CHAP. IX

Summary

Returning to Wycaddee, we found Wiveeah sitting upon the roof of a house, which is frequently done by the chiefs, with the view of signifying in this manner their elevated dignity above the rest of their people.

He received us in very bad humour, and it appeared to us as if the chief, who accompanied us to his district, and who not joining us in our excursion to the forests, remained behind, had in our absence excited in his mind some suspicions as to the object of our visit. We found them both in conversation together on our return, and we had every reason to suppose that we were not wrong in our conjectures. Wiveeah told Mr. Marsden, with evident signs of jealous resentment, that we had shewn a predilection for Tarra and Tupee, by giving axes to each of them, while we neglected himself; and spoke with such a tone of indignant anger, as plainly shewed how much we had provoked him by this supposed preference. Mr. Marsden, anxious to pacify him, began to remonstrate, by telling him that he had known the others first; but, that if he would come on board the vessel, he would not only give him an axe, but also some seed wheat, the nature and use of which he explained to him.