177^. THE PACIFIC OCEAN 7 . 365 



a calm ensued not long after we were under way ; 

 and the flood-tide meeting us off the point where Mr. 

 King landed (and which thence got the name of 

 Point Possessio7i) t we were obliged to drop anchor in 

 six fathoms water, with the point bearing south, two 

 miles distant. 



When Mr. King returned, he informed me, that 

 as he approached the shore about twenty of the na- 

 tives made their appearance, with their arms ex- 

 tended ; probably to express thus their peaceable dis- 

 position, and to show that they were without weapons. 

 On Mr. King's and the gentlemen with him land- 

 ing with muskets in their hands, they seemed alarmed, 

 and made signs expressive of their request to lay 

 them down. This was accordingly done ; and then 

 they suffered the gentlemen to walk up to them, and 

 appeared to be cheerful and sociable. They had 

 with them a few pieces of fresh salmon, and several 

 dogs. Mr. Law, surgeon of the Discovery, who was 

 one of the party, having bought one of the latter, 

 took it down toward the boat and shot it dead in their 

 sight. This seemed to surprize them exceedingly ; 

 and, as if they did not think themselves safe in 

 such company, they walked away; but it was soon after 

 discovered that their spears and other weapons were 

 hid in the bushes close behind them. Mr. King also 

 informed me that the ground was swampy, and the 

 soil poor, light, and black. It produced a few trees 

 and shrubs ; such as pines, elders, birch, and willows; 

 rose and currant bushes ; and a little grass ; but they 

 saw not a single plant in flower. 



We weighed anchor, as soon as it was high water, 

 and, with a faint breeze southerly, stood over to the 

 west shore, where the return of the flood obliged us 

 to anchor early next morning. Soon after, several 

 large and some small canoes with natives came off, 

 who bartered their skins ; after which they sold their 

 garments, till many of them were quite naked. 

 Amongst others, they brought a number of white 



