432 AGAIN DISCOVER THE ESQUIMAUX. 



point where the baggage was also carried. 

 Having proceeded four miles farther to a line of 

 heavy rapids, an Esquimaux was seen on the 

 hills ; and shortly after the two tents which we 

 had before visited were discovered, pitched on 

 the eastern bank of a strong rapid, the eddies of 

 which probably furnished an ample supply offish. 

 It was impossible for us to cross without endan- 

 gering the boat, and we commenced making 

 two long portages, while the natives watched us 

 with much composure from the opposite heights, 

 where they were all seated in a line. As we 

 could not attract them to us by any signs, a 

 number of iron hoops were placed on a pile of 

 stones, with various-coloured ribbonds attached 

 to them ; besides twenty-three awls, fifteen fish- 

 hooks, three dozen brass rings, and two pounds 

 of beads. All this was done under their eyes ; 

 they could scarcely fail therefore to understand 

 its friendly import, and that our intention was to 

 benefit them. My only fear was lest such, to 

 them, inestimable wealth should stir up quarrels 

 among them, from any real or fancied inequality 

 in the distribution. 



We encamped near the next rapid. It blew 

 too hard on the following morning to allow us 

 to move, and we saw the Esquimaux watching 

 us from behind the rocks. About noon, two of 

 them brought their kieyaks to the water's edge 



