36 



Menzics' Journal. 



Puget Sound. 



1792. 

 May 21st. 



The Indians being thus disposed, some in their Canoes, 

 others setting down on the Beach close to them, we went 

 to dinner on an elevated bank in the edge of the Woods 

 between them & the Boats, with our fire arms loaded at 

 hand, where we had not only the Boats in which the people 

 were at dinner under our eye, but likewise the Natives, who 

 were now joind by another Canoe with four men in her, & 

 notwithstanding they had obeyd our request, we could not 

 help conceiving that there was something suspicious & dis- 

 trustfuU in their behaviour, for they were all armed with 

 Bows & Quivers well stored with Arrows, & there were no 

 women with them. A little after they quitted the Beach & 

 went into their Canoes where they appeard for some time 

 in earnest consultation as if they had some deep plot in 

 view, & we had no doubt but we were the subject of it, 

 from their pointing sometimes to us on the Bank & then 

 to the Boats, but as we were all armed & ready to act 

 jointly from the Boats as well as from the Shore, we 

 chose rather to conceal our suspicions & keep a / watch- 

 full eye over their Motions. Soon after this we observd 

 three Canoes stealing as it were towards the Boats, but 

 they were called to & orderd back by expressive signs which 

 they obeyd. In a little time another Canoe was seen coming 

 into the Creek, & as she approachd almost all of them in 

 a moment jumpd out from their Canoes on the Beach & 

 were stringing their Bow with every apparent preparation 

 for an attack. At first we thought it was to oppose the 

 Canoe coming in but we soon perceivd that their aim was 

 at us by seeing them advance in a body along the Beach 

 over the line that had been drawn as a Mark & explaind 

 to them. One man more daring than the rest jumpd up 

 the Bank within a few yards of us with his Bow & Arrows 

 ready in hand with intention as we thought of getting 

 behind a tree where he could molest us with more safety. 

 At this instant we all jumpd up with our Muskets in our 

 hands ready to oppose them, & made them understand by 

 menacing signs, that if they did (sic) return back again 

 to their Canoes, we would that moment fire upon them, & 

 they seeing the people in the Boats equally ready & armed 

 at the same time they sneakd reluctantly back to their places, 

 but as for the man who jumpd up the Bank, it was actually 



