were determined to abide by their first resolution, and not being able, by himself alone, to fulfil his engagements to Governor Barnoff, he consented to embark once more, in order to seek a vessel to transport our heavy goods, and such of us as wished to return by sea.  He sailed, in fact, on the Albatross, at the end of the month.  My friend Clapp embarked with him:  they were, in the first instance, to run down the coast of California, in the hope of meeting there some of the American vessels which frequently visit that coast to obtain provisions from the Spaniards.

Some days after the departure of Mr. Hunt, the old one-eyed chief Comcomly came to tell us that an Indian of Gray’s Harbor, who had sailed on the Tonquin in 1811, and who was the only soul that had escaped the massacre of the crew of that unfortunate vessel, had returned to his tribe.  As the distance from the River Columbia to Gray’s Harbor was not great, we sent for this native.  At first he made considerable difficulty about following our people, but was finally persuaded.  He arrived at Astoria, and related to us the circumstances of that sad catastrophe, nearly as follows:[P]

“After I had embarked on the Tonquin,” said he, “that vessel sailed for Nootka.[Q] Having arrived opposite a large village called Newity, we dropped anchor.  The natives having invited Mr. M’Kay to land, he did so, and was received in the most cordial manner:  they even kept him several days at their village, and made him lie, every night, on a couch of sea-otter skins.  Meanwhile the captain was engaged in trading with such of the natives as resorted to his ship:  but having had a difficulty with one of the principal chiefs in regard to the price of certain goods, he ended by putting the latter out of the ship, and in the act of so repelling him, struck him on the face with the roll of furs which he had brought to trade.  This act was regarded by that chief and his followers as the most grievous insult, and they resolved to take vengeance for it.  To arrive more surely at their purpose, they dissembled their resentment, and came, as usual, on board the ship.  One day, very early in the morning, a large pirogue, containing about a score of natives, came alongside:  every man had in his hand a packet of furs, and held it over his head as a sign that they came to trade.  The watch let them come on deck.  A little after, arrived a second pirogue, carrying about as many men as the other.  The sailors believed that these also came to exchange their furs, and allowed them to mount the ship’s side like the first.  Very soon, the pirogues thus succeeding one another, the crew saw themselves surrounded by a multitude of savages, who came upon the deck from all sides.  Becoming alarmed at the appearance of things, they went to apprize the captain and Mr. M’Kay, who hastened to the poop.  I was with them,” said the narrator, “and fearing, from the great multitude of Indians whom