SKIRMISH WITH NATIVES. 241 



mouth of the channel, containing about loO men, 

 who divided into two bodies, and advanced to sur- 

 round and attack them. As the cutter had to beat 

 out of the channel, and might in so doing get 

 aground on unknown shoals, they determined to act 

 decisively, and if necessary bring the savages to 

 action at once. They accordingly bore down towards 

 them. The canoes advanced in regular order, the 

 men shouting, splashing up the water with their 

 paddles, beating the sides of the canoes, and 

 handling their bows and arrows. When within 

 distance, several arrows were discharged, which fell 

 near the cutter, but struck no one. On this they fired 

 upon them with ball, and several of the natives fell. 

 The canoes then retreated in great confusion, leaving 

 the passage open, of which the cutter took advantage 

 to pursue her way. Mr. Macgillivray observed 

 that on firing, several leapt overboard on the 

 lee side of the canoes, and resting their arms on 

 the gunwale, continued to discharge their arrows 

 while in the water, with the cimoe as a breast-work. 

 The necessity for bloodshed was to be regretted, but 

 exposed as our boats now were, singly, to such great 

 odds of numbers, it was absolutely essential to teach 

 the savages the great superiority of our weapons, 

 and the danger of attacking us. 



May 20 and 21. — We remained at anchor waiting 

 for the cutter; the Prince George being anchored in 

 three fathoms, several miles nearer the shore. The 

 20th was beautiful weather, but on the 21st it blew 



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