is ^^y(tg^ unde) taken Irj the Spaniards 



mined, with great care, the indentations of the Americar* 

 continent opposite to the large island of Quadra y Van- 

 couver. At certain intervals they met with Indians, sonjo 

 of whom came to give them advice respecting the course 

 they ought to pursue, while others tied on their approach ; 

 and some, conceiving their intentions to he hostile, began 

 to put on their armour. The last approached them with 

 otter skins in their hands, giving them to understand that 

 they might take their choice, friendly commerce or battle. 

 The first-mentioned, who were less suspicious, brought 

 them fresh or smoked salmon, for which they took in ex- 

 change iron, shells, and other trifles. 



On the 30lh of July a violent quarrel had almost pro- 

 duced bloodshed. A group of Indians having attempted 

 to wrest a fusee from one of the Spanish hunters, it was 

 found necessary, before they could be dispersed, to fire a 

 cannon and some musketry from the boats. The ball, 

 however, did no execution ; and the boats fired only with 

 powder. 



A serious subject of solicitude occurred soon after to the 

 , Spanish connnandant. He had detached a boat with cap- 

 tain Vcrnaci, giving him orders to explore those parts of 

 the coast which were inaccessible to large vessls. Vernaci 

 entered one of the winding channels which penetrate a great 

 way into the land between the lat. of 50" and 51°, and 

 Jong. 120^^ and 121°. This navigation was in every respect 

 dangerous. The boat had on board but a few articles for 

 carrvino- on trade bv barter, and Vernaci foaiKl it diflicult 

 ]to resist the importunities of the Indians, who were anxious 

 to traffic with him. They were much surprised to see 

 strangers approach their coast in this manner, and often 

 manifested a desire of taking by fcjrce what the Spaniards 

 were unwilling to give to them with good will. Vernaci 

 was obliged to have recourse to mildness and pcrsuasicm. 

 Though his crew had carried arms with them, it would have 

 been imprudent to enter into a contest in which the neigh- 

 bouring tribes would no doubt have taken a part. At length, 

 having penetrated to the bottom of the channel or strait 

 which extends beyond the 51st degree of latitude, and 

 which has its own name in the Spanish maps and that of 

 K/iii^ht's Channel in those of the English ; and having as- 

 certained tluit it had no ouilct, he preparer] to join his com- 

 panions bv another route. An Indian who appeared de- 

 sirous of serving liim, and who was actuated only by an 

 evil design, oflered to point it out to him. He, however, 

 conducted hint into a labyrinth of small islands, and then 



disappeared. 



