6 CAPTAIN M'CLUEE's DESPATCHES. 



kerchiefs (the sails) ; tlie whaleboats attracted their attention, and 

 tlicy asked if trees grew in our country sufficiently large to make 

 them. The head man possessed a gun, with "Barnctt, 18-40," upon 

 the lock ; this he obtained from the Russians. As a fair spqcimen of 

 the observation of these people and their aptitude for trade, the fol- 

 lowing may be taken : — Seeing that we cut the tobacco into pieces to 

 give in exchange for their fish (salmon trout), they began to do the 

 same with the fish. This, however, we would not admit, so they were 

 obliged to come to our terms. During the afternoon, while standing 

 along a low flat island, we observed a flag (a pair of sealskin inexpress- 

 ibles) upon a lofty pole, and a number of natives around it ; we stood 

 for them, but when the boats were pulling in they appeared to regret 

 their temerity, for down came the sealskin, and away they ran. Shortly 

 gaining courage, they returned, and, as we approached, arranged 

 themselves in line upon the beach, and commenced extending their 

 arms above their heads (typical of friendship), which being answered 

 from the boats, perfectly assured them of our amicable intentions. 

 Upon landing they evinced a most manly confidence, rubbing noses, 

 and embracing most vigorously ; these were very cleanly, so that the 

 operation was not so unpleasant as it otherwise might have been. 

 Through the interpreter, Mr. Miertsching, we learnt that these people 

 had never before seen a European, nor had they the smallest article of 

 European manufacture about them (Lieutenant PuUen's boats they 

 observed last year, but they were some distance off", and consequently 

 had no communication). They live during the summer months upon 

 these desolate islands, and in the winter retire a short distance on the 

 mainland to their warmer residences. Their women and tents were 

 upon another island. They were a fine active set of young men, 

 avcrao'c heiirht about five feet six inches. These barter their skins, 

 &c., with a tribe further west, who, in their turn, do the same with 

 others, until they reach the Russian post upon the Colville. To 

 them I intrusted a despatch for their Lordships, which they pro- 

 mised most faithfully should be forwarded to the Colville. I made 

 them a few presents, also a boat's ensign, in commemoration of the 

 first man-of-war whose flag has ever floated in these sterile regions. 

 The magnificence of the gift they could not for some time comprehend, 

 and were loth to touch it ; but at length the interpreter made them 

 understand it was sent them by a great chief, and in return they were 

 to be very kind to all white men they met, and show it to them ; all 

 this they promised. The chief then seized it in his arms and ran across 

 the island to his canoe,- followed by the remainder of his tribe, and 

 no doubt hurried with the joyful tidings to the women. We find a 

 westerly set which prevents our making but slight progress, the wind 

 hanging so much to the eastward. 



On the morning of the I'ith four baidars came alongside, containing 

 tiic whole encanij)ment of the tribe we met last night, and also some 

 that we had seen two days previously, from which it aj)j)eared tliey are 

 migratory; they hrouglit oif a supj)ly of fish and a (piantity of veni- 

 son, — but tlie Inttcr was in such a state of high putrefaction we could 

 not touch il. W'v allowed most of the men to come on board, and, 

 ahhongli ^vill aware of tlu'ir knavisli propensities, and, conse<piently, 

 a sharp look-out was k( pt, upon tlicni, they most adroitly innnnged to 

 blip linih himrllcs of our wiiicli and a sinall ire anchor into their haidar, 



