PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 25 



Gentiles, intending to make an attack upon them chap. 

 the next morning; but before they were prepared, ■. ' 

 the Gentiles, who had been apprised of their intention. Nov. 



. 1826 



and had collected a large body of friends, became the 

 assailants, and pressed so hard upon the party that, 

 notwithstanding they dealt death in every direction 

 with their cannon and musketry, and were inspired 

 with confidence by the contempt in which they held 

 the valour and tactics of their unconverted country- 

 men, they were overpowered by numbers, and obliged 

 to seek their safety in flight, and to leave the gun in 

 the woods. Some regained the launch and were saved, 

 and others found their way overland to the mission ; 

 but thirty-four of the party never returned to tell their 

 tale. 



There were other accounts of this unfortunate affair, 

 one of which accused the padre of authorising the 

 attack ; and another stated that it was made in self- 

 defence ; but that which I have given appeared to be 

 the most probable. That the reverend father should 

 have sanctioned such a proceeding is a supposition so 

 totally at variance with his character, that it will not 

 obtain credit ; and the other was in all probability the 

 report of the alcalde to excuse his own conduct. They 

 all agreed, however, in the fatal termination of their 

 excursion, and the neophytes became so enraged at 

 the news of the slaughter of their companions, that it 

 was almost impossible to prevent them from proceed- 

 ing forthwith to revenge their deaths. The padre was 

 also greatly displeased at the result of the excursion, 

 as the loss of so many Indians to the mission was of 

 the greatest consequence, and the confidence with 

 which the victory would inspire the Indians was 

 equally alarming. He, therefore, joined with the 



