JOHN LEDYARD. 291 



"Nor was their passive appearance of disgust all 

 we had to fear, nor did it continue long. Before dark 

 a canoe with a number of armed chiefs came along- 

 side of us without provisions, and, indeed, without any 

 perceptible design. After staying a short time only, 

 they went to the Discovery, where a part of them 

 went on board. Here they affected great friendship ; 

 and, fortunately, overacting it, Clerke was suspicious, 

 and ordered two sentinels on the gangways. These 

 men were purposely sent by the chief who had 

 formerly been so very intimate with Clerke and 

 afterward so ill treated by him with the charge of 

 stealing his jolly-boat. They came with a determina- 

 tion of mischief, and effected it. After they were 

 all returned to the canoe but one, they got their 

 paddles and every thing ready for a start. Those 

 in the canoes, observing the sentry to be watchful, 

 took off his attention by some conversation that 

 they knew would be pleasing to him, and by this 

 means favored the designs of the man on board, 

 who, watching his opportunity, snatched two pairs 

 of tongs, and other iron tools that then lay close by 

 the armorers at work at the forge, and, mounting 

 the gangway-rail, with one leap threw himself and 

 his goods into the canoe, that was then upon the 

 move, and, taking up his paddle, joined the others ; 

 and, standing directly for the shore, they were out 



