62 A SKIRMISH AVOIDED. 



the players being then required to tell in which 

 heap the crab, the whale, &c. lies. They lose at 

 this game all their possessions, and even their 

 wives and children, who then become the pro- 

 perty of the winner. 



During the whole of our residence at Sitka, 

 we maintained peace with the Kalushes, which 

 may be entirely attributed to the moderation 

 and intrepidity of our sailors. 



Opposite our frigate, on the shore, the ship's 

 cooper had settled under a tent, almost all our 

 casks being in want of repair ; and I allowed 

 him three armed sailors as assistants and pro- 

 tectors against the Kalushes. 



One day ten of these savages armed with long 

 knives came into the tent ; having sat for some 

 time contemplating the work, they became very- 

 troublesome, and, on being forbidden to pass 

 the bounds previously prescribed, drew their 

 knives and attacked the cooper, who w ould have 

 been severely w^ounded had he not by good for- 

 tune parried a dangerous thrust. The three 

 sailors now sprang forward with their loaded 

 muskets ; but as they had received the strictest 

 injunctions not to shed blood, except in the most 



