116 
1771. 
vrrn) 
May. 
SS ee 
A JOURNEY TO THE 
European goods to fquander away among their | 
countrymen as Matonabbee and thofe of my party - 
did, in all probability many might have been found | 
who would have been glad to have accompaniedus. — 
When I was acquainted with the intentions of 
my companions, and faw the warlike preparations _ 
that were carrying on, I endeavoured as much as_ 
poflible to perfuade them from putting their in. 
human defign into execution; but fo far were my 
intreaties fia having the wifhed-for effect, that 
it was concluded I was actuated by cowardice; 
and they told me, with great marks of derifion, | 
that I was afraid of the Efquimaux. As J knew) 
my perfonal fafety depended in a great meafure) 
on the favourable opinion they entertained of me 
in this refpect, I was obliged to change my tone, 
and replied, that I did not care if they render 
the name and race of the Efquimaux extind;, 
adding at the fame time, that though I was no 
enemy to the Efquimaux, and did not fee the 
neceflity of attacking them without caufe, yet if 
1 fhould find it neceflary to do it, for the protec. | 
tion of any one of my company, my own fafety) 
out of the queftion, fo far from being afraid of a 
poor defencelefs Efquimaux, whom I defpifed 
more than feared, nothing fhould be wanting on) 
my part to protec all who were with me. This. 
declaration was received with great fatisfaGtion; } 
and I never afterwards ventured to interfere with 
any of their war-plans. Indeed, when I came to” 
confider ferioufly, I faw evidently that it was the 
higheft 
ee 
