fic; whenever any difpute or miftake arofe in the unav oidablc
hurry occafioned by fo great a number of traders, they always referred
the matter to him, and were conftantly fatisfied with his determination.
On our pointing to the Eaftward, and alking the old man whether
we fhould meet with any furs there, he gave us to underftand,
that it was a different nation from his, and that he did not even
underftand their language, but was always at war with them; that
he had killed great numbers, and had many of their heads in his
pofTeflion.
The old fellow feemed to take particular pleafure in relating
thefe circumftances, and took uncommon pains to make us comprehend
his meaning ; he clofed his relation with advifing us not
to come near that part of the coaft, for that the inhabitants would
certainly deftroy us. I endeavoured to learn how they difpofed of
the bodies of their enemies who were ftain in battle ; and though I
could not underftand the Chief clearly enough pofitively to aifert,
that they are feafted on by the victors ; yet there is too much rea-
fon to fear, that this horrid cuftom is pra&ifed on this part of the
coaft ; the heads are always preferved, as Handing trophies of victory.
Of all the Indians we had feen, this Chief had the moft favage
afpeft, and his whole appearance fufficiently marked him, as a proper
perfon to lead a tribe of cannibals. His ftature was above the. common
fize ; his body fpare and thin, and though at firft fight he appeared
lank and emaciated, yet his ftep was bold and firm, and his
limbs apparently ftrong and mufcular; his eyes were large and gog-
ling, and feemed ready toftart out of their fockets; his forehead deeply
2 wrinkled,
■ wrinkled, not merely by age, but from a continual frown ; all this,
joined to alongvifage, hollow cheeks, high elevated cheek bones,
and a. natural ferocity of temper, formed a countenance^ not eafily
beheld without fome degree of emotion : however, he proved very
ufeful in condufting our traffic with his people, and the intelligence
he gave us, and the methods he took to make himfelf understood,
ffiewed him to poflefs a ftrong natural capacity.
Befides the large quantity of furs we got from this party, (at
ieaft 350 Ikins) they brought feveral racoon cloaks, each cloak
confifting of feven racoon ikins, neatly fewed together ; they had
alfo a good quantity of oil in bladders of various fizes, from a pint
to near a gallon, which we purchafed for rings and buttons : this
■ oil appeared to be of a moft excellent kind for the lamp, was perfectly
fweet, and chiefly collected from the fat of animals.
By feven o’clock we had entirely ftripped our numerous traders
o f every faleable article, on which they left us, and paddled for t le
ftiord. The wind during the night being variable,- we tacked occa-
fionatly, in order to keep as near the coaft as was confident wit
prudence.
Every perfon on board is greatly elated with our prefent char-
'• min* profpects, but no one more fo than thy affured friend,
6 W . B.
O ff Queen C harlotte's I slands, ?
Jpiy 30th- J
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