Mr.Hunt now called a council of the partners on board of his boat.

The question was, whether to trust to the amicable overtures of these ferocious people?
It was determined in the affirmative; for, otherwise, there was no alternative but to fight them.
The main body of the party were ordered to remain on board of the boats, keeping within shot and prepared to fire in case of any signs of treachery; while Mr.Hunt and the other partners (M'Kenzie, Crooks, Miller, and M'Lellan) proceeded to land, accompanied by the interpreter and Mr.Bradbury.The chiefs, who awaited them on the margin of the river, remained seated in their semicircle, without stirring a limb or moving a muscle, motionless as so many statues.

Mr.Hunt and his companions advanced without hesitation, and took their seats on the sand so as to complete the circle.

The band of warriors who lined the banks above stood looking down in silent groups and clusters, some ostentatiously equipped and decorated, others entirely naked but fantastically painted, and all variously armed.
The pipe of peace was now brought forward with due ceremony.

The bowl was of a species of red stone resembling porphyry; the stem was six feet in length, decorated with tufts of horse-hair dyed red.