314 JOHN BOIT
groaning, and we neither see nor heard any thing of them after. 141
We always found these Natives very friendly but they soon discover'd how thin the Ship's Company was now to what it was when we visited them before, and I believe it is impos- sible to keep friends with savages any longer than they stand in fear of you. But I cannot think they had any intention of boarding the Ship but were after a small anchor, which they in the course of the day see placed on some rocks (above water) for to steady the Ship, and when taken off at dusk they had left the Ship. But still they was daring fellows to think they cou'd steal the anchor of a moon light night, within pistol shot of the Ship. Capt. Gray did not wish to fire upon them, for we cou'd easily have blown them to pieces, while they was holding a conference abreast the Rocks. They first stopt all by firing a cannon or two among them, and the reason we suffer'd them to approach so near before firing was that we were in hopes they wou'd miss the Anchor and then leave the Cove, for we wish'd much to keep friendly with these Indians, as this was the appointed Rendezvous for to meet the Sloop.
BOUND TO THE NORTHWARD
30. This day unmoor'd and left Columbia's Cove, bound to the Northward, having left a Board nail'd to a tree, just back of the watering place, with the following inscription "Ship Columbia, arriv'd May 28th Saild May 30th. BEWARE/' that in case Capt. Haswell shou'd arrive before us, he might be on his guard.
June 1. N. Latt. 50 7 ; W. Long. 128 30' ; Amp'd 21 20* E. Head wind at NW. and squally weather. Ships Crew all well and hearty.
141 On 3rd June, 1792, some of these Indians arrived at Nootka asking from
8uadra assistance against a vessel which, said they, had attacked their village, lling seven, wounding others, and despoiling the rest of their sea otter skins. They brought with them a wounded Indian to be treated by the Spanish doctor. The natives claimed that the Americans, being unable to agree upon the price of the furs, had used force to compel them to surrender their peltries. The account in the Viaje, page 24, proceeds as follows: "Segun se pado comprehender el buque era la Fragata Americana la Columbia, su Capitan Gray, a quien indi- caban los Indios con la senal de que era tuerto; circumstancia que sabiamos recaia en dicho Capitan." In connection with the Indian account the entry of May 25 ante may be consulted; it will be observed that Boit believed "they was fearful we should rob their village."
