The Home of tJie Wolverene and Beaver. 187 



increasing number of canoes that surrounded the 

 vessel, whose dusky occupants were now roving at 

 will about every part of the deck, seemed to awaken 

 his distrust, and he sent some men aloft to loose 

 the sails ; whilst the remainder manned the windlass 

 and commenced heaving in the cable. 



Seeing that the departure of the ship was 

 resolved upon, the Indians pretended to yield to 

 the captain's prices, and a brisk trade ensued 

 without any haggling or demur on the part of the 

 natives, who parted freely with their skins for 

 knives, and thus they became possessed of for- 

 midable weapons in addition to those concealed 

 beneath their robes 



Whilst this hurried barter was proceeding, the 

 anchor had been hove nearly to the bows and the 

 sails loosed, therefore the captain gave orders to 

 clear the ship, shouting his command in a loud 

 peremptory voice which was heard the length and 

 breadth of the vessel, and was instantly answered 

 by the war-whoop of the savages, whose newly- 

 purchased knives and concealed war-clubs were 

 brandished aloft as they rushed upon the doomed 

 Europeans. Mr. Lewis, the ship's clerk, who was 

 leaning with folded arms over a bale of blankets, 

 fell first, receiving, whilst bargaining with a native, 

 a treacherous stab in the back from another, which 



