PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 4>23 



more daring than any people we had before seen, and c ^ p ' 

 attempted many thefts in the most open manner. ^^^^ 

 Tobacco was the most marketable article ; but, ex- f the 

 cepting their implements, ornaments, or dress, they Barge * 

 had nothing worth purchasing. They were exceed- 

 ingly difficult to please, and not at all satisfied with 

 what was given in exchange, insisting, after a bar- 

 gain had been transacted, on having more for their 

 articles. One of them who came alongside in a cai- 

 ack, having obtained some tobacco that was offered 

 for a lance, was resolute in not delivering up either ; 

 and Mr. Elson, considering that if such conduct was 

 tamely submitted to they would be still more inclined 

 to impose, endeavoured by threats to regain the to- 

 bacco, but without effect. More boats coming off, 

 and proving by their audacity equally troublesome, 

 we thought it would be most advantageous to keep 

 the barge under sail, which in all probability would 

 prevent any thing serious occurring. Before weigh- 

 ing, the baidar was broken up, as her weight would 

 materially impede our progress in working to wind- 

 ward on our return ; the hides were taken as a cover- 

 ing for the deck, and the frame-work destroyed for 

 fire-wood. During the time we were at anchor, the 

 wind shifted to S.W., and we stood to the N.W. 

 with a light breeze ; but finding ourselves drifting 

 rapidly to the northward by the current, we were 

 again obliged to anchor, Point Barrow bearing S. by 

 E.1E. two and a half miles. Here we remained 

 till eight o'clock. This point is the termination to 

 a spit of land, which on examination from the boat's 

 mast-head seemed to jut out several miles from the 

 more regular coast line. The width of the neck did 

 not exceed a mile and a half, and apparently in some 



