1789.

july.

. JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE THROUGH THE

paft eight, we landed at the fame fpot where we had already encamped

U—,-—~ on the ninth inftant.

In about an hour after our arrival, we were joined by eleven of the
natives, who were flationed further up the river, and there were fome
among them whom we had not feen during our former vifit to this place.
The brother of our late guide, however, was of the party, and was eager
in his inquiries after him; but our account did not prove {atisfactory.
They all gave evident tokens of their fufpicion, and each of them made
a diftin@ harangue on the occafion. Our Indians, indeed, did not un-
derftand their eloquence, though they conjectured it to be very unfa-
vourable to our aflertions. The brother, neverthelefs, propofed to barter
his credulity for a {mall quantity of beads, and promifed to believe every
thing I fhould fay, if | would gratify him with a few of thofe baubles:
but he did not fucceed in his propofition, and I contented myfelf with

giving him the bow and arrows which our condu@or had left with us.

My people were now neceflarily engaged in putting the fire-arms in
order, after the violent rain of the preceding day; an employment
which very much attra&ted the curiofity, and appeared, in fome degree to
awaken the apprehenfions, of the natives. To their inquiries concerning
the motives of our preparation, we anfwered by fhewing a piece of meat
and a goofle, and informing them, that we were preparing our arms to pro-
cure fimilar provifions: at the fame time we aflured them, though it was
our intention to killany animals we might find, there was no intention
to-hurt or injure them. They, however, entreated us not to difcharge our

pieces in their prefence. I requefted the Englith chief to afk them fome

queflions,