C H A P T E R V.
Bangerousfituation o f the jh ip in confequence o f ice— Examination o f the
. upper part, o f Cook’s river—Its final, termination proving it to he only an
extenfive arm o f the fca , it obtains the name o f .Cook’s inlet—Joined by
the Chatham—Mr, Puget’s' narrative during the feparation o f the two
veffels—Vifited by Ruffians—Quit Cook’s inlet—AfironomicfU and nautical
obfcrvations.
Ap9rii. H a v i n g taken a ftation as conveniently to the fhore as circumftances
sjturday 26 would permit, on faturday morning we fat ourfelves earneftly about
the feveral neceflary duties we had to perform, amongft which was the
procuring of wood and water from the Chore. This fervice was greatly
interrupted by the floating ice, which by the rapidity of the tides was
rendered very dangerous to our boats, the utmoft caution being required
to prevent their being crulhed, not only when they were along
the fide of the Chip, but in their communication with the land, by the ice
which was in motion, and by that lodged on the fhore; againft which the
more buoyant mafles, though of confiderable fize, were driven with
great violence and dalhed to pieces. Some anxiety was likewife felt for
the fafety of our cables, though every precaution in our power was taken
for their protection.
In the afternoon we were vifited by twenty-three of the natives in a
large {kin canoe. Thefe people were deftitute of any weapons, and
were conduced by a young chief, named Chatidoollz, who feemed to
■ poffefs great authority, and to be treated with much refpeft by every
individual of the party; whofe humble demeanor manifefted the inferi-
x ority
ority of them all, excepting one, named Kanifiooch, who appeared to be
fomewhat younger, than the chief, and to whom alfo the reft {hewed
much attention. This man attended the chief on all occafions, and was
the only one who was permitted to fit on the fame feat with him, the
others fquatting themfelves down on the deck. . At firft half a dozen
only were admitted on board, but towards the evening the chief earneftly
folicited that they might all be allowed to enter the lhip, and that
their canoe might be taken on board. Apprehenfive that fome pilfering
a£ts might be committed, I made the chief acquainted with my fuf-
picions, and the confequent objeftion I had to their deeping on board.
This, though we were totally unacquainted with each others language,
was communicated by fignS too expreffive' of our meanings to be mif-
taken, as, were the alfurances of the chief that I might rely on their
honefty; at the fame time exprefling much apprehenfion for the fafety
o f his people and their canoe, who were in a dangerous predicament,
from the large mafles of ice that were now pafling the {flip, Thefe arguments,
together with the extremely good behaviour of thofe few' of
their countrymen who had vilited us, not many leagues from our
then ftation, induced me to comply with the earneft defire of Chdtidooltz,
and on their'coming on board each prefented me with one or two martin
{kins. They feemed to be highly gratified with the indulgence granted
them, fcrupuloufly ex aft in every particular, and behaved with a degree
of modefty and caution left they fhould give offence, that was beyond
example, and extremely engaging.
Some of our gentlemen in queft of game on fhore, had fallen in with
a family of about eighteen Indians, from whom they received the kind-
eft attention and civility ; and they had in return invited four or five of
them on board, which invitation they readily accepted. The latter party,
were evidently of a different tribe or fociety from thofe -with Chatidoollz';
but they never,thelefs were upon amicable and friendly terms, and pafled
a moft cheerful evening together, and feemingly much to their mutual
fatisfaftion. After eating a hearty fupper of fait meat and bifcuit, they
refted very quietly until the next morning, when each of the party, received
from me prefents of fnuff and tobacco, ear-fiiells, irons chifels,
beads,.