I took particular notice that no one neglected this precaution.  While the men were employed in raising the huts, the women were not idle.  Some were stationed to take care of the canoes; others to secure the provisions, and the few utensils in their possession; and the rest went to gather dry sticks, that a fire might be prepared for dressing their victuals.  As to the children, I kept them, as also some of the more aged, sufficiently occupied in scrambling for beads, till I had emptied my pockets, and then I left them.

These temporary habitations are abundantly sufficient to afford shelter from the wind and rain, which is the only purpose they are meant to answer.  I observed that, generally, if not always, the same tribe or family, though it were ever so large, associated and built together; so that we frequently saw a village, as well as their larger towns, divided into different districts, by low pallisades, or some similar mode of separation.

The advantage we received from the natives coming to live with us, was not inconsiderable.  For, every day, when the weather would permit, some of them went out to catch fish; and we generally got, by exchanges, a good share of the produce of their labours.  This supply, and what our own nets and lines afforded us, was so ample, that we seldom were in want of fish.  Nor was there any deficiency of other refreshments.  Celery, scurvy-grass, and portable soup were boiled with the pease and wheat, for both ships’ companies, every day daring our whole stay; and they had spruce-beer for their drink.  So that, if any of our people had contracted the seeds of the scurvy, such a regimen soon removed them.  But the truth is, when we arrived here, there were only two invalids (and these on board the Resolution) upon the sick lists in both ships.

Besides the natives who took up their abode close to us, we were occasionally visited by others of them, whose residence was not far off; and by some who lived more remote.  Their articles of commerce were, curiosities, fish, and women.  The two first always came to a good market, which the latter did not.  The seamen had taken a kind of dislike to these people, and were either unwilling, or afraid, to associate with them; which produced this good effect, that I knew no instance of a man’s quitting his station, to go to their habitations.

A connection with women I allow, because I cannot prevent it; but never encourage, because I always dread its consequences.  I know, indeed, that many men are of opinion, that such an intercourse is one of our greatest securities amongst savages; and perhaps they who, either from necessity or choice, are to remain and settle with them, may find it so.  But with travellers and transient visitors, such as we were, it is generally otherwise; and, in our situation, a connection with their women betrays more men than it saves.  What else can be reasonably expected, since all their views are selfish, without the least mixture of regard or attachment?  My own experience, at least, which hath been pretty extensive, hath not pointed out to me one instance to the contrary.[142]