THIRD VOYAGE 321 



the 7th of March the long-looked for coast of New Albion * 

 was seen, extending from N.E. to S.E., distant ten or twelve 

 leagues. The land appeared to be of a moderate height, 

 diversified with hills and valleys, and almost everywhere 

 covered with wood. 



" After coasting along and combating contrary winds, on 

 the 29th we anchored in eighty-five fathoms water, so 

 near the shore as to reach it with a hawser. 



" We no sooner drew near the inlet than we found the 

 coast to be inhabited, and three canoes came off to the ship. 

 In one of these were two men, in another six, and in the 

 third ten. Having come pretty near us, a person in one 

 of the two last stood up and made a long harangue, inviting 

 us to land, as we guessed by his gestures. At the same time 

 he kept strewing handfuls of feathers towards us, and some 

 of his companions threw handfuls of red dust or powder 

 in the same manner. The person who performed the office 

 of orator wore the skin of some animal, and held in each 

 hand something which rattled as he kept shaking it. After 

 tiring himself with his repeated exhortations, of which we 

 did not understand a word, he was quiet. After the 

 tumultuous oration had ceased, one of them sung a very 

 agreeable air, with a degree of softness and melody which 

 we could not have expected. In a short time the canoes 

 began to come off in great numbers ; and we had at one 

 time thirty-two of them near the ship, carrying from three 

 to seven or eight persons each, both men and women. 

 Several of these stood up in their canoes haranguing and 

 making gestures, after the manner of our first visitors. One 

 canoe was remarkable for a singular head, which had a bird's 

 eye and bill of an enormous size painted on it ; and a 

 person who was in it, who seemed to be a chief, was no less 

 remarkable for his uncommon appearance, having many 

 feathers hanging from his head, and being painted in an 

 extraordinary manner. He held in his hands a carved bird 

 of wood, as large as a pigeon, with which he rattled, as the 

 person first mentioned had done ; and was no less vociferous 

 in his harangue, which was attended with some expressive 

 gestures. 



" Though our visitors behaved very peaceably, and could 

 not be suspected of any hostile intention, we could not 

 prevail upon any of them to come on board. They shewed 

 great readiness, however, to part with anything they had, and 

 took from us whatever we offered them in exchange ; but 

 were more desirous of iron than of any other of our articles 

 of commerce, appearing to be perfectly acquainted with the 



* This part of the west side of North America was so named by Sir 

 Francis Drake. 



68 K 



