M'CLURE'S EXPLORATIONS. 



they were laid upon the ground, where they became the 

 object of a cautious examination. Still unsatisfied, they 

 beckoned to take them to the boat. Seeing that noth- 

 ing short of this would allow of any communication, I 

 sent them away, when they approached, and permitted 

 us to examine their bows and arrows." 



It was found that these Esquimaux had no communica- 

 tion with the Mackenzie, in consequence of their being at 

 war with the neighboring tribes, and having had several 

 skirmishes with the Indians of that quarter. This may 

 in some measure account for their fierce dispositions, 

 so very different from those previously met with. A 

 flat brass button was observed suspended from the ear 

 of one of the chiefs of this tribe ; and, on being ques- 

 tioned as to where he got it, he replied that " it had 

 been taken from a white man who had been killed by 

 one of his tribe. The white man belonged to a party 

 which had landed at Point Warren, and there built a 

 house ; nobody knew how they came, as they had no 

 boat ; but they went inland. The man killed had 

 strayed from the party, and he (the chief) and his son 

 had buried him upon a hill at a little distance." 



No satisfactory or intelligible reply could be got as 

 to when this event occurred. M'Clure remained at 

 this place for a short time to investigate the matter, 

 but only found two huts, which, from the rottenness of 

 the wood of which they were built, appeared to be of a 

 very old date indeed. The grave of the white man was 

 not found. 



All along this coast they met with parties of natives, 

 who almost invariably showed a hostile front on their 

 first appearance, and as invariably became amicable 

 after a little coquetting. In these interviews they had 

 frequently curious scenes, especially in the distribution 

 of presents to some natives near Cape Bathurst, who 



