1793* b y compels s. 60 e . , the bottom n . 52-t v . , and the north point N .-q a v . ;
° . the intermediate fpace, between the north and the fouth point of the port,
was chiefly occupied by iflets and rocks., admitting of channels in various
direffions. The fouthernmoft of- thefe iflets, having a fafe .paffage all
round it, bore by compafs n . 48 e .
Great plenty o f excellent water was found dole at hand. The Poores
continuing Hill o f a moderate height, and being covered with pine trees-,
berry bufhes, and other (hrubs, rendered this as eligible a flotation as.
we were likely to obtain.
The boats were immediately prepared for two long excurfions; I Mr.
Whidbey in the Difcovery’s large cutter, accompanied by Lieutenant
Baker in the launch, with fupplies for a fortnight, were to proceed
and finifh the Purvey o f thofe branches, which I had been obliged to
decline towards the conclufion of my laft excurfion; and afterwards, to
' continue their relearches along the continental fliore, fo long as their
provifions might laft, or till it led them back to the ftation of the
veflelsi " ' - ttvuiSvoo.’; • T
To Mr. Johnftone, with the two cutters, as ufual, the other expedition
was entrufted with provifions for ten days. He Was to return
to cape Caamano, for the purpofe of examining the ftar-board fliore
of the north-weft branch, until he fliould find it communicate with the
ocean. With thefe direftions both parties proceeded early in the fol-
Fiitlay s:j. lowing morning. " ■ ' -
The fituation of this port was nearly oppofite to, and about four miles
diftant from, Traitor’s cove; but as we now faw no fmoke or other fign
of inhabitants, I concluded that the inhofpitable natives had abandoned
that ftation.
In the forenoon, the Indians who had attended u s . on the 21 ft,
vifited us again, though without any addition to their party. - The
man, to whofe care' I had configned the prefent for his chief, told
me, that in a day or two Ononnijloy would pay us a vifit. He faid
the chief was at fome diftance, and that it would require time to
prepare for his journey ; in the mean while he fohcited a further
prefent for him, as a teftimony of our friendly intentions. With no
2 ' ftnall
fmall difficulty he made me underftand that molalfes would be Very ac-
ceptable to Ononnijloy, with fome bread to eat with it. Accordingly, 1—.—,— j
thefe, with fuch other articles as I confidered the occafion demanded,
were entrufted to his care, and he departed the next morning.
The weather, fince the evening o f the 21ft, had been very rainy, attended
with ftrong winds and fqualls from the s , e ., which continued until
funday morning; when the Iky being ferene and clear, I was enabled Sun&iyss-
to procure fome good obfervations for afcertaining the fituation of this
place, and found them to agree very nearly with my calculation in ouf
late boat excurfion. The fouthernmoft ifland noticed off this port having
then been a particularly marked point.
About midnight we were difturbed by the finging o f a party of the
natives, as they entered the harbour; from whofe noife we were at firft
led to fuppofe them a very numerous tribe, but, on a nearer approach,
it proved to be only one canoe containing feventeen perfons; who,
after paddling round the veffels with their ufual formalities, landed not
far from the fhip, where they remained finging until day-break. It appeared
that much time had been bellowed on the decoration of their
perfons ; their faces were painted after various fancies, and their hair was
powdered with very delicate white down o f young fea fowls. With the
fame ceremony they again approached the fliip, and then came along-
fide with the greateft confidence.
The chief of the party, named Kanaut, requefted permilfion to come
on board, which being immediately granted, he prefented me with a fea
otter Ikin, and on my making him a proper acknowledgment, he de-
fired that a traffic with his people and ours might be entered into ; in
the condufil of which they proved themfelves to be keen traders, though*
to their praife it muft be acknowledged, they obferved the ftrifteft ho-
nefty and propriety in the whole of their dealings, which were accompanied
by a cheerful, fociable, and friendly difpofition. Thefe good
folks continued in our neighbourhood until the 28th; when, having dif-
pofed o f fuch articles as they were inclined to part with; they took' a
molt friendly leave, feemingly much pleated with their vifit, and fpeak-
V ol. II. 1 , flD ing'
Wcdnef, 2 S0