'North-West Continent of America. 



233 



of the language prevented us from being able to discover 

 the cause. 



At eight this morning, fifteen men, armed, the friends 

 and relations of these people, arrived by land, in conse- 

 quence of notice sent the«i in the night, immediately 

 after the appearance of our guides. They are more cor- 

 pulent and of a better appearance than the inhabitants of 

 the interior. Their language totally different from any I 

 had heard; the Atnah or Chin tribe, as far as I can judge 

 from the very little I saw of that people, bear the nearest 

 resemblance to them. They appear to be of a quiet and 

 peaceable character, and never make any hostile incursions 

 into the lands of their neighbours. 



Their dress consists of a single robe tied over the shoul- 

 ders, falling down behind, to the heels, and before, a lit- 

 tle below the knees, with a deep fringe round the bottom. 

 It is generally made of the bark of the cedar tree, which 

 they prepare as fine as hemp : though some of these gar- 

 ments are interwoven with strips of the sea-otter skin, 

 which give them the appearance of a fur on one side. 

 Others have stripes of red and yellow threads fancifully 

 introduced toward the borders, which have a very agree- 

 able effect. The men have no other covering than that 

 which I have described, and they unceremoniously lay it 

 aside when they find it convenient. In addition to this 

 robe the women wear a close fringe hanging down before 

 them about two feet in length, and half as wide. When 

 they sit down they draw this between their thighs. They 

 wear their hair so short, that it requires little care or 

 combing. The men have theirs in plaits, and being 

 smeared with oil and red earth, instead of a comb they 

 have a small stick hanging by a string from one of the 

 locks, which they employ to alleviate any itching or irri- 

 tation in the head. The colour of the eye is grey with a 

 tinge of red. They have all high cheek-bones, but the 

 women are more remarkable for that feature than the 

 men. Their houses, arms, and utensils I shall describe 

 hereafter. 



I presented my friend with several articles, and also 

 distributed some among others of the natives who had 

 been attentive to us. One of my guides had been very 

 serviceable in procuring canoes for us to proceed on our 

 expedition ; he appeared also to be very desirous of giv- 



2 F 



