Page:Voyage of Discovery to the North Pacific Ocean, and Round the World in the Years 1791–95, volume 1.djvu/420

The hoiiffS werr conftruflcd after the manner at Nootka, but appenrerl rather lets (Ihhy, and the inliabitanis were undoubtedly of the fame nation, differing little in their drels, or general deportment. Several families lie;l under the fame roof ; but their lleeping apartments were feparatcd, and more decency fcemed to be obferved in their domeflic economy, than I recoUeded to be the praftice at Nootka. The women, who in proportion appeared numerous, were varioudy employed; fome in their different houihold affairs, others in the manufacture of their garments from bark and other materials ; though no one was engaged in making their woollen apparel, which I much regretted. The fabrication of mats for a variety of purpofes, and a kind of baflcet, wrought fo cu- rioufly clofe, as to contain water like an earthen velfel without the lead leakage or drip, comprehended the general employment of the women, who were not lefs induftrious than ingenious. As inquiries into the laudable ingenuity of others are not to be fatis- fied in the civilized world without fome expence, fo inveftigations of the like nature amongfl; the uncultivated regions were not to be had in this fociety without due acknowledgments, which were folicited by thefe fe- male artizans in every houfe we entered ; and fo abundant were their demands, that although I confidered myfelf amply provided for the oc- cafion with beads, hawk's bells, and other trinkets, my box, as well as my pockets, and thofe of the gentlemen who were of the party, were foon nearly emptied. At the conclufion of this vifit we were entertained at 'the houfe of an elderly chief, to whom Che/Jakecs, and every other perfon paid much refpeft, with a fong by no means unmelodious, though the performance of it was rendered exceffively favage, by the uncouth geftures, and rude a61ions accompanying it, fimilar to the re- prefentations I had before feen at Nootka. The fong being finiflied, we were each prefentcd with a ftrip of fea-otter fliin ; the diflribution of which occupied fome time. After this ceremony a fong from the ladies was expefted ; and during this interval, I obferved in the hands of the numerous tribe that noiv furrounded us, many fpears pointed with iron, clubs, large knives, and other weapons with which they were not fur- niflied on our firll approach to the village. I was not altogether fatis-