80

1789.
July.

JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE THROUGH THE

tribe, though they were afraid of acknowledging it. From their quef-.
tions, it was evident that they had not received any notice of our being”
in thofe parts.

They would not acknowledge that they had any women with them,
though we had feen them running to the woods; but pretended that.
they had been left at a confiderable diftance from the river, with fome.
relations, who were engaged in killing rein-deer. Thefe people had
been here but a fhort time, and, their lodge was not yet completed;
nor had they any fifh in a flate of preparation for their provifion. I.
gave them a knife and fome beads for an horn-wedge or chifel, with.
which they fplit their canoe-wood. One of my Indians having broken
his paddle, attempted to take one of theirs, which was immediately con=
tefted by its owner, and on my interfering to prevent this a@ of injuftice,
he manifefted his gratitude to me on the occafion. We loft an hour
and a half in this conference. |

. The Englifh chief was during the whole of the time in the woods,
where fome of the hidden property was difcovered, but the women con-.
trived to elude the fearch that was made after them. Some of thefe
articles were purloined, but I was ignorant of this circumftance till we
had taken our departure, or I fhould certainly have given. an ample re-
muneration. Our chief expreffed his difpleafure at their running away»
to conceal themfelves, their property, and their young women, in very:
bitter terms. He faid his. heart was fet againi{t thofe flaves; and com-.
plained aloud of his difappointment in coming fo far without feeing the.
natives, and getting fomething from them, uo $

We