INTERCOURSE WITH NATIVES. 
91 
their tribe. I gave the first who swam the river a toma- 
hawk (making this a rule in order to encourage them) with 
which he was highly delighted. I shortly afterwards 
placed them all in a row and fired a gun before them: 
they were quite unprepared for such an explosion, and 
after standing stupified and motionless for a moment or 
two, they simultaneously took to their heels, to our great 
amusement. I succeeded, however, in calling them back, 
and they regained their confidence so much, that sixteen 
of them remained with us all night, but the greater number 
retired at sunset. 
On the following morning, they accompanied us down 
the river, where we fell in with their tribe, who were sta- 
tioned on an elevated bank a short distance below — to the 
number of eighty-three men, women, and children. Their 
appearance was extremely picturesque and singular. They 
wanted us to land, but time was too precious for such 
delays. Some of the boldest of the natives swam round 
and round the boat so as to impede the use of the oars, 
and the women on the bank evinced their astonishment by 
mingled yells and cries. They entreated us, by signs, to 
remain with them, but, as I foresaw a compliance on this 
occasion would hereafter be attended with inconvenience, 
I thought it better to proceed on our journey, and the 
natives soon ceased their importunities, and, indeed, did 
not follow or molest us. . 
The river improved upon us at every mile. Its reaches 
were of noble breadth, and splendid appearance. Its cur- 
