176 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



make floats for the nets. Adam, the interpreter, 

 was also despatched with a Canadian, to inform 

 Akaitcho of the flight of the Esquimaux. We 

 were preparing to go down to the sea in one of 

 the canoes, leaving Mr. Back to await the return 

 of the men who were absent ; but just as the crew 

 were putting the canoe in the water, Adam re- 

 turned in the utmost consternation, and informed 

 us that a party of Esquimaux were pursuing the 

 men whom we had sent to collect floats. The 

 orders for embarking were instantly counter- 

 manded, and we went with a party of men to 

 their rescue. We soon met our people returning 

 at a slow pace, and learned that they had come 

 unawares upon the Esquimaux party, which con- 

 sisted of six men, with their women and children, 

 who were travelling towards the rapid with a 

 considerable number of dogs carrying their bag- 

 gage. The women hid themselves on the first 

 alarm, but the men advanced, and stopping at 

 some distance from our men, began to dance in 

 a circle, tossing up their hands in the air, and 

 accompanying their motions with much shouting, 

 to signify, I conceive, their desire of peace. Our 

 men saluted them by pulling off their hats, and 

 making bows, but neither party was willing to 

 approach the other; and, at length, the Esqui- 

 maux retired to the hiU, from whence they had 

 descended when first seen. We proceeded in 



