Hold Back the Dawn

By Vincent Di Vincenzo

In the early stages of Northwestern United States’ development, life presented formidable challenges on physical, emotional, and social fronts. With minimal laws in place, maintaining law and order was uncertain, while prejudice against Native Americans prevailed. Yet, as we all understand, persistence and unwavering dedication to one’s goals can yield remarkable rewards.

However, for our main character, achieving his initial objectives revealed a disappointing reality. Through this realization, he undergoes a transformative journey, maturing along the way and setting his sights on a revised ambition. Amidst the stressful situations they confront, the characters demonstrate unwavering courage, displaying loyalty and a sense of responsibility towards their friends and family. Their close-knit bond may leave readers yearning to be a part of their extraordinary group or inspire them to emulate such values in their own lives.

Although most of us may not face circumstances as depicted in this book, the underlying principles that foster a civilized society remain applicable and teachable on a daily basis. Discover the timeless lessons embedded within the pages, guiding readers to embrace courage, loyalty, and responsibility in their personal interactions. Join the characters on their extraordinary journey as they navigate a challenging era and uncover how their experiences can inspire readers to live their lives with integrity and compassion.

In this captivating tale of triumph and growth, explore the virtues that form the bedrock of a civilized society, and let the story’s echoes resonate within, encouraging us all to strive for a better tomorrow.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Aug 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9781685628376

Vincent Di Vincenzo

Writing runs in Mary’s family as her father was a writer. However, his flair was business and technical writing. Her brother has also tried his hand at fictional stories. She had a good grounding in English in school. Reading most of the classics was required. She especially loved Shakespeare. In no way a comparison to him, but she writes verses as well. Vincent Di Vincenzo goes back a long way with the Makah Tribe. While in the Air Force, in 1953, he was stationed at a base that was on their Reservation. At that time, he met a girl who he married. The marriage lasted 36 years, until she passed away in 1991. He also, on occasion, met many of the old whalers that told him many stories about their life at sea. Their bold experiences truly inspired the author to write this story.

Book preview

Chapter One

It is unusual for a young man of twenty years to have the prestige and influence that ordinarily is reserved for much older men who have, through the years, proven their worth and value to the tribe. However, Hayes’s prowess and deadly skill with a harpoon from the age of sixteen has won him the respect of young and old alike and has placed him high in the tribal social order. The real irony is that only a few years earlier, he was not accepted by the tribe because of his being born into a family of mixed heritage. His father, Lyle Wheeler, came from a long line of Makah whaling clans that have inhabited the sea coasts of Vancouver Island and Olympic Peninsula through the ages.

Though his mother, Elizabeth, hales from the small Clallam village at Jamestown, which was once part of the larger Clallam tribe until Point No Point Treaty of 1855 forced her people to break up into small bands and sign separate treaties. The result of which cost them not only their ancestral lands but also compelled them to give up practicing their customs and culture.

With their traditional way of life gone, the Clallam found it necessary to look for work in the various local industries. It was appalling to the clannish and independent spirited Makah to watch the erosion of the great Clallam culture and see its people being absorbed into the white society.

In as much as Elizabeth was an outsider, which was cause enough to be rejected by the Makah community, she was also considered tainted by the ‘white man’s’ ways, a stigma which would later carry over to her children. Elizabeth was able to deal with the indifference and prejudice toward herself, but when it was directed toward the children, she became aggressive and contentious, which surprised those who knew her passive nature. As they grew older, the children began spending more time with their grandparents in Jamestown. Lyle took exception to their extended stays away from home, They should be here, he’d say, working and learning the ways of the Makah, not idling away their time among the babalid, the white man.

Their sons, Aaron and Hayes, were expected to follow in the family tradition as whale hunters. The expectancy for their daughter, Ruth, is to marry and take her place among the women of the tribe, giving a full measure of support to both her family and communal obligations. However, it is the dawn of a new century and with it came a wave of new technological advances and innovations which were changing the very fabric of American society. The nation was fast becoming the greatest industrial power in the world. The inventions accompanying this growth found their way into the cities and towns across the country, creating jobs for those willing to venture out and away from their traditional way of life in order to learn new skills and ply themselves. They would enter a world of rapid transportation, speed of light communication, electrified office buildings, which now also included, to the amazement and delight of all, indoor plumbing. On several occasions the children accompanied their grandparents to the Puget Sound area. Sometimes they went just to visit friends or, when work was difficult to find in Sequim or Port Angeles, they would hire out at one of the many farms located around the cities of Seattle and Tacoma. It was on these extended stays that the children became acquainted with what the modern world had to offer, all of which had an enduring impact on their way of life. No longer would they be content to live in the rural back country of the Olympic Peninsula.

The eldest of the three, Aaron, was the first to break from the family. At the age of seventeen he enlisted in the Navy, where he was trained in telegraphy. Upon completion of his training, he was assigned to a communications unit attached to a division of Marines heading for China to fight in the Boxer uprising. Straightaway, upon landing at the Port of Taku, Aaron’s unit moved quickly to engage the enemy at the besieged city of Tien Tsin. The Boxer forces were entrenched behind mud walls of the city and as the Marines advanced on their positions, they were immediately pinned down by heavy fire.

It was during this intense fighting that Aaron was struck by a sniper’s bullet and fell, mortally wounded. The tragic news of his death was devastating for Lyle and Elizabeth. Their sorrow was shared by family, friends and the community at large. It was the first time one of their men was killed in a foreign war. A conflicting mixture of emotions and confusion ran through members of the tribe. Most didn’t know he had enlisted in the Navy. Some questioned his taking part in a war for a society whose government oppressed them and stripped them of their cultural identity, but when Aaron’s flag draped coffin arrived for burial at Neah Bay, the entire community put their differences behind them and came together to grieve with Lyle and Elizabeth and pay tribute to their son. Though life in Neah Bay became more favorable after Aaron’s funeral, Ruth hoped to live her life in the wondrous world created by the white society. It was with great difficulty that she was able to convince her parents to let her attend Cushman Indian School in Tacoma. Lyle insisted that she return to Neah Bay during summer vacation. At first, she argued against having to return home and was insistent on spending her summers with relatives in Puyallup, but Lyle was adamant it would be his way or no way. She reluctantly agreed to his conditions and was sent to Cushman in the fall.

Aaron’s death was particularly hard on Hayes. Often, when Lyle would be gone on extended fishing or hunting trips, he would look to his older brother for companionship and guidance through those difficult times of growing up in the clannish Makah society. When they visited the city together, Aaron always pointed out the disparity between the tribal culture and that of modern society. This was the start of Hayes’s interest in the white man’s ways.

Now, with Aaron gone, he became withdrawn and reclusive. Elizabeth wanted to send him to stay with her folks in Jamestown, but Lyle refused, claiming it was time for him to take his place pulling in the whaling canoes. He was twelve now, a perfect time to start his apprenticeship hunting the herds of gray whale that passed Cape Flattery every spring and fall of the year. From the start, he was resentful at having to become involved in an activity that held little or no interest for him. He complained about it being too cold, too damp, and after his first two outings when they failed to bring in a whale, he whined, The work was too hard with nothing to show for it except a wet butt. However, things were about to take a dramatic turn. It was on the day of his thirteenth birthday when all he thought of was how he could be in Jamestown celebrating with his grandparents and friends instead of pulling in a canoe in the dismal and miserable weather off Cape Flattery.

After searching for several hours, it looked like the elusive grays had once again slipped away into rising coastal mists, but just as the crew turned the canoes and began to head back to Neah Bay, they suddenly found themselves in the midst of a herd of grays. Without hesitation, they selected the one they would strike. Hayes was astonished by the high degree of efficiency displayed by the crews as they swung into action. Silently they glided alongside of their quarry. At the same time, his Uncle Daniel prepared the seal skin floats and wrapped the line around the prow, the pointed projecting front part of the canoe.

He then turned to see his father standing in the bow holding a harpoon, waiting for the other canoes to position themselves before he struck the whale.

Once the ready sign was given, he watched as he thrust the harpoon into whale’s back. The ensuing battle, landing a wounded, ferocious gray, would forever change his future outlook. No longer would he be a detached, spiritless youth. His languor and indifference had been swept away by the excitement of the hunt.

He had found his calling and was passionately motivated to work closely with his father and Uncle Daniel to absorb as much as he could of their vast knowledge of the sea and nature of the whale. The years passed quickly during which he increasingly acquired the skills needed to participate in the traditional whale hunts and was soon celebrated as the tribe’s leading harpooner. All the notoriety made him uncomfortable, especially since he and his cousin Charlie made plans to leave the tribe and strike out on their own. Setting off on a new adventure, while the people are singing his praises, will undoubtedly be looked upon as an act of ingratitude and complete lack of regard for the tribe’s welfare.

However, being rejected by the community is nothing new to him. He recalls how he and his brother, Aaron, were not fully accepted because of their mixed heritage. It is only recently, because of his skill with the harpoon, that he won their respect and admiration. So, regardless of any resentment or displeasure they may feel toward him for leaving, he remained committed with undaunted zeal to realize his ambition, which went far beyond hunting the migrating grays off the coastal waters of Neah Bay.

He became an avid reader of modern steam whaling in the artic seas and was excited by the latest methods and equipment used in hunting the bowhead whale. The tales of how they took these sixty-ton creatures fired his imagination and spirit of adventure. Little did he know that he would be going on a journey filled with betrayal, murder and revenge.

Chapter Two

It is dawn and some rays of sunlight have found their way through a break in the surrounding cloud cover. The water in the bay is still and black, off which is reflected random pools of red and silver gray from the morning sky. The stands of timber from the adjoining land run to the water’s edge and are silhouetted in the early morning light. The slack tide in the bay has the gulls out looking for an early feed. They run along the crescent shaped beach, stopping only to poke their beaks in the soft, wet sand searching for clams or other less evasive sand dwellers that happen to come their way. Unafraid, they continue their search in and around the crews of four whaling canoes who are preparing for the day’s hunt. Their shrill cries and brazen manner distract and interfere with the loading of equipment. Some men break away and chase them from underfoot. Squealing their resentment, they fly to the far side of the beach. The men quickly get back to packing the canoes.

Harpoons, line and seal skin floats are placed and organized within the canoes to prevent any mishaps from occurring before or at the time the whale is struck. Any errors in judgement or delays at a crucial time could bring about unforgiving and catastrophic consequences. The crews know what to expect after the harpoon finds its mark. The ferocious nature of the gray whale is legendary among white men and Indian alike. Once struck these whales are known to turn and attack their pursuers, leaving nothing in their wake but the floating debris of boats along with the broken bodies of the crew that pursued them.

These men have long accepted the possibility of some ill-fated incident occurring when taking a whale, but this doesn’t diminish their spirit. With unshakeable resolve, they continue to prepare the canoes for the adventure ahead.

With the loading completed, Hayes Wheeler, the harpooner in the lead canoe, waves to his cousin, Charlie, in the second canoe. They exchange glances and smile with anticipation. A tribal elder gives the signal for the men to push the canoes into the bay and the crew pull hard and move rapidly through the water. They will have to make up for the added distance from Neah Bay to the whaling grounds. Traditionally the spring hunt would have been launched from Ozette, a coastal Makah village, ideally located to intercept the gray whale during its migration to the arctic seas. They would stop to feed and rest only a few miles off shore from Ozette, thus giving the Makah whalers direct access to the migrating herds. However, a recent government mandate required that the people of Ozette move to the village of Neah Bay, located inside the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The move has lost them the close proximity to the passing herds and increased the time and effort to reach them.

The crews continue to pull hard and the canoes glide effortlessly through the calm water in the bay. As they approach the inlet between Tatoosh Island and mainland, the water becomes choppy and the currents begin to tear at the canoes making them more difficult to control. As they have many times in the past, they will take the Tatoosh inlet as opposed to going around the island. The time saved well outweighs the risk involved in using this treacherous waterway. The fast-moving current carries them into the narrow inlet. Ahead, the tides and currents in collision turn the passage into a cauldron of boiling water. The tide has flooded the small channel, making it possible for the canoes to ride over the submerged smaller rocks. But larger craggy rocks that set above water pose a major hazard and force the crews to alternately use their paddles to fend off collisions with them and to stabilize the canoes as they run the gauntlet of eddy currents and rip tides. They use all their nautical skills to weave a course through the turbulent clash of water until they reach the mouth of the inlet where they are swiftly expelled into the calmer white foamy coastal water off Cape Flattery. Once free from the channel, they quickly regroup and head for open sea and the waiting herd of gray whales.

The crew pull hard and move quickly. As they approach their quarry, the paddles cut so quietly through the water that they move virtually undetected through the midst of the herd. The crew signal each other as they select one for the kill. At this point, the canoes line up in tandem with each lashed to the one in front of it. Hayes Wheeler, the harpooner in the lead canoe, readies himself as they move in for the kill. Silently, they slip alongside of a huge gray hulk. Then, with a powerful thrust, the harpoon is imbedded deep into the whale’s back. It immediately lunges forward and heads for open sea, taking the line with seal skin floats and four canoes with twenty-four men aboard with him.

He moves at such a furious pace that the men are drenched in his wake. In his course, he makes several attempts to sound, but the floats prevent him from going too deep. Suddenly, in a desperate attempt to free himself, he comes straight up out of the water, then goes crashing down head first. This nearly swamps the canoes and breaks off the upper part of the prow of the lead canoe where the line has been wrapped. Two men desperately try to wrap the line around the remaining part of the prow, but the line is moving out so fast they are unable to hold it without being hauled over board. As the whale begins to slow down, they have enough slack to rewrap the line. The whale finally comes to rest.

The hunters cautiously approach him. As they draw near, a tribal elder slowly rises to observe the wounded animal. He signals the men in the second canoe to move in.

As the lead canoe begins to circle away, the harpooner in the second canoe stands ready to make another thrust. The whale turns and sees the canoe heading toward him. He once again lunges and heads for the open sea, but not before the second harpoon finds its mark in his back.

The lead canoe is jerked around so violently it almost capsizes. The others are whipped around so sharply, they are actually lifted out of the water. When they land the last two canoes capsize, hurling the crew and equipment into the sea. The helmsman in the second canoe cuts loose the capsized boats before they are dragged too far from their crews.

The whale still fights desperately to free himself, but the loss of blood and terrific pace finally take their toll. Now every move he makes, blood gushes out of his blow hole and mouth. Unable to sound, he comes to rest and remains afloat. His body is a tangled web of line and floats. He is unable to continue and has given up all efforts to escape.

The two remaining canoes float alongside. A tribal elder speaking in Makah pays homage to the whale, I have come to your house and you have been generous, now you will return with me to my land and its people where we will rejoice and feast together.

He signals the men in the lead canoe. Two men leap onto the whale’s back, thrust their lances into the vital place between the head and body. It shudders and dies. The other crew members slip into the frigid water and begin sewing the mouth closed to keep the buoyant gases from escaping and preventing water from entering and sinking the carcass.

The crew of the capsized canoes are in the process of up righting the overturned boats. They line up on each side of the canoe and with rocking motion, they turn them right side up. Some men jump into the boats and start bailing them out, while others begin salvaging the seal skin floats. Two men have been hurt and are put into one of the canoes. All the canoes reassemble and head back for Neah Bay, this time with the whale in tow, they travel the coastline of the Strait.

It is late afternoon before the canoes with the whale in tow reach Neah Bay. The entire village has turned out and are standing at the water’s edge. As they watch the canoes approach the beach, many of the men have already waded out to help the hunters beach the whale. They bring the 40-ton carcass onto the shore and prepare to butcher and apportion it for allocation among the people. Makah drummers have begun beating and singing the traditional songs praising whale and hunter alike. Soon the entire village is participating in the festivities, some dancing, others talking excitedly about the day’s hunt.

Later that night, bonfires illuminating the beachfront festivities, Hayes Wheeler, the harpooner from the lead canoe, watches as members of various families perform their tradition Komiz dances. His tall, slender frame and angular facial features set him apart from the shorter, stocky built and full-face characteristics of the Makah. He is surprised by a group of young men who draw him away to an open fire and enthusiastically prevail upon him to relate the events of the hunt. At first, he steadfastly refuses until his cousin Charlie steps in, holding a long piece of driftwood.

Come on! Stop being a bum ass and tell them the story. He tosses the piece of driftwood to Hayes. You can use that as your harpoon.

Hayes playfully thrusts at him with the makeshift harpoon.

You were there, you tell them! He tosses the driftwood back to him. And you can stick your harpoon up where the Hoko and Tooes Rivers meet!

Charlie laughs and continues to cajole him. Alright! I’m not gonna say another word, but it’s for sure they won’t let up until the mighty ‘Qwati’ tells them how he brought down the beast.

(Qwati: mythical characters of tribal lore all having the power to change themselves into any shape or form anytime it served their purpose.)

Hayes grits his teeth and shakes his fist at him, Wait ’til I get you later!

The group shouts him down, insisting he tell the story. Reluctantly, Hayes gives in. Charlie ceremoniously presents him with the makeshift harpoon. He takes it from his hand, smilingly shakes his head and over the din of the crowd, he mouths the word, shithead.

After giving an abbreviated account of the hunt, Hayes pulls Charlie away from the adoring throng surrounding them. As they move quickly along the shoreline, they are sidetracked by a group of Nitinats and Makah bone gaming. The rhythm of the drum beat and singing, causes them to stop and watch. Charlie begins to mock the player concealing a pair of small bones in his hands. He moves his arms in rhythm with the drum beat. Hayes laughs and pulls him away, Hey! I wanted to see if Conch picked the right hand.

Hayes, still pulling him, Come on. You know Conch never guesses right. Besides, we got things to talk about.

Like what? asked Charlie.

You know damn well what. Hayes gives him an uneasy look. We’re leavin’ in three days. Have you told anyone yet?

Charlie, reluctant to answer him, walks away.

Hayes follows. You didn’t tell anyone, did you?

He mutters, No.

When the hell are you gonna tell them? When we’re on the boat leavin?

Again, Charlie can’t face him. Don’t worry. I’ll tell them before we leave. What about you? What did your folks say when you told them?

Hayes stammers, It’s a little different with my folks. They—

Charlie cuts him off. Huh? What’s different about it? My father and yours are brothers, remember? They think the same way. They expect us to carry on the family tradition of whaling. They’re not gonna be happy to hear we’re leaving.

Hayes shrugs his shoulders, Well, they’re gonna have to accept it. Sure, they’ll do a lot of yelling when they find out.

Charlie interrupts him again. What do you mean, when they find out? Are you saying that you haven’t told them yet?

That’s right. I haven’t. Hayes’s voice was strong and unwavering. Same goes for Nan. She’s just gonna have to accept it.

You didn’t tell her either?

Nooo! I didn’t tell her either. It’s gonna be tougher to tell her than my folks. We’re supposed to get married this summer, remember?

An uneasy silence follows, as they reflect on their dilemma. Charlie had always gone along with Hayes’s ideas, but this latest scheme of his has him troubled. It seems so drastic, having to leave everything they’re familiar with and venture up to Alaska to hunt bowhead whale on one of the new steam whalers. He has never let Hayes go it alone. He was not only his cousin but also a best friend and side-kick. However, there were times when his more traditional beliefs conflicted with Hayes’s open-minded concepts on life.

He looks over at Hayes, hesitating to speak what’s on his mind. Then, suddenly, he blurts out, Maybe we can put it off for a while.

His words shake Hayes from his thoughts. What?

I said maybe it’s better to put it off for now.

What the hell are you saying? Everything is set to go in three days and you want to put it off!

Well, I was thinking maybe the time ain’t right.

That’s horseshit and you know it! If you wanna back out, it’s fine with me, but I’m goin’!

Who said anything about backing out?

It sounds to me like you’re cooling off.

Nah! I was just thinking—maybe we’re kinda rushing into this.

I told you we have to sign on before they leave to winter the ships in the arctic seas.

That’s good with me. I just happened to think about it, that’s all.

Well, don’t think about it anymore. Just get ready to go!

Hayes pulls him by the arm. They walk toward the water where a group of people are working on the whale. A voice calls out and they turn to see Hayes’s father, Lyle, walking toward them. His voice is filled with excitement and praise, I’m glad I caught up with you two. You guys did a great job out there today.

Not too bad, Hayes said.

Charlie tries to divert the conversation from whale hunting.

Have you seen my dad?

Yeah, I just left him. He told me to tell you not to forget you’re doin’ the family dance later.

Charlie sees an opportunity to leave, hoping it’s a good time for Hayes to tell Lyle about their plans.

Oh yeah, that’s right. I almost forgot. I’d better get goin’.

Hayes grabs him before he can get away and walks him toward the whale.

Don’t you wanna take a long last look at our handiwork first? He puts his arm around his father and continues. Come on Pop, you too! There’s something I wanna talk to you about.

Charlie cringes, anticipating an explosive aftermath of what Hayes is about to say, but Lyle’s enthusiasm over the first kill of the season completely overpowers anything Hayes was going to tell him.

That herd is gonna be out there at least another month. You’ll get another couple tries at them, and if my damn rheumatism doesn’t keep me down, maybe I can go out with you.

Hayes and Charlie exchange anxious looks. Hayes forces his attention on him.

Pop, listen! There’s something ya gotta know!

The commanding tone of his voice captures Lyle’s attention, but just as he is about to divulge his plan, he hears his mother’s voice call out to them. She is with his fiancé, Nan. Hayes sees his father’s interest slip away as his mother and Nan come into view.

It looks like your mother has hunted us down.

Elizabeth approaches jokingly wagging her finger at him.

You can’t hide from me.

Does it look like I’m hiding?

They’re starting the potlatch. Let’s go find a place to sit.

I’m talking to Hayes. You go find us a place.

No you don’t! I don’t want to come back for you like last year.

She takes Lyle by the arm and begins to walk away.

Wait. Hayes was about to tell me something. What was it, son?

It’s alright, Pop. It’ll hold for another time.

You sure?

I’m sure.

Nan stays as Elizabeth and Lyle walk away. Aren’t you going? she asks.

Not yet. I’m gonna watch them bone game for a while.

But a group of Nitinahts came across and are going to dance in your honor.

She notices Hayes and Charlie are uneasy and sheepishly look away from her.

What are you two up to? she firmly asks.

Making his escape, Charlie quickly walks away evading Hayes’s attempt to grab his arm. I’ve gotta go dance. See ya tomorrow, Qwati.

Hayes shakes his head as he watches Charlie run up the beach. He turns to see a puzzled and concerned look on Nan’s face.

What’s the matter? he asks.

That’s what I want to know.

Nothin’. I just don’t like him callin’ me Qwati.

He’s been doing it for years. Why should it bother you now?

I don’t like it. Never did.

That’s not what’s bothering you. You’re keeping something from me.

Hayes doesn’t answer. He puts his arm around her and slowly walks her toward the potlatch. The trading and exchanging of gifts by family and friends is already in progress. He