14 CAPTAIN M'CLL:RE's DESPATCHES. 



about a quarter of an hour before we did— except one, who having got 

 some little distance off the shore, encountered a fresh breeze and rough 

 sea. We shortened sail, and took boat and all in. The ])oor fellow 

 being drenched, we offered him a little brandy, which he drank at a 

 mouthful, not being aware of its strength. He suffered the sensation to 

 subside without evincing (except by his eyes watering) any symptom of 

 vexation, and then asked for water. Many came on board the ship, but 

 one only ventured below, who was exceedingly surprised to find that we 

 had not tents, but houses (cabins), and said he should have many 

 wonderful things to relate when he went home. This tribe is a fine 

 intelligent race — cleanly, handsome, and well grown ; and I deeply regret 

 that so little has been hitherto attempted in civihziug them. I sin- 

 cerely hope that the day is not far distant when this interesting people 

 may be redeemed from their deplorable state of heathen darkness. 



At 5. lU p.m. we weighed, with a moderate breeze from the S.W., and 

 reached to the'S.E. for the purpose of clearing Bailley's Islands. At 9 

 tacked and stood to the N.W., the wind becoming light and variable. 

 During the night we made but little progress ; and at 8 a.m. on the 

 morning of September 1, observed Cape Bathurst, N.E. by E. G miles. 

 In the course of the forenoon many Icyacks came off. The natives, now 

 assured of our friendly intentions, came on board without the slightest 

 reluctance, and, through the medium of the interpreter, acquainted us 

 that during the night they had been preparing a feast, roasting whale 

 and venison, and had salmon, blubber, and other delicacies, besides plenty 

 of skins, ready at the tents, and hoped we would come on shore, which, 

 indeed, I should have very much enjoyed had the vessel been in a less 

 l)recarious position ; but under the present circumstances it was impos- 

 sible, which it appeared that those on shore understood, for in' the 

 afternoon a great many of both sexes joined us ; and, all being clamorous 

 to get on board, we were obliged to take their kyacks on deck. Seeing 

 their boats were in safety, they made themselves perfectly at home, 

 examining every article of furniture most minutely. The pictures and 

 looking-glasses in the officers' cabins were objects of much admiration. 

 Many were dancing with our men, and so mutually happy were all 

 parties, that it was near (i o'clock before I could get them to leave the 

 ship ; indeed, had not the interpreter told them that we were going 

 towards the pack, and would not again come near their tents, I very 

 much question if we should have got them away without compulsion. 

 We understood from them that the main pack is permanent, never leaving 

 the shore above 12 or 14 miles. They designate it as the *' land of the 

 white bear," as it abounds with those animals, which they api>eared 

 rather to dread, as, when we stood towards the pack in the forenoon, 

 they entreated not to be left there, as they were fearful of tlie bear now 

 that so many of their women were with them. One mother mentioned 

 that she had her little child carried away by one of them a short time 

 previous, while playiaig on the shore a little distance iroui her. The poor 

 creature shed tears in relating the catastrophe. At parting several 

 presents were bestowed upon them, which had the effect of eliciting 

 promises of friendship for us or any of our white brethren who might 

 come on tlieir coast. These peo})le had no article of Euroj)ean manu- 

 facture, except a few iron }>ots, which eerlainly they gave a very 

 formidable price for — no less than five of the best silver fox-skins for 

 eacli. The tril>e leave the Cape about the 20th of September, when the 



