EXCURSION TO A HOT-SPRING. 139 



The face of the country was so completely hidden 

 durmg the winter, that we were unable to remark 

 upon its features and constitution ; accident revealed 

 the information that black-lead ore exists on this 

 coast, particularly upon the point on which we now 

 were ; two species of ochre are also found, but more 

 rarely, and are exchanged at high prices with the 

 denizens of distant villages, being held in great 

 estimation as dyes, and for painting upon skins, 

 paddles, &c., for which black-lead is also extensively 

 used. We obtained some fresh venison here from 

 one of the natives, who had lately purchased it, and 

 found it welcome alike as a change and to the saving 

 of our provisions. 



While awaiting the retiu-n of our messenger to the 

 ship, I made an excursion to a hot-spring, not far 

 distant, in company with a Mr. No-tak-en, whose 

 interminable garrulity was supportable only on such 

 an occasion when one desu'ed to acquire all the 

 information possible ; but he was very obliging, 

 thinking no trouble too great in the service of a 

 friend, and this was a saving clause in his disposition. 

 He took care to provide mocassins of seal-skin, to 

 be assumed upon arrival at the stream ; a number of 

 small raw fish, and one or two blue beads ; but what 

 he was going to do with either of these I had no idea. 



