LIEUTENANT BUCHAN. 257

Spratt, who commanded the vessel, had with him a painting, representing the officers of the royal navy shaking hands with an Indian chief, a party of sailors laying parcels of goods at his feet, Indians, men and women, presenting furs to the officers, an European and Indian mother looking at their respective child- ren of the same age, and a sailor courting an Indian girl. This expedition did not, however, meet with any of the tribe.

In 1815-16, Lieutenant Buchan, in his Majesty’s schooner, was dispatched to the river Exploits, with orders to winter there, and, if possible, to open an intercourse with the Boeothics. He had the fortune to meet them, and finally succeeded in communicating with them. He left two of his marines with them as hostages for the safe return of two of the tribe, whom he induced to accompany him to a depot of baggage, among which Were presents for the Indians. Some- thing prevented the return of Lieutenant Buchan at the appointed time, and the Boeothics, considering the delay as treachery on the part of the whites, tore the has of the marines from theii bodies. "

On Lieutenant Buchan 1eturning, the hostages took to the woods, and he soon after found the bodies of the unlucky marines, the Indians having run off with the heads. This was a most unfortunate affair , and it 18 much to be lamented that Lieutenant Buchan, under any circumstances, did not leturn in due time.*

* Mr Cormack was afterwards informed by the captive Red Indian woman, Shanandithit, that there were other causes for the murder of the marines. All of the tribe that had remained were '

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