202 A JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



their approach, the chief was discovered in the headmost, which was 

 paddled by two men. On landing at the fort, the chief assumed a 

 very grave aspect, and walked up to Mr. Wentzel with a measured 

 and dignified step, looking neither to the right nor to the left, at 

 the persons who had assembled on the beach to witness his debarka- 



■ 



tion, but preserving the same immoveability of countenance until he 

 reached the hall, and was introduced to the officers. When he had 

 smoked his pipe, drank a small portion of spirits and water himself, 

 and issued a glass to each of his companions, who had seated them- 

 selves on the floor, he commenced his harangue, by mentioning the 

 circumstances that led to his agreeing to accompany the expedition, 

 an engagement which he was quite prepared to fulfil. He was 

 rejoiced, he said to see such great chiefs on his lands, his tribe were 

 poor, but they loved white men who had been their benefactors ; and 

 he hoped that our visit would be productive of much good to them. 

 The report which preceded our arrival, he said, had caused much 

 grief to him. It was at first rumoured that a great medicine chief 

 accompanied us, who was able to restore the dead to life ; at this he 

 rejoiced, the prospect of again seeing his departed relatives had 

 enlivened his spirits, but his first communication with Mr. Wentzel 

 had removed these vain hopes, and he felt as if his friends had a 

 second time been torn from him. He now wished to be informed 



I 



exactly of the nature of our expedition. 



In reply to this speech, which I understood had been prepared 

 for many days, I endeavoured to explain the obj ect s of our mission 

 in a manner best calculated to ensure his exertions in our service. 

 With this view, I told him that we were sent out by the greatest chief 

 in the world, who was the sovereign also of the trading companies 

 in the country ; that he was the friend of peace, and had the interest 

 of every nation at heart. Having learned that his children in the 

 north, were much in want of articles of merchandise, in consequence 

 of the extreme length and difficulty of the present route; he had 



