DISEASE AMONG THEM. 
93 
Hume’s manners had in a great measure contributed to 
allay his evident agitation ; but, from the moment I ap- 
proached him, I thought there was a shade of anxiety upon 
his brow, and an expression of sorrow over his features, 
the cause of which did not originate with us. I could see 
in a moment, that his bosom was full even to bursting, and 
he seemed to claim at once our sympathy and our pro- 
tection, although we were ignorant of that which oppressed 
him. We had not long been seated together, when some 
of his tribe mustered sufficient courage to join him. Both 
Mr. Hume and I were desirous of seeing the net drawn, but 
the old man raised some objection, by pointing to the hea- 
vens and towards the sun. After a little more solicitation, 
however, he gave a whistle, and, four or five natives having 
obeyed the summons, he directed them to draw the net, but 
they were unfortunate, and our wish to ascertain the kind 
of fish contained in the river was disappointed. As his 
tribe gathered round him, the old chief threw a melancholy 
glance upon them, and endeavoured, as much as he could, 
to explain the cause of that affliction which, as I had rightly 
judged, weighed heavily upon him. It appeared, then, 
that a violent cutaneous disease raged throughout the tribe, 
that was sweeping them off in great numbers. He called 
several young men to Mr. Hume and myself, who had been 
attacked by this singular malady. Nothing could exceed 
the anxiety of his explanations, or the mild and soothing 
tone in which he addressed his people, and it really pained 
me that I could not assist him in his distress. We now 
