NORTH-WEST CONTINENT OF AMERICA.

as this rapid was ftated to be one of them. Our courfe was now North-
North-Weft three miles, Weft-North-Weft four miles, North-Weft
ten miles, North two miles, when we came to a river that flowed from
the Eaftward. Here we landed at an encampment of four fires, all the
inhabitants of which ran off with the utmoft {peed, except an’old man and
an old woman. Our guide called aloud to the fugitives, and entreated
them to flay, but without effect: the old man, however, did not hefitate
to approach us, and reprefented himfelf as too far advanced in life, and
too indifferent about the fhort time he had to remain in the world, to
_ be very anxious about efcaping from any danger that threatened him;
at the fame time he pulled his grey hairs from his head by handfulls to
diftribute among us, and implored our favour for himfelf and his rela-
tions. Our guide, however, at length removed his fears, and perfuaded
him to recall the fugitives, who confifted of eighteen people; whom I
reconciled to me on their return with prefents of beads, knives, awls, &c.
with which they appeared to be greatly delighted. They differed in
no refpeét from thofe whom we had already feen; nor were they defi-
cient in hofpitable attentions; they provided us with fifh, which was
very well boiled, and cheerfully accepted by us. “Our guide fill
fickened after his home, and was fo anxious to return thither, that we
were under the neceflity of forcing him to embark.

Thefe people informed us that we were clofe to another great rapid,
and that-there were feveral lodges of their relations in its vicinity.

Four canoes, with a man in each, followed us, to point out the par-

ticular channels we fhould follow for the fecure paflage ef therrapid.’

They alfo abounded in difcouraging ftories concerning the dangers and,

difficulties which we were to encounter.
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