some boys and nearly all was restored to the
church.
On New Year’s Day, 1869, Colcheka,
a noted chief of the Chilkats who was visit-
ing Sitka, was entertained by General Davis
at the castle on the hill. The liquid refresh-
ments serve to him by the General raised his
spirits and his pride of race. After it was
over he descended the long flight of steps
leading from the Commandant’s quarters
and strode across the parade ground with
the dignity becoming to the hereditary chief
of the Chilkats, the proudest kwan of the
Thlingits. For some reason he crossed the
part reserved for officers, was challenged by
the sentry, and, not heeding, when he reached
the stockade gate was kicked by the sentry
stationed there. He was furious.
“Me, Colcheka, Chief of the Chilkats,
kicked!”
He turned in a rage, seized the musket
of the sentry, wrenched it from his hands,
then carried it to his house in the Ranche.
The guard was turned out for his arrest
and a skirmish ensued in which the guard
was worsted and retreated to the barracks.
The Sitkas were neutral. The Chilkats were
too few in number to fight the troops, so next
day Colcheka surrendered, was kept in the
guardhouse for a few days and then released.