The cunning old Indian followed him to and fro, holding out a sea-otter skin to him at every turn, and pestering him to trade.

Finding other means unavailing, he suddenly changed his tone, and began to jeer and banter him upon the mean prices he offered.
This was too much for the patience of the captain, who was never remarkable for relishing a joke, especially when at his own expense.
Turning suddenly upon his persecutor, he snatched the proffered otter-skin from his hands, rubbed it in his face, and dismissed him over the side of the ship with no very complimentary application to accelerate his exit.

He then kicked the peltries to the right and left about the deck, and broke up the market in the most ignominious manner.
Old Nookamis made for shore in a furious passion, in which he was joined by Shewish, one of the sons of Wicananish, who went off breathing vengeance, and the ship was soon abandoned by the natives.
When Mr.M'Kay returned on board, the interpreter related what had passed, and begged him to prevail upon the captain to make sail, as from his knowledge of the temper and pride of the people of the place, he was sure they would resent the indignity offered to one of their chiefs.

Mr.
M'Kay, who himself possessed some experience of Indian character, went to the captain, who was still pacing the deck in moody humor, represented the danger to which his hasty act had exposed the vessel, and urged him to weigh anchor.

The captain made light of his counsels, and pointed to his cannon and fire-arms as sufficient safeguard against naked savages.