NORTHWEST COAST OF AMERICA. 225 



extending diagonally from one side of the animal to the other. 

 When examined in a bucket of water in the open air, it ap- 

 peared to be almost white, but in certain lights, and in its 

 native element, its edges are tinged by the most brilliant blue 

 and crimson reflections. From the body are suspended numer- 

 ous hair-like tentacula, or feelers, that are constantly engaged 

 in entangling the food upon which the animal lives. It was 

 an interesting sight to see these delicate little creatures mount- 

 ing securely over the lofty billows, though a brisk breeze was 

 carrying us along at the rate of eight or nine knots an hour. 



On the morning of the 28th of April we made Cape Disap- 

 pointment, off the mouth of the Columbia River, but, as the 

 weather was boisterous, and the sea broke with great violence 

 on the bar, we did not deem it prudent to attempt to enter the 

 river. Next morning the prospects of getting in were no 

 better ; indeed, the chances seemed to be still more against 

 us, as the wind during the night had hauled round to the 

 southward and westward with increased strength ; we there- 

 fore concluded to stand for Puget Sound, to the northward. 

 About 10 A. M. on the 30th, the "look-outs" reported 

 " breakers a-head" ; immediately all hands were called, and 

 the ship was brought by the wind. After standing a few 

 minutes on this course the weather cleared, and we discovered 

 Destruction Rocks not more than half a mile off, and exactly in 

 the direction where the breakers had been reported to be. It 

 was in fact a very narrow escape from shipwreck and certain 

 destruction, for even if we had succeeded in getting ashore, we 

 should in all probability have been murdered by the savage 

 natives. A few years ago a Russian brig was wrecked near 

 the same place, the vessel went to pieces, but the crew got 

 safely on shore. They were immediately attacked by the 

 natives and massacred. Another time they attacked the boat 



