Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 3.djvu/210

not move; but in a short time he began to feel that some tragedy was occurring. His mind fell into a horrid state, and he felt his flesh creeping and hair crawling as he listened to the continued yelling and turmoil. His anxiety now became so intense he could remain no longer, and he walked out upon the sand beach and looked down the shore. Not a soul appeared in sight. He went forward a few rods, but being weak from the sickness referred to above sat down in the sand at a point where the waves of the rising tide bubbled up and still watched down the shore. Then all at once two men, at some distance, made their appearance from the shrubbery of the island, moving rapidly onto the beach and bending forward. In another instant it was seen that they were carrying some sort of an object, and in the next that this was a man. It was evident that this was one of his shipmates, and that the proceedings were his massacre. Holden watched a moment longer, until a third man appeared, having a boulder in his hand with which he began crushing the head of the victim, who was then hurried to the water's edge by the bearers. But suddenly, while Holden was stealing off, a shower of blows from clubs was rained upon his own head. A party of the murderers had crept up upon him while he was watching with horror the fate of his mate, and thus unexpectedly began an attempt upon his own life. Holden at first fell partially stunned and lay with his arms over his head in order to shield himself from the blows, and attempted to rise, but was unable. However, recovering himself somewhat, he sat up. The natives, who were attacking him, perhaps became a little confused, and seizing-a favorable moment Holden sprang to his feet, feeling a sudden acceleration of strength. He knew now that it was neck or nothing, and with bare hands began striking right and left, sailor fashion. By