74 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



discouraging, and indicated that he had 

 parted with his good humour, at least since 

 his March visit. He first inquired, whether, 

 in the event of a passage by sea being dis- 

 covered, we should come to his lands in any 

 ship that might be sent? And being 

 answered that it was probable, but not 

 quite certain, that some one amongst us 

 might come, he expressed a hope that some 

 suitable present should be forwarded to 

 himself and nation : " for," said he, " the 

 great chief who commands where all the 

 goods come from, must see from the draw- 

 ings and descriptions of us and our country 

 that we are a miserable people." I assured 

 him that he would be remembered, provided 

 he faithfully fulfilled his engagement with 

 us. 



He next complained of the non-payment 

 of my notes by Mr. Weeks, from which he 

 apprehended that his own reward would be 

 withheld. " If," said he, " your notes to 

 such a trifling amount are not accepted 

 whilst you are within such a short distance, 

 and can hold communication with the fort, 



