A band of Esquimaux from Avertok, a place not far from where the
settlement of Nain at present is, commenced their plundering
expeditions upon system, evincing a depraved ingenuity, converted now
to better objects. They went regularly to the south with whale fins,
which they bought up from their neighbours, and under the pretext of
trading with the Europeans, contrived, either by stratagem or open
violence, to rob them to an extent far beyond the value of what they
pretended to barter; this succeeding for a while, they were joined by
others from various quarters, till they were able to equip a fleet of
boats amounting to eighteen. In 1763, they so infested the straits of
Bellisle, that it was not safe for a fishing vessel to enter them
alone. And so successful were these pirates, that they supplied the
whole coast, not only with iron utensils and European arms, but
likewise with boats, sails, anchors, cords and nets; and boats in
particular were in such plenty, that a good one could have been got
for a few skins, twelve whale-fins, or two or three dogs. The
excesses and cruelties with which these depredations were accompanied,
filled the Europeans and colonists with such extraordinary terror,
that if but the cry of a bird was heard in the night, every one
trembled, and made ready to flee.

The savages preferred stratagem, and to accomplish their purpose did
not hesitate to employ the most insidious treachery. When they
approached Cape Charles, they never ventured farther, till they
reconnoitred during the dark in their kaiaks, and ascertained whether
there were any Europeans on the north side of Chateau Bay; if they
found none, they advanced in the night, or in foggy weather, to the
three islands that lie in the mouth of the bay, whence they, under
cloud of night, examined the bay itself. If they found there only a
few Europeans, whom they supposed they could easily master, they