DISCOVERY OF ESQUIMAUX. 437 



about, it was evident that they could not have 

 been up many days. There were also numerous 

 tracks of men and dogs on the sand. The 

 weather was rather hazy ; so that, at the moment, 

 objects could not be clearly made out ; but, as 

 we were pulling alongshore, JVFKenzie thought 

 he espied a deer on the stony summit of a 

 sloping hill, which terminated in a point where 

 many more marks had been erected similar 

 to those lately left. It was, however, soon dis- 

 covered to be an Esquimaux ; and, presently, 

 two more of his companions rose up from behind 

 some rocks, where they had lain concealed until, 

 as they thought, we were far enough from them 

 to allow them to venture out. Convinced, from 

 their manner, that they would have fled, we did 

 not think it worth while to return to them, but 

 pursued our course ; and, when we least expected 

 it, just after lifting the boat over a shoal, came 

 suddenly upon twelve tents, surrounded by a 

 swarm of men, women, and children ; the latter 

 of whom began to howl and cry, and fled hastily 

 behind the rocks for protection. The former 

 displayed almost as much uneasiness ; and, each 

 being armed with his spear and sling, hallooed 

 and made intelligible signs, by the impatient 

 waving of one hand, that we should not approach 

 them. Nevertheless, we advanced, making the 

 usual demonstration of friendship by raising up 



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