Ch. XL FRANKLIN & RICHAEDSON'S SECOND JOURNEY. 425 



the river, and Franklin, walking towards the shore, 

 discovered on an island a crowd of tents, with many 

 Esquimaux strolling among them. He therefore 

 hastened back to the boats, to prepare for a com- 

 munication with them, and to select certain articles 

 for presents and trade. He gave orders, in case 

 these people should show intentions of hostility, to 

 forbid firing till he should set the example, or till 

 ordered to do so by Lieutenant Back. 



The boats steered towards the tents under 

 easy sail, with the ensigns flying; unfortunately 

 they grounded when about a mile from the 

 beach. Signs were made to the Esquimaux to 

 come off. Three canoes instantly put off, but 

 before they could reach the boats, others were 

 launched in such quick succession, that the whole 

 space between the island and the boats was covered 

 with them. " We endeavoured/' says Franklin, 4i to 

 count their numbers as they approached, and had 

 proceeded as far as seventy-three canoes, and five 

 oomiaks, when the sea became so crowded by fresh 

 arrivals, that we could advance no farther in our 

 reckoning." It was supposed, however, that the 

 number of persons had soon increased to about 

 three hundred, all pressing forward to trade, and 

 becoming more and more importunate and trouble- 

 some. The headmost canoes were paddled by 

 elderly men, who most probably had been selected 

 to open the communication. They invited Augus- 



