The Home of the Wolverene and Beaver. 191 



in the wind, and no one apparently on board of 

 her. After a time, some of the canoes ventured 

 forth to reconnoitre, taking with them the in- 

 terpreter. They paddled about her, keeping 

 cautiously at a distance, but growing more and 

 more imboldened at seeing her quiet and lifeless. 

 One man at length made his appearance on the 

 deck, and was recognised by the interpreter as ]\Ir. 

 Lewis. He made friendly signs, and invited them 

 on board. It was long before they ventured to 

 comply. Those who mounted the deck met with 

 no opposition ; no one was to be seen on board, 

 for Mr. Lewis, after inviting them, had disappeared. 

 Other canoes now pressed forward to board the 

 prize ; the decks were soon crowded, and the sides 

 covered with clambering savages, all intent on 

 plunder. In the midst of their eagerness and 

 exultation the ship blew up with a tremendous 

 explosion. Arms, legs, and mutilated bodies were 

 blown into the air, and dreadful havoc was made in 

 the surrounding canoes. The interpreter was in 

 the main chains at the time of the explosion, and 

 was thrown unhurt into the water, where he suc- 

 ceeded in getting into one of the canoes. According 

 to his statement, the bay presented an awful 

 spectacle after the catastrophe. The ship had dis- 

 appeared, but the bay was covered with fragments 



