FUR-SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 307 



and as those gentlemen were his backers, why of course he would have 

 a great deal of influence through those gentlemen ; and that conse- 

 quently the Alaska Commercial Company would be only too glad to do 

 anything to retain his good-will. That w^s about the substance of it. 



By Mr. Dunn : 



Q. Where did that conversation occur ? — A, On the steamer. He 

 referred to it afterwards on the steamer as he went up ; but then he re- 

 mained in his room most of the time. 



Q. Was any one else present when that conversation took place ? — A. 

 No, sir. 



By Mr. Felton : 



Q. What year did you say that was?— A. In May, 1887. 



Q. And he used the words "whether true or false?"— A. Yes, sir. 



Q. You are quite sure about that? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. He said because the lease was expiring"? — A. Yes, sir; because 

 the lease was expiring and the com])any were thinking of getting a re- 

 newal. And he intimated that if they gave him any trouble they would 

 sufier; that he was a man that came from a fighting family, and that 

 most of his people had died with their boots on. That if they made him 

 any trouble, he would get even with them if he had to go to hell with 

 ten sacks of gunpowder on his back. 



By Mr. Dunn: 



Q. Have you mentioned that conversation to any one else ? — A. Yes, 

 sir ; I spoke about it. 



Q. To whom ? — A. First to Mr. Clark. I had gone to see Mr. Morgan 

 about it, but he would not listen to me. He was certain that Gavitt 

 would turn out all right. 



Q. What did he mean by "turn out all right?" — A. He meant that 

 Gavitt might be agreeable and pleasant, and not antagonistic toward 

 the company's people on the islands. 



Q. Did you report that conversation to the Government agents ? — A. 

 Yes, sir. I believe that 1 told him about the same story, or may be not 

 quite ail ; pretty much in substance, I think. 



Q. Did you report it to Mr. Tingle ? — A. Yes, sir. 



Q. When did you report it to him ? — A. When I left the islands. I 

 reported it to him on St. Paul Island. 



Q. How soon after the conversation ? — A. After the winter had 

 passed. Cf course I did not see Mr. Tingle any more until the follow- 

 ing nimmer. 



Q. Did you report it to Mr. Tingle the first time you saw him after 

 the conversation occurred ? — A. I do not remember. 



Q. Did you report it to him before Mr. Gavitt turned out all right or 

 all wrong f — A. After he turned out all wrong. 



Q. Why did you not report it to him before ? — A. Because I thought 

 Gavitt was merely talking. 



Q. Did you not know at the time that a Government official that 

 talked to you that way was not a fit man to hold such a position ? — A. 

 Yes, sir. 



Q. Why did not you report it to the agent the first time you saw him? 

 — A. (Hesitating) 1 do not know but it was the first time. 



Q. Do you know whether it was the first time or not ? State why 

 you did not report it to him the first time; do you know? — A. I believe 

 I previously said that L was not quite sure but it was the first time. 



Q. Butj'ou did not seek an opportunity to inform him of this until 



