Jonathan Thorn and the Tonquin (Part 2)
By this time Thorn wanted to get on with the business of trading. His clerk, James Lewis, advised him to wait for MacKay to return. Thorn ignored him and opened the bundles of trade goods. They contained cloth, beads, and other trade items, as well as knives and hatchets. Once again, Thorn disobeyed orders by trading knives. Lewis advised him to take the trading business to shore. Thorn ignored him again.
There was a stand-off between Thorn and one of the old chiefs, Nookamis. Thorn paced back and forth while Nookamis waved a pelt under his nose. Suddenly Thorn grabbed the pelt and shoved it in the old man's face. He grabbed him by the neck and crotch and threw him over the side of the ship. Some of his friends rescued the old chief from the ocean. They paddled their canoe toward shore. Those on board also boarded their canoes and left the ship.
The Indian interpreter urged Thorn to leave because he knew the Indians would not let the insult go unavenged. Thorn did not listen. He figured he had enough weapons to hold off the primitive Nootkas. He didn't even care that MacKay and his men were still on shore and may be killed. Fortunately they returned later that night, unharmed. That night, even with the threat of Indian attack, Thorn failed to put more scouts on watch.
The next day, Indians paddled out to the ship, wearing no war paint or carrying any weapons. Thorn arrogantly figured he had won them over. In actuality they had a plan. While Thorn paid no attention, most of the men traded their pelts for knives. They also had the women navigate the canoes, so even more Indian men could come on board. After each trade, the Indian men did not reboard their canoes, but stayed on board the Tonquin. Some would go over the side to pretend they were leaving, but would reboard on the far side of the ship. Before he knew it, Thorn and his officers were completely surrounded by armed Indians. He ordered all hands to set sail, but it was too late.
Chief Sewish gave a signal and the battle was on. Sewish was the grandson of Nookamis and was there to avenge the insult to his grandfather. Lewis was stabbed in the back, but was able to drag himself out of the battlefield to help himself. MacKay was killed
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