Travels Through North America 



sonage entrusted by his nation with the commission, I en- 

 deavoured to form an acquaintance with him, and to in- 

 sinuate myself into his good opinion; with this view I in- 

 vited him to my apartment, and by showing him some Httle 

 civiHty I so far succeeded, that he expressed himself sen- 

 sible of my attention, and promised when he next came to 

 Williamsburg, which, he said, if his nation approved of his 

 mission, he should do very shortly, he would bring me some 

 present as a token of his acknowledgment and remem- 

 brance. Accordingly some time after, walking in the streets 

 of Williamsburg, I accidentally met him; and after accost- 

 ing and saluting him in the usual manner, by giving him 

 my hand, and making a few enquiries, I said, "Well, Cap- 

 " tain Charles, where is the present you promised me?" — 

 He immediately hung down his head, and said, "I have 

 "forgot it." — I inconsiderately replied, "It does not much 

 " signify; but I thought an Indian never forgot his promise." 

 After this we separated, and I thought no more of the trans- 

 action; but in the afternoon information was brought to 

 the Lieutenant Governor, that the Indians had suddenly 

 disappeared, without having received the presents intended 

 for them by government; and that it was feared they had 

 gone away in disgust, and that the negotiation would 

 have an unfortunate issue. Two or three days passed 

 under these alarming circumstances. At length, however, 

 they returned, increased in number, and generally laden 

 with presents, or curiosities intended for sale. It then ap- 

 peared that Captain Charles, stung with my reproach, had 

 gone back to the Nottoway country; or, which is more 

 likely, as he was absent only two or three days, into the 



[192] 



