Page:Voyage of Discovery to the North Pacific Ocean, and Round the World in the Years 1791–95, volume 1.djvu/367

Rh inclined to make fome return for their hofpitality, fliewed much understanding in preferring iron to copper. For the fake of the company of our new friends, we flood on under an eafy fail, w' ' n en'-ouraged them to attend us fome little diRance up the arm. The major part of the canoes twice paddled forward, aflem- bled before us, and each time a conference was held. Our vifit and appearance were mofl likely the obje6ls of their confultation, as our mo- tions on thefe occafions feemed to engage the whole of their attention. The fubje6l matter, which remained a profound fecret to us, did not appear of an unfriendly nature to us, as they foon returned, and if possble, exprefled additional cordiality and refpcft. This fort of conduft always creates a degree of fufpicion, and fliould ever be regarded with a watchful eye. In our fhort intercourfe with the people of this conntry we have generally found thefe confultations take jjlace, whether their numbers were great or fmall ; and though I have ever confidered it prudent to be cautioudy attentive on fuch occafions, they ought by no means to be confidered as indicating at all times a pofitive intention of concerting hollile meafures: having witneffed many of thefe conferences, without our experiencing afterwards any alteration in their friendly disposition. This was now the cafe with our numerous attendants, who gradually difperfed as we advanced from the flation where we had firft met them, and three or four canoes only accompanied us up a navigation which, in fome places, does not exceed an hundred and fifty yards in width.

We landed for the night about half a league from the head of the inlet, and about 3 leagues from its entrance. Our Indian vifitors remained with us until by figns we gave them to underftand we were going to reft, and after receiving fome acceptable articles they retired, and by means of the fame language, promifed an abundant fupply of fifh the next dav ; our feine having been tried in their prcfence v/ith very little fuc- cefs. A great defire was manifefted by thefe people to imitate our ac- tions, efpecially in the firing of a mufkct, which one of them performed, though with much fear and trembling. They minutely attended to all our tranfaftionSj and examined the colour of our fkins with infinite cu- riofity. 301 1792. June, '4'$ ■M