Very soon, the pirogues thus succeeding one another, the crew saw themselves surrounded by a multitude of savages, who came upon the deck from all sides.

Becoming alarmed at the appearance of things, they went to apprize the captain and Mr.M'Kay, who hastened to the poop.

I was with them," said the narrator, "and fearing, from the great multitude of Indians whom I saw already on the deck, and from the movements of those on shore, who were hurrying to embark in their canoes, to approach the vessel, and from the women being left in charge of the canoes of those who had arrived, that some evil design was on foot, I communicated my suspicions to Mr.M'Kay, who himself spoke to the captain.

The latter affected an air of security, and said that with the firearms on board, there was no reason to fear even a greater number of Indians.

Meanwhile these gentlemen had come on deck unarmed, without even their sidearms.