NORTHERN OCEAN. 
reft in convafling for companions; as they find 
289 
197-20 
by experience that a large gang gains them much NeoeeaaS 
*refpect. Indeed, the generality of Europeans 
who refide in thofe parts, being utterly unac. 
quainted with the manners and cuftoms of the In- 
dians, have conceived fo high an opinion of thofe 
Leaders, and their authority, as to imagine that 
all who accompany them on thofe occafions are 
entirely devoted to their fervice and command 
all the year; but this is fo far from being the 
cafe, that the authority of thofe great men, when 
abfent: from the Company’s Factory, never ex- 
tends beyond their own family ; and the trifling 
refpect which is fhown them by their countrymen 
during their refidence at the Factory, proceeds 
only from motives of intereft. 
The Leaders have a very difagreeable tafk to 
perform on thofe occafions ; for they are not on- 
ly obliged to be the mouth-piece, but the beggars 
for all their friends and relations for whom they 
have a regard, as well as for thofe whom at other 
times they have reafon to fear. Thofe unwel- 
‘come commiflions, which are impofed on them 
_by their followers, joined to their own defire of 
being thought men of great confequence and in- 
tereft with the Englifh, make them very trou- 
blefome. And if a Governor deny them any 
thing which they afk, though it be only to give 
away to the moft worthlefs of their gang, they 
immediately turn fulky and impertinent to the 
_higheft degree ; and however rational they may 
U be 
ay. 
