an insult, and McKay
remonstrated with the captain. His remonstrances were laughed to
scorn, as usual. Not a precaution was taken. Ships trading in these
latitudes usually triced up boarding nettings fore and aft to prevent
savages from swarming over the bulwarks without warning. Thorn refused
to order these nettings put in position. McKay did not think it
prudent to go on shore that night.

Early the next morning a large canoe containing some twenty Indians,
all unarmed, came off to the ship. Each Indian held up a bundle of
furs and signified his desire to trade. Thorn in great triumph
admitted them to the ship, the furs were brought on deck, and
bargaining began. There was no evidence of {274} resentment about any
of them. Their demeanor was entirely different from what it had been
the night before. On this occasion the Indians were willing to let the
white men put any value they pleased on the furs.

While they were busily buying and selling, another party of unarmed
Indians made their appearance alongside. They were succeeded by a
second, a third, a fourth, and others, all of whom were welcome to the
ship. Soon the deck was crowded with Indians eager to barter. Most of
them wanted hunting or butcher knives in return, and by this means, no
one suspecting anything, nearly every one of the savages became
possessed of a formidable weapon for close-quarter fighting. McKay and
Thorn appeared to have gone below temporarily, perhaps to break out
more goods to exchange for furs, when the Indian interpreter became
convinced that treachery was intended. Whoever was in charge at the
time--perhaps Lewis--at the interpreter's instance [Transcriber's note:
insistence?], sent word to the captain, and he and McKay came on deck
at once.

The ship was filled with a mob of Indians, whose gentle and pleasant
aspect had given way to one of scowling displeasure and menace. The
situation was serious. McKay suggested that the ship be got under way
at once. The captain for the first time agreed with him. Orders were
given to man the capstan, and five of the seamen were sent aloft to
loose sail. The wind was strong, and happened to be blowing in the
right direction. With singular fatuity none of the officers or seamen
were armed, although the ship was well provided with weapons. As the
cable slowly came in through the hawse-pipe, and the loosed sails fell
from the yards, Thorn, through the interpreter, told the India