ISO REV. GEO. PATTEESON ON THE BEOTIIIKS 



food had failed. Driven by hunger, some, perhaps the whole remnant, resolved to risk death 

 at the hands of the whites by going down to the coast, if haply they might prolong life 

 by gathering mussels or other food to be found there. Shanandithit's uncle and his family 

 were among the first to go. But he and his daughter were the parties shot, as we have 

 mentioned,' and the two remaining members of the family " afterwards died." Shanan- 

 dithit's family followed, with the result, as we have seen, that one was killed and three 

 captured. What became of the fifth we are not informed. This would leave only twelve 

 remaining besides him. They are stated to have consisted of five men, four women, one 

 lad and two children, and to have taken their course toward the lake. At all events 

 none of them were ever seen or heard of more, and there cannot be a doubt that they all 

 perished. Indeed, from the state approaching starvation at which they were at this 

 time, it is not likely that any of them survived that spring. 



Mr. Peyton brought the three women to St. John's, to receive the reward offered by 

 government for bringing in a Red Indian. The Rev. W. Wilson, who met them and 

 tried to converse with them, says in his journal of them : — 



" They were first taken to Government House, and by order of His Excellency the 

 Governor a comfortable room in the court-house was assigned to them as a place of resi- 

 dence, where they were treated with every possible kindness. The mother is far advanced 

 in life, but seems in good health. Beds were provided for them, but they did not understand 

 their use, and they slept on their deer-skins in the corner of the room. One of the daugh- 

 ters was ill, yet she would take no medicine. The doctor recommended phlebotomy, and 

 a gentleman allowed a vein to be opened in his arm to show her that there was no inten- 

 tion to kill her, but this was to no purpose ; for when she saw the lancet brought near 

 her own arm both she and her companions got into a state of fury, so that the doctor had 

 to desist. Her sister was in good health. If she had ever used red ochre about her per- 

 son, there was then no sign of it on her face. Her complexion was swarthy, not unlike 

 the Micmacs. Her features were handsome. She was a tall, fine figure, and stood nearly 

 six feet high, and such a beautiful set of teeth I do not know that I ever saw in a human 

 head. In her manner she was bland, affable and affectionate. I showed her my watch. 

 She put it to her ear and was amused with its tick. A gentleman put a looking-glass before 

 her and her grimaces were most extraordinary. But when a black lead-pencil was put 

 into her hand and a piece of white paper laid upon the table she was in raptures. She 

 made a few marks on the paper, apparently to try the pencil. Then in one flourish she 

 drew a deer perfectly, and, what is more surprising, she began at the tip of the tail. This 

 person, whose Indian name is Shanaudithit, is thought to be the wife of the man who 

 was shot." The old woman was morose, and had the look and action of a savage. She 

 would sit all day on the floor, with a deer-skin shawl on, and looked with dread or hatred 

 upon everyone that entered the court-house." It may be added that she continued to 

 show much the same spirit. 



Under date June 24th, the same journal has the following references to them : — 



' It is presumed tliat lie was the same who accompanied Lieut. Buchan baclv to liis supplies. 



^ It has since been said that he was her uncle. But from her statements it appears that her uncle was the 

 man shot just shortly before. We judge this man to have been her father. He was plainly the head of the 

 family. 



