64 Ardk Land Expedition. 



of thib time, not only the officers and men worked hard, btit even 

 many of the women, recovering their spirits, proved eminently 

 useful at the pumps. As the water decreased, the carpenters were 

 enabled the more readily to repair the damage that had been sus- 

 tained : and they ultimately succeeded so well, that one pump 

 proved sufficient to discharge the water as fast as it leaked in. 

 In this state we have continued ever since. 



" In these straits the Hudson's-bay vessels are generally visited 

 by a tribe of Esquimaux, who frequent the shores during sum- 

 mer, and come off to the ships for the purpose of bartering their 

 whole wealth, Vhich consists in whale- and sea-blubber, for iron, 

 which has become an article of the first consequence to them. 

 Accordinglv, one day when we were above 20 miles from the 

 shore, these poor creatures ventured off in their skin canoes, pull- 

 ing with the utmost anxiety to reach the vessels. It sometimes 

 happens, when the ships have a fair wind, that they run past the 

 Esquimaux haunts without stopping : in the present instance, 

 however, we were detained by light contrary winds, which en- 

 abled them to overtake us; and when they did so, they expressed 

 so much joy and exultation, that it was easy to conceive how 

 great their disappointment must have been when they missed us. 

 In a short time we were surrounded by 30 or 40 canoes, each 

 carrying one man, with his small cargo of merchandize, which, 

 to their great satisfaction, they speedily exchanged for pieces of 

 iron, hoops, knives, saws, hatchets, and harpoons, and tin-pots. 

 The wind continuing contrary during the remainder of the day, 

 we stood in towards the land, and gave the women of the tribe 

 an opportunity to come off, which they did in five large canoes 

 framed like the large one of skins, but open, and each capable of 

 carrying from 20 to 30 people. The oars were pulled by women, 

 but there was an old man in each boat to direct them. As they 

 brought off a great many children, I suppose we saw the whole 

 tribe, amounting to nearly 200 souls. 



** The features of the Es(|uimaux are not the most regular in the 

 world: but it was pleasing to sec their flat, fat, greasy faces. 

 When they had disposed of their articles of trade, we presented 

 ti^.e women and children with a few needles, beads, and other 

 trinkets, and sen', thtm away highly delighted. Since that time 

 we have been contending against contrary winds ; but by perse- 

 verance have succeeded in getting within a few days' sail of York 

 factory, at which place I shall conclude and despatch. 



"August 31 — York Factory. — Wchave landed here in safety; 

 find the country more pleasant than we expected, and have been 

 told that the difficulties of travelling in tliis country have been 

 much exaggerated. " J. R." 



FOSSIL 



