North-West Continent of America, 6$ 



more absurd and ridiculous. They represented them as 

 being of a gigantic stature, and adorned with wings, which, 

 however, they never employed in flying : that they fed on 

 large birds, which they killed with the greatest ease, though 

 common men would be certain victims of their voracity if 

 they ventured to approach them. They also described the 

 people that inhabited the mouth of the river as possessing 

 the extraordinary power of killing with their eyes, and de- 

 vouring a large beaver at a single meal. They added, that 

 canoes of very large dimensions visited that place. They 

 did not, however, relate these strange circumstances from 

 their own knowledge, but on the reports of other tribes, as 

 they themselves never ventured to proceed beyond the first 

 mountains, where they went in search of the small, white 

 buffaloes, as the inhabitants of the other side endeavour to 

 kill them whenever they meet. They likewise mentioned 

 that the sources of those streams which are tributary to 

 both the great rivers, are separated by the mountains. It 

 appeared to us, however, that these people knew more 

 about the country than they chose to communicate, or at 

 least reached me, as the interpreter, who had long been, 

 tired of the voyage, might conceal such a part of their 

 communications as, in his opinion, would induce me to 

 follow new routes, or extend my excursions. No sooner 

 was the conference concluded, than they began to dance, 

 which is their favourite, and, except jumping, their only 

 amusement. In this pastime old and young, male and 

 female, continued their exertions, till their strength was 

 exhausted. This exercise was accompanied by loud imi- 

 tations of the various noises produced by the rein-deer, 

 the bear, and the wolf. 



When they had finished their antics, I desired the Eng- 

 lish Chief to renew the former subjects ; which he did 

 without success. I therefore assumed an angry air, ex- 

 pressed my suspicions that they withheld their information, 

 and concluded with a menace, that if they did not give 

 me all the satisfaction in their power, I would force one 

 of them along with me to-morrow, to point out the road to 

 the other river. On this declaration, they all, at one and 

 the same moment, became sick, and answered in a very 

 faint tone, that they knew no more than they had already 

 communicated, and that they should die if I took any of 

 them away. They began to persuade my interpreter to 

 remain with them, as they loved him as well as they did . 



