1812. 
DISPUTES ARISING FROM BARTERING. 
459 
Every transaction with MattTvi relative to this subject, was well- 
known to all the inhabitants, and I was therefore surprised at any 
further attempt, more especially as I had given a positive refusal to 
Mollemmi on a similar occasion. I now felt a suspicion that the 
present proposal proceeded in reality from the same quarter. I 
therefore expressed myself decidedly resolved not to listen to any 
offers of this kind : and the oxen were, in consequence, driven away 
without either they or the man having been seen by me. 
Soon after this, Mollemmi came to ask for three charges of 
powder and ball, which he said he wanted, as he was going out 
hunting. I replied that as he and his brother had already received 
as much as could be spared, no more could be given them. He then 
demanded some tobacco ; this I gave him, though the tone of voice 
in which it was asked, was much less civil than usual. 
In the afternoon, one of the chieftains who was frequently in 
MattTvi's party, desired to look at my beads again, as he intended 
offering me two oxen for sale. I told him that I found myself 
obliged to give up all further bartering, as it had always been found 
to end, not in purchase, but in dispute ; that as my object, in coming 
to Litakun, was to form a friendly acquaintance with the Bachaplns, 
I was most desirous of avoiding every thing which could lead to the 
least misunderstanding. He persisted, however, in bringing the 
oxen ; but I continued fixed in my resolution ; and thus the affair 
ended. 
During the whole of the day, without the shortest respite, I was 
surrounded by people constantly begging or waiting for tobacco ; and 
I had the mortification to find that a day had thus passed by, without 
any useful or agreeable result. 
Van Roi/e, whom I had supposed to have entered upon his new 
duty of attending the cattle, with perfect willingness, convinced me 
in the evening when he brought them home, how much I had 
mistaken his character. On my sending for him to inquire if he had 
found in that part of the plain, grass enough for the oxen, he answered 
in a surly tone, and with insolent gesture. Yes ; and added, that, it 
3 N 2 
