ESQUIMAUX. 379 



eastern hill, there were many active and bust- 

 ling figures, either pressing in a close group or 

 running about from place to place, in manifest 

 confusion. These were the Esquimaux, of whom 

 we had so long and ardently wished to get 

 a sight. Some called out to us, and others 

 made signs, warning us, as we thought, to avoid 

 the fall, and cross over to their side of the 

 water : but when our intention of doing so 

 was apparent, the men ran towards us, brand- 

 ishing their spears, uttering loud yells, and, 

 with wild gesticulations, motioning to us not to 

 land. For all this I was quite prepared, know- 

 ing the alarm which they must naturally feel 

 at beholding strangers issuing from a quarter 

 whence hitherto the scourge of merciless war- 

 fare only had visited their tribes. As the boat 

 grounded they formed into a semicircle, about 

 twenty-five paces distant ; and with the same 

 yelling of some unintelligible word, and the 

 alternate elevation and depression of both ex- 

 tended arms, apparently continued in the high- 

 est state of excitement : until, landing alone, 

 and without visible weapon, I walked delibe- 

 rately up to them, and, imitating their own 

 action of throwing up my hands, called out 

 Tima, — peace. In an instant their spears 

 were flung upon the ground; and, putting their 

 hands on their breasts, they also called out 



