ing that the coast was inhabited.
Under {219} clouds of sail, the sloop beat north for ten days, passing
many savages, some of whom held up sea-otter to trade, others running
along the shore brandishing their spears and shouting their war-cry.
Two or three at a time were admitted on board to trade; but they
evinced such treacherous distrust, holding knives ready to strike in
their right hand, that Gray was cautious.

During the adverse wind they had passed one opening on the coast that
resembled the entrance to a river. Was this the fabled river of the
West, that Indians said ran to the setting sun? Away up in the
Athabasca Country of Canadian wilds was another man, Alexander
Mackenzie, setting to himself that same task of finding the great river
of the West. Besides, in 1775, Heceta, the Spanish navigator from
Monterey, had drifted close to this coast with a crew so stricken with
scurvy not a man could hoist anchor or reef sails. Heceta thought he
saw the entrance to a river; but was unable to come within twenty miles
of the opening to verify his supposition. And now Gray's crew were on
the watch for that supposed river; but more mundane things than glory
had become pressing needs. Water was needed for drinking. The ship
was out of firewood. The live stock must have hay; and in the crew of
twelve, three-quarters were ill of the scurvy. These men must be taken
ashore. Somewhere near what is now Cape Lookout, or Tillamook Bay, the
rowboat was launched to sound, safe anchorage found, and the _Lady
Washington_ towed in harbor.

{220} The _Lady Washington_ had anchored about half a mile from shore,
but the curiously carved canoes came dancing over the waves in myriads.
Gray noticed the natives were all armed with spears and knives, but
they evinced great friendliness, bringing the crew baskets of berries
and boiled crabs and salmon, in exchange for brass buttons. They had
anchored at ten on the night of August 14, and by the afternoon of the
15th the Indians were about the sloop in great numbers, trading otter
skins for knives, axes, and other arms--which, in itself, ought to have
put the crew on guard. When the white men went ashore for wood and
water, the Indians stood silently by, weapons in hand, but offered no
hostility. On the third day in harbor an old chief came on board
followed by a great number of warriors, all armed. Gray kept careful
guard, and the old Indian departed in possession of the stimula