NORTH-WEST CONTINENT OF AMERICA.

endeavour to kill them whenever they meet. They likewife mentioned
that the fources of thofe ftreams which are tributary to both the great
rivers, are feparated by the mountains. It appeared to us, however, that
thefe people knew more about the country than they chofe to commu-
nicate, or at leaft reached me, as the interpreter, who had long been tired
of the voyage, might conceal fuch a part of their communications as, in
in his opinion, would induce me to follow new routes, or extend my
excurfions. No fooner was the conference concluded, than they began

to dance, which is their favourite, and, except jumping, their only amufe-

ment. In this paftime old and young, male and female, continued their .

exertions, till their ftrength was exhaufted. This exercife was accom-
panied by loud imitations of the various noifes produced by the rein-
deer, the bear, and the wolf,

When they had finifhed their antics, I defired the Englifh chief to
renew the former fubjeéts; which he did without fuccefs. I therefore
afflumed an angry air, expreffed my fufpicions that they withheld their
information, and concluded with a menace, that if they did not give me
all the fatisfaétion in their power, I would force one of them along with
me to-morrow, to point out the road to the other river. On this decla-

ration, they all, at one and the fame moment, became fick, and anfwered

in a yery faint tone, that they knew no more than they had already,com-

municated, and that they fhould die if I took any of them away. They
began to perfuade my interpreter to remain with them, as they loved him
as well as they did themfelves, and that he would be killed if he con-
tinued with me. Nor did this propofition, aided as it was by the folici-
tation of his women, fail of producing a confiderable effect upon him,
though he endeavoured to conceal it from me.

T now