Captain Gardiner sent orders to collect the oxen, and in- span (_i.e._ harness) them as soon as possible, but without appearance of alarm, and in the meantime he tried to keep the natives occupied.

To one he lent his penknife, and after the man had vainly tried to cut off his own beard with it, he offered to shave him, lathered him well, and performed the operation like a true barber, then showed him his face in a glass.

His only disappointment was that the moustache had not been removed, and as by this time the razor was past work, Captain Gardiner had to pacify him by assuring him that such was the appearance of many English warriors (for these were the days when moustaches were confined to the cavalry).

The amusement this excited occupied them nearly long enough, but hostile murmurs then began to be heard--"One of our chiefs has been killed by the white men, no more shall enter our country!" Fearing that an angry word would be fatal, Captain Gardiner asked for a war-song, promising some tobacco at the conclusion.

Accordingly they danced madly, and shouted at the top of their voices, "No white man shall drink our milk, No white man shall eat our children's bread.
Ho-how! ho-how! ho-how!" But this couplet often repeated seemed to work off their rage; they accepted the tobacco, and sullenly said the travellers might pass, but they were the last who should.