488 DE FUCA'S STRAITS AND 



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 

 were 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. George, 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 principally 

 upon 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 

 succeeded in making an offing before the fog enveloped us. These 

 fogs are one of the greatest annoyances to vessels arriving on this 

 coast ; for, in fine weather, they are experienced almost daily, coming 

 up with the sea-breeze, continuing throughout the night, and until the 

 sun has sufficient power the next day to dissipate them. 



In leaving De Fuca's Straits I anxiously watched for De Fuca's 

 Pillar, and soon obtained a sketch of it, which is represented in the 

 wood-cut at the end of this chapter. 



During the night of the 3d, we lost sight of the Porpoise, and the 

 return-signal to our guns soon became inaudible. The only guide one 

 has on this coast during the fogs, is the lead ; and vessels drifting into 

 less water than fifteen fathoms, should anchor until they obtain a wind 

 to carry them off. 



The weather continued cold and chilly, with light rain; and we 

 passed down the coast in eighty and ninety fathoms water. The 

 soundings varied from rock, gravel, and sand, to a soft unctuous mud, 

 of a deep-blue colour. 



The morning of the 5th August, the Porpoise was discovered astern, 

 which relieved me from any apprehension of detention. 



