May.] 



FRIENDLY INTERCOURSE. 



91 



nature, principles, causes, and effects ; so that I set him down for an 

 Indian philosopher. He seemed to combine the spirit of deep investiga- 

 tion with the childish simplicity of the untutored Indian. 



At table he evinced a degree of diffidence, and even delicacy, which 

 is not common in the savage character. He seemed to relish our food, 

 however, and showed a particular partiality for molasses and sugar 

 After breakfast we took him on shore, and restored him to his anxious 

 family and subjects, who received him with the loudest demonstrations 

 of pleasure. 



May 9th. — This afternoon we were visited by a great number of the 

 natives in canoes. As soon as they had approached within hearing, 

 they commenced singing in a plaintive strain, accompanied with a va- 

 riety of gestures, which I afterward learned were symbolical tokens 

 of friendship. When they had come within a few yards of the vessel 

 they ceased paddling, and appeared to be waiting for some encourage- 

 ment to advance. I therefore made signs for them to come on board. 

 These signs were either misconstrued or else they wanted more time 

 to examine the exterior of the schooner before thev ventured on board. 

 From their manoeuvres, inspection, gestures, and consultations, it ap- 

 peared to me as if they were doubtful whether the Wasp was actually 

 a big canoe or a monster of the deep. 



After paddling round the vessel, and critically examining her fore 

 and aft, some of them approached her on the larboard side, and two 

 of the men at length ventured to come on board. I received them in 

 the most friendly manner, and invited them to partake of such provi- 

 sions as we had at hand — beef, pork, potatoes, and bread, to which I 

 helped them plentifully. They readily partook of the beef, and ap- 

 peared so extravagantly fond of the potatoes that I regretted I had not 

 a larger supply, having only a limited quantity on board as a prevent- 

 ive of the scurvy. The pork they promptly rejected, and scarcely 

 tasted of the bread. This circumstance might lend some support to an 

 hypothesis lately advanced, and sustained with considerable ability, that 

 the aborigines of America are descendants of the lost tribes of Israel. 



As many of their canoes were now alongside I distributed food and 

 some trifling presents to all of them. As they appeared to set a pe- 

 culiar value on scraps of iron, or any article made of that material, I 

 contrived to supply every one with a piece of an old hoop, a broken 

 hinge, a crooked pump-bolt, or a rusty spike ; while to the females I 

 gave each a string of beads. They seemed much delighted with my 

 apparent liberality, and frequently pointed upwards as they mumbled 

 over a few unintelligible words, among which I could distinguish one 

 which sounded like Setedos, which I afterward understood to signify 

 the Deity. 



Previous to their departure, the chief, whose name was Cheleule, 

 made a short speech to his subjects, who immediately responded to it 

 in a kind of chorus, or devotional anthem, in which they often repeated 

 the word Setedos, at the same time pointing to heaven with much ap- 

 parent awe and reverence. When this ceremony was finished they all 

 paddled for the shore, and repaired to their wigwams in the village, 

 which was about three-quarters of a mile from the vessel. 



5 



