第2章
Theirinterestswerethus，tosomeextent，identifiedwiththoseofthecompany。
Severalartisanswerelikewisetosailintheship，forthesupplyofthecolony;butthemostpeculiarandcharacteristicpartofthismotleyembarkationconsistedofthirteenCanadian“voyageurs。”whohadenlistedforfiveyears。Asthisclassoffunctionarieswillcontinuallyrecurinthecourseofthefollowingnarrations，andastheyformoneofthosedistinctandstronglymarkedcastesorordersofpeople，springingupinthisvastcontinentoutofgeographicalcircumstances，orthevariedpursuits，habitudes，andoriginsofitspopulation，weshallsketchafewoftheircharacteristicsfortheinformationofthereader。
The“voyageurs“formakindofconfraternityintheCanadas，likethearrieros，orcarriersofSpain，and，likethem，areemployedinlonginternalexpeditionsoftravelandtraffic:withthisdifference，thatthearrierostravelbyland，thevoyageursbywater;theformerwithmulesandhorses，thelatterwithbatteauxandcanoes。Thevoyageursmaybesaidtohavesprungupoutofthefurtrade，havingoriginallybeenemployedbytheearlyFrenchmerchantsintheirtradingexpeditionsthroughthelabyrinthofriversandlakesoftheboundlessinterior。Theywerecoevalwiththecoureursdesbois，orrangersofthewoods，alreadynoticed，and，likethem，intheintervalsoftheirlong，arduous，andlaboriousexpeditions，werepronetopasstheirtimeinidlenessandrevelryaboutthetradingpostsorsettlements;
squanderingtheirhardearningsinheedlessconviviality，andrivalingtheirneighbors，theIndians，inindolentindulgenceandanimprudentdisregardofthemorrow。
WhenCanadapassedunderBritishdomination，andtheoldFrenchtradinghouseswerebrokenup，thevoyageurs，likethecoureursdesbois，wereforatimedisheartenedanddisconsolate，andwithdifficultycouldreconcilethemselvestotheserviceofthenew-
comers，sodifferentinhabits，manners，andlanguagefromtheirformeremployers。Bydegrees，however，theybecameaccustomedtothechange，andatlengthcametoconsidertheBritishfurtraders，andespeciallythemembersoftheNorthwestCompany，asthelegitimatelordsofcreation。
Thedressofthesepeopleisgenerallyhalfcivilized，halfsavage。Theywearacapotorsurcoat，madeofablanket，astripedcottonshirt，clothtrousers，orleathernleggins，moccasinsofdeer-skin，andabeltofvariegatedworsted，fromwhicharesuspendedtheknife，tobacco-pouch，andotherimplements。Theirlanguageisofthesamepiebaldcharacter，beingaFrenchpatois，embroideredwithIndianandEnglishwordsandphrases。
Thelivesofthevoyageursarepassedinwildandextensiverovings，intheserviceofindividuals，butmoreespeciallyofthefurtraders。TheyaregenerallyofFrenchdescent，andinheritmuchofthegayetyandlightnessofheartoftheirancestors，beingfullofanecdoteandsong，andeverreadyforthedance。Theyinherit，too，afundofcivilityandcomplaisance;and，insteadofthathardnessandgrossnesswhichmeninlaboriouslifeareapttoindulgetowardseachother，theyaremutuallyobligingandaccommodating;interchangingkindoffices，yieldingeachotherassistanceandcomfortineveryemergency，andusingthefamiliarappellationsof“cousin“and“brother“whenthereisinfactnorelationship。Theirnaturalgood-willisprobablyheightenedbyacommunityofadventureandhardshipintheirprecariousandwanderinglife。
Nomenaremoresubmissivetotheirleadersandemployers，morecapableofenduringhardship，ormoregood-humoredunderprivations。Neveraretheysohappyaswhenonlongandroughexpeditions，toilingupriversorcoastinglakes;encampingatnightontheborders，gossipingroundtheirfires，andbivouackingintheopenair。Theyaredextrousboatmen，vigorousandadroitwiththeoarandpaddle，andwillrowfrommorninguntilnightwithoutamurmur。ThesteersmanoftensingsanoldtraditionaryFrenchsong，withsomeregularburdeninwhichtheyalljoin，keepingtimewiththeiroars;ifatanytimetheyflaginspiritsorrelaxinexertion，itisbutnecessarytostrikeupasongofthekindtoputthemallinfreshspiritsandactivity。
TheCanadianwatersarevocalwiththeselittleFrenchchansons，thathavebeenechoedfrommouthtomouthandtransmittedfromfathertoson，fromtheearliestdaysofthecolony;andithasapleasingeffect，inastillgoldensummerevening，toseeabatteauglidingacrossthebosomofalakeanddippingitsoarstothecadenceofthesequaintoldditties，orsweepingalonginfullchorusonabrightsunnymorning，downthetransparentcurrentofoneoftheCanadarivers。
Butwearetalkingofthingsthatarefastfadingaway！Themarchofmechanicalinventionisdrivingeverythingpoeticalbeforeit。
Thesteamboats，whicharefastdispellingthewildnessandromanceofourlakesandrivers，andaidingtosubduetheworldintocommonplace，areprovingasfataltotheraceoftheCanadianvoyageursastheyhavebeentothatoftheboatmenoftheMississippi。Theirgloryisdeparted。Theyarenolongerthelordsofourinternalseas，andthegreatnavigatorsofthewilderness。Someofthemmaystilloccasionallybeseencoastingthelowerlakeswiththeirfrailbarks，andpitchingtheircampsandlightingtheirfiresupontheshores;buttheirrangeisfastcontractingtothoseremotewatersandshallowandobstructedriversunvisitedbythesteamboat。Inthecourseofyearstheywillgraduallydisappear;theirsongswilldieawayliketheechoestheyonceawakened，andtheCanadianvoyageurswillbecomeaforgottenrace，orremembered，liketheirassociates，theIndians，amongthepoeticalimagesofpasttimes，andasthemesforlocalandromanticassociations。
AninstanceofthebuoyanttemperamentandtheprofessionalprideofthesepeoplewasfurnishedinthegayandbraggartstyleinwhichtheyarrivedatNewYorktojointheenterprise。Theyweredeterminedtoregaleandastonishthepeopleofthe“States“withthesightofaCanadianboatandaCanadiancrew。Theyaccordinglyfittedupalargebutlightbarkcanoe，suchasisusedinthefurtrade;transporteditinawagonfromthebanksoftheSt。LawrencetotheshoresofLakeChamplain;traversedthelakeinit，fromendtoend;hoisteditagaininawagonandwheeleditofftoLansingburgh，andtherelaunchedituponthewatersoftheHudson。Downthisrivertheypliedtheircoursemerrilyonafinesummer’sday，makingitsbanksresoundforthefirsttimewiththeiroldFrenchboatsongs;passingbythevillageswithwhoopandhalloo，soastomakethehonestDutchfarmersmistakethemforacrewofsavages。Inthiswaytheyswept，infullsongandwithregularflourishofthepaddle，roundNewYork，inastillsummerevening，tothewonderandadmirationofitsinhabitants，whohadneverbeforewitnessedontheirwaters，anauticalapparitionofthekind。
SuchwasthevariegatedbandofadventurersabouttoembarkintheTonquinonthisardousanddoubtfulenterprise。Whileyetinportandondryland，inthebustleofpreparationandtheexcitementofnovelty，allwassunshineandpromise。TheCanadians，especially，who，withtheirconstitutionalvivacity，haveaconsiderabledashofthegascon，werebuoyantandboastful，andgreatbragartsastothefuture;whileallthosewhohadbeenintheserviceoftheNorthwestCompany，andengagedintheIndiantrade，plumedthemselvesupontheirhardihoodandtheircapacitytoendureprivations。IfMr。Astorventuredtohintatthedifficultiestheymighthavetoencounter，theytreatedthemwithscorn。Theywere“northwesters;“menseasonedtohardships，whocaredforneitherwindnorweather。Theycouldlivehard，liehard，sleephard，eatdogs！-inawordtheywerereadytodoandsufferanythingforthegoodoftheenterprise。
Withallthisprofessionofzealanddevotion，Mr。Astorwasnotoverconfidentofthestabilityandfirmfaithofthesemercurialbeings。Hehadreceivedinformation，also，thatanarmedbrigfromHalifax，probablyattheinstigationoftheNorthwestCompany，washoveringonthecoast，watchingfortheTonquin，withthepurposeofimpressingtheCanadiansonboardofher，asBritishsubjects，andthusinterruptingthevoyage。Itwasatimeofdoubtandanxiety，whentherelationsbetweentheUnitedStatesandGreatBritainweredailyassumingamoreprecariousaspectandvergingtowardsthatwarwhichshortlyensued。Asaprecautionarymeasure，therefore，herequiredthatthevoyageurs，astheywereabouttoenterintotheserviceofanAmericanassociation，andtoresidewithinthelimitsoftheUnitedStates，shouldtaketheoathsofnaturalizationasAmericancitizens。Tothistheyreadilyagreed，andshortlyafterwardassuredhimthattheyhadactuallydoneso。Itwasnotuntilaftertheyhadsailedthathediscoveredthattheyhadentirelydeceivedhiminthematter。
TheconfidenceofMr。Astorwasabusedinanotherquarter。Twoofthepartners，bothofthemScotchmen，andrecentlyintheserviceoftheNorthwestCompany，hadmisgivingsastoanenterprisewhichmightclashwiththeinterestsandestablishmentsprotectedbytheBritishflag。TheyprivatelywaitedupontheBritishminister，Mr。Jackson，theninNewYork，laidopentohimthewholeschemeofMr。Astor，thoughintrustedtotheminconfidence，anddependent，inagreatmeasure，uponsecrecyattheoutsetforitssuccess，andinquiredwhetherthey，asBritishsubjects，couldlawfullyengageinit。Thereplysatisfiedtheirscruples，whiletheinformationtheyimpartedexcitedthesurpriseandadmirationofMr。Jackson，thataprivateindividualshouldhaveconceivedandsetonfootathisownriskandexpensesogreatanenterprise。
ThissteponthepartofthosegentlemenwasnotknowntoMr。
Astoruntilsometimeafterwards，oritmighthavemodifiedthetrustandconfidencereposedinthem。
Toguardagainstanyinterruptiontothevoyagebythearmedbrig，saidtobeofftheharbor，Mr。AstorappliedtoCommodoreRodgers，atthattimecommandingatNewYork，togivetheTonquinsafeconvoyoffthecoast。Thecommodorehavingreceivedfromahighofficialsourceassuranceofthedeepinterestwhichthegovernmenttookintheenterprise，sentdirectionstoCaptainHull，atthattimecruisingofftheharbor，inthefrigateConstitution，toaffordtheTonquintherequiredprotectionwhensheshouldputtosea。
Beforethedayofembarkation，Mr。Astoraddressedaletterofinstructiontothefourpartnerswhoweretosailintheship。Inthisheenjoinedthem，inthemostearnestmanner，tocultivateharmonyandunanimity，andrecommendedthatalldifferencesofopinionsonpointsconnectedwiththeobjectsandinterestsofthevoyageshouldbediscussedbythewhole，anddecidedbyamajorityofvotes。He，moreover，gavethemespecialcautionastotheirconductonarrivingattheirdestinedport;exhortingthemtobecarefultomakeafavorableimpressionuponthewildpeopleamongwhomtheirlotandthefortunesoftheenterprisewouldbecast。“Ifyoufindthemkind。”saidhe，“asIhopeyouwill，besotothem。Ifotherwise，actwithcautionandforebearance，andconvincethemthatyoucomeasfriends。”
WiththesameanxiousforethoughthewrotealetterofinstructionstoCaptainThorn，inwhichheurgedthestrictestattentiontothehealthofhimselfandhiscrew，andtothepromotionofgood-humorandharmonyonboardhisship。“Topreventanymisunderstanding。”addedhe，“willrequireyourparticulargoodmanagement。”Hisletterclosedwithaninjunctionofwarinessinhisintercoursewiththenatives，asubjectonwhichMr。Astorwasjustlysensiblehecouldnotbetooearnest。
“Imustrecommendyou。”saidhe，“tobeparticularlycarefulonthecoast，andnottorelytoomuchonthefriendlydispositionofthenatives。AllaccidentswhichhaveasyethappenedtherearosefromtoomuchconfidenceintheIndians。”
Thereaderwillbeartheseinstructionsinmind，aseventswillprovetheirwisdomandimportance，andthedisasterswhichensuedinconsequenceoftheneglectofthem。
CHAPTERV。
SailingoftheTonquin-ARigidCommanderandaRecklessCrew-
LandsmenonShipboard-Fresh-WaterSailorsatSea-LubberNests-ShipFare-ALabradorVeteran-LiteraryClerks-
CuriousTravellers-RobinsonCrusoe’sIsland-Quarter-DeckQuarrels-FalklandIslands-AWild-GooseChase-PortEgmont-
EpitaphHunting-OldMortality-PenguinShooting-SportsmenLeftintheLurch-AHardPull-FurtherAltercations-ArrivalatOwyhee。
ONtheeighthofSeptember，1810，theTonquinputtosea，whereshewassoonjoinedbythefrigateConstitution。Thewindwasfreshandfairfromthesouthwest，andtheshipwassoonoutofsightoflandandfreefromtheapprehendeddangerofinterruption。Thefrigate，therefore，gaveher“Godspeed。”andlefthertohercourse。
TheharmonysoearnestlyenjoinedbyMr。Astoronthisheterogeneouscrew，andwhichhadbeensoconfidentlypromisedinthebuoyantmomentsofpreparation，wasdoomedtomeetwithacheckattheveryoutset。
CaptainThornwasanhonest，straighforward，butsomewhatdryanddictatorialcommander，who，havingbeennurturedinthesystemanddisciplineofashipofwar，andinasacredopinionofthesupremacyofthequarter-deck，wasdisposedtobeabsolutelordandmasteronboardofhisship。Heappears，moreover，tohavehadnogreatopinion，fromthefirst，ofthepersonsembarkedwithhim-HehadstoodbywithsurlycontemptwhiletheyvauntedsobravelytoMr。Astorofalltheycoulddoandalltheycouldundergo;howtheycouldfaceallweathers，putupwithallkindsoffare，andeveneatdogswitharelish，whennobetterfoodwastobehad。Hehadsetthemdownasasetoflandlubbersandbraggadocios，andwasdisposedtotreatthemaccordingly。Mr。
Astorwas，inhiseyes，hisonlyrealemployer，beingthefatheroftheenterprise，whofurnishedallfundsandborealllosses。
Theothersweremereagentsandsubordinates，wholivedathisexpense。Heevidentlyhadbutanarrowideaofthescopeandnatureoftheenterprise，limitinghisviewsmerelytohispartofit;everythingbeyondtheconcernsofhisshipwasoutofhissphere;andanythingthatinterferedwiththeroutineofhisnauticaldutiesputhiminapassion。
Thepartners，ontheotherhand，hadbeenbroughtupintheserviceoftheNorthwestCompany，andinaprofoundideaoftheimportance，dignity，andauthorityofapartner。TheyalreadybegantoconsiderthemselvesonaparwiththeM’Tavishes，theM’Gillivrays，theFrobishers，andtheothermagnatesoftheNorthwest，whomtheyhadbeenaccustomedtolookuptoasthegreatonesoftheearth;andtheywerealittledisposed，perhaps，toweartheirsuddenly-acquiredhonorswithsomeairofpretension。Mr。Astor，too，hadputthemontheirmettlewithrespecttothecaptain，describinghimasagunpowderfellowwhowouldcommandhisshipinfinestyle，and，iftherewasanyfightingtodo，would“blowalloutofthewater。”
Thuspreparedtoregardeachotherwithnoverycordialeye，itisnottobewonderedatthatthepartiessooncameintocollision。OntheveryfirstnightCaptainThornbeganhisman-
of-wardisciplinebyorderingthelightsinthecabintobeextinguishedateighto’clock。
Theprideofthepartnerswasimmediatelyinarms。Thiswasaninvasionoftheirrightsanddignitiesnottobeborne。Theywereonboardoftheirownship，andentitledtoconsulttheireaseandenjoyment。M’Dougalwasthechampionoftheircause。Hewasanactive，irritable，fuming，vaingloriouslittleman，andelevatedinhisownopinion，bybeingtheproxyofMr。Astor。A
violentaltercationensued，inthecourseofwhichThornthreatenedtoputthepartnersinironsshouldtheyproverefractory;uponwhichM’Dougalseizedapistolandsworetobethedeathofthecaptainshouldheeveroffersuchanindignity。
Itwassometimebeforetheirritatedpartiescouldbepacifiedbythemoretemperatebystanders。
Suchwasthecaptain’soutsetwiththepartners。Nordidtheclerksstandmuchhigherinhisgoodgraces;indeed，heseemstohaveregardedallthelandsmenonboardhisshipasakindofIivelumber，continuallyintheway。Thepoorvoyageurs，too，continuallyirritatedhisspleenbytheir“lubberly“andunseemlyhabits，soabhorrenttooneaccustomedtothecleanlinessofaman-of-war。Thesepoorfresh-watersailors，sovaingloriousonshore，andalmostamphibiouswhenonlakesandrivers，lostallheartandstomachthemomenttheywereatsea。Fordaystheysufferedthedolefulrigorsandretchingsofsea-sickness，lurkingbelowintheirberthsinsqualidstate，oremergingnowandthenlikespectresfromthehatchways，incapotesandblankets，withdirtynightcaps，grizzlybeard，lanternvisageandunhappyeye，shiveringaboutthedeck，andeverandanoncrawlingtothesidesofthevessel，andofferinguptheirtributestothewindward，toinfiniteannoyanceofthecaptain。
HisletterstoMr。Astor，whereinhepoursforththebitternessofhissoul，andhisseamanlikeimpatienceofwhatheconsidersthe“lubberly“characterandconductofthosearoundhim，arebeforeus，andareamusinglycharacteristic。Thehonestcaptainisfullofvexationonhisownaccount，andsolicitudeonaccountofMr。Astor，whosepropertyheconsidersatthemercyofamostheterogeneousandwastefulcrew。
Astotheclerks，hepronouncedthemmerepretenders，notoneofwhomhadeverbeenamongtheIndians，norfarthertothenorthwestthanMontreal，norofhigherrankthanbarkeeperofatavernormarkerofabilliard-table，exceptingone，whohadbeenaschool-master，andwhomheemphaticallysetsdownfor“asfoolishapedantaseverlived。”
ThenastotheartisansandlaborerswhohadbeenbroughtfromCanadaandshippedatsuchexpense，thethreemostrespectable，accordingtothecaptain’saccount，wereculprits，whohadfledfromCanadaonaccountoftheirmisdeeds;theresthadfiguredinMontrealasdraymen，barbers，waiters，andcarrioledrivers，andwerethemosthelpless，worthlessbeings“thateverbrokesea-
biscuit。”
Itmayeasilybeimaginedwhataseriesofmisunderstandingsandcross-purposeswouldbelikelytotakeplacebetweensuchacrewandsuchacommander。Thecaptain，inhiszealforthehealthandcleanlinessofhisship，wouldmakesweepingvisitationstothe“lubbernests“oftheunlucky“voyageurs“andtheircompanionsinmisery，ferretthemoutoftheirberths，makethemairandwashthemselvesandtheiraccoutrements，andobligethemtostiraboutbrisklyandtakeexercise。
Nordidhisdisgustandvexationceasewhenallhandshadrecoveredfromsea-sickness，andbecomeaccustomedtotheship，fornowbrokeoutanalarmingkeennessofappetitethatthreatenedhavoctotheprovisions。Whatespeciallyirritatedthecaptainwasthedaintinessofsomeofhiscabinpassengers。Theywereloudintheircomplaintsoftheship’sfare，thoughtheirtablewasservedwithfreshpork，hams，tongues，smokedbeef，andpuddings。“Whenthwartedintheircravingsfordelicacies。”Saidhe，“theywouldexclaimitwasd-dhardtheycouldnotliveastheypleasedupontheirownproperty，beingonboardoftheirownship，freightedwiththeirownmerchandise。Andthese。”addedhe，“arethefinefellowswhomadesuchboastthattheycould’eatdogs。’“
Inhisindignationatwhathetermedtheireffeminacy，hewouldswearthathewouldnevertakethemtoseaagain“withouthavingFly-marketontheforecastle，Covent-gardenonthepoop，andacoolspringfromCanadainthemaintop。“
Astheyproceededontheirvoyageandgotintothesmoothseasandpleasantweatherofthetropics，otherannoyancesoccurredtovexthespiritofthecaptain。Hehadbeencrossedbytheirritablemoodofoneofthepartners;hewasnowexcessivelyannoyedbythegood-humorofanother。ThiswastheelderStuart，whowasaneasysoul，andofasocialdisposition。HehadseenlifeinCanada，andonthecoastofLabrador;hadbeenafurtraderintheformer，andafishermanonthelatter;and，inthecourseofhisexperience，hadmadevariousexpeditionswithvoyageurs。Hewasaccustomed，therefore，tothefamiliaritywhichprevailsbetweenthatclassandtheirsuperiors，andthegossipingswhichtakeplaceamongthemwhenseatedroundafireattheirencampments。Stuartwasneversohappyaswhenhecouldseathimselfonthedeckwithanumberofthesemenroundhim，incampingstyle，smoketogether，passingthepipefrommouthtomouth，afterthemanneroftheIndians，singoldCanadianboat-
songs，andtellstoriesabouttheirhardshipsandadventures，inthecourseofwhichherivaledSinbadinhislongtalesofthesea，abouthisfishingexploitsonthecoastofLabrador。
Thisgossipingfamiliarityshockedthecaptain’snotionsofrankandsubordination，andnothingwassoabhorrenttohimasthecommunityofpipebetweenmasterandman，andtheirminglinginchorusintheoutlandishboat-songs。
Thentherewasanotherwhimsicalsourceofannoyancetohim。Someoftheyoungclerks，whoweremakingtheirfirstvoyage，andtowhomeverythingwasnewandstrange，were，veryrationally，inthehabitoftakingnotesandkeepingjournals。Thiswasasoreabominationtothehonestcaptain，whoheldtheirliterarypretensionsingreatcontempt。“Thecollectingofmaterialsforlonghistoriesoftheirvoyagesandtravels。”saidhe，inhislettertoMr。Astor，“appearstoengrossmostoftheirattention。”Wecanconceivewhatmusthavebeenthecrustyimpatienceoftheworthynavigator，when，onanytriflingoccurrenceinthecourseofthevoyage，quitecommonplaceinhiseyes，hesawtheseyounglandsmenrunningtorecorditintheirjournals;andwhatindignantglanceshemusthavecasttorightandleft，asheworriedaboutthedeck，givingouthisordersforthemanagementoftheship，surroundedbysinging，smoking，gossiping，scribblinggroups，all，ashethought，intentupontheamusementofthepassinghour，insteadofthegreatpurposesandinterestsofthevoyage。
Itispossiblethecaptainwasinsomedegreerightinhisnotions。Thoughsomeofthepassengershadmuchtogainbythevoyage，noneofthemhadanythingpositivelytolose。Theyweremostlyyoungmen，intheheydayoflife;andhavinggotintofinelatitudes，uponsmoothseas，withawell-storedshipunderthem，andafairwindintheshoulderofthesail，theyseemedtohavegotintoaholidayworld，andweredisposedtoenjoyit。Thatcravingdesire，naturaltountravelledmenoffreshandlivelyminds，toseestrangelands，andtovisitscenesfamousinhistoryorfable，wasexpressedbysomeofthepartnersandclerks，withrespecttosomeofthestoriedcoastsandislandsthatlaywithintheirroute。Thecaptain，however，whoregardedeverycoastandislandwithamatter-of-facteye，andhadnomoreassociationsconnectedwiththemthanthoselaiddowninhissea-
chart，consideredallthiscuriosityasexceedinglyidleandchildish。“Inthefirstpartofthevoyage。”saysheinhisletter，“theyweredeterminedtohaveitsaidtheyhadbeeninAfrica，andthereforeinsistedonstoppingattheCapedeVerdes。
NexttheysaidtheshipshouldstoponthecoastofPatagonia，fortheymustseethelargeanduncommoninhabitantsofthatplace。ThentheymustgototheislandwhereRobinsonCrusoehadsolonglived。Andlastly，theyweredeterminedtoseethehandsomeinhabitantsofEasterIsland。”
Toalltheseresolves，thecaptainopposedhisperemptoryveto，as“contrarytoinstructions。”Thenwouldbreakforthanunavailingexplosionofwrathonthepartofcertainofthepartners，inthecourseofwhichtheydidnotevenspareMr。
Astorforhisactofsupererogationinfurnishingordersforthecontroloftheshipwhiletheywereonboard，insteadofleavingthemtobethejudgeswhereitwouldbebestforhertotouch，andhowlongtoremain。ThecholericM’Dougaltooktheleadintheserailings，being，ashasbeenobserved，alittlepuffedupwiththeideaofbeingMr。Astor’sproxy。
Thecaptain，however，becameonlysomuchthemorecrustyanddoggedinhisadherencetohisorders，andtouchyandharshinhisdealingswiththepassengers，andfrequentaltercationsensued。Hemayinsomemeasurehavebeeninfluencedbyhisseamanlikeimpatienceoftheinterferenceoflandsmen，andhishighnotionsofnavaletiquetteandquarter-deckauthority;butheevidentlyhadanhonest，trustyconcernfortheinterestsofhisemployer。Hepicturedtohimselftheanxiousprojectoroftheenterprise，whohaddisbursedsomunificentlyinitsoutfit，calculatingonthezeal，fidelity，andsinglenessofpurposeofhisassociatesandagents;whilethey，ontheotherhand，havingagoodshipattheirdisposalandadeeppocketathometobearthemout，seemedreadytoloiteroneverycoast，andamusethemselvesineveryport。
OnthefourthofDecembertheycameinsightoftheFalklandIslands。Havingbeenforsometimeonanallowanceofwater，itwasresolvedtoanchorhereandobtainasupply。Aboatwassentintoasmallbaytotakesoundings。Mr。M’DougalandMr。M’Kaytookthisoccasiontogoonshore，butwitharequestfromthecaptainthattheywouldnotdetaintheship。Onceonshore，however，theywereinnohastetoobeyhisorders，butrambledaboutinsearchofcuriosities。Theanchorageprovingunsafe，andwaterdifficulttobeprocured，thecaptainstoodouttosea，andmaderepeatedsignalsforthoseonshoretorejointheship，butitwasnotuntilnineatnightthattheycameonboard。
Thewindbeingadverse，theboatwasagainsentonshoreonthefollowingmorning，andthesamegentlemenagainlanded，butpromisedtocomeoffatamoment’swarning;theyagainforgottheirpromiseintheireagerpursuitofwildgeeseandseawolves。
Afteratimethewindhauledfair，andsignalsweremadefortheboat。Halfanhourelapsedbutnoboatputoff。Thecaptainreconnoiteredtheshorewithhisglass，and，tohisinfinitevexation，sawtheloiterersinthefullenjoymentoftheir“wildgoose-chase。”Nettledtothequick，heimmediatelymadesail。Whenthoseonshoresawtheshipactuallyunderway，theyembarkedwithallspeed，buthadahardpullofeightmilesbeforetheygotonboard，andthenexperiencedbutagrimreception，notwithstandingthattheycamewellladenwiththespoilsofthechase。
Twodaysafterwards，ontheseventhofDecember，theyanchoredatFortEgmont，inthesameisland，wheretheyremainedfourdaystakinginwaterandmakingrepairs。Thiswasajoyoustimeforthelandsmen。Theypitchedatentonshore，hadaboatattheircommand，andpassedtheirtimemerrilyinramblingabouttheisland，andcoastingalongtheshores，shootingsealions，seals，foxes，geese，ducks，andpenguins。NonewerekeenerinpursuitofthiskindofgamethanM’DougalandDavidStuart;thelatterwasremindedofaquaticsportsonthecoastofLabrador，andhishuntingexploitsintheNorthwest。
Inthemeantimethecaptainaddressedhimselfsteadilytothebusinessofhisship，scorningtheholidayspiritanduselesspursuitsofhisemancipatedmessmates，andwarningthem，fromtimetotime，nottowanderawaynorbeoutofhail。Theypromised，asusual，thattheshipshouldneverexperienceamoment’sdetentionontheiraccount，but，asusual，forgottheirpromise。
Onthemorningofthe11th，therepairsbeingallfinished，andthewatercasksreplenished，thesignalwasgiventoembark，andtheshipbegantoweighanchor。Atthistimeseveralofthepassengersweredispersedabouttheisland，amusingthemselvesinvariousways。Someoftheyoungmenhadfoundtwoinscriptions，inEnglish，overaplacewheretwounfortunatemarinershadbeenburiedinthisdesertisland。Astheinscriptionswerewornoutbythetimeandweather，theywereplayingthepartof“OldMortality。”andpiouslyrenewingthem。Thesignalfromtheshipsummonedthemfromtheirlabors;theysawthesailsunfurled，andthatshewasgettingunderway。Thetwosportingpartners，however，Mr。M’DougalandDavidStuart，hadstrolledawaytothesouthoftheislandinpursuitofpenguins。Itwouldneverdotoputoffwithoutthem，astherewasbutoneboattoconveythewhole。
Whilethisdelaytookplaceonshore，thecaptainwasstormingonboard。Thiswasthethirdtimehisordershadbeentreatedwithcontempt，andtheshipwantonlydetained，anditshouldbethelast;sohespreadallsailandputtosea，swearinghewouldleavethelaggardstoshiftforthemselves。Itwasinvainthatthoseonboardmaderemonstrancesandentreaties，andrepresentedthehorrorsofabandoningmenuponasterileanduninhabitedisland;thesturdycaptainwasinflexible。
Inthemeantimethepenguinhuntershadjoinedtheengraversoftombstones，butnotbeforetheshipwasalreadyoutatsea。Theyall，tothenumberofeight，threwthemselvesintotheirboat，whichwasabouttwentyfeetinlength，androwedwithmightandmain。Forthreehoursandahalfdidtheytuganxiouslyandseverelyattheoar，swashedoccasionallybythesurgingwavesoftheopensea，whiletheshipinexorablykeptonhercourse，andseemeddeterminedtoleavethembehind。
OnboardtheshipwasthenephewofDavidStuart，ayoungmanofspiritandresolution。Seeing，ashethought，thecaptainobstinatelybentuponabandoninghisuncleandtheothers，heseizedapistol，andinaparoxysmofwrathsworehewouldblowoutthecaptain’sbrains，unlessheputaboutorshortenedsail。
Fortunatelyforallparties，thewindjustthencameahead，andtheboatwasenabledtoreachtheship;otherwise，disastrouscircumstancesmighthaveensued。Wecanhardlybelievethatthecaptainreallyintendedtocarryhisthreatintofulleffect，andratherthinkhemeanttoletthelaggardsoffforalongpullandaheartyfright。Hedeclared，however，inhislettertoMr。
Astor，thathewasseriousinhisthreats，andthereisnoknowinghowfarsuchanironmanmaypushhisnotionsofauthority。
“Hadthewind。”writeshe，“(unfortunately)nothauledaheadsoonafterleavingtheharbor’smouth，Ishouldpositivelyhaveleftthem;and，indeed，Icannotbutthinkitanunfortunatecircumstanceforyouthatitsohappened，forthefirstlossinthisinstancewould，inmyopinion，haveprovedthebest，astheyseemtohavenoideaofthevalueofproperty，noranyapparentregardforyourinterest，althoughinterwovenwiththeirown。”
This，itmustbeconfessed，wasactingwithahighhand，andcarryingaregardtotheowner’spropertytoadangerouslength。
Variouspettyfeudsoccurredalsobetweenhimandthepartnersinrespecttothegoodsonboardship，somearticlesofwhichtheywishedtodistributeforclothingamongthemen，orforotherpurposeswhichtheydeemedessential。Thecaptain，however，keptamastiffwatchuponthecargo，andgrowledandsnappediftheybutofferedtotouchboxorbale。“Itwascontrarytoorders;itwouldforfeithisinsurance;itwasoutofallrule。”Itwasinvaintheyinsistedupontheirrighttodoso，aspartowners，andasactingforthegoodoftheenterprise;thecaptainonlystucktohispointthemorestanchly。Theyconsoledthemselves，therefore，bydeclaring，thatassoonastheymadeland，theywouldasserttheirrights，anddowithshipandcargoastheypleased。
Besidethesefeudsbetweenthecaptainandthepartners，therewerefeudsbetweenthepartnersthemselves，occasioned，insomemeasure，byjealousyofrank。M’DougalandM’Kaybegantodrawplansforthefort，andotherbuildingsoftheintendedestablishment。Theyagreedverywellastotheoutlineanddimensions，whichwereonasufficientlygrandscale;butwhentheycametoarrangethedetails，fiercedisputesarose，andtheywouldquarrelbythehouraboutthedistributionofthedoorsandwindows。Manywerethehardwordsandhardnamesbandiedbetweenthemontheseoccasions，accordingtothecaptain’saccount。Eachaccusedtheotherofendeavoringtoassumeunwarrantablepower，andtakethelead;uponwhichMr。M’DougalwouldvauntinglylaydownMr。Astor’sletter，constitutinghimhisrepresentativeandproxy，adocumentnottobedisputed。
Thesewordycontests，thoughviolent，werebrief;“andwithinfifteenminutes。”saysthecaptain，“theywouldbecaressingeachotherlikechildren。”
WhileallthispettyanarchywasagitatingthelittleworldwithintheTonquin，thegoodshipprosperouslypursuedhercourse，doubledCapeHornonthe25thofDecember，careeredacrossthebosomofthePacific，until，onthe11thofFebruary，thesnowypeaksofOwyheewereseenbrighteningabovethehorizon。
CHAPTERVI。
Owyhee-SandwichIslanders-TheirNauticalTalents-Tamaahmaah-
HisNavy-HisNegotiations-ViewsofMr。AstorWithRespecttotheSandwichIslands-Karakakooa-RoyalMonopolyofPork-
DescriptionoftheIslanders-GayetiesonShore-ChronicleroftheIsland-PlaceWhereCaptainCookwasKilled-JohnYoung，aNauticalGovernor-HisStory-Waititi-ARoyalResidence-A
RoyalVisit-GrandCeremonials-CloseDealing-ARoyalPorkMerchant-GrievancesofaMatter-of-FactMan。
OWYHEE，orHawaii，asitiswrittenbymoreexactorthographers，isthelargestofthecluster，teninnumber，oftheSandwichIslands。Itisaboutninety-sevenmilesinlength，andseventy-
eightinbreadth，risinggraduallyintothreepyramidalsummitsorcones;thehighest，MounaRoa，beingeighteenthousandfeetabovethelevelofthesea，soastodomineeroverthewholearchipelago，andtobealandmarkoverawideextentofocean。ItremainsalastingmonumentoftheenterprisingandunfortunateCaptainCook，whowasmurderedbythenativesofthisisland。
TheSandwichIslanders，whenfirstdiscovered，evincedacharactersuperiortomostofthesavagesofthePacificisles。
Theywerefrankandopenintheirdeportment，friendlyandliberalintheirdealings，withanaptingenuityapparentinalltheirrudeinventions。
Thetragicalfateofthediscoverer，which，foratime，broughtthemunderthechargeofferocity，was，infact，theresultofsuddenexasperation，causedbytheseizureoftheirchief。
AtthetimeofthevisitoftheTonquin，theislandershadprofited，inmanyrespects，byoccasionalintercoursewithwhitemen;andhadshownaquicknesstoobserveandcultivatethoseartsimportanttotheirmodeofliving。Originallytheyhadnomeansofnavigatingtheseasbywhichtheyweresurrounded，superiortolightpirogues，whichwerelittlecompetenttocontendwiththestormsofthebroadocean。Astheislandersarenotinsightofeachother，therecould，therefore，bebutcasualintercoursebetweenthem。Thetrafficwithwhitemenhadputtheminpossessionofvesselsofsuperiordescription;theyhadmadethemselvesacquaintedwiththeirmanagement，andhadevenmaderudeadvancesintheartofship-building。
Theseimprovementshadbeenpromoted，inagreatmeasure，bytheenergyandsagacityofoneman，thefamousTamaahmaah。Hehadoriginallybeenapettyeri，orchief;but，beingofanintrepidandaspiringnature，hehadriseninrank，and，availinghimselfofthesuperioradvantagesnowaffordedinnavigation，hadbroughtthewholearchipelagoinsubjectiontohisarms。AtthetimeofthearrivaloftheTonquinhehadaboutfortyschooners，offromtwentytothirtytonsburden，andoneoldAmericanship。
Withtheseheheldundisputedswayoverhisinsulardomains，andcarriedonintercoursewiththechiefsorgovernorswhomhehadplacedincommandoftheseveralislands。
Thesituationofthisgroupofislands，farinthebosomofthevastPacific，andtheirabundantfertility，renderthemimportantstopping-placesonthehighwaytoChina，ortothenorthwestcoastofAmerica。Herethevesselsengagedinthefurtradetouchedtomakerepairsandprocureprovisions;andheretheyoftenshelteredthemselvesduringthewintersthatoccurredintheirlongcoastingexpeditions。
TheBritishnavigatorswere，fromthefirst，awareofthevalueoftheseislandstothepurposesofcommerce;andTamaahmaah，notlongafterhehadattainedthesovereignsway，waspersuadedbyVancouver，thecelebrateddiscoverer，toacknowledge，onbehalfofhimself，andsubjects，allegiancetothekingofGreatBritain。ThereadercannotbutcalltomindthevisitwhichtheroyalfamilyandcourtoftheSandwichIslandswas，inlateyears，inducedtomaketothecourtofSt。James;andtheserio-
comicceremonialsandmockparadewhichattendedthatsingulartravestyofmonarchalstyle。
ItwasapartofthewideandcomprehensiveplanofMr。Astortoestablishafriendlyintercoursebetweentheseislandsandhisintendedcolony，whichmight，foratime，haveoccasiontodrawsuppliesthence;andheevenhadavagueideaof，sometimeorother，gettingpossessionofoneoftheirislandsasarendezvousforhisships，andalinkinthechainofhiscommercialestablishments。
Ontheeveningofthe12thofFebruary，theTonquinanchoredinthebayofKarakakooa，intheislandofOwyhee。Thesurroundingshoreswerewildandbroken，withoverhangingcliffsandprecipicesofblackvolcanicrock。Beyondthese，however，thecountrywasfertileandwellcultivated，withinclosuresofyams，plantains，sweetpotatoes，sugar-canes，andotherproductionsofwarmclimatesandteemingsoils;andthenumeroushabitationsofthenativeswerepleasantlyshelteredbeneathclumpsofcocoanutandbread-fruittrees，whichaffordedbothfoodandshade。Thismingledvarietyofgardenandgrovesweptgraduallyupthesidesofthemountains，untilsucceededbydenseforests，whichinturngaveplacetonakedandcraggyrocks，untilthesummitsroseintotheregionsofperpetualsnow。
TheroyalresidenceofTamaahmaahwasatthistimeatanotherislandnamedWoahoo。TheislandofOwyheewasunderthecommandofoneofhiseris，orchiefs，whoresidedatthevillageofTocaigh，situatedonadifferentpartofthecoastfromthebayofKarakakooa。
Onthemorningafterherarrival，theshipwassurroundedbycanoesandpirogues，filledwiththeislandersofbothsexes，bringingoffsuppliesoffruitsandvegetables，bananas，plantains，watermelons，yams，cabbagesandtaro。Thecaptainwasdesirous，however，ofpurchasinganumberofhogs，buttherewerenonetobehad-Thetradeinporkwasaroyalmonopoly，andnosubjectofthegreatTamaahmaahdaredtomeddlewithit。Suchprovisionsastheycouldfurnish，however，werebroughtbythenativesinabundance，andalivelyintercoursewaskeptupduringtheday，inwhichthewomenmingledinthekindestmanner。
Theislandersareacomelyrace，ofacoppercomplexion。Themenaretallandwellmade，withformsindicatingstrengthandactivity;thewomenwithregularandoccasionallyhandsomefeatures，andalasciviousexpression，characteristicoftheirtemperament。TheirstyleofdresswasnearlythesameasinthedaysofCaptainCook。Themenworethemaro，abandonefootinwidthandseveralfeetinlength，swathedroundtheloins，andformedoftappa，orclothofbark;thekihei，ormantle，aboutsixfeetsquare，tiedinaknotoveroneshoulder，passedundertheoppositearm，soastoleaveitbare，andfallingingracefulfoldsbeforeandbehind，totheknee，soastobearsomeresemblancetoaRomantoga。
Thefemaledressconsistedofthepau，agarmentformedofapieceoftappa，severalyardsinlengthandoneinwidth，wrappedroundthewaist，andreachinglikeapetticoat，totheknees。
Overthiskihei，ormantle，largerthanthatofthemen，sometimeswornoverbothshoulders，likeashawl，sometimesoveroneonly。Thesemantleswereseldomwornbyeithersexduringtheheatoftheday，whentheexposureoftheirpersonswasatfirstveryrevoltingtoacivilizedeye。
Towardseveningseveralofthepartnersandclerkswentonshore，wheretheywerewellreceivedandhospitablyentertained。Adancewasperformedfortheiramusement，inwhichnineteenyoungwomenandonemanfiguredverygracefully，singinginconcert，andmovingtothecadenceoftheirsong。
Allthis，however，wasnothingtothepurposeintheeyesofCaptainThorn，who，beingdisappointedinhishopeofobtainingasupplyofpork，orfindinggoodwater，wasanxioustobeoff。
Thisitwasnotsoeasytoeffect。Thepassengers，onceonshore，weredisposed，asusual，toprofitbytheoccasion。Thepartnershadmanyinquiriestomakerelativetotheisland，withaviewtobusiness;whiletheyoungclerksweredelightedwiththecharmsandgracesofthedancingdamsels。
Toaddtotheirgratifications，anoldmanofferedtoconductthemtothespotwhereCaptainCookwasmassacred。Thepropositionwaseagerlyaccepted，andallhandssetoutonapilgrimagetotheplace。Theveteranislanderperformedhispromisefaithfully，andpointedouttheveryspotwheretheunfortunatediscovererfell。Therocksandcocoa-treesaroundborerecordofthefact，inthemarksoftheballsfiredfromtheboatsuponthesavages。Thepilgrimsgatheredroundtheoldman，anddrewfromhimalltheparticularshehadtorelaterespectingthismemorableevent;whilethehonestcaptainstoodbyandbithisnailswithimpatience。Toaddtohisvexation，theyemployedthemselvesinknockingoffpiecesoftherocks，andcuttingoffthebarkofthetreesmarkedbytheballs，whichtheyconveyedbacktotheshipaspreciousrelics。
Rightglad，therefore，washetogetthemandtheirtreasuresfairlyonboard，whenhemadesailfromthisunprofitableplace，andsteeredfortheBayofTocaigh，theresidenceofthechieforgovernoroftheisland，wherehehopedtobemoresuccessfulinobtainingsupplies。Oncomingtoanchorthecaptainwentonshore，accompaniedbyMr。M’DougalandMr。M’Kay，andpaidavisittothegovernor。Thisdignitaryprovedtobeanoldsailor，bythenameofJohnYoung;who，afterbeingtossedabouttheseaslikeanotherSinbad，had，byoneofthewhimsicalfreaksoffortune，beenelevatedtothegovernmentofasavageisland。Hereceivedhisvisitorswithmoreheartyfamiliaritythanpersonagesinhishighstationareapttoindulge，butsoongavethemtounderstandthatprovisionswerescantyatTocaigh，andthattherewasnogoodwater，norainhavingfallenintheneighborhoodinthreeyears。
Thecaptainwasimmediatelyforbreakinguptheconferenceanddeparting，butthepartnerswerenotsowillingtopartwiththenauticalgovernor，whoseemeddisposedtobeextremelycommunicative，andfromwhomtheymightbeabletoprocuresomeusefulinformation。Alongconversationaccordinglyensued，inthecourseofwhichtheymademanyinquiriesabouttheaffairsoftheislands，theirnaturalproductions，andthepossibilityofturningthemtoadvantageinthewayoftrade;nordidtheyfailtoinquireintotheindividualhistoryofJohnYoung，andhowhecametobegovernor。Thishegavewithgreatcondescension，runningthroughthewholecourseofhisfortunes“evenfromhisboyishdays。”
HewasanativeofLiverpool，inEngland，andhadfollowedtheseafromboyhood，until，bydintofgoodconduct，hehadrisensofarinhisprofessionastobeboatswainofanAmericanshipcalledtheEleanor，commandedbyCaptainMetcalf。Inthisvesselhehadsailedin1789，ononeofthosecasualexpeditionstothenorthwestcoast，inquestoffurs。Inthecourseofthevoyage，thecaptainleftasmallschooner，namedtheFairAmerican，atNootka，withacrewoffivemen，commandedbyhisson，ayouthofeighteen。ShewastofollowoninthetrackoftheEleanor。
InFebruary，1790，CaptainMetcalftouchedattheislandofMowee，oneoftheSandwichgroup。Whileanchoredhere，aboatwhichwasasternoftheEleanorwasstolen，andaseamanwhowasinitwaskilled。Thenatives，generally，disclaimedtheoutrage，andbroughttheshatteredremainsoftheboatandthedeadbodyoftheseamantotheship。Supposingthattheyhadthusappeasedtheangerofthecaptain，theythronged，asusual，ingreatnumbersaboutthevessel，totrade。CaptainMetcalf，however，determinedonabloodyrevenge。TheEleanormountedtenguns。Alltheseheorderedtobeloadedwithmusket-balls，nails，andpiecesofoldiron，andthenfiredthem，andthesmallarmsoftheship，amongthenatives。Thehavocwasdreadful;morethanahundred，accordingtoYoung’saccount，wereslain。
Afterthissignalactofvengeance，CaptainMetcalfsailedfromMowee，andmadefortheislandofOwyhee，wherehewaswellreceivedbyTamaahmaah。Thefortunesofthiswarlikechiefwereatthattimeontherise。Hehadoriginallybeenofinferiorrank，rulingoveronlyoneortwodistrictsofOwyhee，buthadgraduallymadehimselfsovereignofhisnativeisland。
TheEleanorremainedsomefewdaysatanchorhere，andanapparentlyfriendlyintercoursewaskeptupwiththeinhabitants。
Onthe17thMarch，JohnYoungobtainedpermissiontopassthenightonshore。Onthefollowingmorningasignal-gunsummonedhimtoreturnonboard。
Hewenttotheshoretoembark，butfoundallthecanoeshauleduponthebeachandrigorouslytabooed，orinterdicted。Hewouldhavelaunchedonehimself，butwasinformedbyTamaahmaahthatifhepresumedtodosohewouldbeputtodeath。
Youngwasobligedtosubmit，andremainedalldayingreatperplexitytoaccountforthismysterioustaboo，andfearfulthatsomehostilitywasintended。Intheeveninghelearnedthecauseofit，andhisuneasinesswasincreased。ItappearedthatthevindictiveactofCaptainMetcalfhadrecoileduponhisownhead。
TheschoonerFairAmerican，commandedbyhisson，followinginhistrack，hadfallenintothehandsofthenativestothesouthwardofTocaighBay，andyoungMetcalfandfourofthecrewhadbeenmassacred。
Onreceivingintelligenceofthisevent，Tamaahmaahhadimmediatelytabooedallthecanoes，andinterdictedallintercoursewiththeship，lestthecaptainshouldlearnthefateoftheschooner，andtakehisrevengeupontheisland。ForthesamereasonhepreventedYoungfromrejoininghiscountrymen。TheEleanorcontinuedtofiresignalsfromtimetotimefortwodays，andthensailed;concluding，nodoubt，thattheboatswainhaddeserted。
JohnYoungwasindespairwhenhesawtheshipmakesail;andfoundhimselfabandonedamongsavages;-andsavages，too，sanguinaryintheircharacter，andinflamedbyactsofhostility。
Hewasagreeablydisappointed，however，inexperiencingnothingbutkindtreatmentfromTamaahmaahandhispeople。Itistrue，hewasnarrowlywatchedwheneveravesselcameinsight，lestheshouldescapeandrelatewhathadpassed;butatothertimeshewastreatedwithentireconfidenceandgreatdistinction。Hebecameaprimefavorite，cabinetcounsellor，andactivecoadjutorofTamaahmaah，attendinghiminallhisexcursions，whetherofbusinessorpleasure，andaidinginhiswarlikeandambitiousenterprises。Bydegreesherosetotherankofachief，espousedoneofthebeautiesoftheisland，andbecamehabituatedandreconciledtohisnewwayoflife;thinkingitbetter，perhaps，toruleamongsavagesthanserveamongwhitemen;tobeafeatheredchiefthanatarpaulinboatswain。HisfavorwithTamahmaah，neverdeclined;andwhenthatsagacious，intrepid，andaspiringchieftainhadmadehimselfsovereignoverthewholegroupofislands，andremovedhisresidencetoWoahoo，helefthisfaithfuladherentJohnYoungincommandofOwyhee。
SuchisanoutlineofthehistoryofGovernorYoung，asfurnishedbyhimself;andweregretthatwearenotabletogiveanyaccountofthestatemaintainedbythisseafaringworthy，andthemannerinwhichhedischargedhishighfunctions;thoughitisevidenthehadmoreoftheheartyfamiliarityoftheforecastlethanthedignityofthegubernatorialoffice。
Theselongconferenceswerebittertrialstothepatienceofthecaptain，whohadnorespecteitherforthegovernororhisisland，andwasanxioustopushoninquestofprovisionsandwater。Assoonashecouldgethisinquisitivepartnersoncemoreonboard，heweighedanchor，andmadesailfortheislandofWoahoo，theroyalresidenceofTamaahmaah。
ThisisthemostbeautifulislandoftheSandwichgroup。Itisforty-sixmilesinlengthandtwenty-threeinbreadth。Aridgeofvolcanicmountainsextendsthroughthecentre，risingintoloftypeaks，andskirtedbyundulatinghillsandrichplains，wherethecabinsofthenativespeepoutfrombeneathgrovesofcocoanutandotherluxurianttrees。
Onthe21stofFebruarytheTonquincastanchorinthebeautifulbaybeforethevillageofWaititi，(pronouncedWhyteetee。)theabodeofTamaahmaah。Thisvillagecontainedabouttwohundredhabitations，composedofpolessetintheground，tiedtogetherattheends，andthatchedwithgrass，andwassituatedinanopengroveofcocoanuts。TheroyalpalaceofTamaahmaahwasalargehouseoftwostories;thelowerofstone，theupperofwood。
Roundthishisbody-guardkeptwatch，composedoftwenty-fourmeninlongbluecassocks，turnedupwithyellow，andeacharmedwithamusket。
Whileatanchoratthisplace，muchceremoniousvisitingandlongconferencestookplacebetweenthepotentateoftheislandsandthepartnersofthecompany。Tamaahmaahcameonboardoftheshipinroyalstyle，inhisdoublepirogue。Hewasbetweenfiftyandsixtyyearsofage，abovethemiddlesize，largeandwellmade，thoughsomewhatcorpulent。Hewasdressedinanoldsuitofregimentals，withaswordbyhisside，andseemedsomewhatembarrassedbyhismagnificentattire。Threeofhiswivesaccompaniedhim。Theywerealmostastall，andquiteascorpulentashimself;butbynomeanstobecomparedwithhimingrandeurofhabiliments，wearingnoothergarbthanthepan。Withhim，also，camehisgreatfavoriteandconfidentialcounseller，Kraimaker;who，fromholdingapostequivalenttothatofprimeminister，hadbeenfamiliarlynamedBillyPittbytheBritishvisitorstotheislands。
Thesovereignwasreceivedwithbefittingceremonial。TheAmericanflagwasdisplayed，fourgunswerefired，andthepartnersappearedinscarletcoats，andconductedtheirillustriousgueststothecabin，wheretheywereregaledwithwine。Inthisinterviewthepartnersendeavoredtoimpressthemonarchwithasenseoftheirimportance，andoftheimportanceoftheassociationtowhichtheybelonged。Theylethimknowthattheywereeris，orchiefs，ofagreatcompanyabouttobeestablishedonthenorthwestcoast，andtalkedoftheprobabilityofopeningatradewithhisislands，andofsendingshipsthereoccasionally。Allthiswasgratifyingandinterestingtohim，forhewasawareoftheadvantagesoftrade，anddesirousofpromotingfrequentintercoursewithwhitemen。HeencouragedEuropeansandAmericanstosettleinhisislandsandintermarrywithhissubjects。Therewerebetweentwentyandthirtywhitemenatthattimeresidentintheisland，butmanyofthemweremerevagabonds，whoremainedthereinhopesofleadingalazyandaneasylife。ForsuchTamaahmaahhadagreatcontempt;thoseonlyhadhisesteemandcountenancewhoknewsometradeormechanicart，andweresoberandindustrious。
Onthedaysubsequenttothemonarch’svisit，thepartnerslandedandwaiteduponhiminreturn。Knowingtheeffectofshowanddressuponmeninsavagelife，andwishingtomakeafavorableimpressionastheeris，orchiefs，ofthegreatAmericanFurCompany，someofthemappearedinHighlandplaidsandkiltstothegreatadmirationofthenatives。
Whilevisitsofceremonyandgranddiplomaticconferencesweregoingonbetweenthepartnersandtheking，thecaptain，inhisplain，matter-of-factway，waspushingwhatheconsideredafarmoreimportantnegotiation;thepurchaseofasupplyofhogs。Hefoundthatthekinghadprofitedinmorewaysthanonebyhisintercoursewithwhitemen。Aboveallotherartshehadlearnedtheartofdrivingabargain。Hewasamagnanimousmonarch，butashrewdporkmerchant;andperhapsthoughthecouldnotdobetterwithhisfutureallies，theAmericanFurCompany，thantobeginbyclosedealing。Severalinterviewswererequisite，andmuchbargaining，beforehecouldbebroughttopartwithabristleofhisbacon，andthenheinsisteduponbeingpaidinhardSpanishdollars;givingasareasonthathewantedmoneytopurchaseafrigatefromhisbrotherGeorge，asheaffectionatelytermedthekingofEngland。*
Atlengththeroyalbargainwasconcluded;thenecessarysupplyofhogsobtained，besidesseveralgoats，twosheep，aquantityofpoultry，andvegetablesinabundance。Thepartnersnowurgedtorecruittheirforcesfromthenativesofthisisland。Theydeclaredtheyhadneverseenwatermenequaltothem，evenamongthevoyageursoftheNorthwest;and，indeed，theyareremarkablefortheirskillinmanagingtheirlightcraft，andcanswimanddivelikewaterfowl。Thepartnerswereinclined，therefore，totakethirtyorfortywiththemtotheColumbia，tobeernployedintheserviceofthecompany。Thecaptain，however，objectedthattherewasnotroominhisvesselfortheaccommodationofsuchanumber。Twelve，only，werethereforeenlistedforthecompany，andasmanymorefortheserviceoftheship。Theformerengagedtoserveforthetermofthreeyears，during，whichtheyweretobefedandclothed;andattheexpirationofthetimeweretoreceiveonehundreddollarsinmerchandise。
Andnow，havingembarkedhislive-stock，fruits，vegetables，andwater，thecaptainmadereadytosetsail。Howmuchthehonestmanhadsufferedinspiritbywhatheconsideredthefreaksandvagariesofhispassengers，andhowlittlehehadunderstoodtheirhumorsandintentions，isamusinglyshowninaletterwrittentoMr。AstorfromWoahoo，whichcontainshiscommentsonthesceneswehavedescribed。
“Itwouldbedifficult。”hewrites，“toimaginethefranticgambolsthataredailyplayedoffhere;sometimesdressinginredcoats，andotherwiseveryfantastically，andcollectinganumberofignorantnativesaroundthem，tellingthemthattheyarethegreaterisoftheNorthwest，andmakingarrangementsforsendingthreeorfourvesselsyearlytothemfromthecoastwithspars，&c。;whilethoseverynativescannotevenfurnishahogtotheship。ThendressinginHighlandplaidsandkilts，andmakingsimilararrangements，withpresentsofrum，wine，oranythingthatisathand。ThentakinganumberofclerksandmenonshoretotheveryspotonwhichCaptainCookwaskilled，andeachfetchingoffapieceoftherockortreethatwastouchedbytheshot。Thensittingdownwithsomewhitemanorsomenativewhocanbealittleunderstood，andcollectingthehistoryofthoseislands，ofTamaahmaah’swars，thecuriositiesoftheislands，&c。，preparatorytothehistoriesoftheirvoyages;andthecollectionisindeedridiculouslycontemptible。Toenumeratethethousandinstancesofignorance，filth，&c。，-ortoparticularizeallthefranticgambolsthataredailypracticed，wouldrequireVolumes。
Beforeembarking，thegreaterisoftheAmericanFurCompanytookleaveoftheirillustriousallyinduestyle，withmanyprofessionsoflastingfriendshipandpromisesoffutureintercourse;whilethematter-of-factcaptainanathematizedhiminhisheartforagrasping，traffickingsavage;asshrewdandsordidinhisdealingsasawhiteman。Asoneofthevesselsofthecompanywill，inthecourseofevents，havetoappealtothejusticeandmagnanimityofthisislandpotentate，weshallseehowfarthehonestcaptainwasrightinhisopinion。
*Itappears，fromtheaccountsofsubsequentvoyagers，thatTamaahmaahafterwardssucceededinhiswishofpurchasingalargeship。Inthishesentacargoofsandal-woodtoCanton，havingdiscoveredthattheforeignmerchantstradingwithhimmadelargeprofitsonthiswood，shippedbythemfromtheislandstotheChinesemarkets。Theshipwasmannedbynatives，buttheofficerswereEnglishmen。Sheaccomplishedhervoyage，andreturnedinsafetytotheislands，withtheHawaiianflagfloatinggloriouslyinthebreeze。Thekinghastenedonboard，expectingtofindhissandal-woodconvertedintocrapesanddamasks，andotherrichstuffsofChina，butfound，tohisastonishment，bythelegerdemainoftraffic，hiscargohadalldisappeared，and，inplaceofit，remainedabillofchargesamountingtothreethousanddollars。Itwassometimebeforehecouldbemadetocomprehendcertainofthemostimportantitemsofthebill，suchaspilotage，anchorage，andcustom-housefees;butwhenhediscoveredthatmaritimestatesinothercountriesderivedlargerevenuesinthismanner，tothegreatcostofthemerchant，“Well。”criedhe，“thenIwillhaveharborfeesalso。”Heestablishedthemaccordingly。Pilotageadollarafootonthedraftofeachvessel。Anchoragefromsixtytoseventydollars。Inthiswayhegreatlyincreasedtheroyalrevenue，andturnedhisChinaspeculationtoaccount。
CHAPTERVII。
DepartureFromtheSandwichIslands-Misunderstandings-MiseriesofaSuspiciousMan-ArrivalattheColumbia-DangerousService-GloomyApprehensions-BarsandBreakers-PerilsoftheShip。DisastersofaBoat’sCrew-BurialofaSandwichIslander。
ITwasonthe28thofFebruarythattheTonquinsetsailfromtheSandwichIslands。Fortwodaysthewindwascontrary，andthevesselwasdetainedintheirneighborhood;atlengthafavorablebreezesprangup，andinalittlewhiletherichgroves，greenhills，andsnowypeaksofthosehappyislandsoneafteranothersankfromsight，ormeltedintothebluedistance，andtheTonquinploughedhercoursetowardsthesternerregionsofthePacific。
Themisunderstandingsbetweenthecaptainandhispassengersstillcontinued;orrather，increasedingravity。Byhisaltercationsandhismoodyhumors，hehadcuthimselfofffromallcommunityofthought，orfreedomofconversationwiththem。
Hedisdainedtoaskquestionsastotheirproceedings，andcouldonlyguessatthemeaningoftheirmovements，andinsodoingindulgedinconjecturesandsuspicions，whichproducedthemostwhimsicalself-torment。
Thus，inoneofhisdisputeswiththem，relativetothegoodsonboard，someofthepackagesofwhichtheywishedtoopen，totakeoutarticlesofclothingforthemenorpresentsforthenatives，hewassoharshandperemptorythattheylostallpatience，andhintedthattheywerethestrongestparty，andmightreducehimtoaveryridiculousdilemma，bytakingfromhimthecommand。
Athoughtnowflashedacrossthecaptain’smindthattheyreallyhadaplantodeposehim，andthat，havingpickedupsomeinformationatOwyhee，possiblyofwarbetweentheUnitedStatesandEngland，theymeanttoalterthedestinationofthevoyage;
perhapstoseizeuponshipandcargofortheirownuse。
Oncehavingconceivedthissuspicion，everythingwenttofosterit。Theyhaddistributedfire-armsamongsomeoftheirmen，acommonprecautionamongthefurtraderswhenminglingwiththenatives。This，however，lookedlikepreparation。Thenseveralofthepartnersandclerksandsomeofthemen，beingScotsmen，wereacquaintedwiththeGaelic，andheldlongconversationstogetherinthatlanguage。Theseconversationswereconsideredbythecaptainofa“mysteriousandunwarrantednature。”andrelated，nodoubt，tosomefoulconspiracythatwasbrewingamongthem。Hefranklyavowssuchsuspicions，inhislettertoMr。Astor，butintimatesthathestoodreadytoresistanytreasonousoutbreak;
andseemstothinkthattheevidenceofpreparationonhisparthadaneffectinoverawingtheconspirators。
Thefactis，aswehavesincebeeninformedbyoneoftheparties，itwasamischievouspleasurewithsomeofthepartnersandclerks，whowereyoungmen，toplayuponthesuspicioustemperandsplenetichumorsofthecaptain。Tothiswemayascribemanyoftheirwhimsicalpranksandabsurdpropositions，and，aboveall，theirmysteriouscolloquiesinGaelic。
Inthissoreandirritablemooddidthecaptainpursuehiscourse，keepingawaryeyeoneverymovement，andbristlingupwheneverthedetestedsoundoftheGaeliclanguagegrateduponhisear。Nothingoccurred，however，materiallytodisturbtheresidueofthevoyageexceptingaviolentstorm;andonthetwenty-secondofMarch，theTonquinarrivedatthemouthoftheOregon，orColumbiaRiver。
Theaspectoftheriverandtheadjacentcoastwaswildanddangerous。ThemouthoftheColumbiaisupwardsoffourmileswidewithapeninsulaandpromontoryononeside，andalonglowspitoflandontheother;betweenwhichasandbarandchainofbreakersalmostblocktheentrance。Theinteriorofthecountryrisesintosuccessiverangesofmountains，which，atthetimeofthearrivaloftheTonquin，werecoveredwithsnow。
Afreshwindfromthenorthwestsentaroughtumblingseauponthecoast，whichbrokeuponthebarinfurioussurges，andextendedasheetoffoamalmostacrossthemouthoftheriver。
Underthesecircumstancesthecaptaindidnotthinkitprudenttoapproachwithinthreeleagues，untilthebarshouldbesoundedandthechannelascertained。Mr。Fox，thechiefmate，wasorderedtothisserviceinthewhaleboat，accompaniedbyJohnMartin，anoldseaman，whohadformerlyvisitedtheriver，andbythreeCanadians。Foxrequestedtohaveregularsailorstomantheboat，butthecaptainwouldnotsparethemfromtheserviceoftheship，andsupposedtheCanadians，beingexpertboatmenonlakesandrivers，werecompetenttotheservice，especiallywhendirectedandaidedbyFoxandMartin。Foxseemstohavelostallfirmnessofspiritontheoccasion，andtohaveregardedtheservicewithamisgivingheart。Hecametothepartnersforsympathy，knowingtheirdifferenceswiththecaptain，andthetearswereinhiseyesasherepresentedhiscase。“Iamsentoff。”saidhe，“withoutseamentomanmyboat，inboisterousweather，andonthemostdangerouspartofthenorthwestcoast。
Myunclewaslostafewyearsagoonthissamebar，andIamnowgoingtolaymybonesalongsideofhis。”Thepartnerssympathizedinhisapprehensions，andremonstratedwiththecaptain。Thelatter，however，wasnottobemoved。HehadbeendispleasedwithMr。Foxintheearlierpartofthevoyage，consideringhimindolentandinactive;andprobablythoughthispresentrepugnancearosefromawantoftruenauticalspirit。Theinterferenceofthepartnersinthebusinessoftheship，also，wasnotcalculatedtohaveafavorableeffectonasticklerforauthoritylikehimself，especiallyinhisactualstateoffeelingtowardsthem。
Atoneo’clock，P。m。，therefore，Foxandhiscomradessetoffinthewhaleboat，whichisrepresentedassmallinsize，andcrazyincondition。Alleyeswerestrainedafterthelittlebarkasitpulledforshore，risingandsinkingwiththehugerollingwaves，untilitentered，amerespeck，amongthefoamingbreakers，andwassoonlosttoview。Eveningsetin，nightsucceededandpassedaway，andmorningreturned，butwithoutthereturnoftheboat。
Asthewindhadmoderated，theshipstoodneartotheland，soastocommandaviewoftheriver’smouth。Nothingwastobeseenbutawildchaosoftumblingwavesbreakinguponthebar，andapparentlyformingafoamingbarrierfromshoretoshore。Towardsnighttheshipagainstoodouttogainsea-room，andagloomwasvisibleineverycountenance。Thecaptainhimselfsharedinthegeneralanxiety，andprobablyrepentedofhisperemptoryorders。
Anotherwearyandwatchfulnightsucceeded，duringwhichthewindsubsided，andtheweatherbecameserene。
Onthefollowingday，theshiphavingdriftedneartheland，anchoredinfourteenfathomswater，tothenorthwardofthelongpeninsulaorpromontorywhichformsthenorthsideoftheentrance，andiscalledCapeDisappointment。Thepinnacewasthenmanned，andtwoofthepartners，Mr。DavidStuartandMr。M’Kay，setoffinthehopeoflearningsomethingofthefateofthewhaleboat。Thesurf，however，brokewithsuchviolencealongtheshorethattheycouldfindnolandingplace。Severalofthenativesappearedonthebeachandmadesignstothemtorowroundthecape，buttheythoughtitmostprudenttoreturntotheship。
Thewindnowspringingup，theTonquingotunderway，andstoodintoseekthechannel;butwasagaindeterredbythefrightfulaspectofthebreakers，fromventuringwithinaleague。Hereshehoveto;andMr。Mumford，thesecondmate，wasdespatchedwithfourhands，inthepinnace，tosoundacrossthechanneluntilheshouldfindfourfathomsdepth。Thepinnaceenteredamongthebreakers，butwasnearbeinglost，andwithdifficultygotbacktotheship。ThecaptaininsistedthatMr。Mumfordhadsteeredtoomuchtothesouthward。HenowturnedtoMr。Aiken，anablemariner，destinedtocommandtheschoonerintendedforthecoastingtrade，andorderedhim，togetherwithJohnColes，sail-
maker，StephenWeekes，armorer，andtwoSandwichIslanders，toproceedaheadandtakesoundings，whiletheshipshouldfollowundereasysail。InthiswaytheyproceededuntilAikenhadascertainedthechannel，whensignalwasgivenfromtheshipforhimtoreturnonboard。Hewasthenwithinpistolshot，butsofuriouswasthecurrent，andtumultuousthebreakers，thattheboatbecameunmanageable，andwashurriedaway，thecrewcryingoutpiteouslyforassistance。Inafewmomentsshecouldnotbeseenfromtheship’sdeck。Someofthepassengersclimbedtothemizzentop，andbeheldherstillstrugglingtoreachtheship;
butshortlyaftershebroachedbroadsidetothewaves，andhercaseseemeddesperate。Theattentionofthoseonboardoftheshipwasnowcalledtotheirownsafety。Theywereinshallowwater;thevesselstruckrepeatedly，thewavesbrokeoverher，andtherewasdangerofherfoundering。Atlengthshegotintosevenfathomswater，andthewindlulling，andthenightcomingon，castanchor。Withthedarknesstheiranxietiesincreased。Thewindwhistled，thesearoared，thegloomwasonlybrokenbytheghastlyglareofthefoamingbreakers，themindsoftheseamenwerefullofdrearyapprehensions，andsomeofthemfanciedtheyheardthecriesoftheirlostcomradesminglingwiththeuproaroftheelements。Foratime，too，therapidlyebbingtidethreatenedtosweepthemfromtheirprecariousanchorage。Atlengththerefluxofthetide，andthespringingupofthewind，enabledthemtoquittheirdangeroussituationandtakeshelterinasmallbaywithinCapeDisappointment，wheretheyrodeinsafetyduringtheresidueofastormynight，andenjoyedabriefintervalofrefreshingsleep。
Withthelightofdayreturnedtheircaresandanxieties。Theylookedoutfromthemast-headoverawildcoast，andwildersea，butcoulddiscovernotraceofthetwoboatsandtheircrewsthatweremissing。Severalofthenativescameonboardwithpeltries，buttherewasnodispositiontotrade。Theywereinterrogatedbysignsafterthelostboats，butcouldnotunderstandtheinquiries。
PartiesnowWentonshoreandscouredtheneighborhood。Oneofthesewasheadedbythecaptain。Theyhadnotproceededfarwhentheybeheldapersonatadistanceincivilizedgarb。AshedrewnearheprovedtobeWeekes，thearmorer。Therewasaburstofjoy，foritwashopedhiscomradeswerenearathand。Hisstory，however，wasoneofdisaster。Heandhiscompanionshadfounditimpossibletogoverntheirboat，havingnorudder，andbeingbesetbyrapidandwhirlingcurrentsandboisteroussurges。Afterlongstrugglingtheyhadlethergoatthemercyofthewaves，tossingabout，sometimeswithherbow，sometimeswithherbroadsidetothesurges，threatenedeachinstantwithdestruction，yetrepeatedlyescaping，untilahugeseabrokeoverandswampedher。Weekeswasoverwhelmedbythebroilingwaves，butemergingabovethesurface，lookedroundforhiscompanions。
AikenandColeswerenottobeseen;nearhimwerethetwoSandwichIslanders，strippingthemselvesoftheirclothingthattheymightswimmorefreely。Hedidthesame，andtheboatfloatingneartohimheseizedholdofit。Thetwoislandersjoinedhim，and，unitingtheirforces，theysucceededinturningtheboatuponherkeel;thenbearingdownhersternandrockingher，theyforcedoutsomuchwaterthatshewasabletobeartheweightofamanwithoutsinking。Oneoftheislandersnowgotin，andinalittlewhilebailedoutthewaterwithhishands。Theotherswamaboutandcollectedtheoars，andtheyallthreegotoncemoreonboard。
Bythistimethetidehadsweptthembeyondthebreakers，andWeekescalledonhiscompanionstorowforland。Theyweresochilledandbenumbedbythecold，however，thattheylostallheart，andabsolutelyrefused。Weekeswasequallychilled，buthadsuperiorsagacityandself-command。Hecounteractedthetendencytodrowsinessandstuporwhichcoldproducesbykeepinghimselfinconstantexercise;andseeingthatthevesselwasadvancing，andthateverythingdependeduponhimself，hesettoworktosculltheboatclearofthebar，andintoquietwater。
Towardmidnightoneofthepoorislandersexpired;hiscompanionthrewhimselfonhiscorpseandcouldnotbepersuadedtoleavehim。Thedismalnightworeawayamidstthesehorrors:asthedaydawned，Weekesfoundhimselfneartheland。Hesteereddirectlyforit，andatlength，withtheaidofthesurf，ranhisboathighuponasandybeach。
FindingthatoneoftheSandwichIslandersyetgavesignsoflife，heaidedhimtoleavetheboat，andsetoutwithhimtowardstheadjacentwoods。Thepoorfellow，however，wastoofeebletofollowhim，andWeekeswassoonobligedtoabandonhimtohisfateandprovideforhisownsafety。Fallinguponabeatenpath，hepursuedit，andafterafewhourscametoapartofthecoast，where，tohissurpriseandjoy，hebeheldtheshipatanchorandwasmetbythecaptainandhisparty。
AfterWeekeshadrelatedhisadventures，threepartiesweredespatchedtobeatupthecoastinsearchoftheunfortunateislander。Theyreturnedatnightwithoutsuccess，thoughtheyhadusedtheutmostdiligence。Onthefollowingdaythesearchwasresumed，andthepoorfellowwasatlengthdiscoveredlyingbeneathagroupofrocks，hislegsswollen，hisfeettornandbloodyfromwalkingthroughbushesandbriars，andhimselfhalf-
deadwithcold，hunger，andfatigue。Weekesandthisislanderweretheonlysurvivorsofthecrewofthejolly-boat，andnotracewaseverdiscoveredofFoxandhisparty。Thuseightmenwerelostonthefirstapproachtothecoast;acommencementthatcastagloomoverthespiritsofthewholeparty，andwasregardedbysomeofthesuperstitiousasanomenthatbodednogoodtotheenterprise。
TowardsnighttheSandwichIslanderswentonshore，toburythebodyoftheirunfortunatecountrymanwhohadperishedintheboat。Onarrivingattheplacewhereithadbeenleft，theydugagraveinthesand，inwhichtheydepositedthecorpse，withabiscuitunderoneofthearms，somelardunderthechin，andasmallquantityoftobacco，asprovisionsforitsjourneyinthelandofspirits。Havingcoveredthebodywithsandandflints，theykneeledalongthegraveinadoublerow，withtheirfacesturnedtotheeast，whileonewhoofficiatedasapriestsprinkledthemwithwaterfromahat。Insodoingherecitedakindofprayerorinvocation，towhich，atintervals，theothersmaderesponses。Suchwerethesimpleritesperformedbythesepoorsavagesatthegraveoftheircomradeontheshoresofastrangeland;andwhentheseweredone，theyroseandreturnedinsilencetotheship，withoutoncecastingalookbehind。
CHAPTERVIII。
MouthoftheColumbia-TheNativeTribes-TheirFishing-TheirCanoes-BoldNavigators-EquestrianIndiansandPiscatoryIndians，DifferenceinTheirPhysicalOrganization-SearchforaTradingSite-ExpeditionofM’DougalandDavidStuart-
Comcomly，theOneEyedChieftain-InfluenceofWealthinSavageLife-SlaveryAmongtheNatives-AnAristocracyofFlatheads-
HospitalityAmongtheChinooks-Comcomly’sDaughter-HerConquest。
THEColumbia，orOregon，forthedistanceofthirtyorfortymilesfromitsentranceintothesea，is，properlyspeaking，amereestuary，indentedbydeepbayssoastovaryfromthreetosevenmilesinwidth;andisrenderedextremelyintricateanddangerousbyshoalsreachingnearlyfromshoretoshore，onwhich，attimes，thewindsandcurrentsproducefoamingandtumultuousbreakers。Themouthoftheriverproperisbutabouthalfamilewide，formedbythecontractingshoresoftheestuary。Theentrancefromthesea，aswehavealreadyobserved，isboundedonthesouthsidebyaflatsandyspitofland，stretchingintotheocean。ThisiscommonlycalledPointAdams。
Theopposite，ornorthernside，isCapeDisappointment;akindofpeninsula，terminatinginasteepknollorpromontorycrownedwithaforestofpine-trees，andconnectedwiththemainlandbyalowandnarrowneck。Immediatelywithinthiscapeisawide，openbay，terminatingatChinookPoint，socalledfromaneighboringtribeofIndians。ThiswascalledBaker’sBay，andheretheTonquinwasanchored。
Thenativesinhabitingthelowerpartoftheriver，andwithwhomthecompanywaslikelytohavethemostfrequentintercourse，weredividedatthistimeintofourtribes，theChinooks，Clatsops，Wahkiacums，andCathlamahs。Theyresembledeachotherinperson，dress，language，andmanner;andwereprobablyfromthesamestock，butbrokenintotribes，orratherhordes，bythosefeudsandschismsfrequentamongIndians。
Thesepeoplegenerallylivebyfishing。Itistruetheyoccasionallyhunttheelkanddeer，andensnarethewater-fowloftheirpondsandrivers，butthesearecasualluxuries。TheirchiefsubsistenceisderivedfromthesalmonandotherfishwhichaboundintheColumbiaanditstributarystreams，aidedbyrootsandherbs，especiallythewappatoo，whichisfoundontheislandsoftheriver。
AstheIndiansoftheplainswhodependuponthechaseareboldandexpertriders，andpridethemselvesupontheirhorses，sothesepiscatorytribesofthecoastexcelinthemanagementofcanoes，andarenevermoreathomethanwhenridinguponthewaves。Theircanoesvaryinformandsize。Someareupwardsoffiftyfeetlong，cutoutofasingletree，eitherfirorwhitecedar，andcapableofcarryingthirtypersons。Theyhavethwartpiecesfromsidetosideaboutthreeinchesthick，andtheirgunwalesflareoutwards，soastocastoffthesurgesofthewaves。Thebowandsternaredecoratedwithgrotesquefiguresofmenandanimals，sometimesfivefeetinheight。
Inmanagingtheircanoestheykneeltwoandtwoalongthebottom，sittingontheirheels，andwieldingpaddlesfromfourtofivefeetlong，whileonesitsonthesternandsteerswithapaddleofthesamekind。Thewomenareequallyexpertwiththemeninmanagingthecanoe，andgenerallytakethehelm。
Itissurprisingtoseewithwhatfearlessunconcernthesesavagesventureintheirlightbarksupontheroughestandmosttempestuousseas。Theyseemtorideuponthewaveslikesea-fowl。