64 
pleased them so much, that for some time 
all was merriment, dancing, singing, and 
good humour. 
Their revels being ended, I again ad- 
dressed the chief on the subject of our 
departure. I requested he would send a 
guide with us through the deserts to the 
first christian settlement, and that nothing 
should be wanting on my part to recom- 
pense his kindness. He paused for a mo- 
ment, and then very coolly replied, that 
he would gratify my wishes. I begged to 
know the time when he would suffer us 
to depart. He gravely answered, " when 
" I consider that matter, you shall be made 
acquainted with my determination.'* 
These answers, I own, alarmed me. The 
countenance of the savage appeared to dis- 
cover some hostile measure that was lurking 
in his mind; and yet his former conduct 
was so liberal and humane, that I had no 
just grounds for suspecting his integrity. 
I perceived, however, the natives consulting 
together in parties, and from their gestures 
we could not interpret any thing favourable 
to our wishes. What still added to our 
