OF THE POLAR SEA. 173 



Augustus that this party, consisting of four men 

 and as many women, had manifested a friendly 

 disposition. Two of the former were very tall. 

 The man who first came to speak to him, inquired 

 the number of canoes that we had with us, ex. 

 pressed himself to be not displeased at our ar- 

 rival, and desired him to caution us not to attempt 

 running the rapid, but to make the portage on 

 the west side of the river. Notwithstanding this 

 appearance of confidence and satisfaction, it seems 

 they did not consider their situation to be free 

 from danger, as they retreated the first night, to 

 an island somewhat farther down the river, and 

 in the morning they returned and threw down 

 their lodges, as if to give notice to any of their 

 nation that might arrive, that there was an enemy 

 in the neighbourhood. From seeing all their 

 property strewed about, and ten of their dogs 

 left, we entertained the hope that these poor 

 people would return after their first alarm had 

 subsided; and therefore I determined on remain- 

 ing until the next day, in the expectation of see- 

 ing them, as I considered the opening of an early 

 communication to be a matter of the greatest im- 

 portance in our state of absolute ignorance re- 

 specting the sea-coast. The canoes and cargoes 

 were carried across the portage, and we encamped 

 on the north side of it. We sent Augustus and 



