230 THE COLUMBIA WINTERS AT CLYOQJTOT. [1792. 



Canal — he penetrated from its entrance, in the latitude of 54 

 degrees 33 minutes, to the distance of a hundred miles north- 

 eastward, without reaching its termination. This inlet he supposed 

 to be the Rio de Reyes of Admiral Fonte ; a part of it was named 

 by him Massacre Cove, in commemoration of the murder of Cas- 

 well, the second mate, and two seamen of his vessel, by the 

 natives, on its shore, on the 22d of August. Shortly after this 

 melancholy occurrence, the Columbia fell in with the Hope, and 

 the two captains communicated to each other, though apparently 

 with some reserve, the results of their observations. They then 

 separated, Ingraham going to China, as above related, while Gray 

 returned to Clyoquot. 



At Clyoquot, the crew of the Columbia passed the winter in a 

 fortified habitation, which they erected on the shore of the bay, 

 and called Fort Defiance ; and they were employed in building a 

 small vessel, which was launched, and named the Adventure. 

 Whilst preparing for sea, they were visited by Tatoochseatticus 

 and Wicanish, the principal chiefs of the surrounding country, 

 with a number of followers, between whom and a Sandwich 

 Islander on board the Columbia it soon became evident that some 

 understanding had been established. Gray's suspicions being ex- 

 cited, he questioned the Sandwich Islander, who at length confessed 

 that the Indians had formed a plan for the seizure of the vessels, 

 and the murder of their crews, and had promised to spare his life, 

 and make him a chief, if he would aid them by wetting the priming 

 of all the guns at a particular time. Thus forewarned, the Ameri- 

 cans were on their guard ; and the savages, who surrounded the 

 vessel on the following day, were kept at a distance. 



In the spring of 1792, the Adventure sailed for Queen Char- 

 lotte's Island, under the command of Haswell, the first mate of the 

 Columbia ; and Gray took his departure in the ship, on a cruise 

 southward along the coasts of the continent, the particulars of which 

 will appear in the next chapter. 



