“Next day not an Indian came to the ship; but in {161} the afternoon an old chief sent for Mr. M‘Kay and myself to go to his lodge. We did so, and were very kindly treated. Mr. M‘Kay was a great favourite among the Indians; and I have no doubt that the plot for destroying the ship was at this time fully arranged, and that it was intended, if possible, to save M‘Kay’s life in the general massacre. But not finding this practicable without the risk of discovery, he, as we shall soon learn, fell with the rest. When we were on shore we saw the chiefs, and they seemed all in good humour, and asked me if the captain was still angry; and on being assured that they would be well treated and kindly received by him if they went on board, they appeared highly pleased, and promised to go and trade the following day. Mr. M‘Kay returned to the ship that evening, but I remained on shore till the next morning. When I got on board, Mr. M‘Kay was walking backwards and forwards on deck in rather a gloomy mood, and considerably excited; himself and the captain having, as he told me, had some angry words between them respecting the two chiefs who had been kept prisoners on board, which was sorely against M‘Kay’s will. “As soon as I got on deck, he called me to him. ‘Well,’ said he, ‘are the Indians coming to trade to-day?’ I said, ‘They are.’ ‘I wish they would not come,’ said he again; adding, ‘I am afraid there is an under-current at work. After the captain’s late conduct to the chiefs, I do not like so sudden, so flattering a change. There is treachery in the case, or they {162} differ from all other Indians I ever knew. I have told the captain so—I have also suggested that all hands should be on the alert when the Indians are here; but he ridicules the suggestion as groundless. So let him have his own way.’ M‘Kay then asked me my opinion. I told him it would be well to have the netting up. He then bid me go to the captain, and I went; but before I could speak to him, he called out, ‘Well, Kas, are the Indians coming to-day?’ I said I thought so. He then asked—‘Are the chiefs in good humour yet?’ I said I never saw them in better humour. ‘I humbled the fellows a little; they’ll not be so saucy now; and we will get on much better,’ said the captain. At this moment M‘Kay joined us, and repeated to the captain what he had just stated to me. The captain laughed; observing to M‘Kay, ‘You pretend to know a great deal about the Indian character: you know nothing at all.’ And so the conversation dropt.