518 DE FUCA'S STRAITS AND 



tion to make a visit to them the next year, for the purpose of esta- 

 blishing their religion among them. 



On the 3d, we were engaged in the survey of the harbour, besides 

 obtaining fifteen hundred gallons of water. Its position, (the north 

 point of Neah Island,) was found to be in latitude 48° 24' 40" N., 

 longitude 124° 36' 46" W. ; variation 21° 08' 14" easterly. 



We had as many as forty canoes alongside on the 3d, with various 

 articles for sale, including fish, venison, &c. Some of the canoes had 

 as many as twenty persons in them. They were generally a stout, 

 athletic race; and it was observed that the women were much better 

 looking than those of the other tribes. Some of them, indeed, had 

 quite fair complexions and rosy cheeks. They are not as much ex- 

 posed to the weather as those we had previously seen, being pro- 

 vided with a conical hat, made of grass, and plaited so tight as to be 

 impervious to water, which both protects them from the rain and 

 sun. 



It is said that this tribe can muster one thousand warriors, and they 

 have the reputation of being treacherous and warlike. Many of them 

 were fantastically painted, that is, besmeared with oil, soot, and red 

 paint. Their dress consists of a native blanket, made of dog's hair 

 interspersed with feathers : this is much more highly valued than the 

 bought ones, but is rarely to be obtained. The clamour made by our 

 numerous visiters alongside was very great, and their offers of articles 

 was without much regard to the priority of rank, station, or any thing 

 else. 



The practice of flattening the head is prevalent here, but perhaps 

 not so universal as among the other tribes we have seen. Georg-e, or 

 King George, invited me to visit him at Tatouche, his village, about 

 half a mile nearer to Cape Flattery than the place where the ship lay ; 

 but I had no time to spare. He informed me they had fifty lodges, 

 made of planks, similar to those already described. His tribe live prin- 

 cipally upoii fish, of which they catch large quantities ; and when a 

 whale is taken, they literally gorge themselves with the blubber. 



It was reported to me, late in the afternoon, that a ball had been 

 fired at some of the sailors engaged in surveying; but it did not do any 

 damage, striking the beach some little distance from them. I did not 

 think it worth while to make any inquiry or disturbance about this 

 matter, and only mention the fact to caution those who' may hereafter 

 visit this port that it is necessary to be upon their guard. 



At 2 p. M. we got under way, with the Porpoise in company, and 



