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.