After some minutes of
reflection his countenance became more cheerful and he made inquiry
whether his party might go to either of the trading posts they chose on
their return, and whether the Hudson's Bay Company were rich, for they
had been represented to him as a poor people? I answered him that we
really knew nothing about the wealth of either Company, having never
concerned ourselves with trade, but that all the traders appeared to us
to be respectable. Our thoughts I added are fixed solely on the
accomplishment of the objects for which we came to the country. Our
success depends much on your furnishing us with provision speedily, that
we may have all the summer to work and, if we succeed, a ship will soon
bring goods in abundance to the mouth of the Copper-Mine River. The
Indians talked together for a short time after this conversation and then
the leader made an application for two or three kettles and some blankets
to be added to the present to his young men; we were unable to spare him
any kettles but the officers promised to give a blanket each from their
own beds.
Dinner was now brought in and relieved us for a time from their
importunity. The leading men as usual received each a portion from the
table. When the conversation was resumed the chief renewed his
solicitations for goods, but it was now too palpable to be mistaken that
he aimed at getting everything he possibly could and leaving us without
the means of making any presents to the Esquimaux or other Indians we
might meet. I resolved therefore on steadily refusing every request and,
when he perceived that he could extort nothing more, he rose in an angry
manner and, addressing his young men, said: "There are too few goods for
me to distribute; those that mean to follow the white people to the sea
may take them."
This was an incautious speech as it rendered it necessary for his party
to display their sentiments. The guides and most of the hunters declared
their readiness to go and came forward to receive a portion of the
present which was no inconsiderable assortment. This relieved a weight of
anxiety from my mind and I did not much regard the leader's retiring in a
very dissatisfied mood.
The hunters then applied to Mr. Wentzel for ammunition that they might
hunt in the morning and it was cheerfully given to them.
The officers and men amused themselves at prison-bars and other Canadian
games till two o'clock in the morning, and we were happy to observe the
Indians sitting in groups enjoying the sport. We were desirous of filling
up the leisure moments of the Canadians with amusements, not only for the
purpose of enlivening their spirits but also to prevent them from
conversing upon our differences with the Indians, which they must have
observed.
