2i6 The Home of the Wolverene and Beaver. 



a release from the horrors he had undergone would 

 restore the balance of the noble fellow's mind, he 

 had kept silence, but now concealment was useless, 

 and as the canoes proceeded on their way, John 

 Day became raving and incoherent. On seeing 

 Indians his fury became unbounded, and mindful 

 doubtless of their cruel conduct, he loaded them 

 with abuse and maledictions. On the 2nd of July 

 all doubt regarding his condition was removed by 

 an attempt at suicide, but being disarmed, he pro- 

 fessed great contrition and pretended to go to sleep, 

 but in the early morning he sprang up suddenly, 

 and seizing a brace of loaded pistols, attempted to 

 blow out his brains. In his hurry he fired too high, 

 and was immediately secured. To keep a constant 

 watch over the poor fellow was impossible, and 

 Mr. Stuart was much perplexed how to dispose of 

 him ; however, some friendly Indians passed along, 

 who promised to take him back to the settlement, 

 and he was regretfully transferred to their canoe. 

 They faithfully fulfilled their unenviable task, but 

 the hunter's constitution and intellect were both 

 worn out, and he gradually sank, until death, before 

 the expiration of the year, released him from 

 further suffering. 



But the space at my command warns me that I 

 must bring this brief sketch of Astoria to a close, 



