native Indians, If any such were to be found. His vessel was soon frozen up in the bay; and on the 12th January, 1811, Mr. Buchan began his march into the interior, along the banks of the river, accompanied by twenty-four of his crew, and three guides; and, having penetrated about 130 miles, discovered some wigwams of the natives. He surprised them and their inhabitants, in number about 75 persons, became in his power. He succeeded in overcoming their extreme terror, and soon established a good understanding with them. Four of the men, among whom was their chief, accepted his invitation to accompany him back to the place where, as he explained to them by signs, he had left some presents which he designed for them.
“The confidence by this time existing was mutual, and so great, that two of Mr. Buchan’s people requested to remain with the Indians till his return with the presents. They were permitted to do so; and Mr. Buchan set out on his return to his depot, with the remainder of the party and the four Indians. They continued together for about six miles, (to the resting place of the night before,) when the chief declined going any farther, and with one of his men took leave, directing the other two to go on with Mr. Buchan. They did so, till they came near the place to which they were to be conducted, when one of them became panic-struck, and fled. But the tempers of the two men were different. The other remained unshaken in his determination, and with a cheerful countenance, and an air of perfect confidence in the good faith of his new allies, motioned to them with his hand to proceed; disregarding his companion, and seeming tn treat with scorn Mr. Buchan’s invitation, to depart freely if he chose to do so. Soon afterwards the party readied their rendezvous; slept there one night; loaded themselves with the presents, and returned again to the wigwams,” (leaving eight men behind in charge of the depôt). “The behaviour of the Indian remained always the same. He continued to shew a generous confidence, and the whole tenor of his conduct was such as Mr. Buchan could not witness without a feeling of esteem for him. On arriving at the wigwams they were found deserted, and the Indian became exceedingly alarmed. Many circumstances determined Mr. Buchan to let him be at perfect liberty; and this treatment revived his spirits. The party spent the night at the wigwams, and continued their route in the morning. They had proceeded about a mile, when, being a little in advance before the rest of the party, the Indian was seen to start suddenly backward. He screamed loudly, and fled with a swiftness that rendered pursuit in vain. The cause of his flight was understood when Mr. Buchan, the next moment, beheld upon the ice, headless, and pierced by the arrows of the natives, the naked bodies of his two marines who had been left with the Indians.”
The following are extracts of Lieutenant Buchan’s journal:–
