218 



harmon's journal. 



time of this feast, they are set at liberty from 

 these disagreeable restraints. 



Thursday, 30. On the 17th inst. accompanied 

 by Mr. M c Dougall, twelve of my men and two 

 Carriers, I set out on a journey to the territory of 

 the Nate-ote-tains, a tribe of Indians, who have ne- 

 ver had any intercourse with white people, and few 

 of whom have ever seen them. After travelling, 

 with all possible expedition, during seven days, 

 generally on lakes, we arrived at their first village. 

 The inhabitants were not a little surprised and 

 alarmed to see people come among them, whose 

 complexion was so different from their own. As 

 their village stands on a rise of ground, near to a 

 large lake, they saw us coming, when we w r ere at 

 a considerable distance from them ; and the men, 

 women and children came out to meet us, all of 

 whom were armed, some with bows and arrows, 

 and others w r ith axes and clubs. They offered no 

 offence ; but, by many savage gestures they mani- 

 fested a determination to defend themselves, in 

 case they were attacked. We soon dissipated 

 their fears, by informing them, that we came not 

 to make war upon them, but to supply them with 

 . articles which they needed, and to receive their 

 furs in exchange. They treated us with much 

 respect and with great hospitality- 



