388 FRIENDLINESS OF THE ESQUIMAUX. 



would be not a little puzzled to find out each 

 other's meaning. 



However, as regarded the Esquimaux, there 

 could be no mistaking the word " tarreoke," — 

 the expressive action, — or the delineation, which 

 latter I have preserved. 



Information was now brought me that the 

 crew were quite unequal to the task of convey- 

 ing the boat over the portage, even by launch- 

 ing, our last resource. So, like a prudent general, 

 I at once changed my tactics ; and, taking ad- 

 vantage of the good-humour of our new acquaint- 

 ances, requested them to give us a helping hand. 

 The request was cheerfully complied with, and, 

 with their assistance, we succeeded in carry- 

 ing the boat below the fall ; so that, in reality, 

 I was indebted to them for getting to the sea at 

 all. Altogether, indeed, whether owing to their 

 natural inoffensiveness or to the fewness of their 

 numbers, they were good-natured and friendly. 

 They seemed, moreover, to have some notion of 

 the rights of property ; for one of them having 

 picked up a small piece of pemmican, repeatedly 

 asked my permission before he would eat it. 



It was late when we got away, and then the 

 breadth and deep bays of the river so puzzled us 

 that we went astray. Having at last, with much 

 trouble, regained the current, we were carried to 

 some mountains on the western shore, where 



