180 Thirty Tears 



The man who first came to speak to him, inquired the 

 number of canoes that we had with us, expressed him- 

 self to be not displeased at our arrival, and desired 

 him to caution us not to attempt running the rapid, 

 but to make the portage on the west side of the river. 

 Notwithstanding this appearance of confidence and 

 satisfaction, it seems they did not consider their situa- 

 tion to be free from danger, as they retreated the first 

 night to an island somewhat farther down the river, 

 and in the morning they returned and threw down 

 their lodges, as if to give notice to any of their na- 

 tion that might arrive, that there was an enemy in the 

 neighborhood. From seeing all their property strewed 

 about, and ten of their dogs left, we entertained the 

 hope that these poor people would n't urn after their 

 first alarm had subsided ; and therefore I determined 

 on remaining until the next day, in the expectation of 

 seeiDg them, as I considered the opening of an early 

 i ommunication to be a matter of the greatest impor- 

 tance in our state ot* absolute ignorance respecting the 



ast. Tlie canoes and cargoes were carried across 

 the portage, and we encamped od the north side of it. 



ii' Augustus and Junius across the river lo look 

 for the runaways, but- their search was fruitless. 



.v pieces of iron and trinkets iii their 

 canoes, which were lung on the beaoh, We also sent 

 some men to put up the stages of fish, and secure 



