Page:Narrative of a Voyage around the World - 1843.djvu/175

1837.] our party, and hoping through them to get into communication with others, by whom we might be supplied with venison, &c., we willingly took them into the boats.

On the 30th, about four, we found the deep boats stopped at a point where the river forked. Lieutenant Kellett was despatched to examine the main stream, but returned without having passed out of sight, reporting "no water for our lightest boats." The natives also assured us that this was the ford where the hunters cross.

I landed at "the Fork," which was named Point Victoria, and found the natives had but shortly fled, leaving a large stock of acorns, and all their provisions, fires, &c., behind.

Every experiment was resorted to in order to get an answer from them. The natives who accompanied us called loud enough, and doubtless they were close to us ambushed, but afraid to reply. I therefore attached a knife, some tobacco, and beads? and left them to be picked up when the natives returned. On the following morning I perceived them crouching in the grass. One had a metal band on his brow, through which some feathers were passed. They were not clothed, and appeared a wretched-looking race. They disregarded every overture made to them by our two Indians, whom I directed to go full in their front on the opposite bank, (about pistol-shot across,) and endeavour to arouse them. With my telescope I could observe