﻿246 THE ESKIMOS. August, 



little to the westward, crouching under the bank, 

 and evidently hoping to surprise us at the fire, of 

 which they had seen the smoke. As soon as they 

 knew they were perceived they brandished their 

 bows and knives, made gestures of defiance, and 

 threw their bodies into various most extraordinary 

 attitudes, as they are accustomed to do when they 

 meet with a strange party, of whose intentions they 

 are uncertain. 



As we were all, both men and officers, exhausted 

 by the constant clamour, watchfulness, and exertion 

 sustained throughout the morning, and I wished 

 the men to have some repose, we determined on 

 having no communication with this warlike group, 

 since we could hope for no additional information 

 from people residing so near the large body we had 

 so recently parted from. On coming to the winter- 

 houses, they showed themselves, at first cautiously, 

 then openly, and ceased to gesticulate. Soon after- 

 wards one began to wade out to the sand-bank, and 

 another to launch a kaiyak which he had brought. 

 Thereupon, to intimate that we declined to receive 

 them, Mr. Rae fired a ball so as to strike the water 

 a few feet on one side of him. The bold fellow leaped 

 nto the air, cut several capers of defiance, and then 

 retreated with the others into one of the houses, 

 where they thought themselves safe, and from 

 whence they continued to watch us. After a time 



