by all his men, tlio most of whom set off in pursuit 
 of the does and fawns, in the hope of securing some of them 
 also. 
 
 8ing-ai ran ridit \\\) to the struggling stag, and catching 
 liim by the antlers tried to cut his throat with a seaman's 
 sheath-knife of which he was very proud, anil \\ hich he had 
 got in barter over on the mainland some time before. I'ut 
 it was a poor affair, rusty of blaile and dull of edge, and the 
 pain it inflicted only served to arouse the dying animal into 
 a final spasm of energy. 
 
 Ivegaininci: its feet by a frantic effort, it lunged forward 
 fiU'lously at Sing-ai and threw him to the grcjund, once 
 inure falling itself, and this time in such a way as to pin 
 file Indian down ; one tine of the antlers indeed piercing 
 his arm, and compelling him to shout for assistance M'ith 
 undisguised terror in his tone. 
 
 Rac had paused after tiring to reload his "ifle, but seeing 
 
2; 4 
 
 TAKEN BY THE M ASSETS. 
 
 tlic cliicf'.s perilous position lie did not wait to complete the 
 operation. 
 
 Dropping liis rifle, he snatched up Frcckles's, ^^'hich was 
 still loaded, and sprang down the slope to where the deer 
 and the chief were encja^'ed in so close a struordc that he 
 did not dare lire for fear of the bullet doin^x more harm than 
 he desired. 
 
 But he liad his hunting-knife in his belt, and drawing 
 this he threw himself into the conflict, thrusting the keun 
 blade deep into the wapiti's throat. 
 
 What the Indian's knife had failed to do, his accomplished 
 at the first stroke. A great gush of 1)lood followed the steel 
 as it was v. ithdrawn, and once more the stag fell, this time 
 never to rise again. 
 
 With some difficulty Sing-ai released himself and rose 
 to his feet. His face bore an expression of mingled surprise 
 and chagrin, as though to say, — 
 
 " You go( me out of a nasty scrape that time, didn't you, 
 but what was I thinking of any way that I got into it?" 
 
 The wound in his arm evidently hurt him sorely, and it 
 was bleeding a good deal, so he made signs to Eae to bind it 
 up tightly with a thong in such a way as to compress the 
 artery and stop the flow of blood. 
 
 This done, he was ready to give attention to the wapiti, 
 and they looked him ovei* together. He was a very tine 
 largo specimen of his kind, being in ]n'ime condition, and 
 having a splendid spread of antlers. With the assistance of 
 a couple of his men, the chief proceeded to cut the creature 
 up ; and not being interested in that process, Rao strolled up 
 
leto the 
 
 licli was 
 ,hc deer 
 that lie 
 rm than 
 
 drawiiig 
 lie keen 
 
 iiplislied 
 the steel 
 Ills time 
 
 and ruse 
 surprise 
 
 dii't you, 
 
 it ? " 
 
 , and it 
 l)in<l it 
 
 rcss the 
 
 wapiti, 
 •cry tine 
 ion, and 
 >tance of 
 creature 
 •oiled up 
 
 TAKEN BY THE M ASSETS. 
 
 -275 
 
 tlic other side of the valley to sec how those who had gone 
 in pursuit of the rest of the herd might he faring". 
 
 He met them as they were returning, their sole prize 
 being a poor little fawn that they had managed to run down, 
 and he could not help feeling somewhat proud of the dill'er- 
 encc between his trophy of the chase and theirs. 
 
 On their return to the villasje there was crrcat reioicini>' 
 over the slaying of the stag, and that night a feast was held 
 at which there were dances and songs that seemed to llae 
 remarkably liki.' those he had seen an<l heard at Ski<jegate. 
 
 Sing-ai, in spite of his sore arm, took a very acti\e part, 
 one time coming before the assembly in his finest array, and 
 liaving the wapiti's antlers upon his head, while he moved 
 around the circle with a slow dignified step amid a chorus 
 of grunts and cries that meant applause. 
 
 lie was very anxious for Tlae and Freckles to show what 
 they could do in the dancing line, but they refused, until at 
 length, after repeated invitations, Rao, not wishing to seem 
 discourteous, seeing how han<lsomely the chief was treating 
 them, said to his companion, — 
 
 " Look here. Freckles, j'ou whistle for me, and Fll see if 
 I can't give them a bit of a Highland Hing." 
 
 Now Freckles had a rare tiift in whistling, and he had 
 no objection to displaying it if Iiac wanted to give an 
 exhibition of his ability on the light fantastic toe, so he at 
 once set up his pi['ing shrill and brisk, and Ihie, stepping 
 out into the clear space before the fire, began to dance. 
 
 At first he felt awkward and constrained, but soon the 
 spirit of the thing seized upon him, and as Frcckles's music 
 
276 
 
 TAKEN BY THE M ASSETS. 
 
 c^rew morrier lie tlirew more and more enercrv into the exer- 
 cise, snap[)ing his fingers above his head, and giving vent 
 to exultant cries as he sprang liigher and liigher from the 
 ground, until at last, reaching the climax with a wild whoop 
 worthy of a native, he tlung himself down completely out of 
 breath, but feeling very well satisfied with his performance. 
 
 The savage spectators enjoyed it innncnsely. There was 
 so nuieh more animation in it than in their own dances that 
 they would have liked to encore Rae ; but once was enough 
 for him, and he slipped away soon after to the chief's house, 
 where he and Freckles had been made to feel entirely at 
 homo. 
 
 As usual the Indians kept up their revelry until far into 
 the night, not betaking themselves to their beds until tliey 
 were entirely worn out, and in a condition to sleep for tho 
 next twenty-four hours. 
 
 The boys had been asleep for a couple of hours before 
 8ing-ai and the other meml)ers of the household returned, 
 and llae was awakened by the noise of their talk and their 
 movements. 
 
 After they had all settled down and were sleeping 
 heavily, he found himself very wide awake, and the night 
 being warm, and the air of the house close nnd oppressive, 
 he thought lie would go outside for a breath of fi'esh air. 
 
 Moving gently so as to disturlj no one, not even Freckles, 
 he made his way out of the house. It was cU'ar bright 
 moonlight, and the whole ^'illago was wrnj-ti^ed in absolute 
 silence, not even the dogs being astir : and with a delicious 
 sense of beinu' his own master for a brief while at least, Rao 
 
 
 
J-AKEN BY THE MASSETS. 
 
 277 
 
 he exor- 
 ng vent 
 rom tlic 
 l1 whoop 
 ly out of 
 ii'iuaiice. 
 here was 
 ices that 
 s cnoiisi'h 
 E"s house, 
 ith'ely at 
 
 1 far into 
 ntil tlioy 
 p for th'j 
 
 s before 
 returned, 
 uid their 
 
 t^leepinc; 
 he night 
 )pressivo, 
 h air. 
 Freckle^;, 
 lir hright 
 
 ahsohUe 
 I delicious 
 least, Kao 
 
 moved quietly down towards the shore, where the waves 
 were softly lapping' the pebbles. His thoughts wont out to 
 his father, and he wondered where he might be at that 
 moment, and whether he had yet started from Fort Camosun 
 in the jaunty little Plorcr. Then his eyes grow moist and a 
 lump rose in his throat as he pictured to himself his father's 
 1 litter disappointment when he would reach Skidegate and 
 find no trace of his son. AVould ho think him dead, or 
 vro'.ild he surmise what had happened, and come on to Masset 
 determined to find him at any cost ? 
 
 While pondering over these (juestions, to which he himself 
 could only hazard unsatisfactory guesses, Eae glanced out 
 towards the open sea just at the moment that the moon's 
 beams, makino- a bi'oad briuiit path across the shinnnerinix 
 vraves, threw into prominence something, the sight of which 
 caused him to spring to his feet with an exclamation of 
 surprise, and v.'ith a M'ild ohrill of hope at his lienrt. 
 
 Clearly outlined in the midst of the silver light was a 
 schooner r.-litlino- smoothly aloncr before the o-cntlc niiiht 
 Itrcezo, and evidently making for ]\rasset Inlet. 
 
 "Can that be the I'loirrT' cried Kae breathlessly. 
 "Thank Cod if it is!" Th^u after a pause, dvn-ing whirjh 
 he strove to make out more distinctly the sluw ly ap]»roaching 
 vessel. "It's Mdiite men anvwav, and we must get out to her 
 sonioiiow before tlii^ Indians know she is here." 
 
 Making his way back to the chiefs house' as silently as 
 ho could, lie waked up Fi'eckles, and, putting his hand over 
 his mouth to signify that he should ask no questions, 
 whispered to him to take his ritle and follow him. 
 
2jS 
 
 TAKEN BY THE M ASSETS. 
 
 They <4'ot outside and down to tlic sliorc M'ithout any- 
 thing stirring, and then Rae pointed out the schooner, now 
 in plainer sight than before. 
 
 Freckles threw up liis hands in delight, but discreetly 
 refrained from any other expression of his feelings. 
 
 " We must get a canoe," wliispered Kae, "and put ofl' in 
 it at once." 
 
 They liad not long to seek among the many canoes drawn 
 up on the beach, and soon found a small one that they 
 could launch without dilliculty. Placing their riiles in it, 
 they carried it carefully out into the water, reckless of wet 
 feet, and ckuubered in, every sound their movements made 
 sending a thrill of fear throuMi their hearts. 
 
 Once safely aboard, they grasped the paddles and set to 
 work with all their might, Freckles splasliing badly, and 
 causing the canoe to rock ominously with his unskilful 
 strokes. 
 
 They had got but a hundred yards from the shore when 
 they heard a shout, and looking back saw Sing-ai rushing 
 down to the beach with furious strides. 
 
 
CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 RESCUED BY THE RUSSIANS. 
 
 AT the sight of Siiig-ai, Freckles cried out in terror, aiul. 
 ijiissing' a stroke with liis paddle, came within an 
 ace of upsetting the canoe. But for the skill in the man- 
 agement of this ticklish craft that Rae had acquired on 
 Camosini Bay. they certainly would have been tund>led into 
 the water, and their attempt a: flight summarily brought to 
 an end. 
 
 Happily, by a deft movement, Rae restored crpiilibrium, 
 and shouted to his companion, — 
 
 " Take care there, Freckles, will you ! Don't lose your 
 head, or they will catch us sure. Keep cool now, and paddle 
 away for dear life." 
 
 After the first fright, Freckles, however, rei:jained his 
 lialance, and the two boys managed to make their light bark 
 fairly fly through the water, Rae casting frequent anxious 
 glances behind him to see how the chief was getting on. 
 
 Fortunately for them his progress was slow, for the 
 reason that he found dillicultv in arousing some of his men, 
 they were so heavy with sleep after their feast and dance. 
 The boys had consequently more than doubled their lead 
 
■"SSBSS 
 
 280 
 
 RESCUED BY THE RUSSIANS. 
 
 before a canoe contaiiiiiiu' four Indians M'as launcliod in their 
 pursuit. 
 
 But once tins canoe was well under way it becjan to 
 ov^erhaul them at a rate that caused Rae's heart to sink, 
 though it did not diminish the energy witli which lie plied 
 his paddle. The pursuers seeme<l to be going as fast again 
 as the pursued, and the issue of tlic race could hardly bo 
 long in doubt. 
 
 But all this time the schooner was steadily thougli 
 slowly drawing nearer, and those on board, if keeping a 
 sharp look-out, nuist soon get an inkling of what was 
 taking place. This thought came to Bae as he dashed his 
 paddle in deeply, an<l, bidding Freckles stop for a monu-nt, 
 he stood up in the canoe and shouted with all his might, — 
 
 " Schooner alioy ! Help us ! We're chased by the 
 Indians." 
 
 Then without waiting for an answer, he resumed his 
 strenuous strokes. 
 
 That his hail reached the schooner was evident from an 
 answer coming to him through the warm still air; buteltlni' 
 because of the distance or of liis own excessive a^'itation, ho 
 coidd not make out its meaning, so he ]iaused again and sent 
 another appeal for help across the water. 
 
 1\) it also there was a response no more intelligible than 
 the first, and Bae beu'an to M-ondcr if it reallv could be tlie 
 Plover, as certainly there was nothing familiar al)out tin' 
 voice of the person answering him. Not daring to lose any 
 more time in this ^^'ay, for Sing-ai's canoe was gaining u[)OU 
 him liand-over-hand, Bae gave his whole attention to lii^j 
 
RESCUED BY THE RUSSLIXS. 
 
 281 
 
 pa'lilling until the Indians were within fifty yards of him, 
 ant] ho was about tlio same distance from the schooner. 
 Then lie felt that he must niak(^ one more efl'ort to enlist 
 tlie aid of those on Ijoard, and ci'icd out passionately, — 
 
 "For Heaven's sake, help us! Stop that other canoe. 
 Those Indians are after us/' 
 
 Just as he finished a man appeared in the Viow of the 
 schooner, and tlie next moment the report of a rille rang out 
 with startling effect, while a bullet struck the water close to 
 the bow of the Indian canoe. 
 
 "Hurrah!" gasped Eae, who had about reachetl the 
 limit of his strength ; " they're helping us. We're all right." 
 
 Looking back, he saw, to his intense joy, that the report 
 of the rifle, and the splash of the bullet so dangerously near, 
 liail made the Indians halt. They wore evidently conferring 
 among themselves as to what thev should do. 
 
 As if to help thenr to a conclusion, another report came 
 from the schooner, and another bullet inw u]) the water, 
 tliis time so close to the canoe that some dro2:)S were splashed 
 into Sing-ai's face. 
 
 This second warning settled the matter. Uttering harsh 
 cries of disappointment and rage, the Indians turned about 
 and paddled furiously shoreward, abandoning further pur- 
 suit, 
 
 " Thank God ! " exclaimed Rae, with a fervent sigh of 
 relief and gratitude, " they've given up. Paddle away for 
 the schooner, Freckles." 
 
 As they approached her, Rae saw that it was not the 
 I'lorer at all, but a larger vessel, and that it was a number 
 
28: 
 
 RESCUED BY THE RUSSIANS. 
 
 of entirely unfainiliar faces the Itri^-lit inoonlic;lit showed 
 him loukinu" over the bulwarks at the canoe witli iiKiuiriii"- 
 
 1111 
 
 interest. 
 
 "Oil, tliank 3'oii, thank yon," he pantc(h ''Yon flicil 
 that ritle just in time. They ncai'ly can^ht ns/' 
 
 Itunning up aiongsi(hj tlic schooner, ho hid Freckles 
 climb on board by means of the rope one of the crew oflercd, 
 and then followed himself. 
 
 When he gained the deck and looked about him, he was 
 suri)rised to find a numl)er of strange faces Gfazinii; at him 
 with eager curiosity, and to be addressed in a language 
 entirely foreign to him. 
 
 Turning to the speaker, who was evidently one of the 
 officers, he said, — 
 
 " T can't understand j^ou ; I am English." 
 
 At the sound of the last word the oflicer pricked up liis 
 ears, and nodded his head to show that he understood. Ilo 
 then disappeared into the after-cabin, and after a minute 
 returned, having with him a young man a couple of years 
 older than Rae, who at once went up to him and held up his 
 hand with a smile of courteous greeting. 
 
 " You are English, eh ? I speak English a little. You 
 tell me and I tell him," pointing to the officer, who was, as 
 Piae rightly judged, the captain of the schooner. 
 
 Rae at once entered into explanations, speaking with 
 great earnestness, being anxious to produce the deepest im- 
 pression possible upon his new-found protectors, so that 
 they might make his cause their own, and not give him 
 back to the IMassets under any circumstances. 
 
RESCUED BY THE RUSSIAXS. 
 
 2S3 
 
 Tlie yoiin;:;' ninn interpret! '»] for liiin very well indeed, 
 althougli now iind then lie had to ask him to repeat sonic of 
 his sentences, he was speakinuj so rapidly nndcr tin- stress of 
 mixed emotions he was experieneino" as he told his stoiy. 
 
 The ea[)tain an<l the others on board listened with lively 
 interest, making remarks to one another from time to time 
 ill sympathetic tones that hoded well for the result of Kac's 
 appeal. 
 
 When ho had finished his relation, the captain and tho 
 voune' man conferred tocjcther a little while, durine- which 
 liac scanned their faces with feverish anxiety, and then tho 
 yonnc,Mnan, extcndiiiL,^ his hand, sai<l with o-reat cordiality, — 
 
 " You are welcome here, ^^'e will take care of you, and 
 we arc glad to have had the good fortune to come to your 
 assistance in such good time." 
 
 Rae wrung the proffered hand warmly, and drawing 
 Freckles forward, so that it might be clear he was speaking 
 for both, said, — 
 
 "AVc thank you with all our hearts, and my father will 
 rewar-1 you well for all }'our goodness." 
 
 The young man laughed lightly. 
 
 " Oh, you need say nothing al^out rewards. Wo will 
 help you all wc can, and when 3'ou do get back to your 
 father you can tell him that th(^ Tiussians are not ba<l people. 
 And now, won't you come down into the cabin and eat some 
 food ? " 
 
 With great willingness tho boys accepte'd the invitation, 
 and soon a bountiful supper of salt meat, hard biscuits, and 
 liot coffee was spread before them, that seemed after their 
 
IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 1.0 
 
 I.I 
 
 m ill 
 
 iU 12.2 
 
 136 
 
 12.0 
 
 1.8 
 
 
 1.25 1.4 
 
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 WEBSTER, NY. 14580 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 
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 LS 
 
284 
 
 RESCUED BY THE RUSSIANS. 
 
 many days' experience of sava^re fare the most delicious meal 
 they had ever tasted in their lives. 
 
 How heartily tliey did fall to, and how pleased their 
 hosts seemed to be at the keenness of their appetites ! 
 
 "Ah, ha! you like that," said the youni,' man, smiling:;; 
 " you did get tired of what the In*lians gave you — was it 
 not so ? " 
 
 " Indjed wo did," responded Rae, " tired to death of it. 
 And then y(ju know we haven't had a plate or a knife anil 
 fork since we left the Plover, and it is so nice to have them 
 
 ai^am. 
 
 Hardly less delightful than the comfortable meal was 
 the going to bed in civilized fashion once more. There 
 happened to be a spare bunk in the after-cabin and another 
 in the fore-cabin, and these were placed at the boys' service. 
 
 They were l)otli very weary, the reaction from the 
 excitement of the escape telling upon them no less than the 
 exertion of the paddling, nnd it was with great sighs of con- 
 tent that they lay down in their bunks for a good lung 
 sleep. 
 
 The next morning, when they came on deck, they were 
 almost out of sight of land, and in answer to Rae's question, 
 the young man who spoke English informed him that they 
 were on their way to Alaska. 
 
 In the course of a long conversation with him, Kao 
 learned much about the schooner and those who manned 
 her. Tlic vessel belom^fed to the Russian American Ctini- 
 pany, which then held a monopoly of fur-hunting all over 
 Alaska, and those on board were in the employ of the com- 
 
RESCUED BY THE RUSSIANS. 
 
 '■^5 
 
 us meal 
 
 ed their 
 j 
 
 smiling ; 
 — was it 
 
 ^th of it. 
 nifc aivl 
 ive them 
 
 meal was 
 3. There 
 (1 another 
 s' service, 
 rom the 
 than the 
 IS of con- 
 rfood long 
 
 they were 
 
 s question, 
 that they 
 
 him, Kac 
 ,0 manned 
 [ican Com- 
 lo- all over 
 the com- 
 
 pany. They had made a trip south in the hope of picking 
 up some good pelts among the Indians of tlie Queen Char- 
 lotte Islands, and when they made so ti nely an appearance 
 at Masset were intending to see if there were any skins 
 to be found in that village. But as Rae, in tlic course of 
 conversation that night, told them he had seen notlnng of 
 tlie kind, and as they presumed tlie Indians would not be 
 in very good-liumour for trade any way, they liad decided 
 to put out to sea again, and return to Sitka, the time 
 allowed for their trip having nearly expired at any rate. 
 
 "You will now come back with us," said the young man, 
 vliose name, as Rae had l)y this time learned, was Alexander 
 r.amnov, "and M'c will be good to you ; and some day you 
 will go back to your fort where your father is. Tliat will 
 make you glad, will it not ? " and he smiled at the idea as 
 if it gave him no small pleasure to suggest it. 
 
 " We will, indeed, be glad to stay with you until Me can 
 go home," said Rae cordially. " i am quite sure you will 
 be good to us, and we'll try to l)0 good boys, and not give 
 you any trouble — won't we, Freckles ? " 
 
 Freckles promptly ducked his touzled head in token of 
 assL'ut, and the covenant was complete. 
 
 During the next few days, while the schooner was beat- 
 ing her way northward against opposing winds, Rae liad a 
 happy time. The comforts of civilize*! life — not merely 
 having good food well served, but also the lieing able to 
 wash and dress oneself properly, and to sleep in a cozy 
 hunk — rejoiced his heart ; and then, best of all, there was tlie 
 assurance that now it would be only a question of time 
 
 (473) 18 
 
286 
 
 RESCUED BY THE RUSSIANS. 
 
 when ho should get hack to Fort Camosnn. He might have 
 to he patient for weeks, or even perhaps for months, until 
 an opportunity should offer, hut ultimately he would get 
 back all rights and in the meantime he was among people 
 who would treat him and Freckles kindly, and who were 
 entirely civilized, even if they spoke a foreign tongue. 
 
 4tl « « • * 
 
 It is now necessary that the hoys should be left on hoan: 
 the Russian schooner, with all their discomfort and dangers 
 at an end for the present, in order that the course of afl'aiDj 
 at Fort Camosun may be taken up. 
 
 When the Plover returned to the fort without the boys, 
 ]\rr. Finlayson's grief was so profound that for the space of 
 a day he would have speech with nobo'ly. The gloomy 
 premonitions which had oppressed him before Rae left, but 
 which he had dismissed as being based more ujton Lis own 
 selfishness than anything else, and as aflording no suflicient 
 reason in themselves for denj'ing his son what he .so eagerly 
 desired, now came back to haunt him. 
 
 " I should never have let him w," he murmured to him- 
 self. " I dreaded lest ill should come of it, and now it has 
 fallen out as I feared. Well," he added, bracing himself up 
 to bear the new burden of anxiety that had come upon hiin, 
 " there's no time to be lost in repining. I must go after 
 him at once. God grant that he may be gently dealt with 
 by the Indians. They shall have anything they ask as 
 ransom, if only they harm not one hair of my boy's head." 
 
 With the utmost speed preparations were made for a 
 rescue expedition. The Plover was provisioned for many 
 
RESCUED BY THE RUSSIANS. 
 
 387 
 
 fht have 
 ihs, until 
 oul<-l get 
 ig people 
 vho were 
 ;ue. 
 
 * 
 
 ) on board 
 d clangers 
 
 of aflair^: 
 
 , the boys, 
 le space o£ 
 'he gloomy 
 ^ae left, but 
 on bis own 
 lO sniliciont 
 bO eagerly 
 
 [c(l to bin\- 
 now it bti^ 
 himself np 
 
 upon 
 
 biin, 
 
 list go after 
 dealt ^Yitll 
 I icy ask fvs 
 ly's head." 
 ladc for a 
 for many 
 
 weeks, and instead of her usual cargo, was ballasted so 
 as to sail her best, the only goods taken being a largo 
 assortment of things likely to prove most attractive to 
 the Haidas, and to be readily accei)ted as ransom for their 
 captives. 
 
 In addition to the rcixnlar crew of the schooner, Mr. 
 Finlayson took on board with him twelve of h.is best men, 
 all fully armed ; and as a special means of coercion, to be 
 resorted to only at the last necessity, he liad one of the 
 small cannon removed from the bastion and mounted in 
 the bows. Havinix seen the sensational efl'ect of tins in- 
 strument of war when tried upon the Songhies, he felt sure 
 it would stand him in equally good stead if it required to be 
 used against the Haidas. 
 
 The men comprising his party were harilly less eager 
 than himself for the recovery of the boys. They all loved 
 llae, and for his sake felt an interest in Freckles, and they 
 were to a man reaily to do or dare anything that might 
 stand in the way of their success. There was not one left 
 in the garrison who would not gladly have exchanged places 
 with any of those who were accompanying j\Ir. Finlayson ; 
 and as the schooner moved away froin the wharf, they sent 
 lioarty cheers after her, to show their deep interest in her 
 mission, and their fervent desire that it might be success- 
 fully accomplished. 
 
 Tears filled the factor's ej'es as he witnessed these proofs 
 of his men's loyaltj^ and love. 
 
 " They're ground good fellows," he said to himself. " They 
 think far more of me than I deserve; but if we only 11 nd 
 
288 
 
 RESCUED BY THE RUSSIANS. 
 
 Rae safe and sound, they shall all have good reason to re- 
 joice with me." 
 
 There was not mucli talked about on the voyage up 
 but the chances of regaining the boys, and many were the 
 suggestions made by the men as to what should be done 
 in the event of this or that difficulty presenting itself. In 
 their hearts they were all hoping that they would have an 
 opportunity of giving the Indians a sound trouncing, pro- 
 vided of course their young captives did not suffer thereby. 
 They deemed it a most aggravating piece of presumption 
 for them to attack the schooner and lay hands upon the 
 boys, and considered that the cannonading of their village 
 and the knocking of a score or so of them on the head 
 would bo only a well-merited penalty. 
 
 But Mr. Finlayson held different views. He was not a 
 man of blood under any circumstances ; and although, if it 
 should turn out that Rac's life hud been takeii, he would 
 assuredly inflict condign punishment upon his murderers, 
 still, short of so lamentable a contingency, he would be 
 guilty of no violence. And, moreover, it was his intention 
 to exhaust every means of diplomacy before making any 
 show of force. If he could regain his boy without shedding 
 a drop of blood, he would bo perfectly content. 
 
 The Plover had a prosperous voyage to Skidegate, reach- 
 ing the inlet about noon of a fine bright day, when all nature 
 at least seemed to be in a hopeful mood. Making in as 
 close to the shore as the soundings permitted, the schooner 
 came to anchor right in front of the village, whose iiiliabit- 
 ants soon turjied out in force to receive her. 
 
RESCUED BY THE RUSSIANS. 
 
 289 
 
 n to re- 
 rage up 
 vcrc the 
 be done 
 ^elf. In 
 Lave an 
 ;ing, pro- 
 tliercby. 
 sumption 
 upon the 
 jir village 
 the hea<l 
 
 was not a 
 ugh, if it 
 he would 
 uurderers, 
 ^YOuld be 
 intention 
 ,king auy 
 t shedding 
 
 tate, rcach- 
 11 all nature 
 Iking in as 
 lie schooner 
 )se uihabit- 
 
 "Now," said the factor, "let us all be ready to fight 
 if needs be, but let us go as quietly as we can at the 
 start." 
 
 The cannon having been charged and pointed towards 
 tlie village, and every rille and every nui.sket carefully 
 loaded, Mr. Finlayson, getting into the boat with two men 
 only to row him, approached the l)each, but did not land, 
 standing In the bow of the boat and calling upon the natives 
 to come forward and have a parley with him. He knew 
 enough of their dialect to make himself understood, and was 
 very lu'gent in his request. 
 
 At first there was a manifest hanging back on the part 
 of the Haidas. Their consciences evidently troubled them, 
 and they no doubt feared treachery of some kind. 
 
 Ihit as the factor persisted in his request, and added 
 thereto as^Airances of no intention to harm any of them, and 
 promises of presents, after a little .several Indians came for- 
 ward about half-way to the water's edge, and halting there, 
 one of them — who was, in fact, old Hi-ling-a's successor in 
 the chieftainship — plucked up courage to ask, — 
 
 " Who are you ? What do you want ? " 
 
 Too eager for information concerning his son to lose any 
 time in beatincf about the bush, although that would have 
 been the proper etiquette for the occasion, Mr. Finlayson 
 spoke out at once, — 
 
 " I want to know where are those two white bovs whom 
 you kept behind when the big canoe " — indicating the 
 Plover — " was here a little while ago." 
 
 At the mention of the boys the Indian's face clouded. 
 
29© 
 
 RESCUED BY THE RUSSIANS. 
 
 Ho \\\m^ his head and made no answer. The factor noticed 
 this, and it filled him with apprehension. 
 
 "Have the scoundrels done away with them?" he asked 
 himself, shuddering at the thought. " He evidently under- 
 stands me well enough, and is afraid or ashamed to answer." 
 
 Repeating his question, and still getting no reply, ]\Ir. 
 Finlayson's anxiety could no longer be restrained. 
 
 " Row me ashore," he connnanded. " I must make him 
 answer me. I can't stand this uncertaintv." 
 
 As soon as the boat moved in the chief retreated to the 
 main body of the people, and awaited the factor's approach 
 in manifest i)erturbation. 
 
 Leaping out of the boat, IMr. Finlayson marched straight 
 up to the crowd of natives, and, standing before the one who 
 had been their spokesman, said in his most conunanding 
 tone, — 
 
 " Tell me at once about the white boj's, and it will be 
 well with you ; but if you do not tell me, T will command the 
 thunder and lightning to smite you, and " — pointing to the 
 row of houses — " I will break them in pieces so that you will 
 have no houses to dwell in." 
 
 The natives knew well cnouijh that these were not mere 
 empty words. They had sufficient knowledge of the terrilde 
 weapons of war used by the white people to credit all the 
 factor's threats, and, disheartened as they were by the sore 
 loss they had sustained through the disastrous failure of the 
 war-pnrty against the Massets, they had no desire to l>riiig 
 upon themselves further humiliation. Mr. Finlayson's words 
 therefore disturbed them deeply, and they engaged in earnest 
 
RESCUED BY THE RUSSIAXS. 
 
 291 
 
 consultation for some niinutes, at tlic close of which an old 
 grave-looking man, who was in fact their chief niedicine-inan, 
 came forward a little, and stretching out his empty palms 
 towards the factor, said in a tone of such profound sadness 
 that it went far to carry conviction of the truth of his 
 statements, — 
 
 " The white hoys arc not here. We have them not. The 
 white chief may search in all our houses, l»ut he will not 
 find them. Yet we did them no harm. Their Mood is not 
 upon our hands. If the wiiite chief will listen, he will be 
 toMall." 
 
 Mr. Finlayson liaving signified his willingness to listen 
 patiently, the medicine-man entered into a full account of 
 what had occurred, explaining that the boys had been held 
 captive just in order that they might be taken with the war- 
 party, and how they had set forth with the rest to attack 
 the ^basset village, and how the war-party had been utterly 
 defeated, and of its whole nund)er only thive hail survived, 
 and after enduring awful hardships made their way back to 
 Skidegato, where two had subsequently died. 
 
 As he was speaking there were murnuu's of assent and 
 nods of confirmation from those standing around, and, look- 
 ing into their faces, Mr. Finlayson, who from long experience 
 had come to be able to understand the Indians as well as 
 any white man on the West Coast, felt forced upon him the 
 harrowincc conviction that he was hearincr the truth. 
 
 When the medicine-man had finished his narration, he 
 put a number of questions 10 him, but elicited nothing 
 further of importance. 
 
Bl 
 
 292 
 
 RESCUED BY THE RUSSIANS. 
 
 If Rac had not lost liis life in the assault on the villaGfe, 
 ho must be a prisoner among the Massets, and there was 
 nothing to do but follow liini thither in the hope of finding 
 him in their hands, and ransoming liim. 
 
 With a heavy heart the factor turned away, having iirst 
 spoken in biii-ning words to the Indians, telling them that 
 his son's blood would be upon them if he was not found safe 
 at Masset, for they had exposed him to the danger; and so, 
 if he was not recovered, he, Mr. Finlayson, would return, 
 and destroy tlieir village, to teach them a lesson they might 
 never forget. 
 
 Tliis threat made them all look very solemn and fright- 
 ened, and they followed the factor to the boat, entreating 
 him to be merciful, for they did not mean any harm to his 
 son. They had intended to take good care of him, and they 
 had not expected that the war-party would be defeated, and 
 so on. 
 
 ]\Ir. Finlayson's replies were curt almost to grnffncss. 
 He did give the Indians credit for being free from murderous 
 intent when they made captives of the two boys, yet, never- 
 theless, as a consequence of that indefensible proceeding, 
 Rae was now either dead or in captivity with the ^lassct 
 tribe, and who could say which ? 
 
 As soon as the schooner was regained, orders were given 
 to up anchor and get under way for the Masset village, 
 Mr. Finlayson being determined to follow his son step by 
 step until his fate was ascertained and the worst known. 
 
 Pursuing her way northward, the Plover circumnavigated 
 Rose Point, and without delay or mishap reached Masset 
 
RESCUED BY THE RUSSLIXS. 
 
 !93 
 
 I village, 
 lerc was 
 : finding 
 
 'ing liist 
 icm that 
 )iuk1 safe 
 ; and so, 
 d return, 
 icy 
 
 miglit 
 
 id friglit- 
 mtrcating 
 rm to liis 
 L and they 
 eated, and 
 
 rrrn ffncss. 
 inu'dcrous 
 et, never- 
 occcding, 
 le ^lasset 
 
 ere given 
 et village, 
 n step hy 
 :nown. 
 mavigated 
 ed Masset 
 
 Inlet. ]\rr. Finlayson had never vi*<ited the place hcforo, 
 l)ut one of his men had, and had ac(iuircd sufHcient fannliar- 
 ity with the dialect to hold speech with the natives. 
 
 The latter, when they saw the Vlovcv carefully picking 
 her w.iy into their harbour, at once jumped to the conclusion 
 tliat it was the same schooner as that in which Rae and 
 Freckles had escaped, and the wdiole population of the 
 village flocked to the shore to receive the hoat, ^\hich, as 
 before, contained only the factor and two oarsmen, one of 
 whom was to act as interpreter. 
 
 Sing-ai came forward from the crowd, his liandsomo 
 face beaming with good-humour, for he had (juite nia<le up 
 his mind that he was to hear about the white boj-s again, 
 and perhaps be rewarded for the kindness he had certainly 
 shown them during their brief stay at the viHage. 
 
 Mr. Finlayson deemed this genial reception a good 
 omen, and bid his interpreter speak in as pleasant a 
 tone as he could manage in view of his naturally grutf 
 voice. 
 
 However surprised and disappointed as ^Ir. Finla3'son 
 uiay have been at the result of his inquiries after Ilae among 
 the Skidegate Indians, what he learned from those at Masset 
 caused him even deeper distress. 
 
 Rae and Freckles had been there, and had been well 
 treated by the chief and his people, although they had come 
 in the company of their enemies on a hostile mission. J^ut 
 they were not there now. They ha<l eflected their escape 
 one night when a big canoe just like that at present out in 
 the water had suddenly appeared, and they had gone off to 
 
294 
 
 RESCUED BY THE RUSSIANS. 
 
 it in one of tlio small canoc^^, takin^^ tlioir thunder and light- 
 nlni,' sticks, and all their belongings. 
 
 Poor Mr. Finlayson ! Here was fresh mystery indeed, 
 yet not without some rays of hope, A schooner just like 
 the Plover ! Wliat could that mean ? lie knew of no such 
 vessel on the coast belonging to his company. It must either 
 have come up from Siin Francisco or down from Sitka, and 
 there was no telling wliich. 
 
 He questioned Sing-ai as closely as possible, but could 
 elicit nothing that might help him to determine whence the 
 schooner came. 
 
 Indeed, if Sing-ai had had something to tell, it would 
 have been hard to get it out of him, for he was so dis- 
 appointed at finding that it was not the Plover which had 
 been at IMasset before, that he grew (piite sulky, and ^Ir. 
 Finlayson thought it well to pro[)itiate him with presents 
 ere the interview ended. 
 
 When he had satisfied himself that there was nothing 
 more to be learned from the Massets, Mr. Finlayson returned 
 to the schooner to talk over the matter with his men. 
 
 The news that his son had succeeded in getting back 
 among civilized people comforted him greatly. It could 
 now be only a question of time as to his getting back to 
 Fort Camosun also. But in his fond impatience to have liis 
 boy with him again, the factor could not think of returning 
 to the fort to avrait there Rao's return. He must follow in 
 Ids track as fast as he could in the hope of catching up with 
 him ere Ion;?. 
 
 He had a long consultation with his men upon the 
 
RESCUED BY THE RUSSIANS. 
 
 295 
 
 ,iul liglit- 
 
 just like 
 if no siicli 
 iiist either 
 Sitka, and 
 
 "but could 
 ^'hence tlie 
 
 !, it would 
 ,vas so dis- 
 whicli liiid 
 y, and Mr. 
 th presents 
 
 [•as notliing 
 ion returned 
 men. 
 
 letting back 
 It could 
 
 \\Yf back to 
 
 r ^ 
 
 I to have kis 
 )f rcturnin;4' 
 1st follow in 
 ling up witk 
 
 n upoi 
 
 1 the 
 
 question as to whcnco the mj^'sterious schooner most likely 
 hailed. Was she a tra<linj,' vessel from San Francisco pick- 
 ing up skins amongst the different Indian .settleiiionis, or 
 was she one of the Russian sealing schooners that had for 
 .some reason or other run into Ma.sset ? 
 
 Mr. Finlayson liimself inclined to the latter theory, but 
 the men, who per]ua}>s were somewhat inlluenced by the 
 desire to have a run down to San Fijnicisco, were unanimous 
 in support of the former, and the factor let thorn carry the 
 day. 
 
 The Plovers course was ther-fn/c turned scuthwft,rd 
 a'^ain, and thus father and son, instead of drawinij- nearer, 
 were being separated further and further from each other 
 every hour, the one going north, the other south, and their 
 reunion more remote in the distance tlian ever. 
 
 ^p ^» ^^ ^^ '^f 
 
 And now to return to Rae. He was not long in getting 
 to feel thoroughly at home on board the Russian schooner, 
 although Alexander Baranov was the only member of the 
 crew who could speak English fluently. The captain and 
 some of the men could manage only a few words apiece, and 
 hy the aid of these and abundant gesticulations, Rae could 
 hold intercourse with them after a fashion. 
 
 They all took kindly to him. His sto/y was accepted as 
 true in every particular, and he had the comfort of knowing 
 that his position amongst them was unquestioned, and that 
 iu due time they would aid him in rejoining his father. 
 
 With ^is happy faculty, therefore, of taking things as 
 they came and making the best of them, trusting in a kindly 
 
296 
 
 RESCUED BY THE RUSSIANS, 
 
 Providence to look after tlie future, he felt very much at 
 ease in his iiiind, and was ready to enter heartily into tlie 
 new life that surrounded him, and fulfil his part in anything 
 that niiij^ht turn up. 
 
 To young Baranov he quickly became warmly attached. 
 The Russian youth was much akin to himself hy nature, 
 being of a frank, fearless spirit, and having a warm heart. 
 Like Rae, too, he took pleasure in leadership ; and just as 
 llae enjoyed his relation to Freckles, so did Baranov his 
 relation to Rae, which the latter had the good sense to 
 accept just as unrpiestioningly as Freckles had done. 
 
 In making her way back to Sitka the Russian schooner 
 did not go out into the Pacillc, which would have been 
 much the shorter course, but for safety's sake crossed Dixon 
 Entrance, and began to thread the mazes of the archipelago 
 which fringed the mainland clear up to Cape Spencer. 
 
 The scenery was very much like that through which 
 Rae had passed on the voj^age from Fort Camosun to Fort 
 Simpson, except that in many places it vras wilder, and that 
 the chances of shipwreck seemed even more plentiful than 
 on the other course. 
 
 Baranov told him that they would make a call at Fort 
 Wrangel on their way, and Rae, who had heard something 
 about this important Russian post, was glad to know that 
 he would have an opportunity of seeing it. 
 
 As the schooner worked her way through the devious 
 straits and channels and passages which had to be traversed, 
 Rae could not help admiring the skill in navigation shown 
 by the Russians. They certainly knew how to sail their 
 
RESCUED BY THE RUSSIANS. 
 
 297 
 
 sturdy craft to perfection, and loyal as lio felt to Captain 
 Hanson, he found liiniself compelled to admit that the cap- 
 tain of the Russian schooner had little to learn from him. 
 
 'Oh, wouldn't it be fun to have a race between your 
 scliooner and ours ! " said he to Baranov. " I'm sure 1 can t 
 say which is the best sailer, and it would he so exciting. 
 And perhaps we may have it, too," he went on, his face 
 lighting up at the thought which h.ad just occurred to him. 
 " You know my father will be sure to follow me up as fast 
 as he can, and he may guess what kind of a vessel I've 
 escaped on, and come right up to Sitka after me. That's 
 quite possible, isn't it, Alexander ? " he concluded, looking 
 into the Russian's face with an appeal for assent in the 
 probability of this happy consunnnation. 
 
 "Wh}', of course," responded Earanov heartily, "nothing 
 impossible about that. And if he does come up to Sitka, 
 we'll do our best to beat him at sailing, I promise you.'' 
 
 If Rae had only known that while he was thus chatting, 
 and niakiuG: his heart liiiht with hones that were, after all, 
 not too wild, his father, having allowed his men to persuade 
 liini against his own judgment, had already turned the 
 Plover's bow southward, and instead of drav.'ing nearer 
 Sitka was increasing the distance from it every hour, he 
 woiiM hardly have whistled so merrily to the breeze bi'i\)re 
 which the schooner was bowline,^ aloii'^ at an inspii-ing rate 
 of speed. 
 
CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 THE ATTACK ON THE KAKES. 
 
 THE Russian schooner reached Fort Wrangel "in good 
 order and condition," as the bills of lading have it, 
 one snnny afternoon, and Rae looked around with keen 
 interest upon this famous post, where the Hudson Bay 
 Company had often had exciting times with their northern 
 rivals in the fur trade with the Indians. 
 
 For the company had established itself on the Stikine 
 River not IVir from Fort Wrano'el, and refused to admit ex- 
 elusive right on the part of the Russians, the consequences 
 being fre(|uent collisions lietween the two interests, and 
 more tluri one attempt on the part of the latter to burn 
 down thr I<^nglish establishment. 
 
 But this was all over now. The company had with- 
 drawn some time previous, and the Russians were in sole 
 possession. They had a strong stockade-ibrt tliere, well- 
 garrisoned, and besides trading in furs with the natives 
 were doing a little in the way of gold-mining, which had 
 attracted a number of people, whose presence gave the place 
 an air of bustle and importance that Rue found very enter- 
 taining. 
 
THE ATTACK ON THE KAKES. 
 
 299 
 
 ol " in good 
 \wz liavc it, 
 with keen 
 ludson Bav 
 oil* nortliern 
 
 the Stikinc 
 ,0 a(hnit ex- 
 onseqiieiices 
 ,ercsts, and 
 AT to hurn 
 
 had witli- 
 verc in sole 
 there, wrll- 
 the natives 
 
 which liivl 
 ,ve the pkice 
 
 very enter- 
 
 In company with Baranov he went about " doing the 
 town," and Leincj much deliiihted at mectini;- some enter- 
 prising Englishmen who were trying their fortune at gold- 
 mining, and with whom he could talk freely. One of them, 
 who had been many years roving up and down the coast, 
 and knew his futhcr, hecamo much interested in him, and 
 gave liim a small nugget of gold as a keepsake, of which 
 llae was very proud. 
 
 It had been the intention that the schooner should stay 
 at Fort Wrangel about a week before proceeding on to 
 Sitka ; but at the end of the second day, Baranov, who had 
 Itcen calling on the commander of the fort, came back to 
 the vessel with a countenance whose expression of gravity 
 betokened that he had heard something of no ordinarv 
 importance. 
 
 I le at once sought out the captain, and was closeted with 
 him for some time, after which the two went up to the fort 
 together talking earnestly. 
 
 Rae saw all this, and it filled him with curiosity. "What 
 was up now?" he ask^d jiimself. "Could the matter in 
 any way concern him ? " "• ^ - . 
 
 He was not kept loner in icrnorance. As soon as Baranov 
 ivturned, he came up to him and said, — 
 
 "What do you think we've got to <lo now ? Instead of 
 i^'oimj;' straiiiht on to >Sitka, we're to take all the men the 
 tVirt can spare over to Kuprianoff Island, to try to rescue 
 some of .our people those villanous Kakcs have ca[)tured. 
 Tliov're the worst Indians on the whole coast, vou know, 
 and we're always having trouble with them. We're pretty 
 
300 
 
 THE ATTACK ON THE KAKES. 
 
 sure to have a fight, and if we do, somebody's bound to he 
 killed." 
 
 " I've iieard of tIio.se dreadful Kakcs," said Rae, " They 
 come down as far as Nisqually in their raids, and father 
 once had a terrible llo-ht with one of their war-parties." 
 
 •' Well, we've got our hands full to give them a good 
 lickincr this time," said Baranov, his countenance ^lowinu' at 
 the prospect of a battle. " But you needn't come unless 
 you want to, Bae. The schooner will have to come back to 
 Fort Wrangel before going on to Sitka, and the coumiander 
 will be glad of your company while we are away." 
 
 " No, indeed," returned Rau, most emphatically ; " I'm 
 going with you if j'ou'll let me. I've a goud rifle and pistol^;, 
 and if you'll give me a little more powder and bullets, I want 
 nothino' else." 
 
 " Come along then," said Baranov, evidently well pleased 
 at the boy's spirit. " Every ritle counts, you know, and it 
 won't do to take too many men from the fort, for the Indians 
 round about here are not to be trusted." 
 
 Baranov then went on to explain more fully the object 
 of their expedition. It seemed that a small sealing schooner, 
 on her way from Sitka to Fort "Wrangel, had been cast away 
 on KuprianofF Island ; and the Kake Indians, taking advan- 
 tage of the helplessness of the crew, had killed half of tluin 
 and made prisoners of the rest, at the same time plundering 
 the vessel of everything they could carry olF. The news of 
 this outrage had been brought by fi-iendly Indians, who 
 vouched for the truth of their story by showing some . iiclcs 
 belonfinn* to the schooner which they had obtained in barter 
 
THE ATTACK ON THE KAKES. 
 
 \o\ 
 
 ind to he 
 
 '. " Thoy 
 nd father 
 ■ties." 
 m a good 
 flowing at 
 mo unless 
 10 back to 
 onmiander 
 
 illy; "I'm 
 md pistols, 
 lets, I want 
 
 :ell pleased 
 ow, an<l it 
 he Indians 
 
 the ohject 
 Ig schooner, 
 cast away 
 .ing' advan- 
 Llf of tlifin 
 Iplundering 
 'lie news of 
 lians, who 
 )ine . 'tides 
 Id in barter 
 
 from the Kakcs. Having rewarded them handsomely for 
 their information, the commander of the fort at once deter- 
 mined to attempt the rescue of tlio survivors of the catas- 
 trophe, and the timely presence of Jkranov's vessel enabled 
 him to press her into service for the purpose. 
 
 No time was lost in fitting out the expedition, and by 
 iioGii of the next day the schooner got under way, having on 
 board, besides her own crew, twenty-iivc stalwart men, not 
 all of whom belonged to the garrison ; for the gold-miners, 
 when they heard of what was contemplated, promptly vol- 
 unteered their aid, and ten of their number were accepted. 
 
 Ill addition to the rifles, muskets, and pistols that 
 abounded, two small cannon were mounted on the steamer's 
 deck, and a number of rockets were also taken, as it was 
 intended, not merely to recover what was possible of the 
 crow and cargo of the schooner, but also to inflict such 
 punishment upon the Kakes that they would behave better 
 in future. 
 
 Pvrc entered as heartily into the spirit of the affair as if 
 among the captured crew there were some of his own friends. 
 Ill' had tasted the miseries of captivity himself, and his 
 heart burned with sympathy for those who were now under- 
 going a similar experience. 
 
 The schooner's course lay past the north of Zn rombo 
 Island and through Keku Strait, in the upper reach of which 
 the schooner had been wrecked. It was not difhcult navi- 
 gation, and such good progress was made that by noon of 
 the second day she began to near hor destination ; and the 
 plan of the commander of the expedition being to make a 
 (ITS) 19 
 
302 
 
 THE ATTACK ON THE KAKES. 
 
 nii^'ht attack on the offending village, of whose precise posi- 
 tion ho was not quite sure, he decided to come to anchor in 
 a deep cove, whose absolute solitude and safe anchorage 
 exactly suited his purpose. 
 
 When the schooner had hecn securely moored, a consul- 
 tation was held as to the best plan of campaign. All agreed 
 that a land attack would be most effectual, and at the same 
 time expose the party to the least danger. Expert and 
 daring as they were in their canoes, like all the other 
 Indians inhabiting the islands, the Kakes were as awkward 
 as water-fowls on shore, and if the Russians cnild only creep 
 up to the village under cover of darkness, they would hardly 
 fail of an easy victory. The first thing to be done was to 
 fix the location of the village, and the best means of ap- 
 proach. 
 
 The commander had taken the precaution to bring along 
 with him a couple of Stikine Indians, who cherished a 
 hereditary hatred for the Kakes, and could be relied upon 
 to heartily co-operate in their undoing. They were good 
 hunters, and well skilled in making their way through the 
 forest. 
 
 He proposed that these Stikines should act as guides for 
 a small party who should go in advance of the nain body, 
 and blaze the way, as it were. On this being agreed to, 
 Baranov at once said he would form one of the advance- 
 guard, and llae immediately begged to be allowed to go 
 along also. 
 
 The connnander demurred at first, but Laranov woii him 
 over, and the party was made up as follows — the two 
 
THE ATTACK ON THE KAKES. 
 
 303 
 
 Indians, Baranov and Rao, and four of the men from the 
 fort. The remainder of the little force, ^vith the connnander 
 at their head, were to await a message from the leaders, and 
 then follow as fast as possible. 
 
 The cautious advance through the forest reminded l\ae 
 of his similar ailventure with lli-ling-a's war-party, and he 
 said to himself that lie lioped the present one would have 
 a happier issue than that liad. 
 
 AUhouiih there was not much chance of encounterinij 
 any of the Kakes, who were rarely known to venture far 
 from the shore, still the utmost care was taken to move 
 silently, and the keenest look-out was maintained for any- 
 tliini;- of the biped Idnd. 
 
 Plenty of four-legged creatures were met, and for such 
 ardent sportsmen as Baranov and Rae it was a great tempta- 
 tion to take a shot at some of them. Indeed, so rich did the 
 island seem to be in game, that Baranov made up his mind 
 to have one day's hunting before returning to Fort Wrangel, 
 provided, of course, the object of their mission was success- 
 fully accomplished. 
 
 The going was pretty difTicult, owing to the density of 
 the undergrowth ; but they made good progress notwith- 
 standino* and, accordincj to their calculation. ouL-lit soon to 
 be drawing near to the village, when to their surprise they 
 heard the sound of a human voice callino- out in a lan^ua^re 
 that the Indians recocrnized as bcim^ that of the island. 
 
 Instantly every one of the party crouched low to the 
 ground, while with throbbing pulses they waited to see 
 what was coming. The cry was repeated several times in 
 
304 
 
 THE ATTACK ON THE KAKES. 
 
 such a way that it seemed clear the person uttering it was 
 calling for his companions, either because he wanted them 
 to come to him, or because he had lost his way and wanted 
 to find them. 
 
 Now it was of the utmost importance tliat the Kal<o 
 should be captured nnd silenced before any othei's appcniwd 
 on the scene, and Ii;iranov, who was a born strategist, 
 promptly devised the best means to do it. 
 
 The six members of the scouting-party were directed to 
 spread out in a line within siglit of each other, and to 
 advance simultaneously in the direction whence the cries 
 had come. They woukl thus be able to head off the Indian, 
 and to close upon him even if lie di<l take the alarm before 
 they had him in their hands. 
 
 They could not understand why he still remained in- 
 visible, but they judged that he was not more than a hun- 
 dred yards distant. 
 
 Moving as silently as catamounts, they crep* forward 
 foot by foot, each one hoping that he would be the first to 
 sight the Kako, or, better still, to get his hands upon him. 
 
 In the disposition of the part}'' Rae and Baranov had the 
 centre of tlie line, the Indians being at the ends, and the 
 thoucfht that filled Rae's mind was : — 
 
 ''Wouldn't it be fine for me to see him first! I'd just 
 like to show the Russians what a Scotch boy is good for." 
 
 The wonderful ixood fortinie which had followed him 
 hitherto, despite his enterprising spirit having so often led 
 him to tempt Providence, once more stood in his stead. It 
 chanced that an opening in the underbrush enabled him to 
 
THE ATTACK ON THE AAKES. 
 
 305 
 
 JX it was 
 ,cd them 
 I wanttnl 
 
 he Kako 
 appt.'avod 
 iti'ategisfc, 
 
 ircctctl to 
 r, and to 
 the cries 
 le Indian, 
 rm before 
 
 laincd in- 
 an a Imn- 
 
 f or ward 
 \c first to 
 on Idui. 
 )V had the 
 and tlie 
 
 I'd just 
 )od for.' 
 owed hiiu 
 often led 
 stead. It 
 led hiui to 
 
 Cfet a little in advance of the others, and he was thus the 
 first to come to the edije of a little ji'lade, in the centre of 
 whicli, stan<lin!:;- over one of the small red deer to be found 
 on the island, that had no doubt Just fallen a victim to his 
 arrow, was a ytnuii,^ Kake, whose calls for his conu-ades, 
 evidently meant that they mi^ht come and help him to 
 carry his quarry back to the village. 
 
 Kae's first impulse on seeing the Indian was to give a 
 vicwdialloo that would hurry the others to the spot. But 
 a second look at the tawny youth, still unconscious of his 
 danger, determined him to venture upon his arrest single- 
 handed. 
 
 Once he stepped out into the glade there was no further 
 concealment of his approach, so, staking all upon the celerity 
 of his action, he grasped his rifie tightly, dashed out of the 
 forest at a pace worthy of an expert sprinter, and got within 
 ten yards of the Kake before the latter, who had been 
 standing with his back to him, heard the approaching foot- 
 falls, and turned to see wdiat they meant. 
 
 At the siu'ht of the white stranger rushing upon him 
 with manifest hostile intent, the Indian uttered a wild 
 shriek of terror and sprang away with frantic bounds like 
 those of the deer he had just secure<l. 
 
 But, as has already been explained, the Kakes were far 
 more at home on the water than on the land ; and although 
 this poor frightened fellow was doing his best, the fleet- 
 footed white boy made two yards for his one. 
 
 Yet should he succeed in reaching the forest first he 
 might manage to effect his escape, and, realizing this, Eae 
 
3o6 
 
 THE ATTACK ON THE KAKES. 
 
 dropped his rille, that there might be no check upon his 
 speed. 
 
 In tlic meantime, Laranov and tlic others had come to 
 the glade and were spectators of the exciting foot-race, while 
 following after the contestants as rapidly as they were ahle. 
 
 The Kake, awkwardly as he ran, got over the ground so 
 well that he had just reached the edge of the forest when, 
 with an exultant shont of " Ah ! ha ! I've got you," Rae 
 sprang upon his back and bore him to the ground. 
 
 In the excitement of the sifditing of the Indian and of 
 the chase lie had not taken any thought as to whether he 
 would find the savage an easy conquest. He had just obeyed 
 the impulse of the moment without heed of consequences. 
 
 But when, having downed his quarry cleverly enough, 
 the latter, instead of submitting passively, squirmed around 
 like a weasel and clasped his assailant with a grip of steel, 
 at the same time threatening liis face with two rows of 
 shining teeth that looked capable of giving a terrible bite, 
 Rae suddenly realized that he liad undertaken a more ditTi- 
 cult task than he had supposed, and was fain to cry out 
 lustily, " Help ! help ! Quick, or he'll get away from me." 
 
 The cry caused Baranov to increase his exertion, and 
 summoning all his speed he dashed up just in time to give 
 the Kake a deft crack on the head with the butt of his 
 pistol that put a sharp and sufficient quietus upon his 
 struogles for freedom. 
 
 " That's good 1 " exclaimed Rae gratefully. " You were 
 just in time. He has a fearful grip, and he was doing his 
 best to set his teeth into me." 
 
Tim ATTACK ON THE KAKES, 
 
 >o7 
 
 me to .irive 
 
 Rac iiiiL,dit Well speak (^f tlie savage's grip as fearful, for 
 on liis ribs were a number of Itruises made liy his finger 
 nails ; and liad the wrestling continueil nnieli longer he would, 
 beyond a doubt, have got considerably the worst of it. 
 
 Before the Kake ''ecovered consciousness he was safely 
 bound and gagged, avid Mhcn lie opened his eyes to find 
 himself surrounded by a number of white people and two 
 Indians, who had all a hostile appearance, such a pitiful 
 look of abject terror came into his face that Ihie's feelings 
 were touched, and he felt half borry for having been the 
 instrument of his capture. 
 
 The Stikines were sufliciently versed in the Kake dialect 
 t(j talk with the prisoner, and so Jkiranov told them what 
 to say, and he was thoroughly examined. 
 
 At first he was disposed to be sulky and silent, but 
 when IJaranov, assuming his fiercest look, drevv' his hunting- 
 knife, and made as though he would cut the fellow's throat, 
 his perversity promptly vanished ; and having been assured 
 that if ho ventured to cry out for help the knife would bo 
 plunged into him, the gag was removed from liis moutli and 
 the questioning began. 
 
 It took a little time to elicit just what was vequired of 
 the unwilling informer, but by dint of patience and deft 
 inquiry it was learne<l that the Kake village stood about a 
 mile away, that the Russian sailors were held there un- 
 harmed, and that there was going to be a big feast that 
 night, the captive having been in quest of some venison for 
 it when they came upon him. 
 
 All these bits of information were highly satisfactory, 
 
 * 
 
3oS 
 
 THE ATTACK OX THE k'Ak'ES. 
 
 ami tlic Russians cxcliajiged congratulations at the fine 
 prospect of success. 
 
 "That feast just suits our plans to perfection," saiil 
 liaranov, ruhbinj:,' liis liands i^fleefuliy. "We'll come down 
 upon them like an avalanche when they're in the very 
 middle of it, and scatter them like sheep." 
 
 "Wouldn't it be better to wait until the feast is all over 
 and they're tired out and sleepy," sui,'gested Rae. 
 
 "No, indeed," replied JJaranov. " 'J'hey nnL;ht take it 
 into their heads to torture our cduntrymen for an additional 
 attraction when they ,^'et worked up. We must not let 
 them have a chance to do that. ' 
 
 One of the Indians having been sent Ijack to bring up 
 the main body, the little advance-party sat down to wait for 
 them, taking advantage of the opportunity to refresh them- 
 selves with the contents of their wallets, which they had 
 been so foresiiihted as to lill before setting forth. 
 
 " I hope the commander won't forget to bring some 
 rockets along," said Baranov. "They'll be just the thing to 
 let the Kakes know" we'd arrived and had an account to 
 settle with them." 
 
 ►Sure enough, when the commander appeared with the 
 men they had rockets all right, and the erpiipment of the 
 expedition was complete. 
 
 Dusk was at hand by the time all had gathered. The 
 connuander was highly pleased at the capture of the Indian 
 and the information that had been extracted from him. He 
 complimented Rae warndy upon his having run the savage 
 down, which made the boy feel very proud of himself. 
 
THE ATTACK OX TUT. KAKES. 
 
 309 
 
 The Kakc, liaviiiL,^ Iicl-ii iiiaile to uiuloi'stainl tliat liisown 
 life (li'pciidfd upon liis ^,^001! liulKivioiir, uiul tliat lio was ex- 
 pected to sliow tlie best way to tlie villni^a', li;id the bonds 
 ivnioved from his fe«-t, but not from liis hands, and tlien was 
 ordered to '••o ahead, one of tlie Stikines beiuLT on eitlier sich; 
 
 of llUll. 
 
 ^bjvin^f in almost absolute silence, tl e Russians made 
 their way toward the viUa^'e. It soon became so dark that 
 t' I y could scarcely distinc(uish one an<;t]ier in the i^doom, 
 but by keeping close tocjether and followinf,^ implicitly the 
 lead of the Indian, who seemed to see as well in the dark as 
 in the daytime, their progress, if slow, was steady. 
 
 As they drew nera* their goal, the cries of the villagers, 
 who had already begun the dance that preceded the feast, 
 fell upon their cars, and presently the blaze of the big tire 
 around which they were gathered shone through the trees 
 v.ith increasing brilliancy. 
 
 When they had got thus far, a careful reconnaissance was 
 thought expedient, and so, while the others waited, the com- 
 mander, with IJaranov and the two Indians, went ahead to 
 get a clearer understandiuL!' of the situation. 
 
 The excitement had now become intense, and llac 
 showed it equally with the others, although he was after all 
 not personally interested in the proceedings, lie thought 
 to himself, as with beating heart he awaited the return of 
 the leaders, and the connnand to advance to the attack, Ikjw 
 nmch he would have to tell his father when they were re- 
 united ; and with that, naturally enough, came the thought, 
 how proud his father would be of his exploits. 
 
3IO 
 
 THE ATTACK OX THE KAKES. 
 
 These reflections were iiitcrriipte<l liy ;i sudden move- 
 ment on lii.s rii^'lit, and a sliaip ciy of alaini from one of tlie 
 llu.ssians. Then came tlie sound of one dasln'nL;" reckk'ssly 
 tln'onL;h the undcrhriisli, ami liy tlie aid of a llasli of liio 
 lii^ht liae made out tlie Kake \vho had heen taken piisoinT 
 llyini;- toward the villan'e with frantic speed. 
 
 The next moment a wiM whoop of warninc;' rani;- out 
 ahove the bahid of the dancers, and the connnanilcr, hurrv- 
 iii^" back to his men, exclaimed in a tone of vexation, — 
 
 "You lilockheads, to let the rascal irct awav ! lie's 
 warn(Ml the whole village already." 
 
 Tsot an instant was now to he lost. Pressing forward 
 witiiout any attention to orderly array, the Ivussians reached 
 tlie edge of a .slight hluH' t'c.at overlooked the vilhige, and 
 the first u'lance told them their nroxinntv was realized. 
 
 The dance had broken up i]i confusion, and the men 
 were rushing this way and that after their weapons of war, 
 while the women, gathering together for mutual supjtort, 
 set up a wild a ailing chorus that was perhaps an appeal to 
 their deities to take them und.r their protection. 
 
 PointinLf a rocket so that it wouM i-'O just over their 
 heads, the fuse was lit, and as the projectile, with an ear- 
 s])littinL!: shriek and linhtninu'dike brilliancy, tore throu'^h 
 the air, the poor creatures, wlio had never seen anything ef 
 the kind Ixd'ore, fell forward on their faces in abject teirei', 
 then, picking themselves u}), rushe(l away to their respective 
 dwellings to hide fi'om such a}i]>alling perils. 
 
 Down upon the village charged the Kussians, uttering 
 war-cries e(jual in fierceness of sound io anything the 
 
k'li movc- 
 011 c of tlio 
 rcc1<lc's>ly 
 sll of 1i lu- 
 ll prisoner 
 
 vaiiL;" out 
 lor, hiivrv- 
 
 lO 
 
 ,1011, — 
 
 ray ! He's 
 
 11 Lj; foiwav'l 
 aiis veacl It'll 
 villains aiiil 
 kli/AM.l. 
 1 the iiH'U 
 lis of war, 
 il siipi'ort, 
 appeal to 
 
 over tlieii- 
 itli an eav- 
 ii'o tlirtiug'li 
 anytlnn;j,' "i' 
 
 jccfc trl'l'dl'^ 
 r respect Ivf 
 
 ns, uttering 
 ivtliinu' the 
 
 iii^m'. 
 
 
 /'it (lUtiif^- t'u I'/'.t' Aij/itj. 
 
 I'.IKL- 5M. 
 
THE ATTACK ON THE KAKES. 
 
 >T3 
 
 Iiullaiis could profluce ; and every man they met they 
 piom]itly knocked over \\\iV the l)utts of their rifles, the 
 commander liavini-' driven strict injunctions that no more 
 hluod shoiiM he shed than was ahsohitely necessary. 
 
 At the outset it looked as if they Avere going to have an 
 L'lisy victory; hut after tlu; iirst moments of panic-stiicken 
 confusion the sav.niies rallied, and, taking' heart from the 
 evident disparity of numbers, sliowcd signs of standing their 
 ground. 
 
 ?sot until then did the connnander have recourse to 
 bullets. The order to lire was given, and simultaneous with 
 the volley two more rockets were set off, this time, however, 
 heiuix aimed ri^ht into the midst of the Indians. 
 
 The effect of the combined fire was dreadful. Full a 
 score of Indians fell dead or wounded to the i-round, and the 
 others, with wild cries of terror, fled towards the canoes that 
 were drawn up along the beach. 'I'lie sea was their natural 
 way of escape, and, forgetting everything else, tliey made for 
 it, knowing that their assailants could not follow them there. 
 
 Among the fugitives was a stalwart young fellow, whose 
 richly adorned dress marked him out as being of superior 
 rank, and Baranov, whose fighting spirit ha<l l)een stirred to 
 tlie depths, catching sight of liim, detei'mincd to make him 
 Ills prisoner. 
 
 He accordingly put on a ti-emendous spurt, and rapidly 
 overhauled his man, m hu was a pooi' runner comjjared with 
 liiui. The brii-ht fireliuht showccl Kac what his friend was 
 about, and, thinking he might possibly Ijc of some service to 
 him, he likewise joined in the chase. 
 
3H 
 
 THE ATTACK OiY THE KAKES. 
 
 It was well for Baranov that he divl, for tlic youncj 
 Ilussiaii, in tliu ardour of the pursuit, tiippud over a small 
 boulder, and fell with such violence as partially to stun 
 him. 
 
 At the moment, ho was within a couple of yards of tlie 
 Indian, who, hearing the thud of his fall, glanced round, and 
 seeing him prostrate, stopped suddenly in his tlight. 
 
 In his right hand he had an ugly-looking spear, and this 
 he raised with intent to transfix his prostrate pursuer, who 
 saw the danger, but was powerless to avert it, when llae, 
 although still a dozen yards away, realizing that if he would 
 save his friend he must act at once, drew his pistol, and tired 
 what was little better than a snap-shot. 
 
 Happily, however, it was good enough for its purpose. 
 The bullet struck the savage in the arm, shatteriiiL;' his 
 elbow, and with a howl of niini'-led friu'ht and fury he 
 dropped the spear and continued his flight to the canoes, 
 into one of which he jumped and paddled away before 
 Baranov recovered from the shock of his fall sutliciently to 
 follow him. 
 
 " You did that beantifull}', my dear fellow," said the 
 latter in tones of cordial i/ratitutle. " I saw my danger, but 
 1 really couldn't move a limb. My tundile coni})lct<Iy 
 knocked the wind out of me. I'm sure I can't tell you how 
 nu'ich I'm obliged to vou." 
 
 "Turn about is fair play," laughed Rae. "You helped 
 me with that fellow who wanted to bite my head otl; and 
 now I've just returned the favour, that's all." 
 
 " Yes, but you got your man, and I didn't," responded 
 
THE ATTACK ON THE KAKES. 
 
 315 
 
 lie younc* 
 or a siuall 
 y to stun 
 
 .Ills of tlie 
 round, aiiil 
 it. 
 
 .1-, ami tltis 
 irsucr, AvliD 
 when Rac, 
 it' lie would 
 ;l,and fired 
 
 its purpose. 
 
 ttcrinu' Ids 
 1 fury lie 
 he canoes, 
 
 way l»efore 
 
 Oieiently to 
 
 ," said tlio 
 
 danger, Lut 
 
 eoniplct'dy 
 
 dl YOU luAV 
 
 Vu\i liel[i' d 
 jad otr, and 
 
 ' responded 
 
 the Russian with an exapf^-cration of disappointment ; " nnd 
 he was such a tlne-lookinrj fellow too. I wanted to take 
 him u}) to Sitka as a troph.3\ Rut come now and let us see 
 if we can tlnd the men we came to rescue ; I've seen n(»thing 
 i)f them yet." 
 
 Tho jiLihtinL'' was all over hv this time, and of the entire 
 population of the viUa^'C only the ilcad and wounded lyinuj 
 u[)ou th(.> ground remained in sight, those wlio had not 
 escaped in the canoes having hidden in the woods at the far 
 end of the line of dwellings. 
 
 The sight of tlio dead, now that the hand-to-hand strugMo 
 had subsided, o-avc Rac a feelini'' of nausea, and lie got as 
 far away from them as possible while search was being made 
 for the Russian captives. 
 
 Before long, triumjdiant shouts announced their discovery. 
 They had been confined as close prisoners in the chief's 
 dwelling, and were brouiiht out with great reioicing, seeming 
 none the worse for their captivity. Not only were the}'' 
 t'ouiifl, but also a large fpiantity of the belongings of the 
 schooner, and a fine lot of furs that would jio far towards 
 recompensing the pursuers for theii' trouble. 
 
 The connnander could not thiid>: of neelcctinu" these, anil 
 as it would bo ver}^ dilllcult to transport them back to the 
 schooner through the demise woods, it was, after consultati(^n, 
 decided that, while a part}' of four went back to liring the 
 schooncn' around the point to the village, the rest should 
 remain in possession until the vessel arrived. 
 
 Of course this could not be done until davliuht ; l>ut the 
 night was already more than half gone, and there was no 
 
3i6 
 
 THE ATTACK ON THE KAKES. 
 
 chance of attack from any quarter, so that the wearied 
 warriors were free to take a inneli -needed rest. 
 
 In due time tlie scliooner appeared, and as rapidly as 
 possible everything that had belonged to the wrecked vessel, 
 and also everything else in the villnge that seemed worth 
 taking, were got on board ; which work being completed 
 without interruption, the scliooner sailed away, having taught 
 the Kakes a lesson they could hardly fail to remember for 
 many a long day. 
 
 Rae was very glad when it was all over. Slaughter and 
 pillage were not at all to his taste, and richly, no doubt, as 
 the Indians deserved their punishment, he felt some regret 
 at having had a share in its iniliction. They were only 
 poor ignorant creatures after all, and they had l)een made 
 to suffer terribly for their wrong-doing. lie said somethiiiu" 
 of this to Baranov, but the Russian had no sympathy with 
 such notions. The Indians were, in his opinion, no more to 
 be considered than so many wild animals; and if they had 
 the presumption to provoke the white mnn's wrath, they 
 could not be made to pay too heavily for their folly. 
 
 There was great rejoicing on the return of the schooner 
 to Fort Wrangel with the rescued sailors and the recoxered 
 property, and nothing M'ould satisfy the connnander but to 
 have a big feast to celebrate the event, at which the presence 
 of those on board the schooner was absolutely indispensable. 
 
 The captain of the vessel would have preferred pushiiiL,' 
 on to Sitka without further delay, but not so Alexander 
 Baranov ; a feast was entirely to his mind, and ho was so 
 determined upon remaining that he carried his point. 
 
THE ATTACK OX THE KAKES. 
 
 3^7 
 
 ,e wearied 
 
 rapidly as 
 ;kcd vessel, 
 med \voitli 
 completed 
 s'wYf tauulit 
 member for 
 
 iiKd^ter and 
 
 O 
 
 110 doubt, as 
 some rcg-ret 
 J were only 
 l;)oen made 
 d sometlnng- 
 apathy ^vit^l 
 no more t<> 
 if tliey liad 
 wratli, they 
 
 the sehooner 
 he recovcVf'l 
 nder hut to 
 the presence 
 lispcnsahle. 
 
 red push ill '4 
 Alexamler 
 ,1 ho was so 
 oint. 
 
 K 
 
 Rac was very glad to stay. There wouhl l)0 sure to be 
 some fun, and what boy <l<)es not know how to appreciate a 
 liig dinner ? He had got to feel altogether at hnnie among 
 the Russians, wlio were kindly albeit somewhat rouuh in 
 their manners, and treated liimself an<l Freckles as widl as 
 they couhl wish. 
 
 Freckles felt so content at being out of the liands of the 
 savages that it was all one to him whethor they stayed at 
 Furt Wrangel or went on to Sitka. lie had three good 
 meals every day, a comfortalde bunk at night, and nobody 
 to order him around except Tlae, whom he found unfailing 
 delight in obeying, for he loved him with the whole strength 
 of his nature. 
 
 The day of the jubilation was made a holiday, and 
 wholly given up to enjoyment. There were canoe-races and 
 foot-races, wrestling matches and target shooting, and 
 similar amusements, during the morning and afternoon, all 
 of which Tiae and Freckles enjoyed lieartily, although some- 
 times the competitors got so fiercely in earnest that breaches 
 of the peace seemed innuinent. 
 
 J5ut the presence of the eonnuander, who acted as referee 
 in all the contests, ami maintaineil a most huulable judicial 
 dignity des})ito the excitement aroun<l him, exercised a 
 wholesome restraint, and although there was considerable 
 wrauL'dinL'' no actual collision occurred. 
 
 Late in the afternoon I'ai'anov, who, like Ihie, had not 
 taken ])art in any of the contests, got lired with the notion 
 of trying his speed against Rae, and accorflinuly challenf^ed 
 liiiu to a contest. 
 
3i8 
 
 THE ATTACK ON THE KAKES. 
 
 Rrtc would ratlicr not Lave run. He felt pretty sure of 
 being able to outstrip the llussian, and he was not at all 
 ambitious to do so. 
 
 J>ut l>aranov urged so strongly that he at length con- 
 sentod, and they prepared for the trial. By this time the 
 other people had about tired themselves out, and the news 
 of the raee bc'tween the two youths having spread, they all 
 i:athered round to witness it. 
 
 The course agreed upon M'as along the edge of the l)each 
 to a boulder about a quarter of a mile distant and back 
 
 agani. 
 
 Having dolled all superfluous clothing, Rac and I' . ..jov 
 
 toed the mark and awaited the signal to start. 
 
CHAPTER XVIir. 
 EXCITIXG TLMES AT FORT WRAXOEL. 
 
 "T^HE report of a pistol held by the commander sent the 
 J- runners off side by side for the first fe^v yards, and 
 then Baranov drew ahead. He was excessively anxious to 
 win the race, ami his impetuous nature made him exert 
 himself to the utmost at the outset, just as thouoh the 
 distance to be covered had been a hun.lred 3-ards inst'ead of 
 half-a-mile. 
 
 Rao, on the other hand, was not only less en-er for 
 victory, but ha.l suHiei.>nt connuand of himself to reco-nize 
 the fact tliat he was not capable of running so far at sjaint- 
 in? speed, and he therefore kept himself'well in hand, in 
 spite of the exultant glances that Raranov cast back at him 
 over his shoulder. 
 
 All the cheers were, of course, for the Russian, but Rao 
 •lid not mind that. Had they been running at Fort Camosun 
 instead of Fort Wrangel it would hax-e been the other way, 
 so he just kept on resolutely; while J]aranov increased his 
 1^'a.l, until at the turning-point he was full fifty yards 
 ali.'ad, and as he passed Rae on his way back panted out 
 triumphantly, — 
 
 (47.) 2Q 
 
320 EXCITING TIMES AT FORT WRANGEL. 
 
 "Good-bye ; I'll see you again later on." 
 
 But lie had better bave kept bis crowing until the race 
 was over and tbc issue beyond doubt. Once around tlie 
 turn, Rae let himself out, and having plenty of reserve wind 
 overhauled his opponent at a rate that made the latter's 
 friends look anxious. 
 
 Every stride told in his favour. Earanov, blown and 
 fagged from his foolish spurt at the start, perceptibly lost 
 speed, although he struggled fiercely to maintain his pace, 
 and Ilae drew up to him yard after yard until they were 
 again side by side. 
 
 Now at the beginning of the race Rae had it pretty well 
 settled in his mind to let Baranov win whether he should 
 prove the faster runner or not. But on the way the latter's 
 tauntinij looks and words, and the one-sided cheerinfj of 
 the spectators, together with the excitement of the struggle, 
 had worked a change in his mood, and he felt stirred up to 
 Avin now that he saw^ victory easily within his grasp. 
 
 " ril show them who's the best runner ! "' he muttered. 
 " They think too much of themselves altogether." 
 
 Keeping on, therefore, Avith his steady stride, he slipped 
 past Baranov, Avho made a frantic but futile effort to hoM 
 him, and when about a hundred yards from the goal had 
 a clear lead of full ten yards. 
 
 The race was his. Already the cheers for his opponent 
 had died away into a disappointed murmur, and the few 
 who had, more for the sake of sport than with any ex- 
 pectation of winning, wagered their roubles upon Rae began 
 to look joyful, and to wish they had doubled their wager, 
 
"LL. 
 
 EXCITING TIMES AT FORT WR ANGEL. 321 
 
 I the race 
 ound the 
 ^rve ^vi^<l 
 ic latter's 
 
 )lown ami 
 
 ptlLly lost 
 
 1 his pace, 
 
 they were 
 
 pretty ^vell 
 L- lie should 
 the latter s 
 cheering of 
 le struggle, 
 lire J up to 
 
 -asp. 
 
 e mutterc'l. 
 
 he slippe.l 
 ort to hol'l 
 le coal ha<l 
 
 lis opponent 
 
 ma the l■'■^v 
 
 ith any ex- 
 
 n Rae hcgan 
 
 their Avager, 
 
 when Rae happened to look over his shoulder and caught 
 a cflance of the Russian's face. 
 
 That glance made hiin suddcnlv chancre Ids mind, for 
 on Baranov's features he beheld such a nnngling of despair 
 and ra2ce and dejection that it went straiirht to liis lieart. 
 
 " I mustn't beat him," he nuittered ; " it will break his 
 lieart. He's crazy to win." 
 
 It was not, therefore, from any fear of ill consequences 
 to himself, but from sincere pity for his competitor, to whom 
 victory meant far more than it did to him, that Rae began 
 to falter in his stride. 
 
 Had his wind of a sudden given out? were Ids legs 
 failing beneath him ? The spectators did not know, but 
 the quick resumption of their encouraging cheers showed 
 that hope for their favourite had revived. 
 
 Baranov was not slow to read the sign arii^ht, and it 
 spurred him on to one more supreme eflbrt. Almost reeling 
 in his tracks, he forced himself forward. Now he was 
 within a stride of Rae ; now they were shoulder to shoulder; 
 another moment, and he was ahead ; and just as they 
 crossed the line he staggered in the winner by one yard, 
 and fell utterly exhauste<l into the arms of the commander 
 outstretched to receive him, while his countrymen made the 
 welkin ring with shouts of triumph, being so excited over 
 the result that not one of them had the thoui-htfulness to 
 say something consolatory to the vanquished. 
 
 But Freckles did not forgot, and his liesitating words 
 were all the comfort Rae needed, for they spared him the 
 necessity of explanation. 
 
322 EXCITING TIMES AT FORT IVRAXGEL. 
 
 "You couM have beaten liini all ri^^lit, couMn't you, 
 Rae?" said the afl'ectionate fellow, whose keen eyes of love 
 had not failed to read the situation aviciht. " You let hiiu 
 beat you, di<ln't you ? " 
 
 "Hush!" replied Rae, puttinj^ his hand over his com- 
 panion's mouth ; " th('y'll hear you. You're rit^dit," ho 
 added in a whisper; "I could have beaten him, but 1 didn't 
 want to." 
 
 Freckles beamed, but said no more. Such a defeat was 
 better than a victory, and so long as Rae and he under- 
 stood each other, he was quite willing to let the Russians 
 rejoice to their hearts' content. 
 
 As soon as Baranov recovered his breath he came up to 
 Rae with outstretched hand. All the gloom had gone from 
 his face, and he was radiant. 
 
 " You gave me a hard time of it," ho panted. " I thought 
 you'd beaten me, and indeed but for my last spurt you 
 would have done it handsomely. You're a fine runner, 
 Rae." 
 
 Rao smiled amiall}', and shook the proH'ered liand 
 warmly. He had felt -oine slight apprehension lest Baranov 
 might suspect the race had been given him, but it was 
 evidently groundless. The Russian had no doubt as to his 
 success being entirely due to his superiority, and in that 
 comfortable conviction he would never be disturbed. 
 
 Not only he, but the commander and all the others, had 
 been put in the best of humour by the result of the contest, 
 even those who had lost a few roubles finding adequate 
 consolation in the victory of their countryman. When the 
 
EL. 
 
 EXC/TJXG TIMES AT FORT JVRAXGEL. 323 
 
 In't you, 
 ;s of love 
 u let liini 
 
 his com- 
 •io-ht," lie 
 it, 1 dkln't 
 
 Icfeat was 
 be luuler- 
 i Russians 
 
 }ame up to 
 rrone from 
 
 " I thouf^ht 
 spurt you 
 ne runner, 
 
 Icreel lian<l 
 jst Baranov 
 but it was 
 jt as to bis 
 \nd iu tbat 
 jed. 
 
 others, had 
 
 the contest, 
 
 .fv adequate 
 
 When the 
 
 crowd liad quite finislicMl conLfrattdatini; tlie victor, they 
 gathered about Rae, and smiled upon him witli nucIi mani- 
 fest good feeUnij;- tliat lie realized liis self-denial had been 
 ]i(j less a stroke of diplomacy than a wholesonje impulse 
 of kindness. Undoubtedly he stood in better favour with 
 the Russians than ever, and that was a prize worth winning' 
 in itself. 
 
 Soon after sundown the feast bei>-an in the bii,^ dinini::- 
 hall of the fort, which had been decorated for the occasion 
 with llacrs, and tlowers, and ferns, and hii-hlv burnished 
 weapons of war, both civilized and savage, until it really 
 looked almost fit for any company. 
 
 Rae thouo'ht it ma'-'niticent. He had never seen anv- 
 tiling' so line before ; and when upon the table he found 
 snow-white linen as soft as silk, and tlashinc,^ o;]ass, and 
 ulcamini^ silver, and j^-litteriny steel, the like of which were 
 hitherto unknown to him, his eyes opened wide with won- 
 dt-ring admiration, and turning to Baranov, who had placed 
 him at the commander's left and taken a seat beside him, 
 he said in his frank', hearty way, — 
 
 "This beats anything I've ever seen. How splendid it 
 all is ! You must be very rich at the fort." 
 
 "Pooh!" laughed Raranov, well pleased at the 1»oy's 
 sincere admiration. "It's pretty fair, but it's nothing to 
 what they can do at Sitka. I'll show you something nnich 
 Ihier up there." 
 
 " This is quite fine enough for me," responded Rae, 
 settling himself down in his chair to the full enjoyment of 
 the honours of the occasion. 
 
324 EXCITING TIMES AT FORT ]VRANGEL. 
 
 Not less luxurious and elalioratc tliaii the table appoint- 
 ments was the bill of fare provided. The cooks of the 
 establishment had been enjoined to out-do themselves, and 
 they had spared neither materials, skill, nor trouble in 
 obeying the command. 
 
 Besides some things that "were quite new to Kae, and 
 wliieh he found not at all to his taste — such as caviare, 
 salted salmon roe, smoked breast of wild goose, and other 
 characteristic llussian relishes — there were plenty of viands 
 that he could heartily enjoy: rich soups whose very odour 
 was enough to give one an appetite had that been wanting, 
 huge salmon boiled whole and smothered in creamy sauces, 
 great haunches of venison done to a turn, braces of roast duck 
 brown and juicy, and so on, in apparently endless profusio)i. 
 
 As the boy watched the lordly dishes being borne in 
 one after the other, and set in bewildering array before him, 
 he found himself regretting keenly that his capacity for the 
 enjoyment of them was so limited. 
 
 Baranov bethought himself of this also, for, seeing with 
 what vigour Rae attacked the soup and the fish, he ventured 
 to warn liim against iilling up too soon when there was so 
 much yet to follow. 
 
 The Russian was a more experienced diner-out, and 
 understood the importance of observing a ({w^^ proportion, 
 and thus being able to range over the whole bill of fare. 
 
 Rae laughed good-humouredly at the hint. " I don't 
 wonder you think I'm a bit gi-eedy," ho said. " But I toll 
 you I've not had an^'thing so good to eat for months, and 
 it just seems as if I couldn't get enough of it." 
 
■i 
 
 EL. 
 
 J appoint- 
 ks of the 
 ■elves, and 
 ;roul)lc ill 
 
 Eae, and 
 IS caviare, 
 and utluT 
 ^ of viands 
 ^•evy odour 
 n wanting, 
 ,iny sauces, 
 roast duels' 
 
 profusion. 
 >• l)ornc in 
 jeforc liiui, 
 pity for tlie 
 
 eciii!^ witli 
 le ventured 
 lerc was so 
 
 M'-out, anil 
 
 troportion, 
 
 f fare. 
 
 " I don't 
 
 But 1 till 
 
 liontlis, and 
 
 1.) 
 
 EXCITING TIMES AT TORT U'RAXGEL 3^5 
 
 Not only were there delicious viands in ahundance, but 
 tempting wines also, brought over from Russia at great 
 expense, and indulged in only on rare occasions. 
 
 These likewise were new to Rae, and at his friend's 
 ])ressing request he tasteil the vodka, which is the Russian 
 national drink, hut found it so raw and liery that, forgetting 
 his good manners for the nioinent, instead of swallowing the 
 mouthful he had taken, he spat it out on the lloor, exclaim 
 ing energetically, — 
 
 "Ugh! it ])urns the skin oil' my tongue! What awful 
 stull'! How can you drink it?" 
 
 Both Baianov and the commander laughed heartily at 
 his disgust. It was just what they had expected. 
 
 "Ah, my boy," said the former, in an amiistMl tone, 
 '■ that's too stron:-- for you, eh :' You"ll have to ^•t't used to 
 it little by little. 8ee how good 1 think it," and putting 
 his glass to his mouth, he drank off its contents, smacking 
 his lips with great gusto. 
 
 Rae shook his head very decidedly. lie had no idea of 
 learning to like such fiery stuff. It might do for the Rus- 
 sians, but it wouldn't do for him. 
 
 " Well, then, try some champagne," said Uaranov ; " that 
 won't burn your tongue. Youll like it, I'm sure." 
 
 When his glass was filled, Rae regarded it for a miiuite 
 dubiously. He had an instinctive dislike to strong drink of 
 any kind, and had already at Fort \'ancouver seen and 
 heard something of its perils, l>ut he liad ncvei* come to 
 any conclusion aljout it as regards himself beyond register- 
 ing a vow one dav, when he saw one of the men in a 
 
326 EXCITING TIMES AT TORT U'RAXGEL. 
 
 state of beastly intoxication, that he would never be such 
 a fool. 
 
 But the champagne foamed and bubbled so brightly, and 
 the fumes of it were so enticing, that he could not resist the 
 temptation to take one sip ; and thus finding the wine as 
 delicious to the taste as it was beautiful to the eye, he kept 
 on sipping until he finished his glass. 
 
 Hardly had he done so, however, than he began to have 
 a queer feeling in his head. A kind of mist came over his 
 eyes, and he found his head growing heavy as though he 
 needed to lie down and sleep. 
 
 At once it flashed across him that this was the cflTect of 
 the champagne, and he felt angry with himself for having 
 taken it. He dreaded lest Baranov should notice how he 
 was feeling, and did his best to conceal it, untd at last the 
 situation was too uncomfortable to be borne, and, whispering 
 to him that he would be back in a minute, he got up from 
 his chair and slipped quietly out of the room. 
 
 The change from the hot, fume-laden atmosphere of the 
 dining-hall to the cool air outside was very refreshing, yet 
 with some concern Rae noticed that there was a tendency 
 to unsteadiness in his gait ; and being resolved to lose no 
 time in gaining complete command of himself, he hastcn(^d 
 down to the beach, threw off his clothes, and took a dip in 
 the cold sea-water that eflectually dispelled the influence of 
 the wine and thoroughly restored his equilibrium. 
 
 Then dressing again in a leisurely fashion, he made hi>^ 
 way back to the dinner and resumed his seat, feeling as fresh 
 and as bright as he ha<l done at the beginning of the feast. 
 
EL. 
 
 r be SLicli 
 
 ^htly, and 
 
 resist tl\c 
 
 le wine as 
 
 e, he kept 
 
 ,n to have 
 e over his 
 though he 
 
 c effect of 
 for having 
 ice how he 
 at last the 
 whispering 
 up fi'oni 
 
 lerc of the 
 ■eshing, yet 
 a tendency 
 to lose no 
 c hastened 
 ok a dip in 
 nrtuence of 
 
 le made hi^ 
 
 ling as fresh 
 
 the feast. 
 
 EXCITING TIMES AT FORT WR ANGEL. 
 
 '^ 1 '^ 
 
 He was not long there before he observed that Baranov 
 was acting in a way that showed a plunge in the brine 
 would be a e-ooJ thin^' for him also. The youno- Russian 
 had been imbibing pretty freely, alternating vodka with 
 champagne, and taking too much of each. Now he would 
 break out into a snatch of a song, and again he would 
 throw some taunting jest across the table, frequently 
 breaking out into noisy laughter apropos of nothing in 
 particular. 
 
 Soon after Rae bad seated himself he turned his atten- 
 tion upon him, and throwing his arm around his neck with 
 cthisive demonstrations, hiccujiped out, — 
 
 " You're a fine runner for a Britisher, but I can beat you 
 every time. I can give you lessons in running any day. 
 That's so, isn't it ? Eh ? you can't deny it ? " and he peered 
 eagerly into Bae's face. 
 
 Now it had been hard enough for the "Britisher" to 
 allow his opponent to win that race sim[)ly because his lieart 
 was too tender to inflict a defeat that would have been felt 
 so keenly, and to have his magnanimity turned against him 
 in this fashion tried his self-control sorely. Had the cham- 
 pagne still been in his head, he would prol)al)ly have made 
 some injudicious reply, that might have led on to a heated 
 discussion. But, thanks to the timely outing, he was able 
 to keep command over himself suflieiently to preserve silence 
 in the face of Baranov's taunts. 
 
 With this, however, the young man would not be con- 
 tent. He must needs have Kae acknowledge his inferiority 
 in so many words; and he repeated his boasts in a voice 
 
328 EXCITING TIMES AT FORT W RAN GEL. 
 
 of ascendiiiGj strength, until he was licard all over the 
 room, and the rest of the party turned to see what was the 
 matter. 
 
 Still Rac resolutely kept silence. He did not want to 
 flatly contradict Baranov, and yet he was not going to 
 stultify himself by assenting to what he well knew to he 
 untrue and unjust to his own powers. He felt sure he could 
 outrun the Russian at any distance, and he was not to be 
 intimidated into declaring the contrary. 
 
 As Baranov became increasingly aggressive, Rae moved 
 away from him, saying persuasively, — 
 
 " Oh, never mind, Baranov ; you beat me right enough 
 that time, and I'm quite satisfied." 
 
 But still Baranov was not satisfied. He must liave 
 nothing less than the open admission that he could beat hiui 
 at any time ; and staggering up from his seat he laid hold of 
 Rae, who had by this time also risen, and began to shake 
 him as though he would shake the withheld words out of 
 him. 
 
 Rae's patience had endured wonderfully, when his natural 
 quickness of temper was borne in mind, but the rudeness of 
 the Russian put quite too severe a strain upon it. 
 
 " Come now, Baranov," said he sharply, " you needn't do 
 that. I've said all that I'm going to say, and that's an end 
 of it," and with this he threw off the other's hands, and 
 made as though he would leave the I'oom. 
 
 Both the tone of voice and the action angered Baranov 
 still more, and crj-ing out, " No, sir, you don't leave this 
 room until you've said what I want you to say," he lurched 
 
^rEL. 
 
 EXCITING TIMES AT TORT WR ANGEL. 329 
 
 over the 
 it was tlie 
 
 3t want to 
 , going to 
 new to be 
 re he could 
 ; not to be 
 
 Ilae moved 
 
 n-ht enough 
 
 must have 
 
 lid beat him 
 
 laid hold of 
 
 m to shake 
 
 ords out of 
 
 [1 his natural 
 rudeness of 
 
 1 needn't do 
 lat's an end 
 hands, and 
 
 ed Baranov 
 't leave this 
 •," he lurched 
 
 forward, and laid liands ujwn Kac again, this time with a 
 much firmer grip. 
 
 Thorougidy roused, Ilae strove to free himself, and the 
 two swayed to and fro for the ^space of a minute, auiid the 
 applauding exclamations of the other guests, who all thought 
 it a good bit of fun, except Freckles, who, having his wits 
 about him better than they had, saw well enough that there 
 was less fun than earnest in the thing. 
 
 Under ordinary circumstances Ilae would have lieen no 
 match for Baranov at wrestling. He was younger, shorter, 
 and slighter ; but the Russian's partial intoxication prevented 
 him making the best of his advantages, and equalized mat- 
 ters, so that Ilae was able to hold his own against him 
 long enough to give him hopes of getting the best of the 
 wrestle. 
 
 Up to this point Baranov had been playing a fair enough 
 game, but the fear lest Rae sliould prove too much for him 
 aroused the devil in his spirit, and losing all care fur con- 
 sequences, he gave his unwilling antagonist a brutal kick on 
 the ankle, at the same time putting forth a .supreme cflbrt 
 to force him backward. 
 
 The cruel, cowardly trick succeeded only too well. Taken 
 completely by surprise, for he expected no such treachery, 
 hae lost his foothold, and was thrown backward, his fore- 
 head coming into violent contact with the edge of a heavy 
 chair, so as to inflict a serious wound near the right temple, 
 and to render him unconscious. 
 
 At the sight of his bleeding face. Freckles, all thought of 
 self or fear of men banished by passionate anxiety for the 
 
330 EXCITING TIMES AT FORT WR ANGEL. 
 
 friend he loved, sprang forward to raise liini up, crying out 
 wildly, — 
 
 " Ob ! you've killed liim, you brute ! You've killed Rae, 
 and it's all your fault." 
 
 Startled into comparative sobriety by the sight before 
 him, Ijaranov, resenting not Freckles's excited words, bent 
 forward to aid him in lifting the motionless form, but in so 
 doii:g lost his balance and toppled over beside him. Indeed 
 h" wo ' 1 have fallen across him but for a tierce push from 
 Freckles that warded him off. 
 
 \y thi vmc the connnander thought he had better in- 
 terpose, and with his assistance Rae was carried into one of 
 the bedrooms and placed upon a bed, where the blood was 
 tenderly washed from his face by Freckles, who would allow 
 no one else to touch him. 
 
 It was several minutes before Rae recovered conscious- 
 ness. The blow was a bad one, and would be a, cause of 
 su tiering for several days to come. Fort Wrangel did not 
 boast a doctor, but the commander had a medicine-chest, the 
 contents of which he knew how to use, and he promptly 
 came to the rescue with this, putting a plaster on, and bind- 
 ing up the wound with a degree of skill that was decidedly 
 to his credit. 
 
 The remainder of the nio'ht Freckles never left Rac's 
 side, nor closed his eyes, but was ever watchful to anticipate 
 and supply his slightest want, fanning his fevered face, 
 changing his pillows, bringing fresh cool water, and in fact 
 lining the part of a nurse with an afi'ectionate thoroughness 
 that left nothinq; undone. 
 
VGEL. 
 
 ), crying out 
 
 3 killed Rae, 
 
 sight before 
 words, Lent 
 11, Lilt in so 
 lim. Indeed 
 3 push from 
 
 id Letter in- 
 d into one of 
 le Llood was 
 I would allow- 
 ed conseious- 
 e a, cause of 
 inn-cl did not 
 inc-chest, the 
 he promptly 
 on, and Lind- 
 as decidedly 
 
 er left Pvac's 
 to anticipate 
 fevered face, 
 , and in fact 
 thorouGfhness 
 
 EXCITING TIMES AT TORT WRANGEL. 331 
 
 And for this service he asked no better reward than 
 when, as the dawn stole into the room, poor Rae, who had 
 been groaning with pain, paused for a moment to take his 
 lian^l, and to murnuir softly, " How good you are. Freckles. 
 You are making me feel Letter already." 
 
 Early in the morning Raranov made his appearance, 
 looking the very picture of shame and contrition. It was 
 not until sleep had restored to him the command of Ids 
 faculties that he realized what he had done, and he was 
 most sincerely sorry for it. 
 
 " I was a drunken fool last night, Rae," .said he, with 
 frank self-condemnation, "and deserve a taste of the knout 
 for my conduct ; and if you like," he added quite seriously, 
 ■' yoii can give it to me too when you're all right again. But 
 I'm really so sorr}^ and I hope you'll forgive me. You'll 
 never have reason to find fault with me again, I promise 
 you." 
 
 There was no mistaking the sincerity of Rae's forgive- 
 ness. Taking Baranov's extended hand he clasped it warmly 
 in his, saying heartily, '' That's all right, Baranov ; I don't 
 hear you the least Lit of a grudge. You didn't mean to liurt 
 me like this, I know, and we'll just try to forget aLout it." 
 
 Baranov looked as if he might cry, so deeply was he 
 moved Ly Rae's magnanimity; Lut Ly a mighty eflbrt ho 
 restrained himself, and said in a Lroken voice, — 
 
 "You're a good fellow, Rae, and I won't forget this, even 
 if you do. You'll sec if I don't try to make it up to you 
 some way." 
 
 Some day.s elapsed Leforc Rae was thoroughly himself 
 
2,T,2 EXCITING TIMES AT FORT WR ANGEL. 
 
 again, and in the meantime the schooner had been got ready 
 for the voyage to Sitka, and only waited for him to start. 
 
 Pleasant as the stay at Fort Wrangel had proved, barring 
 of course the dinner incident, Rae was very glad to bid tlie 
 place farewell. Without being able to explain to himself 
 just why, he cherished a hope almost amounting to a convic- 
 tion that at Sitka he would hear news of his father, if not 
 indeed be re-united to him. He was therefore impatient to 
 reach the place, and at least satisfy himself on this point if 
 he accomplished nothing else. 
 
 Baranov showed the sincerity of his contrition by insist- 
 ing upon Rae having the most comfortable berth in the 
 cabin, and the seat on the captain's right hand at the table. 
 Not only so, but he would have lavished gifts upon him had 
 Rae consented to receive them ; and as it w^as, he was fain 
 to accept a splendid dagger in a richly chased silver sheath, 
 and a superb seal-skin coat, trimmed with sea-otter, fit for 
 the back of a prince. 
 
 " You must at least take these," urged Baranov, " or I 
 won't be able to feel sure that you've really forgiven me." 
 
 And so Rae yielded, assuring the donor that he would 
 always keep them in pleasant remembrance of him. 
 
 In order to reach Sitka the schooner, rather than attempt 
 the outside passage, which would have been much shorter, 
 went up through Wrangel Narrows past Kuprianoft' Island, 
 whereon dwelt the Kakes who had been tauHit the danger 
 of meddling with Russian sailors, across the broad Frederick 
 Sound, and up still broader Chatham Strait, where the 
 shores on either side were hardly visible, into Peril Strait, 
 
^GEL. 
 
 EXCITING TIMES AT FORT U'RANGEL. 333 
 
 n got ready 
 L to start, 
 ved, barring 
 to Lid the 
 , to himself 
 to a convic- 
 ither, if nut 
 impatient to 
 this point if 
 
 )n by insist- 
 )erth in the 
 at the table. 
 pon him had 
 he was fain 
 ilver sheath, 
 -otter, fit for 
 
 •anov, "or I 
 •iven me." 
 
 I 
 
 at he would 
 lim. 
 
 ban attempt 
 nich shorter, 
 moft' Island, 
 the danger 
 id Frederick 
 where the 
 Peril Strait, 
 
 which bordered the nortli of the island on which Sitka 
 stood, and then down past Kruzoll' Island and many others 
 to Sitka itself. 
 
 It was a pleasant and prosperous voyage, with the ex- 
 ception of the passage of Peril Strait, where the schooner 
 had a tussle that forcibly reminded Kae of the thrilling 
 struggle the game little Plover had with the dreaded Yaculta 
 whirlpc^ol in the Seymour Narrows. 
 
 Peril Strait, rightly called by the Tingets Koo-la-tchika, 
 or " dangerous channel," had at its two narrowest parts tidal 
 rapids, that required to be encountered at slack water be- 
 tween tides in order to be easily managed. 
 
 The schooner got to the first rapid in good time, and 
 passed through with such little difficult}'' that the captain 
 was not so careful as he ouoht to have been at the second. 
 Moreover, he was anxious to get through before nightfall, 
 and. so, although the tide had turned, and w^as already run- 
 ning out when he reached the second or southern rapid, he 
 determined to make the venture. 
 
 No sooner had the schooner got into the full power of 
 the current, however, than he regretted his rashness ; but it 
 was too late to withdraw. 
 
 At its narrowest part the channel was barely one hundred 
 yards in width, and strewn with sunken rocks, over which 
 the tide rushed roaring at the rate of ten knots an hour. 
 The sails of course counted for nothinoj under these circum- 
 stances, and flapped uselessly at the masts, as the vessel, borne 
 along swiftly by a power mighty enough to master a colossal 
 ironclad, tossed upon the boiling waves like a bit of wood. 
 
334 EXCITIXG TIMES AT FORT JVRAXGEL. 
 
 The pcriloiisncss of tlieir situation soon became nuinifest 
 to all on board, and there beinic nothini^ to do but to await 
 the issue, they i,'athered amidships, now watching the cap- 
 tain at the wheel with looks of deep concern, and now 
 glancing anxiously ahead at the dangers that threatened 
 so thickly. 
 
 The captain, concealing his regret for having attempted 
 the passage then, stood at the stern as calmly as though they 
 were in the open sea, keeping a keen look-out forward, and 
 spinning the wheel around this way or that, according to the 
 need of the moment. 
 
 With startling speed the schooner was swept on for mile 
 after mile, now passing a menacing rock so closely that even 
 the captain trembled for the moment, and now dancing gaily 
 in the middle of the flood, with plenty of room on either side. 
 
 There were no less than eio'ht miles of this harrowinif 
 navicjation, and althoufjli the actual time taken was less 
 than an hour, it seemed to Rae as if it w^ould never be over. 
 
 At length the channel began to widen, and the .spirits of 
 those on board the schooner to rise. They could already see 
 smoother water not far ahead ; and Rae, who had been in 
 the bow, coming back to the stern where Baranov stood 
 near the captain, had just said in a relieved tone, " We'll 
 soon be through. See, that's where the rapids end," point- 
 inof to where there was no more foam and the water seemed 
 comparatively at rest, when, with a shock that sent a shud- 
 der through every one on board, the schooner struck one of 
 the sunken rocks, and hung quivering upon it, while tlic 
 wild waters foamed fiercely about her. 
 
\'GEL. 
 
 tne Hi an if est 
 lut to await 
 ng the cap- 
 1, and now 
 ; threatened 
 
 g attempted 
 though they 
 forward, ami 
 :)rding to the 
 
 t on for mile 
 gly that even 
 lancing gaily 
 in either side, 
 is harrowing 
 :en was less 
 ever be over, 
 the spirits of 
 d already see 
 had been in 
 aranov stood 
 tone, "We'll 
 5 end," point- 
 water seemed 
 sent a shud- 
 s truck one of 
 it, while the 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 THE HOME OF THE FUR SEAL. 
 
 ^^HE shock of the schooner striking threw many of 
 J- those on board off their feet, including Rac and 
 Bamnov; but they were all up again at once, looking this 
 way and that with anxious, excited faces. 
 
 Was the vessel stuck fast, or would she free herself? 
 and if she did, was slie so severely injured as to be unsea- 
 worthy? These were the questions the men asked one 
 another, but no one could answer. 
 
 Rocking and trembling in the turbulent current the 
 schooner kept her place for perhaps the space of three 
 mmutes, and then with a wrench, caused by the stern 
 swinging round, tore herself free, and rr. umed her onward 
 course amid the glad shouts of her crew. 
 
 Down into the hold went a coupk- of the men, and their 
 report was awaited with keen anxiety. Presently they came 
 1'ack announcing that the vessel was making very little 
 water, and had not apparently sud'erod much damage. As 
 a matter of fact, thanks to the honest solidity of h.T build 
 slie had only lost her forefoot, and beyond the slight strain- 
 

 5^' 
 
 r//E HOME OF TTIE FUR SEAL, 
 
 
 ing apart of licr lowest .scam, was none tlie worse for her 
 Ituinpinc,^ on the rocks. 
 
 Thenceforward tlic rapids presented no further difliculty, 
 and the captain succeeded, ere darkness fell, 'nding a 
 snug little cove wherein to anchor for the night, as he did 
 not care to run the risk of making his way without the aid 
 of full daylight in those dangerous ^vaters. 
 
 After escaping from Peril Strait, there was a maze of 
 islands that sprinkled the strait between Kruzof Island and 
 Sitka to be cautiously threaded ; and then at last, just before 
 sunset, the capital of the then llussian Provinc of Alaska 
 was reached, and the loud report of the nine-por ider carried 
 in the bow annotuiced the successful termii r *on of the 
 voyage. 
 
 The first thiiiL!- that caucrht Pae's attentic^ was the great 
 castle built upon the rocky eminence that conniict.. ^ r'\ the 
 town and liarbour, and which seemed to Pae, although it 
 was only a wooden structure, imposing as it certainly ap- 
 peared, a magnificent monument of human power. 
 
 " Why, what is that?" ho asked, breathless with admira- 
 tion as its lofty walls of mighty logs and towering bastions 
 bri.stling with car.non came fully into view. "Is that your 
 fort?" 
 
 Paranov's nostrils expanded with pride, and he drew 
 himself up to his full height as he replied, — 
 
 "My grandfather built that. It M'as his castle. He con- 
 quered this country for Russia, and he was commander here 
 for many years." 
 
 The young Russian spoke truly. Although he had made 
 
THE HOME OF THE FIR SEAL. 
 
 3.^7 
 
 irsc fur her 
 
 ^(liniculty, 
 
 "nding a 
 
 it, as he di'l 
 
 lout the aid 
 
 ^ a maze of 
 Island antl 
 t, jiisthcfovc 
 of Alaska 
 [• idcr cari'ioil 
 ? "on of tlie 
 
 .vas the gveat 
 
 althou'^h it 
 certainly np- 
 
 er. 
 
 ^Yith aduiiva- 
 ring bastions 
 Is that your 
 
 and he drew 
 
 stlo. He cou- 
 iiimander here 
 
 1 he had made 
 
 no boast of it hitlievto, ho was the grandson of the famous 
 Alexander IJaranov who, in the beginning ol" the century, 
 bad hy his reckless daring and tremendous energy taught 
 the Koloshian Indians to respect Iiussian rule, and had 
 lived amongst them in princely state, exercising an almost 
 supreme authority over Europeans and Indians alike. 
 
 In spite of the memory of many wild doings nttr:ehed to 
 his name, the grandson had good reason to be proud of it ; 
 and having kept silence liithcrto on this point, he now 
 indulged himself in a glowing account of the deeds of his 
 ancestor that found in liae and Freckles as sympathetic and 
 delighted an audience as he could possibly Mish. 
 
 The elder Ilaranov had evidently been a hero after Uae's 
 own heart, for though small in stature, lie was possessed 
 of miusual musculai' strength and physical endurance. He 
 was absolutely rearless, and never allowed any obstacle, no 
 matter how serious, to turn him aside from his chosen 
 purpose. 
 
 The Koloshian Indians having, during his absence, de- 
 stroyed a strong post that he had established to the north- 
 ward of Sitka, he, on h!s return, gathered together all liis 
 forces, which comprised some two score Paissians and three 
 hundred Aleutian sea-otter hunters, and in three small sloops 
 set out to attack Sitka, then the Indian stronghold, nothinir 
 daunted by the fact that he had to reckon with a body of 
 not less than five thousand sava^'es, fierce and flushed with 
 tlieir recent success, and ready for fresh blood and rapine. 
 
 He found his foes intrenched behind a hucce stockade 
 thrown up on the same lofty height where he subse(|uently 
 
33^ 
 
 THE HOME OF THE FUR SEAL. 
 
 M':< 
 
 bnilt liis own castle, from the apjtarcnt security of wliieh 
 they reviled liiin and taunted him with his recent mis- 
 i'ortunes. But tliey soon were made to eat their own words. 
 
 The cannon on l)oard the sloops splintered the stockade, 
 and, led by Baranov, whose immunity from hurt seemed to 
 make him hear a charmed life, the Biussians and Aleuts 
 charged dauntlessly again and again until the defenders of 
 the citadel fled in dismay, and the victory was complete. 
 
 As Rac looked admiringly about him, he fi'lt that it was 
 a victory well worth winning. Sitka was now in the heiirht 
 of its glory under the llussians, and when in company with 
 Baranov he went ashore and '• did the lions " of the place, 
 lie felt disposed to thaidv Providence for having brought 
 him thither even by so devious and strange a course. 
 
 The houses of Sitka were of a size and stvle far sur- 
 passing ai\ything ho had ever seen before. For the sake of 
 self-protection and comfort, the Russians, instead of living 
 in separate dwellings, had built large apartment houses or 
 flats, some of which wovg not less tlian one hundred and 
 fifty feet in length by eighty in depth, and three stories 
 high, with huge attic roofs. They were constructeil of big 
 spruce logs, snugly dove-tailed at the corners, and the roofs 
 were covered with sheet-iron. The walls were painted a 
 faint lemon colour, and the iron roofs glowed with red 
 ochre. Tlie windows were small, but fitted neatly with 
 tasteful casements, and had double sashes. 
 
 Within, the floors were laid of planks tongued and 
 grooved by hand and highly polished, the imier wnlls 
 were " ceiled up " on all sides and pajiered showily, and the 
 
THE HOME OE THE J'CR SEAL. 
 
 339 
 
 cccnt iiiis- 
 )\vn ^vovl:ls. 
 3 stockade, 
 ; sccine<l to 
 111(1 Alcnts 
 C'fcnders of 
 impk'to. 
 tliat it ^vas 
 I tlie height 
 npany ^vith 
 f the place, 
 no- Iji-oudit 
 
 arse. 
 
 ;vle far snr- 
 the sake of 
 
 [1(1 of livhig 
 
 it houses or 
 \i mired and 
 rec stories 
 icted of hig 
 nd the roofs 
 e painted a 
 m1 \vith red 
 neatly with 
 
 ongned and 
 
 imier ^valls 
 
 ;ily, and tlio 
 
 ;n 
 
 lieavy Iliissian furniture stood upon rugs of wool and fur 
 that gave a delightfully rich eli'ect to tluj rooms, Avhcrein, 
 let the outside weather be as boisterous and l>itt(-'r as it 
 might, the occupants could lead lives of entire physical 
 couifort. 
 
 All this was very new to llae, ami so also was the 
 lavishly decorated church where the Greek Catholic IJishop 
 of Alaska, aided by a large stati' of priests and deacons, 
 conducted service with a degree of ecclesiastical pomp and 
 splendour strangely contrasted to the savage wilderness that 
 hdiiied his bish(jpric. And then there were the shipyard, 
 as complete as any similar estal)lishment in the Russian 
 empire, and the l)rickyard, anil the wood-turning shop, and 
 the woollen mills, and the iron foundrv, where lielis for the 
 mission chapels were cast, and ploughshares and other 
 ac-ricultural inndcments. 
 
 It seemed to Rae, as he accompanied Earanov from one 
 establishment to another, that theie was no ead to the 
 marvels of Sitka, and again and again he exclaimed in his 
 own hearty way, — 
 
 "IbiWgladl am that yon brought nie here ! I've read 
 about places like this, an<l fntlur has told me something 
 about them, Init now I am seeing them for myself, and it is 
 just splendid." 
 
 lint it was when they went up to the casth-, then in its 
 halcyon days of splendoui-, that the highest point (jf his 
 enthusiasm was reached. Here indeed was a fort that real- 
 ized his ideal. lUiilt upon the solid rcjck, with precipices all 
 round, and conuuanding an unbroken sweep of sea and land ; 
 
340 
 
 THE HOME OE THE EUR SEAL. 
 
 constructed so strongly tliat its Liittleuicnts endure to this 
 day in spite of the ravages of decay and vandal hands ; de- 
 fended by rows of shining brass cannon, and garrisoned by 
 scores of stalwart men, it wanted nothing in his eyes, and 
 almost unconsciously he murmured, — 
 
 "I wish Fort Camosun were like T ' . Why can't we 
 liave thino;s as fine as the Russians ? " 
 
 If Rao enjoyed seeing all these things, Baranov found 
 har<lly less enjoyment in showing them. Ele was full of 
 pride and pleasure on more than one account. There were 
 his family connection with the place, his patriotic interest 
 in it, and his delight in hearing that it so far surpassed any 
 of the establishments of the great Hudson Bay Company 
 on the western coast. He never appeared to more advan- 
 tage than in doing the honours of the place, and Rae iVlt 
 himself to be greatly favoured of fortune in having such a 
 cicerone. 
 
 The following evening after their arrival Baranov and 
 Rac, together with the captain of the schooner, were in\itod 
 to diimer at the castle. Pvae's own clothes were altogether 
 too weather-worn to be suitable fur such an occasion, so lie 
 was fain to accept his friend's urgent oti'cr of an outfit from 
 his own ample wardrolie. They were of course a little large, 
 but in every otlier respect they met the boy's need, and he 
 felt quite at ease on that point when they presented them- 
 selves before the governor, where their reception was ex- 
 ceedingly cordial, and Rae soon lost all uncomfortable senso 
 of strangeness. 
 
 Splendid as the banquet at Fort Wrangel had secmeil to 
 
THE HOME OF THE EUK SEAL. 
 
 341 
 
 1.(1 seemed t^ 
 
 Rae, this one as far surpassed it as that liad done the best 
 of M'liich Fort Caiiiosun was capable. Magniticeiit gold and 
 silver plate, glittering cut glass, precious china, and sump- 
 tuous damask adorned the table, and the viands were m ell 
 worthy of the elegance wilh which they were served. 
 
 Mindful of his experience at Fort Wrangvl, Kae confined 
 himself rigidly to cold water and coil'ee ; and Baranov, while 
 he did not let the champagne go by him untouched, took 
 care tliat only a moderate quantity passed his lips. There 
 was plenty of speech, song, and story after the cloth -was 
 removed ; and although liae could understand but little of 
 it, still the atmosphere of good fellowship was sutliciently 
 enjoyable in itself. 
 
 Kot only the governor but many of his subordinates 
 could speak the English language freely, and Uae found it 
 easy to maintain conversation with them, so that in this 
 respect he was much better off than he had been at the Fort 
 Wrangel ban(|uet. 
 
 Altogether lie had wdiat he considered a right royal time, 
 the only cloud upon his enjoyment of it being the regret 
 that his father was not sharing it with him. 
 
 As he looked alonnr the row of faces that lined the table, 
 ho saw some that were certainly very handsome, but there 
 were none that in his opinion could outshine his father's, 
 and he pictured to himself how the stalwart factor of Fort 
 Camosun would hold his own among these men, who were 
 as a rule of a much shorter, heavier build and less refined 
 cast of countenance. 
 
 It was during the dinner that T^aranov learned of somo 
 
342 
 
 THE HOME OF THE FUR SEAL. 
 
 vessels beini^" about to start for the islands upon which the 
 famous fur seals were hunted, and the moment he heard of 
 it he determined to accompany them. 
 
 " Wouldn't you like to go too ? " he srdd to Rae. " You'd 
 better come along ; you may never get the chance again in 
 your life, and it would be a pity to miss it. It's a great 
 place to see ; " and then he went on to tell about the won- 
 derful Pribylov Islands, and the innumerable multitudes of 
 seals that resorted thither in the sunmier time. 
 
 Rae listened with eager interest, and the more he heard 
 the more anxious he became to go. The only thing that 
 made him hesitate was the possibility of his father coming 
 on to Sitka during his absence ; but Baranov removed this 
 difficulty by saying that word could be left for ]\Ir. Finlay- 
 son, and if he did turn up he could follow on to the islands 
 also, and make the extra trip pay for itself by securing a 
 lot of seal and sea-otter skins for the Company. 
 
 This seemed to Rae so reasonable that he made no fur- 
 ther objection, and Baranov, evidently much pleased, said, — 
 
 " That's right ; you're a sensible fellow, and you'll never 
 regret going up there, I know." 
 
 Having much influence at Sitka because of his fjimily 
 connection with its history, Baranov had little ditFieulty in 
 arranging for Rae and Freckles to accompany himself on 
 board one of the schooners bound for the Pril»ylov Islands ; 
 and after a couple more days at the Alaskan capital, they 
 all set oft' again, with their course this time set almost due 
 west. 
 
 In order to reach the home of the fur seal it was neccs- 
 
THE HOME OF THE FUR SEAL. 
 
 43 
 
 04 v) 
 
 which tlio 
 3 heard oi: 
 
 3. " YoiiM 
 ce again in 
 It's a great 
 it the won- 
 alti tildes of 
 
 re he heard 
 thing that 
 ther coming 
 L3nioved this 
 :Mr. Finlay- 
 D the ishmds 
 securing a 
 
 ade no fur- 
 ased, said, — 
 you'll never 
 
 f liis family 
 dilhculty in 
 himself on 
 ^dov Islands ; 
 capital, they 
 it almost due 
 
 it was neces- 
 
 sary to voyage away out into the ocean and around the far 
 projecting chain of the Alaskan Islands, and it was nut by 
 any means all easy sailing. There were enshrouding fogs 
 to be passed through, provoking heail-winds to be struggled 
 against, and confusing currents to be taken into account. 
 
 But the captain of the schooner was a veteran navigator 
 in these waters, and no fog or current could throw him out 
 of Ills reckoning, nor head-winds bailie him in ultimately 
 making the point he aimed at ; and so in good time he 
 ])rought his schooner safely to the island of St. Taul, the 
 largest and most important of the Prilyluv gKjup. 
 
 On the voyage, Kae learned a great deal about these 
 islands — how they were discovered by a rugged ]\Iuscovite 
 "stoorman," a ship's mate, named Gerassim Pribylov, who, 
 on the strength of a story told him by an old Aleutian 
 " sharman " at Oonaliska of some mysterious islands hidden 
 in the heart of the Behring Sea, where sea-otters and seals 
 resorted in countless numbers, had spent three years in 
 patient persistent search for them; and at last, in July 
 1780, his old sloop ran up against the walls of Tolstoi JMees 
 at St. Georn'c's, and thouuh the fog was so thick that he 
 could scarce see the length of his vessel, his ears were re- 
 galed by the glad nuisic of the seal rookeries wafted out 
 to him on the heavy air. He knew then that he had found 
 the object of his search, and he at once took possession of 
 the island on behalf of the Russians. 
 
 His discovery was soon made public, and scores of 
 schooners had followed in the wake of his own until the 
 poor seals were in serious danger of extinction. Then came 
 
344 
 
 riiE HOME OF THE fur seal. 
 
 on the scene tlie great Russian- American Company, wliicli 
 took tlie whole seal-hunting business into its own hands, 
 and in whose service Baranov was employed at Sitka. 
 
 There was no such thing as a safe harbour at the Priby- 
 lov Islands, and the captain of the schooner had to feel his 
 way cautiously through the fog that nine days out of ten 
 enshrouded the islands all snmmer lonir, until the boom of 
 the breakers, and the stran^je niiii":liii2: of roars and barks 
 and cries given forth by the seal herd on the rookeries, ad- 
 vised him of the nearness of liis destination. 
 
 It chanced that just before coining to anchor the fog 
 broke away, and gave Kae a chance to see something of the 
 strange place to which he had come. 
 
 The schooner had made her way into the cove in front 
 of the village of St. Paul, if such miserable dwellings as 
 were irregularly scattered along the shore could be called a 
 village, the most of them being sod-walled and dirt-roofed 
 structures partly nndcr ground, called by the native inhabit- 
 ants " barrabkies." 
 
 When Rae landed with Baranov and looked into one of 
 these places, he had no desire to repeat the visit. It was 
 dark, damp, and lilthy beyond description, the use of seal- 
 fat for fuel having caused a deposit upon everything within 
 doors of a thick coat of greasy soot strongly impregnated 
 with an intolerably oll'ensive odour. 
 
 The people themselves were no more attractive tlum 
 their abodes, being short and square of stature, and ugly of 
 feature, and having the appearance of never having washed 
 for many years. 
 
THE HOME OF THE EUR SEAL. 
 
 .545 
 
 Lut it was neither the vill.aijje nor its inhjihitants that 
 
 CD 
 
 Rao had come to see ; it was the seals, whose rookeries 
 stretched alon<:j ahnost the whole southern shore of the 
 island, and who were now in full occupation of Loth '• haul- 
 iuLT-o-rounds " and " breedinf^-^rounds." 
 
 There was a small rookery a little to the north of the 
 village called Lai^oon, Lut on the advice of a veteran seal- 
 hunter they kept on to Tolstoi, still farther north, Letween 
 which and Zapadnio the wonders of seal life could l)e oL- 
 served in every detail. 
 
 During the stay of the schooner, Rae and Freckles paid 
 many visits to this place, and yet saw sometliing novel and 
 interesting every time, until they came to regard the fur 
 seal as one of the marvels of creation. 
 
 '■ 1 cannot tell you how thankful I am to you for Lring- 
 iug me up here," said Rao to Earanov at the close of their 
 tu'st day's .sight-seeing. "I could never have Lelieved all 
 this without seeing it with my own eye.s." 
 
 The island of St. Paul, upon which they now were, was 
 l)ut a small place, Leing a trifle over thirteen miles in length, 
 east and west, and aLout six and a quarter in greatest width, 
 north and south. Yet it was the resort of millions of seals, 
 who crowded its sandy Leaches and rocky ledges in nudti- 
 tudes no man could nundjcr. 
 
 For the fir.st time in his life Rae saw the famous fur 
 seal, the most eagerly sought after of all amphiLious animals, 
 and it was little wonder if their ways and manners filled 
 liiin with amazement. 
 
 h\ the midst of the })erpetual surf that Leat upon the 
 
34^' 
 
 THE HOME OE THE EUR SEAL. 
 
 island were the vouncc seals learniiiu' to swim and steer in 
 tlie Ijoisterous water; for, strange as it may seem, a bal>y- 
 seal knows no more how to swim at first than a human bul)\- 
 does how to M'alk, and it has patiently to practise before it 
 becomes at home in the deep. 
 
 There were also tinnblin<:j about in the surf to their own 
 manifest enjoyment great numbers of the " holluschickie," as 
 they are called by the natives — the bachelor seals, \\ho had 
 not yet risen to the dignity of being the heads of families ; 
 for in the seal connnunity the males must reach the age of 
 six or seven years before they can talce unto themselves 
 wives. 
 
 The female seals were pretty, graceful creatures, from 
 four to four and a half feet in lenixth, with little elastic 
 forms and well-shaped heads, from which looked out large 
 lustrous eyes, humid and suft wdth a wonderfully tender 
 expression. 
 
 As they gambolled about in the water, or drew them- 
 selves up on land, bleating softly for their cubs when they 
 were prepared to nurse, after being away to get their own 
 food, there was somethino- so sweet and feminine in their 
 whole appearance that Kac's heart went out to them ; ami 
 turning to Baranov he exclaimed, in a tone of anticipatory 
 indignation, for he did not yet k'now the methods of the 
 fur-seal hunter, — 
 
 " And do you mean to say that they kill those beautiful 
 creatures for the sake of their skins ? " 
 
 Baranov laughed at his emphatic question. 
 
 "Why, no," he replied; "those arc the 'matkah' — the 
 
rilE HOME OF THE FUR SEAL. 
 
 347 
 
 iiatkah '—the 
 
 iiiotlicrs. They are never kill<Ml. If thoy were, there would 
 soon be no more seals. Only the holluschiekie are killed, as 
 111 show you before we cjo awav." 
 
 " Well, 1 am i;lad to hear it," responded liae ; " for if 
 I thought that such lovely creatures had to be killed to 
 make that splendid coat you were so good as to give me, 
 I am sure I could not take any pleasure in wearing it." 
 
 Baranov smiled in a superior way, for such a range of 
 sympathy seemed to him a sign of weakness which he would 
 not care to confess. 
 
 " Oh, 3'ou needn't be anxious on that account. There's 
 not a matkah skin in your coat. It's prime holluschiekie 
 every inch of it." 
 
 The antics and contortions of the seals in the surf were 
 exceedingly amusing, and the boys could have watched them 
 for hours. 
 
 The best swimmers were the young bachelors, and the 
 gracefid unconcern with which they would sport safely in, 
 among, and under the b(M:)ming breakers was fascinating 
 beyond description. It would seem us if at any moment 
 tlie mighty billows must in their lierce convulsions dash 
 tlie darino- creatures, stunne<l an<l lifeless, against the cruel 
 boulders which lined the beach. But nothing of the kind 
 oceiuTcd. Through the wihb^st and most ungovernable 
 moods of the storm-tossed waters — for calms are unknown 
 at the Pribvlov Islands, and it is ineessfiiitlv blowing; hard 
 from one quarter or ant)ther — these accomplished amphibians 
 would amuse themselves gambolling in the seethiuLC creamy 
 wake of the tremendous rollers which constantly broke over 
 
148 
 
 THE HOME OF THE FUR SEAL 
 
 tlicir ulert dodginc^ heads. The swift siicccediiic,^ Wtaves 
 seemed every instant to poise tliem at the very veri^e of 
 death ; but, exultini,^ in their own skill and stren^'tli, tlicy 
 hafiO defiance to the wrathful deep, and continued tluir 
 diversions. 
 
 "Oh, if I could only swim as they can!" sighed Rae, 
 after watching their pcrforinancc in silent admiration for 
 some time. " I don't think I'd choose such rough water 
 for my fun ; hut it would he splendid, wouldn't it, Frockl<\s, 
 to he ahle to tundjle ahout in that way and never hurt 
 yourself ;* " 
 
 All this time, as they stood upon an elevated rocky point 
 which o-ave them a clear outlook in every direction, their 
 ears had been filled with the ceaseless roaring that came u[i 
 from the rookeries, where the old liuUs or "seecatchie" were 
 incessantly fighting for the possession of a l)it of ground, or 
 the company of the females. 
 
 Wonderful as the scene in the surf had been, this was 
 even more extraordinary. Spread over many acres of sand on 
 hard-packed earth were thousands upon thousands of huge 
 bulls, each having his own little plot and his own grouj) of 
 wives, and each apparently tr3'ing to make more noise and 
 more of a disturbance generally than his neighbour. 
 
 They were all big brutes of ^ellows, that presented a 
 striking contrast to the meek, graceful, pretty females at 
 their side, or to the jaunty, handsome bachelors out on the 
 surf. They had been on the ground since the spring, hoM- 
 ing their own airainst the attacks of the bachelors ambitious 
 for family privileges, and now from nuich fighting and long 
 
 ii 
 
TnR iFoyrE of tiie fur seal 
 
 349 
 
 fasting were reduced to a pliysical condition tliat was posi- 
 tively disrei)ntal)le. 
 
 A couple of months before, tliev had cnioru'ed from the 
 ocean depths the very pictures of plethoric sleekness, the 
 true aldermen of the sea. Measuring from six to seven feet 
 in leno-th, and weiii-hinn' from four hundred to six hundred 
 potuiils, they had emerged from the boisterous brine and 
 stepped upon the beach (for their way of pi-ogression by 
 their fore-llippers may ([uito properly be called " st('p})iug "), 
 carrying their small, well-shaped heads high in the air, and, 
 looking about them with their large, bluish-hazel eyes, had 
 selected locations upon which to take up family life. 
 
 Then had pandemonium set in. Every hour of the day 
 an 1 ni<j-]it brou<dit fresh arrivals, who either challeui'-ed 
 those nearest the water for their plots, or sought to force 
 their way throui-h their close-set ranks in order to secure 
 places in their rear. In either case they had had to fight 
 for their object, and these fights were no trilling affairs, 
 liae saw many of them during his stay at St. Paul's, and 
 tliey made him wonder how creatures could be constructed 
 to survive such terrible maulings as they gave and received. 
 
 The fio-htinix was done entirely with the mouth. The 
 two opponents wouhl approach each other with heads 
 averted in a comical fashion, just as though they felt nearly 
 ashamed of the tumult they were about to make. When 
 they got M'ithin striking distance they began a series of 
 passes or feints, which their long powerful necks enabled 
 them to make with -wonderful quickness. Their heads were 
 darted out and drawn back as quick as a flasli, now in this 
 
 fj 
 
35° 
 
 THE IlO}rE OF THE FCR SEAL. 
 
 direction aivl now in that, tlio one attackinc^, the other 
 parryiiiL,^ or dodging; for in tliese duels one combatant ■\vas 
 always on the oU'ensive and the other on tlie defensive. 
 
 In the meantime, tlieir hoarse roaring and shrill piping 
 whistle filled the air, while their fat bodies Avrithcd and 
 swelled with rage and energy, and their eyes flaslied furi- 
 ously. 
 
 At length one would get a grip with his teeth on the 
 other's flipper or shoulder, and they would close in a tierce 
 wrestling match, the bitten one striving to shake oil' his 
 opponent, and the latter holding on with merciless rigour 
 until his sharp canines tore out a deep gutter in the former's 
 skin, or shred the flipper into ribl>on strips. 
 
 The blood would stream down from the horrid wounds 
 inflicted, and moans of agony would take the place of the 
 roars of rage ; and at last the defeated duellist would draLj 
 himself painfully away, while the victor, content with his 
 conquest, instead of following liim np, would sink com- 
 placently back with a curious chuckle of satisfaction, 
 and proceed to fan his fevered head with one of his hind- 
 flippers. 
 
 At first when he saw these conflicts, Lae ^^a- str<.ngly 
 tempted to interfere, just as ho i were t-'o dogs 
 
 fighting, the big seals seemed so u rminod to kill one 
 another. 
 
 But Baranov laughed at his concern, and he soon saw 
 the utter futility of playing the part of peacemaker where 
 a thousand such fights were taking place every hour. 
 
 He did, however, venture to interfere once, and then ha ' 
 
THE HOME OF THE Ei'R SEAL. 
 
 351 
 
 tlio other 
 )atant was 
 isive. 
 
 rill pipini,' 
 fitbcd and 
 islietl fiui- 
 
 utli on tlie 
 in a tierce 
 ake oil' liis 
 iless rigovn- 
 dIic former's 
 
 :ri(-l wounds 
 )laco of tlie 
 wouM drag 
 lit with his 
 sink com- 
 atisfaction, 
 Df his hind- 
 
 ..,, .tri.ngly 
 t-o dogs 
 to Kill one 
 
 ic soon saw 
 
 naker where 
 
 hour. 
 
 ,nd then had 
 
 an experience that eHectually taught him the wisdom of 
 nunding his own hu^'ness. 
 
 One morning, wh -n he was standing in company with 
 BaraiKjv and Freckles up(jn a rocky point that overlooked 
 one of the rookeries, and they were all three watching the 
 extraordinary mingling of motion and noise at their feet, 
 a very prettily-shaped " cow " emerged from the water just 
 at the spot occupied by a burly seecateliie, who coaxed her 
 to his harem by a medlev of chucklim:, whistlin<j, and roar- 
 ing that was excessively anuis'.ng to the human spectators, 
 and successful in eflecting its object. 
 
 But she had hardly settled down upon the smooth rock 
 which constituted her lord's domain than an adjacent bull, 
 no doubt inspired by the special charms of the graceful 
 creature, reached across from his stati(jn and seized lier with 
 his mouth at the nape of the neck, just as a cat would lift a 
 kitten. 
 
 At the same instant the first bull turned just in time to 
 catch her in his teeth by the back, a little above the rear 
 flippers. 
 
 Then was the poor innocent thing lifted into the air 
 between the infuriated brutes, who tugged in opposite direc- 
 tions, until Rao could no longer control his impulse to inter- 
 fere, and, springing down to the cow's rescue, he gave each 
 of the bulls a sharp blow on the nose with a stout stick he 
 happened to have in his hand. 
 
 So far as the cow was concerned his interference was a 
 brilliant success, for both the rivals let go of her instantly, 
 and she slid back to her place not much injured. But Rao 
 
 (478) 22 
 
3.V 
 
 THE HOME OE THE EUR SEAL. 
 
 Ccamc very near sufferin;^' in licr stead in a wixy tluit in liis 
 syinpathctic haste he had not reckoned upon. 
 
 Just as lie delivered the second blow his feet slipped on 
 the slime that covered the rock, and down he went right 
 between the two enraged monsters, wlio, qnite forgetting the 
 bewitching cause of their conllict, now turned their whole 
 attention upon the boy who had so rashly ventured to inter- 
 meddle in their domestic affairs. 
 
 The moment Rae tried to regain his feet one of them 
 promptly knocked liim down, and tlic other stood over him 
 Avith gleaming teeth displaj^ed in a most terrifying fashion. 
 
 " Lie still, Rae ! Don't try to move, or they'll kill you 
 between them," shouted Baranov, as, with Fr(}ckles at his 
 heels, he rushed to Rae's rescue, his blanched countenance 
 showing how grave he considered the boy's peril tv) be. 
 
that in his 
 
 slippci.l on 
 went riiiht 
 ■o-ettin2: the 
 
 n 
 
 bheir whole 
 cd to inter- 
 ne of them 
 j(l over hiui 
 q;^ fasliion. 
 ^'11 kill you 
 ckles at his 
 conntenancc 
 . to be. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 TTTE WAYS AXD MANNERS OF THE SEAL. 
 
 A A 7'tIEN Rao found himself at the mercy of the two 
 V V furious seecatchie, lie was no less surprised than 
 scared. He had never imagined that he liad anything to 
 fear from them, taking it for granted that he could spring 
 out of their way M'ith the utmost ease. 
 
 But, instead of being able to do so, ho could not even get 
 upon his feet. Within the reach of their long, powerful 
 necks they were as agile as punthers, and met every move 
 he attempted to make with their bewhiskered heads, whoso 
 long white teeth could inflict such frarful woun.ls. 
 
 Happily neither of them succeeded in getting his teeth 
 into Rae's tlesh, although nuG caught the sleeve of his jacket 
 and tore it ofl' at the shoulder; and before anything' worse 
 could happen, Raraiiov and Freckles were at hand. 
 
 They also carried stout sticks, and each taking one of 
 the bulls, plied him so vigorously with blows that both were 
 fain to beat a prompt retreat, roaring and whistling in sullen 
 rage. 
 
 When Rac picked himself up, he presented such a sorry 
 spectacle that the other two could not keep back their 
 
354 THE \VA YS /L\D MANNERS OE THE SEAL. 
 
 laiit'-litcr : and, rccon'niziiiGj the humour of the situation, ho 
 had tlie good sense to join in the mirth. 
 
 Altliougli in reality none tlie worse save for a bruise or 
 two, ho looked as if he ought to be sent to liospital. He 
 was daubed all over with the slime of the rookerv, and, 
 moreover, liad been liberally spattered M'ith Ijlood from the 
 wounds the bulls had inHicted on the "cow" before he had 
 taken a hand in the affair. 
 
 "Are you badly liurt, Rae ? " inquired Baranov, with 
 sincere concern in his voice, so soon as lie could get it steady 
 enough to speak. " They've given you a pretty rough 
 liandling." 
 
 "Not a bit," replied Rae, giving himself a good shake to 
 make sure there were no bones broken ; " they've only dirtied 
 me up a lot, that's all. I must liurry back to the schooner 
 and clean up." 
 
 Freckles, still seemingly anxious, took hold of the arm 
 from which the sleeve had been torn, and passed his liand 
 over it tenderly. 
 
 " Are you all right here ? " he asked. " I was nfraid that 
 big brute was going to hurt you dreadfully." 
 
 " He's spoiled my shirt, Freckles," answered llae, looking 
 ruefully at the torn garment, "and it's one of the best Fve 
 got ; but I ought to be thankful at getting oil' so easily. I 
 never thought those creatures could be so (piick. I tell you 
 I'll have more respect for them after this," 
 
 They all returned to the schooner, where Rae put on 
 some clean clothes and had his bruises looked after, and then 
 felt ready for a fresh adventure. 
 
SEAL. 
 tiiation, lie 
 
 a bruise or 
 .pitcal. He 
 jkery, and, 
 1(1 from tlie 
 'ore lie had 
 
 •anov, with 
 ;ct it steady 
 L-etty rough 
 
 )od shake to 
 only dirtied 
 he schooner 
 
 of the arm 
 ed his hand 
 
 s afraid that 
 
 llae, looking 
 
 die hest Tve 
 
 so easily. I 
 
 . 1 tell you 
 
 "Rae put on 
 ;ter, and then 
 
 THE WAYS AXD JELYYEA'S OE THE SEAE 355 
 
 No mishap ever daunted his spirit. In the words of the 
 song, he " bobbed up .serenely" after each buffet at the hands 
 of fate, and proposed to continue to do .so as long as health 
 and strength were granted him. 
 
 The rough treatment given him by the old scecatchie in 
 no wise damped his zeal for further study of the strange 
 and interesting ways of the fur .seal, and every day added 
 to the stores of information that lie told himself he would 
 iind such pleasure in retailing to the good people at Fort 
 Camosun, none of wliom had, so far as he knew, ever visited 
 the Pribylov Islands. 
 
 It was just the season when the " kotickie " or pups ^vcre 
 in their most amusing stage, and the three lads had a great 
 deal of fun with the funny little creatures. 
 
 They were all jet black in colour, and had big innocent 
 eyes, with which they gazed about them in an inquiring way 
 that was very comical. They were perpetual motion incar- 
 nate, and seemed never to take any rest except, perliaps, 
 when beinc "ed b}' their mothers. 
 
 A remaruable thing was the unfailing accuracy with 
 which the mothers would pick out their own pups from the 
 countless thousands that swarmed through the rookeries. 
 The little things, lieing as fond of company as other children, 
 always gathered in groups or " pods ; " and when the mothers 
 came in from the sea, whither they had been to wash and 
 feed, they would stop at tlu' edge of the pod where they 
 thought their ollspring ought to l»o, and bleat just like 
 sheep calling for their lambs. 
 
 Cun.siderinu' the multitude of 'kotickie," all .seeming as 
 
356 THE WAYS AND MANNERS OF THE SEAL. 
 
 much alike as so many pins, and tlio incessant din prevail- 
 ing, this proceeding on the mother's part might seem a very 
 futile one. But such was not the case. 
 
 After a few trials, the solicitous parent would hear the 
 cry of her own furry baby, and then make straiglit for it 
 through the crowd, showing entire indifference to the safety 
 of the other youngsters as she struck out right and left with 
 her fore-flippers. 
 
 After watching this proceeding several times, Rae came 
 to the conclusion that the pups did not know their own 
 mothers, hut it being their nature to cry out incessantly 
 while awake, their mothers were bound to hear them bleat 
 before long and hunt them out. 
 
 When not down at the water's edge learnincf to swim, 
 the pui)s would pod in the rear of the large rookeries, and 
 this was one of the most fascinating sights in the island. 
 
 From the summit of Cross Hill, looking southward and 
 w^estward over a reach of alternate grass and sand-dunes, 
 Rae could sec hundreds of thousands of the shiny black 
 things sporting about in the jolliest of moods, or stretched 
 out asleep when they had had enough of play for a time. 
 
 Going down amongst them sometimes, he would find 
 lively amusement in their antics as they took alarm at liis 
 approach, and with a medley of coughing, spitting, snorting, 
 and bleating shambled spasmodically away a few yards ; and 
 then, forgetting all about him, they would resume their 
 playing or sleeping, just as though nobody had been so rude 
 as to disturb them. 
 
 Another interesting sight was that of the pups learning 
 
' SEAL. 
 
 THE JVAYS AXD AELWVEA'S OE THE SEAL. 357 
 
 liii prcvail- 
 scem a very 
 
 kl hear the 
 aiirlit for it 
 the safety 
 ncl left with 
 
 iS, Rae came 
 
 ; their own 
 
 incessantly 
 
 them bleat 
 
 nix to swim. 
 
 lokeries, and 
 
 island. 
 
 ihward and 
 
 sand-dunes, 
 
 shiny black 
 
 or stretched 
 
 )r a time. 
 
 would ilnd 
 darm at his 
 ni,^ snortiuii', 
 ' yards ; and 
 esume their 
 
 »oen so rude 
 
 .ips learn iuL;' 
 
 to swim. Driven by instinct to the nuiri^in of the beach, 
 they would hesitatingly smell and then touch the little pools, 
 and roll around in the upper wash of the surf, until begin- 
 ning to feel more at home they would venture out into 
 deeper water. 
 
 At first they would flounder about in the most awkward 
 
 thrash 
 
 th 
 
 •at( 
 
 ith their fore-tlippers Just 
 
 IS 
 
 manner, turasiung tne water witn tueu" lore-iiippers 
 little dogs do with their fore-feet, and making no use of the 
 hind-flippers. With wide open mouths and staring eyes, 
 they would thus paddle and splash ui\til little by little they 
 learned to use their powers aright, and to realize their mas- 
 tery over the water. 
 
 Then were they the happiest creatures alive. Their 
 shiny black forms fairly coruscated in the surf as, swim- 
 ming in endless evolutions, twisting, diving, turning, and all 
 the time chattering like a mob of children, they played all 
 day long with seemingly exhaustless zest and energy. 
 
 Rae would have dearly liked to secure a mother seal 
 and a pup to take away with him, but JUuanov assured 
 him they could not Ije kej)t alive in captivity. 'Jdie experi- 
 mont had been often tried, but never with success. The 
 seals would not eat, and died of starvation. 
 
 Shortly after the arrival of the schooner the killing of 
 the holluscliickie f(jr the sake of their skins began, and 
 the boys went once to the " killing-grounds." These were 
 situated not far from the village of St. Paul, and one look 
 at them was suflicient to discover their sinister character, 
 for they were thickly spriid<lL'd with the bleached skeletons 
 and the grinning skulls of the victims of preceding years. 
 
 mi 
 
358 THE WA YS AND MANNERS OE THE SEAL. 
 
 The (Irivini:^ of the seals to the spot Kae found rather 
 ainnsing', altliough it did appeal to his tender synipathies 
 sometimes. The manner of it was as follows : — 
 
 Getting np at dawn, the Aleuts whose duty it was 
 would slip quietly down to the sand-beach and place them- 
 selves between the sleeping droves of holluschickie and the 
 water before the creatures suspected their presence. 
 
 Then they would make a noise by clattering bones to- 
 gether and shouting, and the seals would wake up suddenly 
 from their last sleep on earth. On awaking the}^ would, of 
 course, instinctively turn to the water, but, seeing men 
 between them and their natural refuge, they would imme- 
 diately whirl round, and scramble hurriedly back up and 
 over the land, the Aleuts leisurely following the drove 
 thus secured, and directing its course over to the killing- 
 grounds. 
 
 Not more than half-a-mile an hour could be expected 
 from the doomed creatures, so that it was work that re- 
 quired abundant patience, especially as rests had to be 
 allowed every few yards in order that the seals might not 
 get overheated from their exertions, which would have a 
 bad etlect upon their skins, seriously damaging the fine fur. 
 
 The method of progression was the same in all cases — 
 a kind of walking step, and a sliding shambling gallop, tlui 
 whole drove moving with a succession of starts, spasmodic 
 and irregular, made every few minutes after pauses to catch 
 the breath, and to gaze about in a plaintive way that was 
 quite ])athetic. 
 
 During these rests they would pant like so many digs, 
 
SEAL. 
 
 THE JFAVS AXE MAA'AEAS OE THE SEAL 
 
 559 
 
 iind rather 
 syinpathies 
 
 ity it was 
 )lace them- 
 :ie and the 
 
 10. 
 
 f^ hones to- 
 p suddenly 
 Y \voul(h of 
 iceing men 
 )uld imme- 
 ck up and 
 the drove 
 :he killinof- 
 
 )e expected 
 rk that re- 
 had to he 
 mio'lit not 
 uld have a 
 lie fine fur. 
 all cases — 
 \ gallop, th(; 
 i, spasmodic 
 ses to catch 
 ay that was 
 
 many i}<<^g^, 
 
 and fan themselves vigorously with their hind-llippers, not 
 moving forward again until urged hy the noise of the 
 natives. They no more attempted to show light than would 
 a tiock of sheep, seeming to be in mortal terror of men, and 
 to bo willing to do anything at their bidding. 
 
 Every now and then a seal would become exhausted, 
 and after dragging itself painfully along for a few yards 
 would collapse utterly and be left behind, (piivering and 
 panting, not to revive for hours, or perhaps never at all. 
 
 It was these cases that touched Rae's lieart. He would 
 have liked to pick up every such seal and carry it back to 
 the water, but of course there was no doing anything of the 
 kind ; so ho kept on to the killing-grounds, whose gruesome 
 sights soon made him forget the sufferings of those by the 
 wayside. 
 
 Having been driven up on the flats between the oast 
 landing and the village, the seals were herded there until 
 they had rested and were cooled off. Tlien all the Aleuts 
 gathered to the slaughter, in which, of course, the boys took 
 no part. 
 
 Each man was armed with a long wooden clul», a stab- 
 bing-knife, and a skinning-knife, and the whole party were 
 under the direction of foremen, who divided up the work so 
 that not a moment might be wasted once it had begun. 
 
 At the signal of the chief foreman the men entered the 
 drove and cut out from it a hundred or more seals, consti- 
 tuting a "pod," which they surrounded in a circle, huddling 
 the creatures together so that they might be within easy 
 reach of the clubs. 
 
36o THE WAYS AXD MANNERS OE THE SEAL 
 
 Then the cliief, cascin^,^ his eye over the p<intiiiL;', writli- 
 ing mass, rapidly pointed out tliose that were not worth 
 killing — one heinr too Ijadly torn by an opponent's tvisks, 
 another heing too young, ami a third too old, and so on. 
 
 Tliis being done, ho gave the command to strike, and 
 instantly the heavy clubs fell all around the circle, every 
 animal that \vas eliu'ible bein!]f stretched out, stunned and 
 motionless,, with a celerity that was simply amazing. 
 
 Dropping their clubs, the men then seized the prostrated 
 animals by the hind-flippers, and, spreading them out flat, 
 plunged their stabbing-knives into their warm bodies be- 
 tween the fore-flippers. The heart was thus pierced, the 
 blood gushed forth, and the quivering of the creature ceased 
 for ever. 
 
 As soon as all those in the " pod " had been disposed of, 
 the process of skinning connnenced. It was evidently severe 
 work, and even the long-practised Aleuts found it exceed- 
 ingly exhausting. Piolling the body over until it balanced 
 squarely on its back, the native made a single swift cut 
 throu2;h the skin down alon^* the neck, chest, and bellv, 
 from the lower jaw to the root of the tail, usinc"' for the 
 purpose his long stal)bing-knife. Then, straddling the seal, 
 a sweeping circular incision was made around the flippers 
 just at the point where the body-fur ended, after Mdiich, 
 seizing a ilap of the skin, the man proceeded with his 
 shorter skinning-knife rapidly to separate it from the body 
 and blubber until it was entirely free, the whole operation 
 taking the most expert skiiniers only a minute and a half. 
 
 The handling of one " pod " was quite enough for llae. 
 
THE UWYS AND MAXNERS OE THE SEAL 361 
 
 The plaintive Lleatiiig of the poor helpless seals, the crush- 
 in^^' blows of the clubs, the plnni^Miiij;' of the long knives into 
 the plump, sleek breasts, and the swift stripping otl' of the 
 soft rich skin soon wrought in him profound disgust. 
 
 " Come, Freckles," he exclaimed, as almost overpowering 
 qualms of nausea rose within him, " I can't stand any more 
 of this. Let us go." 
 
 There was more than a suspicion of a sneer in the smile 
 with which Baranov heard these words. To him each skin 
 represented an addition to the profits of the company, and 
 the more energetically the swarthy Aleuts toiled at their 
 repulsive task, the better he was pleased. 
 
 But Rae affected not to notic" the sneer, and hastened 
 away from the sights and smells that were so abhorrent to 
 him. 
 
 Baranov, as if repenting of seeming disagreealjle, pre- 
 sently hastened after him, saying pleasantly, " Since you 
 don't like that, Rae, I'll show you something better to- 
 morrow^ We'll go out to Walrus Island.' 
 
 "Walrus Island?" asked llae, glad of a change of sub- 
 ject. " Where is that ? and what can you do there ? " 
 
 " Just wait until I show you," was Baranov's response, 
 and no further information would he give. 
 
 The next morning was bright and clear, and free from 
 boisterous winils, so that they were able to start with good 
 prospects of a pleasant trip. Walrus Island lay about six 
 miles eastward from St. Paul's, and was nothing more than 
 a mere ledge of lava, llat-capped, and lifting itself just above 
 the wash of the waves, being scarcely more than a quarter 
 
362 THE WAYS AXn MAXNERS OF THE SEAL. 
 
 of a mile in length, and one Imndred yards in greatest 
 breadth. 
 
 As the clumsy " bidarrah," or native boat, approached 
 the island, the first thin<>' Rao noticed was the marvellous 
 multitude of birds squatting upon its level surface or dark- 
 ening the air with their whirring wings. They swarmed 
 as thickly as mosquitoes in a swamp ; indeed, it seemed 
 hard to understand how they avoided colliding with one 
 another in the air, or crowding each other off' the surface of 
 the rock into the sea that splashed all round their limited 
 domain. 
 
 " Where do they all come from ? " he exclaimed in won- 
 derment. "You'd think all the birds in Behring Sea must 
 be there. I never saw anything like it in my life." 
 
 "They are just like that every year," answered Baranov, 
 who greatly enjoyed this acting as guide to the strange 
 sights of the possessions of the Eussian- American Company ; 
 " and no matter how many you kill, or how many of their 
 eggs you take, it makes no difference in their numbers." 
 
 They had to be very careful in ctfecting a landing, for 
 there was no beach or shore, the sides of the island rising 
 like walls out of the sea ; and it took all the dexterity of the 
 natives to bring their bidarrah near enough for the boys to 
 jump out upon a jutting ledge. As it was. Freckles slipped 
 on its slimy surface, and would have fallen back into the 
 water but for the timely help of Baranov, who seized his 
 arm and drew him out of danger. 
 
 The birds, although they evidently were aware of the 
 approach of the bidarrah, showed no signs of disturbance 
 
: SEAL. 
 
 THE WAYS AND ALL\NERS OE THE SEAL. 36^ 
 
 ill greatest 
 
 appvoachecl 
 inai'vellous 
 ICC or dark- 
 ey swarmed 
 I, it seeiiied 
 10' witli one 
 le surface of 
 ,heir limited 
 
 iiied ill woii- 
 
 [wsi Sea must 
 
 ife." 
 
 red Baranov, 
 tlic strang'o 
 
 m Company ; 
 any of their 
 
 umbers." 
 landing, for 
 island rising 
 tcrity of the 
 
 ir the boys to 
 ckles slipped 
 ack into the 
 
 ho seized his 
 
 s. 
 
 aware of the 
 f disturbance 
 
 until the boys had fairly hinded. Then those nearest them 
 rose in clouds from the eggs wliich they were liatclung, and 
 before they liad control of their Higlit, many of tliem went 
 bang into tlie intruders upon their domain, hitting them 
 right and left with such violence that they were fain to 
 crouch down upon their knees until this extraordinary hail- 
 storm was over. 
 
 After the first connuotion had subsided, the visitors were 
 al)le to stand up and look about them. The scene was 
 certainly a remarkable one. The birds fairly covered the 
 surface of the rocky island with their feathered forms, while 
 as many more whirled in rapid flight overhead, so thickly 
 interweaving their evolutions as to hide the sky from sight. 
 
 When t(~) this were added the stunninir whirr of iiuiumer- 
 able strong wings beating the air, the shrill screams of the 
 gulls, the muftied croaking of the "arries," and the indescrib- 
 able disagreeable smell arisinnr from the broken eaa's, and 
 other decaying substances, the whole impression was one of 
 amazement, and one never to be forgotten. 
 
 Rae and Freckles started to pick up some of the eggs, 
 but soon had their hands so full that they could carry no 
 more, and turned them over to the natives, who were only 
 too glad to get them. 
 
 Rae noted that the different kinds of birds divided their 
 scanty territory l,)etwein them, the "arries" occupying a 
 narrow strip all round the edge of the island, the kittiwakes 
 and little auks sharing the face of the clifls with the sea- 
 parrots and cormorants, and the big white burgomaster gulls 
 occupying the interior, where among the grassy tussocks 
 
364 TITE WAYS AND MANNERS OF THE SEAL. 
 
 they built noat nests of dry j^'rass and sea-ferns, and reared 
 their young in comfort. 
 
 Nor were tlie hirds the only interesting inhahitants of 
 the reniarkaUe little island. At the farther end was to bo 
 seen a large herd of male walruses that made it their home 
 every summer. 
 
 They were huge, hideous, morose-looking creatures, who 
 manifested no fear Avhatever at the appearance of the boys, 
 but snorted and growled in a threatening fashion, as though 
 to say, — 
 
 " What brings you here ? This is our home, and we 
 didn't invite you. ]>e ofF'.rith you at once." 
 
 One of them looked so very disagreeable that Baranov 
 was moved to take a shot at him with his pistol — they had 
 not brought their guns — whereat the ugly brute plunged 
 into the water, and the others promptly followed his ex- 
 ample, all moving with a degree of ease and speed that 
 seemed inconsistent with their clumsy forms. 
 
 " Do the natives kill many of the walruses ? " asked Rao, 
 as he watched the loni^^-tusked monsters snrgincj throucjh the 
 waves in angry confusion. 
 
 " No," replied Baranov. " They're not much use, and 
 they're let alone most of the time ; but the natives do take a 
 good many sea-lions every season, and we must go over to 
 their hauling-grounds and have a look at them if it's fine." 
 
 Being anxious to see all that was to bo seen, in order 
 that he might have the more to tell his father, Rae said ho 
 would like very much to make the acquaintance of the sea- 
 lion, and Baranov promised to see aljout it forthwith. 
 
THE WAYS AXD .\rANXERS OF THE SEAL. 365 
 
 IS, and reared 
 
 oinc, and \ve 
 
 " asked Rao, 
 
 The liaulinix-f'roundH of the soa-lion were at the North- 
 East Point, and guided by a native tlie tliree l)oys made 
 their \vay over to them the followinp^ morniii!:^. Ow in;:,^ to 
 tlic fact that, altlioni^di twice as liig and stroni^ as the fur 
 seal, the sea-lion is a miserable coward, and at the first sign 
 of the approach of man hurries incontinently into the water, 
 they could not walk boldly up to where they were congre- 
 gated, but had to be content witli observinj]: them from a 
 distance. 
 
 They were magnificent-looking creatures, the old bulls 
 particularly, as they reared themselves upon their powerful 
 fore-arn]s full six feet in height, and roared out challenges 
 to their own kind in a tremendous l)ass voice that rose above 
 the ceaseless booming of the surf. Measuring tun feet in 
 length, and from eight to nine feet in girth at the shoidders, 
 and weighing from twelve hundred to fourteen hundred 
 pounds, they seemed veritable "sead<ings," and lit to cope 
 with almost any antagonist ; yet a small boy with a rattle 
 could put a thousand of them to ignominious flight, and had 
 Tvae allowed them to get a good look at him he would have 
 had no chance of getting a good look at them. 
 
 But if they were mortally afraid of man, they were not 
 of each other, and, like the seecatchic, were alwa^'s having 
 tierce fights, in which they gave and received terrible wounds. 
 Not one adult male M'as free from hideous scars, and being 
 totally without fur, these showed the more plainly. A 
 tremendous combat between two Inills took place just in 
 front of the spot where the boys were concealed, and they 
 had a fine view of it. 
 
366 THE WAYS AND MANNERS OF THE SEAL. 
 
 Opcnino' witli a loii^^^ round of roaring, the glatliators of 
 the f-'ca «j,'radiially cauio tog'utlier v/ith averted heads, as 
 tliong'li tlic very siglit of each otlier was sickening, and 
 began a series of feints for an opening, darting out and 
 witliih'awing tlieir heads witli a swiftness that the eye could 
 hardly f(^llow. At length one of them succeeded in striking- 
 Ids teeth into the thick skin of his opponent's cheek, and 
 then, clinching his jaws, held grindy on until tlie struggles 
 of the tortured victim tore them loose, leavinij: a i>'apini>- 
 wound bin' enousfh to hold Kae's tist. 
 
 Nothing daunted by his fearful injury the bull retaliated 
 by fastening his teeth into the other's neck, and held on in 
 his turn until shaken loose in the same way ; and so, while 
 the blood and foam bespattered the ground, and their 
 hoarse ferocious roaring filled the air, the great creatures 
 fought on until in sheer exhaustion they were compelled to 
 fall back, panting as though they were drawing their last 
 breath. 
 
 "Tliat's worth seeing, isn't it, llae ? " said Baranov. 
 " Nothing like that down in your country, eh ? " 
 
 Loyal as he was to his own, Rac had to admit that 
 Baranov's boast could not bo gainsaid, and he racked his 
 brains to try to ilnd something to offset against the sea- 
 lions. At length he bethought himself of some gi-eat moun- 
 tain elk he had seen before he left Fort Vancouver, and 
 forthwith launched into so vivid a description of those 
 monarclis of the forest as to till Baranov with a hunter's 
 liercc longing to sec them for himself. 
 
 " And are tney so grand ivs that \ " he queried. " Then, 
 
E SEAL. 
 
 n-ladiators of 
 1(1 heads, as 
 
 ikcninn;, ami 
 ill!'- out and 
 he eye could 
 d in striking 
 s clieek, and 
 the struggles 
 ng a gaping 
 
 uU retaliated 
 1 held on in 
 and so, \vhile 
 1, and their 
 eat creatures 
 compelled to 
 nsc their last 
 
 lid Baranov. 
 
 I) 
 
 admit that 
 e racked his 
 inst the sea- 
 3 o-ivat nioun- 
 ncouvcr, and 
 Jon (if those 
 th a hunter's 
 
 L'ied. '• Then, 
 
 THE JVAYS AXD MAXXERS OF THE SEAL, :^f^^ 
 
 as sure as my name is Alexander Baranov, I'll come down to 
 your country some time, and you nnist show me where I'll 
 see some of tlie elk." 
 
 Rao readily j-iromised to help him all he could in the 
 matter, ami th^n felt nnich easier in his miml, seeing that 
 he had thus restored the balanco Iji'twceii thr Baissian and 
 I'^nglish possessions by setting off mountain elk against sea- 
 lions as objects of patriotic pridi'. 
 
 Taking care not to allow themselves to be seen, the boys 
 spent several hours watching the sea-lions who were coming 
 out from the sea. and returning to it in an apparently con- 
 tinuous procession, varied only by fretjueiit lights between 
 the old bulls. 
 
 As swinnners they surpassed even the fur seals, careering 
 through the wild Ijillows, ;ind performing all sorts of seem- 
 ingly impossible feats in their very midst. For such heavy 
 animals their agility was certainly astonishing, and they 
 apparently enjoyed the sport immensely. 
 
 " If we Were to stay at St. Paul's a little longer we'd see 
 the natives di'ive tlu^ sea-lions up to th<.' killing-grounds,'' 
 said Baranov ; " but they won't be doing that until thex'n; 
 done with the fur seals." 
 
 "What good are the sea-liuus ? They've got no fur," 
 asked Bae, 
 
 "Why,"' replie(l Baranov, " the natives make their bid- 
 arkies and l»idarr;dis witli their .skius; and ca[)ital Ijoats 
 they are tito, if you don't keep tlirm in tlit; waVei- too 
 long. Then they make waterproof coats out of their 
 intestines, and they eat the meat and use the blubber for 
 
 (ITS) 23 
 
368 THE JI\1VS AXD J/.l.V.VE/^S OF TirE SEAT.. 
 
 oil; so YOU soo tlicy don't kill tlioni for tlie fun of tlio 
 tliini(." 
 
 Rae M'as not at all sorry to miss anotlicr "killing-." It 
 could not fail to 1)0 even more unpleasant a performance 
 than in the case of the seals, and he felt much more desirous 
 of seeing the funny little blue and white foxes which Bar- 
 anov hail spoken about. 
 
 There were many of these upon the islands, who found 
 comfortahlc holes for their accommodation and retreat amon''- 
 th(_! covnitless chiidss and crevices of the basaltic rocks. 
 Feeding upon the weak and sickly seals, and the younv; puv)s 
 when they could ij'ct them, they mvw fat in the s ;iKi*:jr 
 time, and were full of vigour. 
 
 The boys liad a capital day's sport hunting them, and, 
 althouidi it was no easy job to i^'et a wod shot at them, 
 they Averc so wary and so swift of llight. they succeeded in 
 getting ]ialf-a-dozen good specimens, Avhose Ijrushes were 
 duly loppeil olf for trophies. 
 
 Thus each day of the schooner's stay at St. Paul's had its 
 own interest, and the time flew by so rajiidly that Rae was 
 surprised wdien Baranov announced that they must be re- 
 turning to Sitka, as tlie busin(\ss upon which the schooner 
 had come was all tran ;acted, and there wns no excuse for 
 remain iuL!' any lonicer. 
 
 llae woul<l not liave been sorry to spend another month nt 
 St. Paul's, there were so many thinu's of interest in and around 
 that wondei'ful island. At the same time, he was glad to bo 
 going back to Sitka, bocnuse of liis hop(.^ of finding his father 
 there, or at least of glutting soim^ word concerning him. 
 
• SEAL 
 fun of tho 
 
 xillinc;'." It 
 pci'forinanco 
 lorc desirous 
 ; ^vllicll Bar- 
 
 , ^vho foil ml 
 3treat ainoii;^; 
 Lsaltic rocks. 
 > youn'.-: pnr)S 
 tlic s-;ii:i>:cr 
 
 ii-.- them, ami, 
 
 hot at them, 
 
 succeeded iu 
 
 )rushes wen> 
 
 ^^auVs had its 
 
 that Rae was 
 
 must lie re- 
 
 thc schooner 
 
 10 excuse foi' 
 
 llier month at 
 in and around 
 its ,L;lad to h.^ 
 inij,' liis father 
 wyx him. 
 
 r///r JJ'AYS AXD MANNERS OF THE SEAL 369 
 
 " We're c-'oino; to call at nelcovsky on our way hack," 
 Baranov told l^ae, " and perhaps we may ha\-e a chance to 
 see some otter-huntiug. 1 do hope wc will, for it's fine 
 sport, I tell you." 
 
 Knowing nothing ahout this ])hict', Rae hail a good many 
 questions to .'isk, winch Baranov took pleasure in answering ; 
 and so he learned that it was a village on the eastern side 
 of tho long Aleutian peninsula, which was th(^ centre of the 
 sea-otter hunting. There, ever since 17cS0, the Russians had 
 heen lirmly estahli.died, and ha<l (Icrived innuense profits 
 from the trade in sea-otter skins, the natives doing tho 
 hunting, and the Russians reaping most of tli<^ hrnetit, as 
 might naturally lie expected, seeing th;it they liad matti'rs 
 entii'ely in their own hands. 
 
 In order to reach Belcovsky it was necessary to circum- 
 navigate th(_^ far projecting peninsula, and this prov.'d no 
 easy task. Tnde»Ml, the weather was so stormy that tho 
 captain of tiie schooner M'ould fain have given up the pi'()- 
 jcct, and made straight for Sitka. But I'aranov persuaded 
 him to persevere, ;ind at last, after nnudi buffeting fr-)m 
 wind and wave, the stanch little vessel found her way into 
 the desired port without a mishap of any kind. 
 
 Rao saw hefori:' him, as the schooner cime to anchrir, a 
 little town clinging to the flanks of a mountain that loomed 
 up precipitously hehind it, and was usually so wreathe<l in 
 fog as not to allow its sununit to he visible, Ifere several 
 hundred Aleutian sea-otter hunters lived with theii' families 
 ill very unattractive-looking dwellings called " barrabkies." 
 
 As soon as tliev could the two boys Lfot off in the )»oat, 
 
370 THE WAYS AND MANNERS OF THE SEAL 
 
 and pulled to tho lundiiiL;', Avliicli was iiotliinu;" better tliaii a 
 ,slieltere<l surf eddy in the sliadow of the- Ijlackest and most 
 forbiddinii; of bluli's. 
 
 Having landed, not M'itlioiit difficulty, tlicy clinilied up 
 the sloping slide of moss}- earth and stones which was the 
 only way fi'om the shore to the town, and down the middle 
 of winch a clear bal)bling brook tnmbled merrily. At the 
 top of tlio slope they found themselves in the town, and 
 surrounded by a curious tlu'ong of natives, who ^\'ere evi- 
 dently very glad to see them. 
 
 Rae returned with interest the scrutiny to which the 
 visitors were subjected, and found the Aleuts not at all an 
 ill-looking people. They were mostly short and squat of 
 figure, with broad faces that had very little acipiaintonce 
 with soap and Avater, high cheek bones, ilat noses, and small 
 black eyes set in a way that gave their owners a Japanese 
 expression. 
 
 The young people had (|uite fair complexions, bnt the 
 older ones had faces of parchment, deeply wrinkled. From 
 their spending so much of their life in the cramped " bidarka," 
 the men were well developed in the chest and arms, but 
 decidedlj' sprung at the knees, and walked in an unsteady 
 pigeon-toed fashion. 
 
 'J'heir houses, or l^airabkies, were only one half abov^e the 
 C'round, and covered with heavv sods, so that thcA' looked 
 like huo"e burrows. 
 
 liae pe(*ped Into one, but the close fetid air made him 
 beat a hasty retreat, and hr had no desire for another look. 
 
 As Ijaranov's object was to in(juire about the chance ot 
 
 «-Wi>*A-M>-t*-A-<lMA- 
 
^ SEAL 
 
 I'tter tliaii a, 
 st an<l most 
 
 climbed up 
 lich was tile 
 
 1 the middle 
 ily. At the 
 
 2 town, and 
 10 were evi- 
 
 ) which the 
 ot at all an 
 >nd squat of 
 lequaintanco 
 }s, and small 
 s a Japanese 
 
 Dns, lait the 
 kde(L From 
 d " bidarka,'' 
 d arms, but 
 an unsteady 
 
 lU' above the 
 they looked 
 
 TJiE WAYS AND MAXXERS OF THE SEAL. 
 
 J/ 
 
 sharing in a sea-otter hunt, and to make arrangements there- 
 for, he son-ht out the chief hunter in the village, ami en- 
 gaged him in conversation while Kae an.l Freckles looked 
 about them. 
 
 Presently the Russian came up with a beandiig face. 
 " It's all right," he cried exultantly. '• K.-d.goon says we 
 inny come, and he's going to arrange exerything for us/' 
 
 r made liim 
 lother look. 
 le chance ot 
 
CHAPTER XXL 
 
 THE SEA-OTTlvR HUNT. 
 
 BARiVNOY'S news was intensely satisfuctury, in view 
 of the eagerness of tlie boys to take part in a real 
 sea-otter hunt. Kaligoon, the cliief hunter at Beleovsky, 
 moved in part by a diplomatic desire to be in good favour 
 with Baranov, who would probably in time become the chict' 
 officer of the Russian-American Company, and in part by 
 the promise of a tine present if the hunt were a success, had 
 promised to arrange for the boys to accompany the next hunt- 
 ing party, and would duly notify tliem when to be ready. 
 In the meantime they must wait until the natives who would 
 be sent out returned with a report of otters being seen. 
 
 While they M'ere somewhat iuipatiently, it must Ije con- 
 fessed, awaiting the word from Kahgoon.. Rae learned much 
 about the strange animal whose pelt was more precious than 
 any other animal known to the fur-di'aler. 
 
 So much reseml)]ing the beaver in shape as to be calKd 
 after that animal by the natives, the otter, he was toLl, 
 nnlike th(} beaver, spent very little time on land. Tn fact, 
 it only came ashore in severe storms to get a rest from the 
 tiiesuuie tumbling of the billows. 
 
THE SKA02TLR J/LW'T. 
 
 0/ o 
 
 ory, m view 
 art ill a real 
 ,t Belcovsky, 
 <XOod favour 
 ome the cliicl' 
 d in part l^y 
 success, Lad 
 le next hunt- 
 to he ready, 
 es who would 
 nii' seen, 
 must he con- 
 carned much 
 precious than 
 
 IS to be eaUud 
 he was tuld, 
 and Tn fact, 
 r(jst from the 
 
 So far as the hunters hncw, ha\ iuLi' never seen a mother 
 and her pup on tlie rocks or hcaches, the otter was hDrii at 
 sea in one of the floating kcip-beds which covered hxrgc 
 expanses of the northern waters, and there, literally "rocked 
 in the cradle of the dee})," grew uj) to maturity. 
 
 From an ugly little pup a foot in length, covered with 
 brownish brindled hair, the otter gradually inqtroNed with 
 age, until at fom- years it was at its prime, having then a 
 coat of the most lustrous softness and eljony shinnnering, so 
 liighly prized that a perfect one would bring not less than 
 a hundred pounds at tlie great marts of the fur trade. 
 
 Just such a splendid fellow did liae liope to share in 
 securing, althouLifi the more he heard of the dilficulties of 
 the chase, the less sami'uine he became of havinn' his desire 
 gratilied. 
 
 There were, he learned, three modes of hunting in vogue 
 — to wit, clubbing, surf -shooting, and spearing-surrouuds. 
 
 Clubbing was possible only for natives. No white man 
 could take part in il, as a description of the proceeding at 
 once makes manifest. 
 
 Between the west end of Kadiak Island and the Strait 
 of Oonimak lay the chief liunting ground of the sea-otter or 
 " kahlan,'' as the natives called him. Here was a succession 
 of small rocky islands coveretl with kelp and sea-Aveed, to 
 which the animnl resorteMl when wearied with stormy 
 weather, coming no further ashore, however, than to be just 
 free of the surf-wash. 
 
 So fpiick is tlie hearing and keen the smell ])0ssesscd l»y 
 these most shy and sensitive' of all creatures, that only in 
 
374 
 
 THE SEA-OTTER IIUXT 
 
 tlic midst of a Vv'iM storm, when tlie billows are breaking 
 with thiimleroiis roar npon the beach, and the air is thick 
 with Hying spume, can even a native approach near cnongh 
 to crush in its head with a blow from his club, and consc- 
 rpiently this method of taking requires the co-operation of 
 a furious u'ale, such as no white man would care to face for 
 the sake of any animal, however valuable its skin. 
 
 Yet the Aleuts will never let a good opportunity slip 
 by, and although the wind may be tearing the crests of the 
 breakers into tatters, and the spume and spray lie whirring 
 and whizzing through the air like sheets of rain, they will 
 hiunch their bidarkies, seat themselves within, lash their 
 "kamlaykas" firmly over the rims of the man-holes, so that 
 no water may find its wa_y inside, and then boldly striking 
 out beyond the protection of the cliif, plunge into the very 
 vortex of the fearful sea, and scud like an arrow before the 
 gale that has been blowing from the west for the past three 
 days without cessati(jn, until it seems as if wind and wave 
 could not concei\-ably rage more fiercely together. 
 
 What can be the meaning of sucli seeming madness? 
 Surely they are throwing their lives away. Possibly they 
 are; for if, in the twenty miles' wild scudding before the 
 wind and howling tempest, they deviate but one paddle's 
 length from the course they have in mind, and consequently 
 fail to hit the tiny islet which is their goal, they must be 
 swept on and out into a vast marine waste, where death 
 from exhaustion and exposure would be their inevitable 
 doom. 
 
 But they have no such ill-fortune. By their acute 
 
THE SF.AOTTIIR IIIXT. 
 
 J I .") 
 
 re breaking 
 air is thick 
 near enough 
 , and consc- 
 operation of 
 
 to face for 
 in. 
 
 )rtnnity slip 
 zre.sts of the 
 
 lie whirring 
 AU, they will 
 :i, lash their 
 lioles, so that 
 Idly striking 
 nto the very 
 w lie fore the 
 
 e past three 
 
 1 and wave 
 
 g madness ? 
 ossibly they 
 before the 
 one paddle's 
 consequently 
 liey must be 
 where death 
 ir inevitable 
 
 their acute 
 
 
 instinct thi'y have discerned that the ^^torm will last only a 
 few hours longer, and they know that upon the rocky i^let 
 for which they are aiming there will be perhaps many otters 
 which the long-contiiuied fury of the gale has driven ashore 
 to bury their globose heads in heaps of sea-weed for protec- 
 tion from the pitiless pelting of the v.'ind, and to sleep there, 
 just above the wash of the sui'f, in great comfort until the 
 weather shall moderate. 
 
 So the two hunteis keep on their way, l>alanciiig their 
 frail skin boat in the billows with marvellous skill, and 
 maintaining their course by some subtle iirstinct tluy could 
 not explain themselves, until at last they run in between 
 the breakers to the leewaid of the islet, land without injury 
 either to themselves or their crank craft, and club in hand 
 creep upon their prey. 
 
 The roaring of the wind and the booming of the surges 
 prevent their kelp-bedded victims, keen as their hearing is, 
 from getting warning of their aiiinHiach, and ljefV)re the 
 sleeping creatures are awai'e of danger, the lieavy club hns 
 descended unon their hi'ads, and their davs are nuudjered. 
 Tn this way two Aleutian brothers once slew over seventy 
 otters in less than an hour ! 
 
 ])ut it is no undertaking for white men. Oidy natives 
 could dare such dangers, and Hae felt no desire to enndatc 
 the achievements of Kahgoou and his brethren in this 
 direction. 
 
 Surf-shooting was another mode of securing the sea-otter, 
 but it was not much in use, having come in with the recent 
 introduction of fire-arms. During heavy weather the shores 
 
 I 
 
37^ 
 
 rilE SEAOITER I/C'XT. 
 
 of .Sa;uiak iiinl the Clioniaboors would bu patrolled Ly 
 natives beariiiii" iiiiiskets, and whenever a sea-otter's head 
 was seen in the surf it would be shot at, and as a bullet in 
 the head was instantly fatal, the hunter, if successful in his 
 shot, had only to wait with a lonc( landing-gatt' for the 
 waves to heave the precious prize within liis ready reach. 
 
 Rae and Baranov did try this method one day in the 
 midst of a raging gale ; l»ut the v.ind and spray dashing in 
 their faces prevented them from tidving accurate aim, and 
 they were fain, after wasting nnich powder, to give up in 
 disgust, although the natives, with much infci'ior weapons, 
 were able to secure several good skins the same day. 
 
 They were therefore all the more eager to try their luck 
 at tlic " spoaring-surround," and hailed with groat satisfac- 
 tion the announcement that Kah^'oon had maile arranixe- 
 ments for one to take place the following morning, the gale 
 which had been blowing for two days having worked itself 
 out, and the indications being favouraljle for a line calui 
 morning, such as was necessary for their purpose. 
 
 Kahgoon's reading of the weather omens was amply 
 jnstitied by a brilliant sunrise such as rarely blessed that 
 region of storms, where wind, rain, snow, and fog are so 
 pitilessly persistent that it is said good Bishop Veniaminov, 
 when he tirst came among the Aleutian Islands, ordered the 
 curriculuui of hell to be omitted from the churcli breviary 
 for the reason that the natives had enough of it here in this 
 earth ! 
 
 As soon as possible after dnwn tlu^ fleet of bidarkies sot 
 forth. 
 
THE SKA-OTTER UUXT. 
 
 377 
 
 [itvolk'd by 
 jttor's head 
 a l.ullet in 
 ;ssful in liis 
 -■art' for the 
 dy reach. 
 
 day in the 
 y dashing in 
 ate aim, and 
 ) give np in 
 [■iov weapons, 
 
 day. 
 :ry their hieh 
 
 rcat satistae- 
 
 lade an-angt!- 
 
 ning, the gale 
 
 worked itself 
 
 a fine calm 
 
 fse. 
 
 s was amply 
 l)lessed that 
 ul fog arc so 
 ) Veniaminov, 
 s, ordered the 
 lurch breviary 
 lit here in this 
 
 ])i darkies set 
 
 There were nearly twenty of these odd -look in '■• hut 
 serviceable craft, all having two occupants, with tlu' excep- 
 tion of a very large one which held llae, l!aranov, ami 
 Freckles, besides the four natives ^\•ho were to padrlle it. 
 
 The ordinary bidarkies in appearance nuich rescmlde<l 
 clumsy llob Koy canoes, and Avero made by stretching un- 
 tunned sea-lion skins over a light framework of wood lathed 
 together with sinews. The skins were put on wet an<l soft, 
 and when they dried out they hecame as taut as the parch- 
 liient of a drum. Then they were thickly smeared with 
 seal-oil, whicli rendt.Tcd them able to keep out the water 
 for many hours, although a long-continued exposure was 
 apt to soften the skin covering ami cause it to slacken. 
 
 Each bidarka ha<l two man-holes, the sea-otter hunters 
 always going in pairs. The big one that held the boys Avas 
 open, not decked in like the others, and provided with 
 thwarts upon which they could sit. 
 
 Had they not been going so far out to sea, Jhie would 
 1 ave liked very much to share a double bidarka with one of 
 the natives ; but when Daranov explained that they might 
 be all day on the water, he wisely decided that he would be 
 safer and more comfortable in the bi'i' fellow, where there 
 wonld be room to turn around, and he need not be constantly 
 pa<ldling as he would be in the other. 
 
 It was surprising the speed the natives, whose paddling 
 powers were developed to the utmost, got out of their skin 
 boats. They fairly danced o\"er the water, wldch had hardly 
 a ripi^le upon it, and seemed as innocent of harin to humanity 
 as a baby ; nn<l yet every native knew right well that plu-cid 
 
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378 
 
 rilE SEA OTTER HUNT 
 
 
 and peaceful as it \vas then, it coukl rise at the bidding of 
 a sudden gale into mountain billows that would sweep the 
 frail bidarkies out into the measureless spaces of the North 
 Paciiic, from wliich they mioht never return. 
 
 But no one allowed any tiioughts of this kind to trouble 
 him just then. The morning was flawless for their purpose. 
 J'here was every reason to expect success, and even the most 
 stolid of the Aleuts had a bright look on his grimy 
 countenance as the bidarkies, keeping ■well together, left 
 Belcovsky far behind. 
 
 When the hunting-ground was reached, the fleet spread 
 out into a single long line, an interval of a hundred feet or 
 so being between each two bidarkies. Thus arranged, they 
 paddled softly and slowly over the rolling water, every 
 native peering eagerly ahead and around for the first sign 
 of the otter's presence, though it were no more than the tip 
 of his blunt head lifted for an instant above the surface for 
 breath and observation. 
 
 The excitement was all the more intense for having to be 
 so carefully suppressed, as a chance cough, or a splash with 
 the paddles, or any other noise however slight, would in- 
 stantly give warning to the creature, whose sense of sight, 
 smell, and hearing is not surpassed in acuteness by that 
 of any other animal known to man. 
 
 In the stillness llac could liear his lieart beating so 
 loudly that lie feared its throbbings might be audible to the 
 otter if he should rise anywhere near the big bidarka, but 
 lie could not put any check upon it. He found it hard 
 enough to keep motionless upon the thwart while the 
 
TITE SEA-OTTER HUXT. 
 
 379 
 
 : Lidding of 
 I sweep the 
 I the North 
 
 (1 to trouhlc 
 \eir purpose, 
 /en the most 
 his grimy 
 ogether, left 
 
 tleet spread 
 ndred feet or 
 .•ranged, they 
 water, every 
 pile first sign 
 
 than the tip 
 le surface for 
 
 having to ho 
 Li splash with 
 it, wouUl in- 
 ■nse of sight, 
 ness by that 
 
 t beating so 
 indible to the 
 
 bidarka, but 
 3und it hard 
 
 t while the 
 
 natives sent the boat slipping softly through the water with 
 liardly a ripple. 
 
 It seemed an age to the eager boys before the " view- 
 halloo " was raised, rnd then old Kal-goon was the lucky man. 
 His keen eyes had detected the rufous-white nose of an 
 otter lifted for a moment above the waves, and instantly 
 his pa<ldle was raised in token thereof, and the signal passed 
 silently along the line. 
 
 Not a word was spoken, not a paddle splashed, yet the 
 vigilant, sensitive creature had taken the alarm, and with 
 powerful strokes of its strong, webbed hind-feet, which smote 
 the water like the blades of a steamer's jMopcller, had shot 
 down into the depths of the sea, and away along underneath 
 with the speed of a salm(>n. 
 
 Kahgoon, bringing his bidarka to a full stop directly in 
 the bubbling wake of the otters disappearance, hoisted his 
 paddle high in the air, and held it there, while the other 
 boats whirled over the water into a large circle nearly half- 
 a-mile in diameter. 
 
 The kahlan had vanished, but he must reappear soon, for 
 he could not stay under water indefinitely, and the game 
 was*to cover so wide an area that when he did come up to 
 breathe some one in the circle would be certain to sec him. 
 
 Sure enough, after fifteen minutes of submersion, the 
 creature rose atxaiii breathless, and this time so near the bJLT 
 bidarka that both Rae and Baranov saw him simultaneously. 
 
 There was no longer need for silence, and with shouts of 
 *•■ There he is! I see him!" they urged their ])addles to- 
 wards the spot. 
 
38o 
 
 THE SEA-OTTER HUNT. 
 
 
 Instantly the kalilan dived again without having had 
 time to take a good breath, so that he would not be able to 
 stay un<ler so long this time, while the boys' bidarka took 
 up its station whore he had gone down, and the paddles 
 were hold on high for another circle to form. 
 
 In this way the hunted creature was compellod to dive 
 and dive again, without being allowed a chance to get one 
 full breath, while the exciting chase continued for over an 
 hour, the natives all the time throwing their spears at him 
 whenever they came anywhere within range, as the hunter 
 who got first blood was, by accepted law, the fortunate 
 possessor of the precious pelt. 
 
 Each disappearance of the kahlan Avas briefer than its 
 predecessor, and the fatal circle drew closer about him. To 
 the excitement of the chase was now added the intense 
 eagerness for first blood, and the spears flew about so 
 recklessly that there secmiod danger of something else than 
 the otter falling a victim to them. 
 
 At length, exhausted by liis tremendous exertions, and 
 swollen with air so as to be unable any more to dive, 
 the otter floated helplessly on the water, and a well- 
 aimed throw of Kahgoon's spear transfixed its palpitating 
 form. 
 
 The chase was over, the prize won, and all rejoiced with 
 the veteran hunter over his success, and hoped that they 
 would be the lucky one next time. 
 
 HavinGf rested for a little while, and haviniTj had a chat 
 together, the Aleuts lined out again, and moved on over 
 the water in quest of a fresh victin\. Tn the course of an 
 
THE SEA- OTTER HUNT. 
 
 3S1 
 
 havinsj had 
 , be able to 
 iclarka took 
 the paddles 
 
 ;llcd to dive 
 3 to get one 
 for over an 
 3eavs at him 
 s the hunter 
 ho fovtunate 
 
 lefer than its 
 out him. To 
 I the intense 
 cw al)0ut so 
 ino' else than 
 
 xcrtions, and 
 
 bore to dive, 
 
 and a well- 
 
 ,s palpitatini 
 
 ct 
 
 rejoiced ^vith 
 )cd that they 
 
 li<f had a cliat 
 
 [oved on over 
 
 course of an 
 
 hour another otter was sighted, and the same tactics as 
 before Avere adopted. 
 
 This time the kahlan led them a tremendous chase. IFe 
 was a very large powerful fellow, and swam with wonder- 
 ful speed, thus managing to outwit his pursuers more than 
 once, and to get a good full breath, whereby he was enabled 
 to prolong the struggle for escape. 
 
 So absorbed in the hunt did all become, that they failed 
 to notice the sudden and ominous chanrje that was taking: 
 place in the weather. 
 
 As has already been indicated, the Aleutian peninsula 
 may fairly claim to be the storm centre of the world, for 
 indeed nowhere else do storms come up so suddenly or rage 
 more furiously. Every attempt at forecasting the coming 
 weather is futile, because of there being no certain indica- 
 tions by which to be guided, and a bureau of weather 
 probabilities would be so often incorrect in its predictions 
 as to become the laughing-stock of the co'nmunity. 
 
 Now, the day of the "spear-surround" promised well, if 
 ever a day did, and not even tlie veteran Kahgoon had any 
 suspicions of its proving otherwise. Yet not long after 
 noon, and just when the whole p«-rty were most intensely 
 interested in the pursuit of the second otter, the sky suddenly 
 clouded over, the wind rose, and with it the sea to such an 
 extent that, resigning all thoughts of the otter, the Aleuts 
 gave their wdiole attention to getting back to Belcovsky. 
 
 But this getting back threatened to prove more than 
 an easy job. They had worked almost due south in their 
 hunting, and the storm was coming down from the north. 
 
■ppl 
 
 M 
 
 382 
 
 THE SEA-OTTER HUNT 
 
 III 
 
 III 
 ... w 
 
 Tliey liad therefore to go riglit into it if they would retrace 
 tlieir course. 
 
 Ah tlie white caps hegan to hiss savagely beside their 
 hidarka, and even to break on board, despite the skilful 
 inanagomcnt of the natives, the boys looked at each other 
 with startled, anxious faces. 
 
 " We're in for :, big storm," said Rao, " and I'm afraid 
 we'll have a hard time getting out of it. Can this thing 
 stand much rough weather ? " 
 
 " Oh, yes," replied Earanov, " it can stand it all right so 
 long as the skin stays tight ; but after being in the water 
 a good while it gets soft and stretches, and then there's 
 nothing to do but make for land as fast as possible." 
 
 " Then if wo don't get ashore pretty soon our bidarka 
 will become good for nothing, is that it?" asked Rae, his 
 face white with horror at the thought of such a thing 
 happening out in the midst of that wild waste of waters. 
 " Oh, why did we come at all ? " he added in a wailing 
 tone ; " we had far better have stayed on board the 
 schooner." 
 
 Freckles shivered with cold and fright, and crept closer 
 up to him, murmuring, " Do you think we can't get back to 
 the schooner, Rae ? " 
 
 " Oh, come now," said Baranov, striving to put a brave 
 face OR the matter, " it's not so bad as all that. If we 
 can't make our way up to Belcovsky, they will try for one of 
 the islands about here, and stay there until the storm is over." 
 
 The first impulse of terror having spent iloelf, Rae 
 lx3came more composed, and in a much steadier tone said, — 
 
THE SEA-OTTER HUNT. 
 
 383 
 
 ould retrace 
 
 beside their 
 ) the skilful 
 t each other 
 
 d I'm afraid 
 m this thing 
 
 t all right so 
 in the water 
 
 [ then there's 
 
 siblc." 
 
 1 our hidarka 
 
 sked Eac, his 
 such a thing 
 te of waters, 
 in a wailing 
 
 >n board the 
 
 d crept closer 
 't <^et back to 
 
 put a brave 
 that. If we 
 try for one of 
 storm is over." 
 nt il.'olf, Bae 
 r tone said, — 
 
 " Why, of course. I never thouglit of that. See, perhaps 
 that's what they're doing now." 
 
 While they had been talking the storm had grown 
 rapidly worse, and now the wind and sea were so violent 
 that it seemed a miracle that even such expert paddlers as 
 the Aleuts could keep the clumsy bidarka from being over- 
 turned. It was tossed from billow to billow like a mere chip, 
 and a single false stroke from one of the natives would in- 
 fallibly have caused its overturn. Yet, although the spray 
 splashed clear over its occupants, and an occasional wave 
 succeeded in flinging its crest on board, they managed, by 
 what really seemed a succession of miracles, to keep right 
 side up, and even to make some headway against the gale. 
 
 But f^oon they realized the hopelessness of forcing their 
 frail craCi: in the face of such a storm over the many miles 
 of ocean that tossed so furiously between them and Bel- 
 covsky, and, adopting the only alternative, by a dexterous 
 sweep of their paddles swung the bidarka around so that it 
 was heading due south-east instead of due north. 
 
 " They're going to try for Saanak," said Baranov, as soon 
 as he saw the change in their course, and his face lit up as 
 he added, " If we make Saanak, we'll be all right. We can 
 stav there till the storm's all over." 
 
 " Yes," replied Rae ; " and the others are doing the same 
 thing. Look!" 
 
 Sure enouG^h all the bidarkies in si^ht had also turned 
 and were scudding before the wind, the light things seeming 
 to skip over the frothing billows that raged all about them. 
 
 Under some circumstances this flying over the sea might 
 
 (»78) 24 
 
^^m 
 
 \i'^ 
 
 384 
 
 TI/i: SEA-OTTER HUNT. 
 
 have been good fun for so adventurous a spirit as Rac's, but 
 he was in too perilous a case now to take into consideration 
 anything save their chances of ultimate escape from the 
 dangers that threatened on every side. 
 
 It would indeed be difficult to imagine three persons in 
 a more perilous predicament than were Baranov, Freckles, 
 and Rae. Utterly powerless to help themselves, they could 
 only crouch in the stern of the bidarka, and put their entire 
 dependence upon the Aleutian paddlcrs to save them from 
 death, while the roaring, raging waters flung their flimsy 
 craft from wave to w^ave as if rejoicing in the cruel sport. 
 Every hour's exposure of their bidarka to the water rendered 
 it less seaworthy. Indeed, they could already note a soften- 
 innr and stretching of the skin covering, that showed how 
 near at hand was yet another danger against which no 
 human skill coidd provide. Yet they faced the crisis with 
 a composure as remarkable as it was admirable. Neither 
 the Russian nor the Scotch boy was willing to let the other 
 surpass him in fortitude, and Freckles, taking courage from 
 them, bore himself as bravely as either. 
 
 " ]f we miss Saanak, is there any other island we might 
 make ? " asked Rae of Baranov. 
 
 " None that I know of," was the reply. " Saanak 's the 
 last island of the chain, and if we miss it we'll go right out 
 into the ocean — God alone knows where." 
 
 The other bidarkies were now widely scattered over the 
 sea, and only a few of them could be seen by the boys. 
 Being much smaller than the one they were in, and there- 
 fore presenting less surface to the wind, they were more 
 
THE SEA-OTTER HVXT 
 
 38s 
 
 s Rac's, but 
 onsidoration 
 DC from the 
 
 e persons in 
 ov, Freckles, 
 s, they could 
 t their entire 
 -e them from 
 their flimsy 
 3 cruel sport, 
 atcr rendered 
 note a sof ten- 
 showed how 
 1st which no 
 lie crisis with 
 l)lc. Neither 
 let the other 
 courage from 
 
 land we might 
 
 Saanak's the 
 11 iro riiiht out 
 
 easily managed, and were rapidly distancing their hig com- 
 panion. 
 
 " All the rest are leaving us behind," said llae in a mourn- 
 ful tone, pointing to whore the nearest of them was bobbing 
 over the waves a hundred yards ahead. 
 
 " So they are," answered Baranov. " But it doesn't 
 matter. They couldn't give us any help anyway. They've 
 all they can do to look after themselves." 
 
 And now, to add to the horrors of their situation, the day 
 began to darken around them. Nifjht was near at hand, 
 and with the disappearance of daylight it seemed as though 
 their last ray of hope must vanish also. 
 
 True, the violence of the wind seemed abating somewdiat ; 
 but what of that ? Not even the keen-eyed Aleuts could 
 find their way to Saanak in the dark ; and if they did not 
 reach the island, how else could they be saved from death ? 
 
 "God help us!" groaned Rae, as he realized that their 
 cup of misery and peril was now full to the brim; "we're 
 done for sure. We'll never be able to find Saanak at night, 
 and our bidarka won't float till morning." 
 
 tcred over the 
 by the boys, 
 lin, and there- 
 ley were more 
 
m 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 REUNIOX AND llEJOICINGS. 
 
 MR. FINLAYSOX, in the Plover, had gone but a very 
 small part of the way towards San Francisco in 
 quest of the supposed American trading-vessel which he 
 hoped had rescued Rae from the Masset Indians, when he 
 met the Beaver coming up with Mr. Douglas on board. He 
 at once hove to, and went over to the steamer in a boat to 
 inform the chief factor of what had happened, and to ask 
 his advice. 
 
 Mr. Douglas listened to the narration with deep interest 
 and sympathy. He had by no means forgotten his young 
 friend Rae, and, quite aside from his desire to help the 
 distracted father, felt eager to do anything he could for the 
 boy's own sake. 
 
 " You shall have my utmost assistance, Finlayson," said 
 he warmly ; " but let me say at the start that I think you 
 are only losing time in going down to San Francisco. There 
 have been no American vessels up this way lately, I under- 
 stand, and the vessel on which your son escaped must have 
 been a Russian. They sometimes do come down as far as 
 the Queen Charlotte Islands; and although I've always 
 
KEUXION AND REJOICINGS. 
 
 387 
 
 le but a very 
 Francisco in 
 scl wliich he 
 ians, ^vhon he 
 )n board. He 
 r in a boat to 
 k1, and to ask 
 
 deep interest 
 icn his young 
 to help the 
 could for the 
 
 iulayson," said 
 It I think you 
 incisco. There 
 itcly, I under- 
 )ed must have 
 lown as far as 
 11 I've always 
 
 objected to their doing so, for they spoil our trade, yet if 
 one of them lias been the means of rescuing Rae, it will go 
 far to make up for the trouble they've given. So now this 
 is what I propose — that we return to Fort Camosun as fast 
 as possible, and, leaving the schooner there, proceed in the 
 Beaver to Fort Wrangel, and, if need be, to Sitka. We're 
 certain to get tidings of Rae at one or other of the.se places, 
 if not indeed to find the dear boy there, .safe and sound, as I 
 greatly hope. What do you say, Finlayson ? " 
 
 Mr. Finlayson could with difficulty find words to express 
 his thank.s. The chief factor's plan seemed to him perfect, 
 and, for the first time since the news had come of Rae's 
 capture by the Indians, his heart felt light. 
 
 So the schooner's head was turned about, and she followed 
 in the wake of the steamer to Fort Camosun, where she was 
 left at her moorings. The Beaver, as soon as Mr. Douglas 
 had attended to .some necessary business, continued her 
 course northward, with Fort Wrangel as her destination. 
 
 The voyage tliith<ir was made without .special incident 
 or lo.ss of time, and Mr. Douglas's sagacity was confirmed at 
 the first inquiry after the mi.ssing boys. 
 
 " Oh, yes," was the prompt reply of the commander of the 
 fort, " the two English boys had been there, but they liad 
 not remained long. Tliey had gone on to Sitka on the same 
 vessel which had brought them, and, no doubt, they would 
 be found there." 
 
 Accordingly, w^ithout waiting to avail himself of the 
 invitation to dinner the commander warndy pressed upon 
 him, the chief factor hastened on to Sitka, taking with him 
 
p'''. 
 
 388 
 
 REUNION AND REJOICINGS. 
 
 as pilot a Russian sailor who liad a thorough knowledge of 
 the difficult navigation of the coast. 
 
 " We're right on your boy's track now, Finlayson," said 
 Mr. Douglas as they steamed away from Fort Wrangel. 
 " He can't liave gone further than Sitka, and he's probably 
 waiting there for you to come after him." 
 
 •' I hope so, indeed," responded Mr. Finlayson. " This 
 suspense is very hard to bear, thankful as I am to know 
 that he is in good hands, and that it's only a question of 
 time when I'll see him once more." 
 
 Slipping safely through Peril Strait at the right state 
 of the tide, the Beaver made a good passage to Sitka, and 
 created quite a sensation there as she ploughed her way into 
 the harbour, and came to anchor in front of the castle. 
 
 Mr. Finlayson was trembling with excitement and im- 
 patience as they hastened ashore in the boat, and up to the 
 castle, where they were courteously received by the governor. 
 His eyes were glancing in every direction in hopes of seeing 
 Rae or some sign of his presence, and, not daring to trust 
 his own voice, he left to Mr. Douglas the business of making 
 inquiry as to his son. The sharpness of his disappointment 
 may therefore be conceived when he learned that he was 
 once more too late ; that Rae had been at Sitka, and indeed 
 was expected back there soon, but was not there now, having 
 gone away off to the Pribylov Islands. 
 
 " The Pribylov Islands ! " cried Mr. Finlayson, in a tone 
 of mingled amazement and concern ; "what on earth possessed 
 him to go there ? It's a most dangerous trip, I understand, 
 and there's no knowing what might happen to him." 
 
A'EOW/Oy AXD REJOICIXGS 
 
 389 
 
 lowlcdge of 
 
 ay son," said 
 L't Wrangcl. 
 )'s probably 
 
 son. " This 
 
 im to know 
 
 question of 
 
 I rifht state 
 Sitka, and 
 her way into 
 castle. 
 
 lent and inl- 
 and up to the 
 ,he governor, 
 pes of seeing 
 ing to trust 
 ss of making 
 appointment 
 that he was 
 , and indeed 
 now, having 
 
 m, in a tone 
 [rth possessed 
 understand, 
 liun. 
 
 Tlic governor explained about Baranov, and suggested 
 that Uau, assuming that he would have time to make the 
 trip before his father could reach Sitka, and being eager to 
 see the home of the famous fur seals, had seized the oppor- 
 tunity to do so. lie would most probably be back within a 
 week, and the Beaver had better remain at Sitka, when Mr. 
 Douglas and Mr. Finlayson \, .nld be most welcome guests. 
 
 But the anxious, impatient lather would not consent to 
 any such arrangement. R'uce Eae br.u gone to the fur seal 
 islands he must follow him thitl r, and he was with difficulty 
 persuaded to yield to the go\evuor's importunities to the ex- 
 tent of dining with him at the castle. On the following 
 morning the Baiver steamed away from Siika, nnU, for the 
 first time on the voyage, leaving sight altogether of land, 
 ventured out upon the vast ex})anso of the North racitic 
 that stretched between Sitka and the Aleutian peninsula. 
 
 " We'll surely run that fox of yours to earth this time, 
 Finlayson," said Mr. Douglas good - humouredly. " He's 
 certainly given, us a long chase of it. Won't he have a lot 
 to tell us of his adventures, for, no doubt, he's been having 
 a lovely time of it ? " 
 
 " God grant he may have passed safely through them, 
 sir," murmured the factor of Fort Camosun, upon whose 
 spirit each fresh disappointment had told heavily, and who 
 was beginning to be haunted by the fear that he would never 
 see his boy again, " Rae has never mt^ant to give us so much 
 trouble and concern. He'll be able to explain it all, Tin sure ; 
 but this uncertainty is hard to bear," and the poor man 
 sighed heavily as he turned away to hide his brinnning eyes. 
 
390 
 
 REUNION AND REJOICINGS. 
 
 As tlie Beaver drew near the Aleutian peninsula she met 
 the same storm as had so ruthlessly interfered with the sea- 
 otter hunt in which the boys were taking part, and, stanch, 
 sturdy craft as she was, found it no easy task' to struggle 
 against it. Indeed, when the gale raged most fiercely, Mr. 
 Douglas ordered the vessel to lie to until the sea should fjo 
 down, as he did not consider it safe to send her through it, 
 so many billows were breaking over her. 
 
 " I pray that my poor boy is not out in this storm," said 
 ]V[r. Finlayson, having in mind the small schooner in which 
 he had been informed the trip to the Pribylov Islands was 
 made. " The Beaver evidently has all she can do to stand 
 up against it, and a small sailing-vessel could hardly weather 
 it in safety." 
 
 Little did the factor imagine that while he was speaking 
 Rae and his companions were being tossed about on the 
 heaving billows in a light skin-covered boat that he would 
 scarcely have trusted to curry iiim from Vancouver Island 
 to the mainland, across the still waters of Juan de Fuca 
 Strait. In truth, could he have realized Rae's situation at 
 that moment, it must have driven him frantic with fear 
 and anxiety. But he was comforting himself witli the hope 
 that the boy was safe in port somewhere, and not exposed 
 to the blind, pitiless wrath of the elements. 
 
 As has been already stated, the gale moderated towards 
 evening, and the soa became less boisterous ; not only so, 
 but an hour after sunset the moon appeared, and, being 
 not long past the full, poured a flood of light upon the 
 tossing waters. 
 
REUNION AND REJOICINGS. 
 
 391 
 
 ala she met 
 ith tbe sea- 
 ancl, stanch, 
 to struggle 
 fiercely, Mr. 
 ?a should go 
 • through it, 
 
 storm," said 
 ner in which 
 T Islands was 
 
 do to stand 
 irdly weather 
 
 was speaking 
 ,bout on the 
 bat he would 
 Oliver Island 
 uan de Fuca 
 situation at 
 Itic w^ith fear 
 ^vitli the hope 
 ll not exposed 
 
 bated towards 
 not only so, 
 
 |l1, and, being 
 dit upon the 
 
 This welcojue change in the weather cheered Mr. Finlay- 
 son's heart, and he paced the deck with a lighter step. Mr. 
 Douglas had gone below, and there was only the night watch 
 on deck, so that the factor was left to his own thoughts. 
 
 " My poor dear boy ! " he murinured ; " indeed if Pro- 
 vidence be kind enough to give you back to me, we shall not 
 soon be separated again. — Hollo ! what is that ? It looks 
 like some kind of a boat. — Ahoy there, watch ! Do you 
 make out anything on the port side ? Look ! " 
 
 The sailors thus appealed to scanned the sea carefully, 
 but could make out nothing except what they took to be the 
 shadows of the waves, for none of them had so keen a sight 
 as the factor. He was positive, however, he saw something 
 more than shadows, and calling up Mr. Douglas, pointed out 
 to him a dark object in the water a couple of hundred yards 
 away, and only dimly revealed by the moonlight. 
 
 Mr. Douo'las was doubtful as to its beini>" more than a 
 floating log at most, but he ordo'ed the steamer to be directed 
 towards it. 
 
 As the Beaver approached the object, Mr. Finlayson 
 watched it intently, and soon had the accuracy of his vision 
 confirmed, for it })roved to be one of the bidarkies which had 
 joined in the "spear-surround." It contained two natives, 
 who, utterly exhausted from their long struggle with the 
 storm, had been resting for a while ere they renewed their 
 endeavour to reach one of the islands. 
 
 Little imagining how closely the information they couid 
 give w^ould touch the purpose of the Bmvers presence in 
 those waters, Mr. Douglas gave the poor creatures a warm 
 
wmm 
 
 392 
 
 REUNION AND REJOICINGS. 
 
 welcome on board, and, after seeing that they had been well 
 fed, had a talk with them through the medium of the 
 Russian sailor who was acting as his pilot. 
 
 They had very little to say for themselves, and it was 
 not until Mr. Douglas was about to dismiss them that a 
 chance remark about the "white strancjers" aroused his 
 interest, and he pressed for further particulars. 
 
 By dint of determined questioning, enough was elicited 
 to convince him and Mr. Finlayson that the boys, with their 
 Russian friend, had formed part of the hunting party, and 
 that, if they had not already gone to the bottom, they must 
 now be tossing about somewhere in the vicinity, striving to 
 make their way back to land. 
 
 The excitement on board the Beaver when this became 
 generally known was intense. Not a man thought of sleep ; 
 the bunks were deserted even by those who had but a little 
 while before turned in ; and climbing into the rigging, or 
 posting themselves at the bow, they swept the moonlit sea 
 on every side in eager search for the bidarka which carried 
 such precious freight. 
 
 Twice was the glad cry raised of " Boat ahoy ! " and the 
 steamer bore down upon an object which did indeed prove to 
 be a native boat, but not the one they were most anxious 
 to find. Yet they were glad to rescue the exhausted Aleuts, 
 and they took encouragement from their being able to do so. 
 
 Poor ]\[r. Finlayson's agitation was pitiful to witness. 
 With parched lips and palpitating heart he strode the deck, 
 straining his eyes to every point of the com[)ass, and mur- 
 muring brokenly, — 
 
REUXION AND REJOICINGS, 
 
 393 
 
 ,d been well 
 ium of the 
 
 and it was 
 
 bhem that a 
 
 aroused his 
 
 was elicited 
 rs, with their 
 ig party, and 
 ui, they must 
 y, striving to 
 
 I this became 
 ught of sleep ; 
 d but a little 
 10 rigging, or 
 le moonlit sea 
 ivhich carried 
 
 3y ! " and the 
 [deed prove to 
 
 I most anxious 
 justed Aleuts, 
 
 able to do so. 
 
 II to witness, 
 kdc the deck, 
 Ls, and nuu'- 
 
 " O God, give me back my boy ! He's all I have in the 
 world now. Spare him, good Lord, spare him ! or my heart 
 will break." 
 
 Mr. Douglas strove to cheer him with words of kindest 
 sympathy ; but the factor seemed not to hear them as he 
 moved restlessly hiti^er and thither, never taking his eyes 
 off the tossing waves. 
 
 Suddenly there came from a sailor in the main-truck the 
 shout of "Boat ahoy, on the port bow!" and at once the 
 Beaver was pointed thither. 
 
 She had not gone far toward it before it was visible to 
 all on board, because it was so much larger than those that 
 had been previously encountered, and Mr. Finlayson noticed 
 that a couple of the rescued natives who stood near him 
 w^ere pointing it out to each other in a significant way, and 
 looking very much pleased. Without knowing just why, he 
 interpreted this as a sign of promise, and it increased his 
 wild impatience, as he awaited the steamer's approach to the 
 bidarka. 
 
 She was still fifty yards off when a figure rose in the 
 bidarka, and, waving something in it^ hand, called out in a 
 faint and broken yet audible voice, "Beaver ahoy! You're 
 just in time," and then fell back as though overcome with 
 emotion or weakness. 
 
 Had nut Mr. Douglas laid hi^- rostraining grasp upon him, 
 Mr. Finlayscm would surely liavc sprung overboard in his 
 frantic eagerness to reach the boat as he cried, — 
 
 " It's Rao ! it's Rae ! O God be praised ! It's my own 
 darling boy ! " 
 
394 
 
 REUNION AND REJOICINGS. 
 
 A few minutes more and the bidarka was alonrrside the 
 steamer, and a score of strong: lovinjj hands were stretched 
 out to lift its occupants on board — Rae, Freckles, and Baranov, 
 so exhausted by exposure and anxiety that they could hardly 
 stand upon their feet, and the four natives who had, with 
 marvellous skill and endurance, struggled against the storm 
 through the long hours when death threatened every moment. 
 
 How shall the scene that followed be put into words ! 
 The gruffest of the " old salts " in the Beavers crew felt his 
 eyes grow moist as Mr. Finlayson again and again pressed 
 Rae to his heart. Was there ever a gladder reunion of father 
 and son ? and what one on board could refuse to join in the 
 rejoicing ? 
 3j!£ After many fond embraces, Mr. Finlayson laid his hands 
 
 upon llae's shoulders, and, lifting his eyes to heaven, said in 
 solemn fervent tones, — 
 
 " O God, I give thee heartfelt praise ! ' for this my son 
 was dead, and is alive again ; he was lost, and is found.' " 
 
 And, as he concluded, Mr. Douglas, by a happy inspiration, 
 began to sing, " Praise God, from whom all blessings flow," 
 with the full strength of his stentorian voice. 
 
 Many of the sailors had not sung it since they had left 
 their homes in the mother land ; but it had not passed out 
 of their memories, and one by one they joined in as best they 
 could, until the glorious doxology went ringing out far over 
 the heaving waters, while the natives listened with faces 
 full of wonder at this, to them, most strange proceeding. 
 
 Rao would have liked to begin at once the recitai of the 
 moving accidents by flood and field, the hair-breadth escapes. 
 
/?£rAVO.y AXD REJOICTXGS. 
 
 395 
 
 Llon^side the 
 3re stretched 
 and Baranov, 
 could hardly 
 ho had, with 
 nst the stonii 
 very moment. 
 b into words! 
 I crew felt his 
 again pressed 
 iiion of father 
 to join in the 
 
 laid his hands 
 icaven, said in 
 
 3r this my son 
 is found.' " 
 py inspiration, 
 lessings flow," 
 
 tliey had left 
 lot passed out 
 I in as best they 
 icT out far over 
 led with faces 
 )rocceding. 
 le recitai of the 
 )readth escapes, 
 
 and the enliglitening experiences which had fallen to his lot 
 since he parted from his father ; but, eager as Mr. Finlayson 
 was to hear about them all, he knew that the boy sorely 
 needed rest after iiis long exposure to wind and wave. 
 
 " You must keep your story till the morning, Kae," said 
 he, fondly yet firmly ; " you are too tired to talk. Come 
 now to my cal)in, and I'll tuck you in for a good long sleep." 
 
 Mr. Douglas took charge of Baranov, and saw that he 
 had comfortable accommodation ; nor was Freckles neglected ; 
 and in a little while they had all retired, and the deck of the 
 steamer was deserted, save for the ofiiccr on dutv and the 
 steersman. 
 
 By Mr. Douglas's orders the steamer kept on her way to 
 Belcovsky, in order that the rescued natives might be returned 
 to their homes, and by daj^light on the following morning 
 had safely made the roadstead, where she came to anchor 
 while the Aleuts disembarked. 
 
 Baranov was warmly invited to remain on board, Mr. 
 Douglas offering to go back to Sitka with him, but he pre- 
 ferred rejoining the schooner ; and so he and liae parted, after 
 exchanging rifles as mementos of their meeting, and many 
 expressions of hope that in the course of events they would 
 cross each other's path again. 
 
 They had grown warmly attached during their com- 
 panionship, and it was with sincere regret on the part of 
 both that they said " Good-bye." 
 
 " We've had a good time together, haven't we, Alexander?" 
 said Ilae, as they stood with clasped hand;j at the gangway 
 where the boat was waitino: to take the Russian over to his 
 
396 
 
 REUNION AND REJOICINGS. 
 
 schooner, "and j'-ou've been very c^ood to me. I'll never 
 forget you as long a.s 1 live." 
 
 " Nor shall I ever forget yon, Rae," responded Baranov 
 earnestly; "and because I knew you and your people," look- 
 ing around at Mr. Finlayson and Mr. Douglas, " I will ahvays 
 believe that the British are better people than I v/as brought 
 up to think." 
 
 "And after what I've seen of you and your people," 
 returned Rae vvith equal heartiness, " I will always stand 
 up for the Russians wdicncvcr anybody dares say anything 
 aixainst them." 
 
 An hour later the Beaver bade farewell to Bclcovsky, 
 and began the long voyage southward and homew^ard, in the 
 course of which Rae had ample time to relate his adventures 
 to his father and Mr. Douglas, who listened to them all w^ith 
 unfla2fi>;infj interest. 
 
 " How wonderfully the good Lord cared for you, my 
 darling boy ! " exclaimed i\[r. Finlayson fervently again and 
 again as the story of his son's experience was unfolded. 
 " Surely you are destined for something great and good in 
 the world, or he would not thus have given his angels charge 
 over you." 
 
 " Indeed I don't know, father," Rae would reply ; " but 
 this I'm sure of, that I'm not going away from you again in 
 a hurry. I did miss you so much the whole time." 
 
 " And if you missed me while you were in the midst of 
 all that excitement and adventure, how much more do you 
 think I missed you while I was waiting so anxiously at Fort 
 Camosun for your return ? " asked Mr. Finlayson. 
 
REUNION AND REJOICINGS, 
 
 397 
 
 ril never 
 
 led Bavanov 
 )cople," look- 
 l will ahvays 
 was brought 
 
 iTOur people," 
 always stand 
 say anything 
 
 to Bclcovsky, 
 iicward, in the 
 liis adventures 
 I them all with 
 
 for you, my 
 itly again and 
 [was unfolded, 
 and good in 
 
 anccels charge 
 
 Id i-eply; "Ij^it 
 
 In you again in 
 luiic. 
 
 In the midst of 
 |h more do you 
 [iously at i ort 
 ison. 
 
 '• Well, never mind, fatlier dear," responded Rae, nestling 
 his face against the factor's broad shoulder ; " I promise you 
 I won't run away again for ever so long," and he sealed his 
 covenant with a right hearty kiss that made his father's face 
 glow with proud delight. 
 
 On the voyage down Mr. Finlaysf)n had a talk with Mr. 
 Douglas, which resulted in his deciding to carry out very 
 soon a plan that had for some time past been forming in his 
 mind. He had not revisited his native land since he came 
 out to Canada to enter into the service of the Hudson Bav 
 Company, and he was now entitled to a year's leave of absence 
 from duty on full pay. Of this right he would avail him- 
 self if his chief had no objections. 
 
 " Why, certainly, Mr. Finlayson," was Mr. Douglas's 
 prompt response to the factor's application. " There is no 
 reason why you should not take your leave if you Vv'ish it. 
 Fort Camosun is well established, and Vlx. Ogden can look 
 after it; and it will do both yourself and Bae a world of 
 good. You nuist go l)y all means." 
 
 Thus it came about that not lonu' after the return to 
 Fort Camosun, where Rae had a welcome worthy of a prince, 
 he set off again, this time in com})any with his father, and 
 having the centres of civilization, not the remote recesses of 
 the wilderness, in view. 
 
 It beincc arranijjcd that Freckles should be added to the 
 garrison of the fort in a capacity suited to his slender abilities, 
 Rae could bid good-bye to him with the comfortable convic- 
 tion that his life henceforth would be free from all hardship; 
 and although it was not easy to part from tlie poor fellow, 
 
398 
 
 REUNION AND REJOICINGS. 
 
 who had shared so many adventures with him, still there 
 was no alternative under the circumstances. 
 
 Carried by the Beaver down to San Francisco, Mr. Finlay- 
 son and Rae took the steamer thence to New York v'uX the 
 Isthmus of Panama, and from New York sailed for England. 
 
 How Rae was impressed by the wonders of London, of 
 Edinburgh, and of Paris, and how intensely he enjoyed and 
 how richly he profited by his year's travel, cannot be set 
 down here. . 
 
 When his father's leave was up, they returned together 
 to Fort Camosun, whose name had in the meantime been 
 changed to Fort Victoria in honour of Great Britain's Queen. 
 Entering into the service of the Company, Rae saw the new 
 West grow up w^ith w^onderful vigour all about him, and, 
 not neglecting to secure a full share in the general progress 
 and prosperity, in due time he came to be one of the foremost 
 men in the land, where his name is still familiar to those 
 who take pride in the country's history. 
 
 THE END 
 
mm 
 
 7S. 
 
 him, still there 
 
 SCO, Mr. Finlay- 
 w York via the 
 ed for Eno-land. 
 J of London, of 
 he enjoyed and 
 , cannot be set 
 
 -urned tocjether 
 meantime been 
 Britain's Queen, 
 ae saw the new 
 ibout him, and, 
 ;eneral progress 
 of the foremost 
 miliar to those