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1796         of action, we went on shore to get more water, – dry our
March       powder, – get the guns in order, – and mend one of the oars,
Sunday     which had been broken when the boat was thrown upon the beach.
    27 On asking the two natives for water, they told us we must go
up to the lake for it, pointing to a large piece of water from which
the rivulet seemed to take its rise; but on being told that we
could not now go, and again desired them to get us water,
they found some within a few yards. This circumstance made
us suspect, that they had a wish, if not an intention, of detaining
us; and on reflection, their previous conversation in the boat
evidently tended to the same purpose.
      Their number having increased to near twenty, and others
still coming, we began to repair our deficiencies with as much
expedition as poƒsible. – But an employment more than we
expected, now arose upon our hands. – The two friendly na-
-tives had gotten their hair cut, and beards clipped off, by us,
when in the little cove at Saddle Point; and were now shewing
themselves to the others, and persuading them to follow their
example. Whilst M ^r Baƒs, aƒsisted by some of the natives,
was mending the oar, and the powder was drying in the sun,
I began, with a pair of sciƒsors, to execute my new office upon
the eldest of four or five chins presented up to me; and as
great nicety was not required, got on with them to the num-
-ber of eleven or twelve; which were the greatest part of our
bearded company: many of the young men having not yet
found the inconvenience of that part of natures dreƒs. Some of