1827. 



288 VOYAGE TO THE 



CHAP, inches and a half under the scalp. The wounds which 



^^ "^^ ; they occasioned were obliged to be either enlarged, to 



Sept. extract the arrows, which were barbed, or to have an 

 additional incision made, that the arrow might be 

 pushed through without further laceration. Most of 

 these wounds were inflicted by an arrow with a bone 

 head, tipped with a pointed piece of jaspar. 



We were sorry to find our musketry had inflicted 

 so severe a chastisement upon these people, but it was 

 unavoidable, and richly deserved. It was some conso- 

 lation to reflect that it had fallen upon a party from 

 whom we had received repeated insult, and it was not 

 until after they had threatened our boat in Escholtz 

 Bay, insulted us alongside the ship, defied our party 

 on shore, had twice drawn their knives upon our 

 people, and had wounded several of them, that they 

 were made acquainted with the nature of our fire- 

 arms ; and I am convinced the example will have a 

 good effect, by teaching them that it was forbearance 

 alone that induced us to tolerate their conduct so 

 long. 



For the purpose of keeping together the particulars 

 of our transactions with the Esquimaux, I have omitted 

 to mention several occurrences in the order in which 

 they transpired. Many circumstances indicated the 

 earlier approach of winter than we had experienced | 

 the preceding year. About the middle of September, 

 therefore, we began to prepare the ship for her de- 

 parture, by completing the water, taking on board 

 stone ballast, in lieu of the provisions that had been 

 expended, and refitting the rigging. These operations 

 were for several days interrupted by strong westerly 

 winds, which occasioned much sea at the anchorage, 

 and very unaccountably had the eff'ect of producing 



