438 THE WISE MAN OF THE TRIBE. 



both arms ; but, when we were abreast of them, 

 they retreated with precipitation to the tents 

 and rocks ; and, having no interpreter to dispel 

 their fears, and unwilling to add to their con- 

 sternation by landing, we pulled slowly on. As 

 soon as they perceived this, and were satisfied 

 that we had no intention to hurt them, an elderly 

 man ran after us along the rocks, keeping, how- 

 ever, at a respectful distance ; and with loud vo- 

 ciferations, and the same action with the hand 

 as before, still bade us go away. He had not 

 proceeded above a couple of hundred yards, 

 when some of his friends prepared to follow him. 

 This he forbade by the same wave of the hand 

 that was used to us ; and then we perceived, infi- 

 nitely to our amusement, that this was the con- 

 juror, or wise man of the tribe, and that he was 

 at that moment imitating the growling and mo- 

 tion of a bear, bending himself and walking on 

 his hands and knees, thinking, no doubt, to 

 charm us away. It is difficult to form a correct 

 opinion of the numbers of the party; though 

 about sixty or seventy would probably be near 

 the truth. We saw only four kieyaks ; and I 

 think it probable that they were inhabitants of 

 Wager Bay, or Chesterfield Inlet. 



September 1st. — Having hauled up the rapid 

 which connects Lake Pelly with Lake Garry, we 

 picKed up our cache at the island ; and subse- 



