t T6 Jo urnal of a Voyage th rough the 



attempt to shoot me from the water, it was his instruc- 

 tions to lay him low : at the same time he was particularly- 

 enjoined not to fire till I had discharged one or both of the 

 pistols that I carried in my belt. If, however, any of them 

 were to land, and approach my person, he was immediately 

 to join me. In the mean time my other interpreter assured 

 them, that we entertained the most friendly disposition, 

 which I confirmed by such signals as I conceived would 

 be comprehended by them. I had not, indeed, been long 

 at my station, and my Indian in ambush behind me, when 

 two of the natives came off in a canoe, but stopped when 

 they had got within an hundred yards of me. I made 

 signs for them to land, and as an inducement, displayed 

 looking-glasses, beads, and other alluring trinkets. At 

 length, but with every mark of extreme apprehension, they 

 approached the shore, stern foremost, but would not ven- 

 ture to land. I now made them a present of some beads, 

 with which they were going to push off, when I renewed 

 my entreaties, and, after some time, prevailed on them to 

 come ashore, and sit down by me. My hunter now thought 

 it right to join me, and created some alarm in my new ac- 

 quaintance. It was, however, soon removed, and I had 

 the satisfaction to find that he and these people perfectly 

 understood each other. I instructed him to say every 

 thing that might tend to sooth their fears, and win their 

 confidence. I expressed my wish to conduct them to our 

 canoe, but they declined my offer ; and when they observ- 

 ed some of my people coming towards us, they requested 

 me to let them return ; and I was so well satisfied with the 

 progress I had made in my intercourse with them, that I 

 did not hesitate a moment in complying with their desire. 

 During their short stay, they observed us, and every thing 

 about us, with a mixture of admiration and astonishment. 

 We could plainly distinguish that their friends received 

 them with great joy on their return, and that the articles 

 which they carried back with them, were examined with a 

 general and eager curiosity ; they also appeared to hold a 

 consultation, which lasted about a quarter of an hour, and 

 the result was, an invitation to come over to them, which 

 was cheerfully accepted. Nevertheless, on our landing, 

 they betrayed evident signs of confusion, which arose, 

 probably from the quickness of our movements, as the 

 prospect of a friendly communication had so cheered the 

 spirits of my people, that they paddled across the river 



