382 ESQUIMAUX. 



arrow, and spear, these people make a most 

 effective use of the sling. Many clogs, of an 

 inferior size, were basking in the sunshine, and 

 thousands of fish lay all around split, and ex- 

 posed to dry on the rocks, the roes appearing 

 to be particularly prized. These, which were 

 white fish and small trout, had been caught in 

 the eddy below the fall, and kept alive in pools 

 constructed for the purpose. The women and 

 children, about a dozen in number, came out of 

 the tents to see me ; and the men pointed out 

 their own helpmates and offspring with apparent 

 fondness. Beads were soon distributed to both 

 the women and children, and in return they gave 

 me some trifles of their own rude manufacture. 

 By this time the steersman reported the imprac- 

 ticability of getting down the fall, owing to a dan- 

 gerous rock near the centre ; and was instructed, 

 in consequence, to have the baggage carried over 

 the portage, in such a manner that one person 

 should always be with the depot, while Mr. 

 King, who had general directions never to lose 

 sight of the boat, would superintend the whole. 

 While the crew were thus occupied, I took 

 upon me the part of amusing the Esquimaux, 

 by sketching their likenesses and writing down 

 their names. This gratified them exceedingly ; 

 but their merriment knew no bounds when I 

 attempted, what was really no easy task, to 



