226 BACK'S LAND EXPEDITION. 



maux ahead ; but, on a nearer approach, they turned out 

 to be some luxuriant clumps of willows, which wert 

 inhabited by thousands of geese, which had selected the 

 spot as convenient for the operation of casting their 

 feathers. Thousands upon thousands of the most excel- 

 lent quills were found scattered over the sand. A curi- 

 ous feature in this part of the country was the number 

 of huge bowlder-stones, not only in the river, but on 

 the very pinnacles of the highest hills. 



On the 28th of July they met the first Esquimaux, 

 who, as usual on their first seeing Europeans, exhibited 

 consternation by shouts, yells, antics, and gesticula- 

 tions ; under the impression, apparently, that by so 

 doing they would frighten their new visitors away. 

 The boat continued to approach the shore, despite the 

 brandishing of spears and other belligerent demonstra- 

 tions ; whereupon the whole nation formed in a semi- 

 circle round the spot where the boat grounded, and 

 stood on the defensive. Back, however, soon estab- 

 lished friendly relations with them, by walking boldly 

 up, unarmed, and alone, at the same time calling out 

 Tima peace with great emphasis, tossing up his 

 arms in true Esquimaux style, and, finally, shaking 

 hands all round. This quieted them, and they soon 

 mingled with the men, from whom they received a few 

 buttons with great delight. 



A portage had to be made at this place, and the 

 Esquimaux here aided them in transporting their boats, 

 to which Back's party were wholly unequal ; so that to 

 the natives he was indebted for getting to the sea at 

 all. 



On the 29th of July, while threading their course be- 

 tween some sand banks, with a strong current, they first 

 caught sight of a majestic headland in the extreme dis- 

 tance to the north, which had a coast-like appearance. 



