7/8 That cautious commander recollected the instructions given him by Mr.Astor, and determined to proceed with great circumspection. He was well aware of Indian treachery and cunning. It was not impossible, he observed, that these cannon might have been fired by the savages themselves. They might have surprised the fort, massacred its inmates; and these signal guns might only be decoys to lure him across the bar, that they might have a chance of cutting him off, and seizing his vessel. The passengers pointed to it in triumph, but the captain did not yet dismiss his doubts. |