312 
A VOYAGE TO 
1778. 
April. 
< - M~ —J 
by a childifh curiofity, than by a difhoneft difpofition, re« 
gardlefs of the modes of fupplying real wants. The inha¬ 
bitants of Nootka, who invaded our property, cannot have 
fuch apology made for them. They were thieves in the 
ftridteft fenfe of the word ; for they pilfered nothing from 
us, but what they knew could be converted to the purpofes 
of private utility, and had a real value according to their 
eftimation of things. And it was lucky for us, that nothing 
was thought valuable by them, but the Angle articles of our 
metals. Linen, and fuch like things, were perfedtly fe- 
cure from their depredations; and we could fafely leave 
them hanging out alhore all night, without watching. The 
fame principle which prompted our Nootka friends to pilfer 
from us, it was natural to fuppofe, would produce a limilar 
conduct in their intercourfe with each other. And, accord¬ 
ingly, we had abundant reafon to believe, that Healing is 
much practifed amongft them; and that it chiefly gives 
rife to their quarrels ; of which we faw more than one in- 
fiance. 
CHAP. 
