Meet with the Natives. 21 



our third station at 11 p. m., a distance of seventeen miles, which 

 was also found a convenient spot for encampment. 



On the yawl's coming up, which had been left much behind, 

 I was informed the natives had been seen about a mile from our 

 present situation. I immediately proceeded to the spot, and found 

 a small tent, made up of seal-skin, pitched upon the beach, 

 within a few yai-ds of the high water. There was nobody in it ; 

 the inhabitants, having become alarmed on seeing us, had re- 

 treated to some high rocks at a short distance. We observed 

 two of them watching our motions. Accompanied by one of 

 my oflRcers, T advanced towards them, making such signs of 

 goodwill and friendship as occurred to us. They allowed us 

 to approach the base of the rocks, which were about fifteen feet 

 high. We deposited a looking-glass and pair of worsted mit- 

 tens, and retired a few steps, upon which they immediately came 

 down and took them up, withdrawing immediately to the top of 

 the rock. After allowing them a few minutes to examine them, 

 we again approached, when they permitted us to come close to 

 them and shake hands, — a ceremony they by no means seemed 

 to comprehend, trembling violently the whole time, in spite of 

 our best endeavours to inspire them with confidence. We now 

 led them to their tent, which we examined more minutely, and 

 which we gave them to understand Ave greatly admired. 



The tent was small, occupying a space about twelve feet in 

 circumference, and about five in the highest point in the middle ; 

 the frame- work was composed of wood and whalebone ; the for- 

 mer they must have picked up along the shore. 



There was a small canoe, capable of containing but one per- 

 son at a time, which was also of seal-skin, and in no respect dif- 

 ferent from those described by Crantz or Egede. Their har- 

 poons and spear, were lying at the side of it ; the handles were 

 of wood, the points tipped with bone, and some of them with 

 iron, which had all the appearance of being of meteoric origin. 

 We now shewed them our boat, which they were unwilling to 

 get into from fear. Leaving them for the present, we returned 

 to our tents for the night. 



19th.— Next morning we were very anxious to renew our in- 

 tercourse with our Esquimaux friends, and were happy to find 

 that we had been successful in inspiring them with confidence. In 



