1827. 



PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 279 



and at midnight, after very great exertions, a com- chap 



nmnication with the vessel was effected, and the two v 



remaining seamen were carried on shore, and laid Sept. 

 before the fire, where they recovered sufficiently to be 

 taken to a hut near the fatal scene. 



The morning after this unfortunate occurrence, part 

 of the crew were employed collecting what was washed 

 on shore, and preventing the natives committing fur- 

 ther depredations. Seeing there was no chance of 

 obtaining any thing more of consequence from the 

 wreck, the party took up its quarters on Point Garnet, 

 where we found them on our return from Port Cla- 

 rence. Previous to this, several Esquimaux had 

 pitched a tent in the bay close to the party, and lost 

 no opportunity of appropriating to themselves what- 

 ever they could surreptitiously obtain. Among these 

 were four persons whom Mr. Belcher had a short time 

 before assisted, when their baidar was thrown on 

 shore, and one of the party drowned. These people 

 did not forget his kindness, and brought him fish 

 occasionally, but they could not resist the temptation 

 of joining their companions in plunder when it was 

 to be had. Mr. Belcher seeing several articles 

 amongst them which must have accompanied others 

 in their possession, searched their bags, and recovered 

 the boat's ensign, and many other things. No oppo- 

 sition was offered to this examination, but, on the 

 contrary, some of the party which had been saved from 

 the wreck of the baidar, intimated to Mr. Belcher that 

 a man who was making off with a bag had part of his 

 property ; and on searching him, a quantity of the 

 boat's iron and the lock of a fowling-piece were dis- 

 covered upon him. 



Upon the whole, however, the natives behaved 



