1830.] Newfoundland Adventures. 641 



group of young white bears on the watch for fish. We had scarcely dis- 

 'covered them, when their keen eyes perceived us also, and up they 

 started in haste, pulled down their tent in a minute, rolled up their little 

 furniture in the skins in the most expeditious and workmanlike style, 

 and ran with their property to the canoes. 



" We alarm them," said I. " They may escape us if we don't hasten 

 up in the boat." 



" No ! no !" replied Simon, " they mistake us for a land party, and 

 take to the water for safety. So far, so well. Let them tie the bear- 

 skins fast on their canoes, and cram their own blubberly selves into the 

 deck-holes, and then we have them on our own element. The wind is 

 with us, and we'll soon run them down." 



'Twas just as Simon foretold. The Esquimaux hastily paddled from 

 shore, each tied up in his water-proof seat ; but having gained the cen- 

 tre of the river, they seemed to await our further movements to regulate 

 theirs. We now hastened down to the boat, which as yet lay hid by 

 the hill from their sight, and made all sail to come up with them. As soon 

 as they espied us on the water, they were seized with consternation. 

 They speedily paddled back to land again, and untied their packages as 

 quickly as they had tied them on before, stowed them away into the 

 holes they had sat in, and marched off inland with their boats and bag- 

 gage on their heads ; a curious sight to me. During this operation, we 

 were fast approaching them, and getting ready our presents. Mr. Eng- 

 lish and Paul (who both knew something of their manners) undertook 

 to bear them ; and, to excite less apprehension, left their guns behind. 



" Nevertheless," said Simon, " take each of you a pair of pistols in 

 your pockets. These savages are treacherous at best. And if you find 

 them in a bad humour don't close with them, but keep out of the reach 

 of their arrows and spears. And all the rest of you, put by your pipes, 

 and look to your priming. The messengers may need our help yet." 



We laid the boat close in to the bank, and made her fast to an old 

 spruce fir that grew near. Our ambassadors now hastened to overtake 

 the loaded natives, who, as soon as they perceived themselves followed, 

 divided into two parties, and pursued separate paths. Mr. English took 

 the course of the party to the right, and Paul endeavoured to come up 

 with that to the left. As the ground was tolerably clear and level, we' 

 had a fair view of all their proceedings from the river side. 



When the savages saw they were pursued in this manner, first one 

 party, then the other, laid down their canoes, and held a consultation 

 amongst themselves. " I 'm sorry now that Paul went," said Simon to 

 me; "he's drest exactly as my poor Ben was the day he was killed. 

 They were comrades, and cut their jackets from the same piece, and 

 their caps out of the same seal-skin. He was present at that skirmish, 

 and helped us to rescue our fish. I wounded one of the natives, and he 

 wounded another. If these fellows were of that party, he runs a great 

 risk. Ha ! they are threatening him. Paul, stop ! call him, somebody 

 that can shout. The wind baffles my voice. That fellow in front is 

 springing his fingers!* and now they string their bows, and fit their 

 arrows; and the booby's picking his steps, and doesn't see it. Paul, 

 I say ! Lads, get your guns!" 



* To spring the fingers at any one, as if sprinkling water, in the language of signs, in- 

 dicates the discharge of missiles, and die threat, " I will kill you if " 



M. M. New Series. VOL. IX. No. 54. 4 N 



