238 DETERMINED MEASURES. 



missed ; a native gentleman had cleverly shnfiied it in 

 an instant nnder the sand with his feet ; and had he not 

 been by chance observed, would undoubtedly have 

 appropriated it as a waif. We could not spare the 

 implement, so dislodged the thief from his position 

 over it, and recovered the article ; but our friend was 

 not satisfied with his deprivation, and seized the 

 prow of the boat to prevent our departure, while his 

 companions seemed much inclined to make a rush 

 upon us. One must be ever watchful and prompt in 

 communication with uncivilised people : a couple of 

 guns were levelled at the man in an instant, and their 

 aspect quickly changed his views ; he let go of the 

 boat and retreated hastily. We hoisted sail and ran 

 along shore, until a mark was observed, which we 

 landed to examine, and while so engaged, were 

 visited by an oomiak, containing twenty-four men, 

 and only one woman. As they came from Point 

 Berens we distrusted their honesty, and a line was 

 therefore drawn on the sand between the parties, as 

 a Rubicon to each. 



A cmious instance of the deceptive effect of mirage 

 occurred to-day : we thought we saw a small vessel 

 or boat running in for the land, and chased it for a 

 time, but after all, found it to be only a mass of ice, 

 and continued our way with considerable vexation. 



