BOURGEOIS - Toronto Public Library

204
SIMON FRASER'S
Still pur- cruelty of the Masquiamme (1), meaning the nations at the sea
sued by the . d'
Coast In- shore. WhIle we were en eavourmg to answer, our pursuers
dians. of the day before made their appearance, still bent upon mischief.
The leader on landing, began to testify his hostile disposition by
brandishing his horn club and making a violent harangue to the
people of the village who already seemed altogether in his favor.
He claimed his canoe; seeing a number of canoes scattered
about the beach, and wishing to get rid of so troublesome and
persevering a persecutor, we consented without hesitation. After
fixing the baggage and placing guards over it, at the request of
a chief, Mr. Stuart, Mr. Quesnel and myself accompanied him
to his tent, and were offered with salmon. We were much
flattered with this token of his kindness but we were hardly
seated and had hardly began to partake of his bounty, when
one of the men came rushing to the door exclaiming that the
Indians were unruly and proceeding to violence; we rushed
out of the tent, and at our appearance all was quiet again, but
we could not feel free of some alarm seeing the whole village
assembled around our baggage, armed with all kinds of weapgns
and seemingly determined upon mischief ..
It was then that our situation might be really considered as
critical. Placed upon a small sandy island, few in number t
without provisions and surrounded by upward of seven hundred
barbarians! Our resolution did not, however, forsake us; on the
contrary, all were of one mind, ready for action and determined
to make our way good at all hazards.
We applied for canoes in all directions, but could not procure
any, for any consideration, so that we had to regret the inad- .
vertancy we committed on our arrival by parting with the one
we had in our possession, before it was replaced by another.
There being no alternative, we again had recourse to the Chief
(1) Mr. Fraser writes the name, both" Misqniamme " and" Masqu;amme ".