CHAP. 



XII. 

 <— - - ^ 



1787 



NORTH WEST COAST OF AMERICA. i(i'^ 



tance. After looking at various parts of the fhip, and re- 

 ceiving fome little prefents, tliey returned to the fhore 

 well fatisfied with their entertainment. Auguii 



Thurfdayg. 



In the forenoon we got feveral fine logs of cedar on 

 board, and two of the people were fet to work in fawing 

 them into fheathing-boards. The cooper was fent on 

 fhore to brew fpruce-beer and eflence of fpruce for fea- 

 ftore ; there being an abundant quantity of excellent pine 

 for that purpofe not far from the fhip : others of the fliip's 

 company were employed in wooding and watering, and I 

 fent two of the boys with the canoe into the paffage to try 

 for fifh ; but they returned without meeting with any 

 fuccefs. 



About one o'clock an Indian boat came into the 

 Sound with two men, a boy about twelve years old, and 

 a young child in her ; one of the men was a remarkably 

 fine looking fellow, and appeared to be a perfon of great 

 confequence. This fmall party came from the North 

 Weftward, and I am inclined to think their ufual place of 

 refidence is near the fpot where I have before mentioned 

 there is a probability of finding a good harbour between this 

 Sound and Crofs Cape : they came through a pafiage that 

 leads into another Sound to the North Weft of that we lay 

 in, and which pafiage makes the land to the Weflward of 

 us an ifland. 



I BOUGHT from our new vifiters a few very good fea- 

 otter fkins, and a number of wild geefe.. The method 

 they make ufe of in catching thofe birds is to chafe and 

 knock them down immediately after they have fhed their 



M m large 



