North-West Continent of America. 87 



As we pushed off, some of my men discharged their 

 fowling pieces, that were only loaded with powder, at the 

 report of which the Indians were very much alarmed, as 

 they had not before heard the discharge of fire arms. This 

 circumstance had such an effect upon our guide, that we 

 had reason to apprehend he would not fulfil his promise. 

 When, however, he was informed that the noise which he 

 had heard was a signal of friendship, he was persuaded 

 to embark in his own small canoe, though he had been 

 offered a seat in ours. 



Two of his companions, whom he represented as h:s 

 brothers, followed us in their canoes ; and they amused 

 us not only with their native songs, but with others, ia 

 imitation of the Esquimaux; and our new guide was so 

 enlivened by them, that the antics he performed, in keep- 

 ing time to the singing, alarmed us with continual appre- 

 hension that his boat must upset : but he was not long 

 content with his confined situation, and paddling up along- 

 side our canoe, requested us to receive him in it, though 

 but a short time before he had resolutely refused to accept 

 our invitation. No sooner had he entered our canoe, than 

 he began to perform an Esquimaux dance, to our no small 

 alarm. He was, however, soon prevailed upon to be 

 more tranquil ; when he began to display varions indecen- 

 cies, according to the customs of the Esquimaux, of 

 which he boasted an intimate acquaintance. On our put- 

 ting to shore, in order to leave his canoe, he informed us 

 that on the opposite hill the Esquimaux, three winters be- 

 fore, killed his grandfather. We saw a fox, and a ground- 

 hog on the hill, the latter of which the brother of our 

 guide shot with his bow and arrow. 



About four in the afternoon we perceived a smoke on 

 the West shore, when we traversed and landed* The 

 natives made a most terrible uproar, talking with great 

 vociferation, and running about as if they were deprived 

 of their senses, while the greater part of the women, with 

 the children, fled away. Perceiving the disorder which 

 our appearance occasioned among these people, we had 

 waited some time before we quitted the canoe ; and I have 

 no doubt, if we had been without people to introduce us, 

 that they would have attempted some violence against us ; 

 for when the Indians send away their women and children, 

 it is always with an hostile design. At length we pacified 

 them witk the usual presents, but they preferred beads to 



