OF THE POLAR SEA. 183 



cealed, readily pointed the spot out to Mr. Hood, 

 who went thither; but after experiencing much 

 difficulty in getting at the column of rock on which 

 it was deposited, he found the meat too putrid 

 for our use. The features of Terregannoeuck's 

 wife were remarkable for roundness and flatness; 

 her face was much tattoed, her dress differed 

 httle from the old man's. 



In the afternoon a party of nine Esquimaux 

 appeared on the east bank of the river, about a 

 mile below our encampment, carrying their canoes 

 and baggage on their backs ; but they turned and 

 fled as soon as they perceived our tents. The 

 appearance of so many different bands of Esqui- 

 maux terrified the Indians to such a degree, that 

 they determined on leaving us the next day, lest 

 they should be surrounded and their retreat cut 

 off. I endeavoured, by the oflfer of any remu- 

 neration they would choose, to prevail upon one 

 or two of the hunters to proceed, but in vain; 

 and I had much difficulty even in obtaining their 

 promise to wait at the Copper Mountains for Mr. 

 Wentzel and the four men, whom I intended to 

 discharge at the sea. 



■ The fears which our interpreters, St. Germain 

 and Adam, entertained respecting the voyage, 

 were now greatly increased, and both of them 

 came this evening to request tlieir discharges. 



