I Determined,
Therefore, To Go Ahead As Far North As Possible, To See And Learn
What I Could, Especially With Reference To Future Work.
When I made
known my plans to Mr. Young, he offered to go with me, and, being
acquainted with
The Indians, procured a good canoe and crew, and with
a large stock of provisions and blankets, we left Wrangell October
14, eager to welcome weather of every sort, as long as food lasted.
I was anxious to make an early start, but it was half-past two in the
afternoon before I could get my Indians together - Toyatte, a grand
old Stickeen nobleman, who was made captain, not only because he
owned the canoe, but for his skill in woodcraft and seamanship;
Kadachan, the son of a Chilcat chief; John, a Stickeen, who acted as
interpreter; and Sitka Charley. Mr. Young, my companion, was an
adventurous evangelist, and it was the opportunities the trip might
afford to meet the Indians of the different tribes on our route with
reference to future missionary work, that induced him to join us.
When at last all were aboard and we were about to cast loose from the
wharf, Kadachan's mother, a woman of great natural dignity and force
of character, came down the steps alongside the canoe oppressed with
anxious fears for the safety of her son. Standing silent for a few
moments, she held the missionary with her dark, bodeful eyes, and
with great solemnity of speech and gesture accused him of using undue
influence in gaining her son's consent to go on a dangerous voyage
among unfriendly tribes; and like an ancient sibyl foretold a long
train of bad luck from storms and enemies, and finished by saying,
"If my son comes not back, on you will be his blood, and you shall
pay.
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