horizontal line from nortli to fouth along this range of rugged moun-
tains, from whofe fummit mount Rainier rofe confpicuoufly, and feemed
as much elevated above them as they were above the level of the fea ;
the whole producing a molt grand, pi6lurefque cfieft. The lower moun-
tains as tlicv dcfcended to the right and left, became gradually relieved
of their frigid garment ; and as they approached the fertile woodland
region that binds the Ihores of this inlet in every direftion, produced a
pleafing variety. We now proceeded to the N.vv. in which direftion the
inlet from hence extended, and aiforded us fome reafon to believe that it
communicated with that under the furvey of our other party. This
opinion was further corroborated by a few Indians, who had in a very
civil manner accompanied us fome time, and who gave us to understand that in the north weflern direftion this inlet was very wide and
extenfive; this they expreffed before we quitted our dinner flation, by
opening their arms, and making other figns that we fhould be led a long
way by purfuing that route ; whereas, by bending their arm, or fpread-
ing out their hand, and pointing to the fpace contained in the curve of
the arm, or between the fore-finger and thumb, that we fhould find our
progrefs foon flopped in the dire6lion which led towards mount Rai-
nier. The little refpeft which mofl Indians bear to truth, and their
readincfs to affert what they think is moft agreeable for the moment, or
to anfwer their own particular wifhes and inclinations, induced me to
place little dependence on this information, although they could have
no motive for deceiving us.
About a dozen of thefe friendly people had attended at our dinner, one part of which was a venifon pafty. Two of them, expreffing a de- fire to pafs the line of feparation drawn between us, were permitted to do fo. They fat down by us, and ate of the bread and fifh that we gave them without the leaft hefitation ; but on being offered fome of the veni- fon, though they faw us eat it with great relifh, they could not be in- duced to tafle it. They received it from us with great difgufl, and pre- fented it round to the refl of the party, by whom it underwent a very flrift examination. Their conduft on this occafion left no doubt in our minds that they believed it to be human flefh, an impreffion which it 269 1792. May.
