attempt an entrance; but returned without success there being a tremendous swell, and breakers.  Signal guns were fired again in the evening, but equally in vain, and once more the ship stood off to sea for the night.  The captain now gave up all hope of finding any establishment at the place, and indulged in the most gloomy apprehensions.  He feared his predecessor had been massacred before they had reached their place of destination; or if they should have erected a factory, that it had been surprised and destroyed by the natives.

In this moment of doubt and uncertainty, Mr. Clarke announced his determination, in case of the worst, to found an establishment with the present party, and all hands bravely engaged to stand by him in the undertaking.  The next morning the ship stood in for the third time, and fired three signal guns, but with little hope of reply.  To the great joy of the crew, three distinct guns were heard in answer.  The apprehensions of all but Captain Sowle were now at rest.  That cautious commander recollected the instructions given him by Mr. Astor, and determined to proceed with great circumspection.  He was well aware of Indian treachery and cunning.  It was not impossible, he observed, that these cannon might have been fired by the savages themselves.  They might have surprised the fort, massacred its inmates; and these signal guns might only be decoys to lure him across the bar, that they might have a chance of cutting him off, and seizing his vessel.

At length a white flag was descried hoisted as a signal on Cape Disappointment.  The passengers pointed to it in triumph, but the captain did not yet dismiss his doubts.  A beacon fire blazed through the night on the same place, but the captain observed that all these signals might be treacherous.

On the following morning, May 9th, the vessel came to anchor off Cape Disappointment, outside of the bar.  Towards noon an Indian canoe was seen making for the ship and all hands were ordered to be on the alert.  A few moments afterwards, a barge was perceived following the canoe.  The hopes and fears of those on board of the ship were in tumultuous agitation, as the boat drew nigh that was to let them know the fortunes of the enterprise, and the fate of their predecessors.  The captain, who was haunted with the idea of possible treachery, did not suffer his curiosity to get the better of his caution, but ordered a party of his men under arms, to receive the visitors.  The canoe came first alongside, in which were Comcomly and six Indians; in the barge were M’Dougal, M’Lellan, and eight Canadians.  A little conversation with these gentlemen dispelled all the captain’s fears, and the Beaver crossing the bar under their pilotage, anchored safely in Baker’s Bay.

CHAPTER XLIII.