favage and uncouth manner. The boats remained ftationary whilft
thefe rude performances were exhibiting; after which one of the natives
made figns that two perfons fhould land from the boats, and immediately
they laid down on the rocks a long twift o f white wool, which was con-
fidered as an additional token o f peace; it was, however, deemed moll
prudent to decline their invitations, and having thrown them a few trivial
articles more, the boats purfued the furvey of the continental fhore,
and the canoes returned to the place from whence they had departed.
• The behaviour o f thefe people was fo totally unlike the conduft of
any we had yet met with, as to induce an opinion in Mr. Whidbey and
his party, that thefe Indians were a part of that tribe who had attacked
die yawl, and that the very extraordinary exhibition they had made, was
a fupplication for mercy and forgivenels. Some o f the gentlemen then
prefent having accompanied me in my lafl boat excurfion, were perfectly
fatisfied that fome of thefe Indians were amongft the number of
thofe treacherous people.
About feven in the morning of the 27th, they entered the fmall arm
above-mentioned to the weftward of the third unexplored opening. This
was found to be about half a mile wide, ftretching in a northerly direction
ahout a league, and there terminating in latitude 55° 57', longitude
228° 36', by a fandy beach, over which feveral ftreams of frefh water
rulhed with great impetuofity. The land compoling the upper part of
this fmall arm was. of a moderate height, and thickly wooded. Here
they met another fmall party o f the natives, confiding of feven men only,
who fcemed to be prepared to oppofe their landing. Their canoes were
lodged clofe to them, near a miferable fmall hut. After they had put on
their war garments, they advanced to meet the boat; one of them was
armed with a mufket, and another' with a piflol; thefe they cocked,
whilft the other five, each provided with . a bow, and plenty of arrows,
had them in readinefs for immediate fervice. Befide thefe, an elderly
perfon made his appearance at a little diltance; he was without any weapon,
or his war garment, and whilft he made long fpeeches, he held jn
one hand the fkin of a bird, and with the other plucked out the young
feathers and down, which at the conclufion of certain fentences in his
fpeech, he blew into the air. Thefe aClions being confidered by Mr.
Whidbey
Whidbey and his party as overtures of peace', they threw fome fpoons,
and other trivial articles to the orator, and gave him to underftand that
they wanted fomething to eat. This had the defired effe£l; for this pacific
individual ordered thofe who were armed to retire, and fome fal-
mon was foon brought. He now direfted the boats to come to the rocks,
where he delivered them the fifth, and he received in return fuch articles
as appeared1 to be highly acceptable, ftill continuing to blow the down
into the air, as he plucked it from the bird’s fkin.
This cuftom I had before noticed with the inhabitants of this coaft,
but had never fo good an opportunity of feeing it prafilifed, nor have I
a clear idea to what particular end it is direfiled; but as it has generally
been accompanied by pacific meafures, it is fair to prefume that it
is intended to difplay an hofpitable difpofition.
T o have landed amongft thefe people, who appeared to be fo watchful
and to keep themfelves fo readily on their defence, could have anfwer-
ed no good purpofe; nor would it have been prudent, for the fake of a
more minute, though perhaps not lefs equivocal', inquiry into thefe myf-
terious ceremonies, to have attempted a further acquaintance, at the rifle
of any mifunderftanding. For thefe reafons, therefore, they were left in
quiet pofleffion of their dreary rocks; every inch o f which they feemed
difpofed to have difputed, had our people perfifted contrary to' their inclinations
; .particularly as it is by no means improbable, that this party
had either been concerned in the attack upon the yawl, or that they had
received intelligence of that affray from fome o f their neighbours.
In the forenoon the fifth opening was examined. Its entrance is fitu-
ated s. 56 w., about a league from that which they had juft quitted. It
was found to be not more than half a mile wide; extending in a northerly
direction about a league, and then terminating in like manner with
the various other branches before deferibed.
The fixth unexplored opening- employed the afternoon. This was
found to be in general fomewhat lefs than a mile in width; in it were
feveral funken rocks. It extended from its entrance N . 50 w ., about
4 miles, and there terminated as above, in latitude 55“ gi', longitude
228° lc/. In a bay on the north-eaft fhore, the remains of an Indian
village, that had been formerly of conliderable extent, was obferved;
but
*793-
Auguft.