90 VISIT TO AN INDIAN VILLAGE. [1823. 



well armed and prepared for any contingency ; but with orders never, 

 to act, except on the defensive. 



At four o'clock, A. M., I ordered the boats to be lowered, manned, 

 and armed. In a few minutes afterward we started for the Indian 

 village within the sound. After pulling round the point which covers 

 its entrance, and opening a beautiful valley, we discovered the village 

 within one hundred and fifty yards of the boats. In a moment after, 

 we saw about four hundred dogs rushing towards us, while the natives 

 were seen flying from their huts, men, women, and children, apparently 

 in a paroxysm of alarm. 



As my object was to conciliate this inoffensive people, we paused in 

 our progress, and lay off on our oars ; making amicable signs for the 

 natives to lay down their weapons, bows and arrows, which they did 

 without hesitation. I then pulled in to the shore, and landed a short 

 distance from the Indians ; and by signs invited six of them to meet 

 me. This they also did, with evident willingness. After giving them 

 a friendly and even cordial reception, which inspired them with re- 

 newed confidence, I invited them to enter one of my boats, while I 

 advanced and saluted their friends. This request they complied with, 

 but with some reluctance ; when I ordered the boats to haul off, and lay 

 about the fourth of a mile from the shore. 



Having thus secured a sufficient number of hostages for my personal 

 safety, I advanced along the beach to have an interview with the whole 

 tribe, consisting of about two thousand, of both sexes and all ages, by 

 whom I was received in the most amicable manner. They took me 

 to their wigwams, and showed me every mark of hospitality in their 

 power. I remained on shore with them about two hours ; a part of 

 which time I spent in examining their habitations and mode of living, 

 and the remainder in shooting birds at some distance in the woods. 



At length the natives began to evince some symptoms of uneasiness 

 respecting the fate of their friends and countrymen in my boat. On 

 perceiving this, I promptly repaired to the shore, and ordered the boat 

 to pull in. The moment she reached the beach the six Indians leaped 

 on shore, apparently rejoicing at their safe deliverance. I then entered 

 the boat, and invited the one whom I supposed to be the chief of the 

 tribe to accompany me to the vessel. To this proposition, however, 

 he would not accede, until I ordered one of my men to jump on shore, 

 and run up to the village, to show them how much we relied on their 

 fidelity. On seeing this, the chief instantly appreciated the motive, 

 and stepped into the boat, with a confidence that bespoke intellect and 

 feeling. In a few minutes we were on board the Wasp, where we 

 found a warm breakfast prepared, awaiting the return of the boats. 



This chief appeared to be a man of amiable disposition, and con- 

 siderable mind, the evidences of which were legibly written in his 

 countenance. As soon as he found himself on the deck of the schooner, 

 he looked around him with an expression of strong curiosity, not un- 

 mingled with surprise, and in some instances astonishment. These 

 sentiments were still more forcibly expressed when I conducted him to 

 the cabin, and invited him to take a seat at the breakfast table. He 

 examined every thing as if he wished to become acquainted with its 



