284 VOYAGE TO THE 



^vn^* ^^^ signified that he wanted a tub, that had been left 

 ^~..y~~J at the well, which was restored to him, and the axe 

 ^''P'- that had been taken from the grave was returned to 

 our party. The Esquimaux then embarked, and pad- 

 dled towards Escholtz Bay. I have been thus parti- 

 cular in describing the conduct of these people, in 

 consequence of a more tragical affair which occurred a 

 few days afterwards. 



Strong winds prevented the completion of our wa- 

 ter for several days ; but on the 29th it was in pro- 

 gress, when the same party landed upon the island 

 near our boat. The day being very fine, several of the 

 oflScers had gone in pursuit of ptarmigan, which were 

 about this time collecting in large flocks previous to 

 their migration ; and I was completing a series of mag- 

 netical observation in another part of the island. The 

 first lieutenant observing a baidar full of men approach 

 the island, despatched Lieutenant Belcher to the place 

 with orders to send them away, provided there were 

 any of the party among them who had behaved in so 

 disorderly a manner on the recent occasion. On land- 

 ing, he immediately recognised one of the men, and 

 ordered the whole of the party into the baidar. They 

 complied very reluctantly ; and while our seamen were 

 engaged pushing them off, they were occupied in 

 preparations for hostility, by putting on their eider- 

 duck frocks over their usual dresses, and uncovering 

 their bows and arrows. They paddled a few yards 

 from the beach, and then rested in doubt as to what 

 they should do ; some menacing our party, and others 

 displaying their weapons. Thus threatened, and the 

 party making no attempt to depart, but rather pro- 

 pelling their baidar sidewise toward the land, Mr. 

 Belcher fired a ball between them and the shore, and 



