CHAPTER XXVI. 



MR. NEWCOMB'S NARRATIVE. 



(CONTINUED.) 



SOME of us hobbled around and gathered fire wood, after 

 which, beside a good fire, we discussed the comfort of 

 the situation and obtained a little sleep. We remained here 

 till the next forenoon when, about 11 o'clock, we got things 

 into our boat and started up the river. While here we saw 

 numbers of geese and ducks, but I was so lame I could not 

 get round to shoot any of them. We were very much in 

 need of fresh food, but could not, under the circumstances, 

 procure it, though we afterwards got some ducks and a few 

 gulls. The geese were in flocks together as if about ready to 

 migrate, and there were also some swans on the sand spits as 

 we passed along. 



On September 19th we turned out before sunrise, and 

 after eating our frugal meal of pemmican we continued up 

 the river. After working all the forenoon we stopped and 

 got a little dinner, landing on a point where we found signs 

 of very recent occupation. Just after this, about one P. M., 

 while Mr. Danenhower was taking some compass observa- 

 tions, three objects were descried or seen appearing around 

 the left bank of the same river. These soon proved to be 

 human beings the first natives seen outside of our crew 

 for over two years. They were a little afraid of us at first, 

 and would not land, stopping in their canoes or veatkas ; 

 but by making signs to them we induced them to come 

 ashore, after which we gave them a little pemmican to eat 

 as an evidence of our good will ; but they would not touch 

 it until I had tasted it and showed them that it was good. 

 I also showed them various other things that I had, and gave 



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