244 HOSTILE DEPORTMENT OF NATIVES. 



bank ; the women, of whom, mdeed, there had not 

 been many present, and those probably only as a 

 blind, had quickly withdrawn, when matters became 

 serious. Our great difficulty in gaining the boats 

 was caused by the shalloAvness of the water, and we 

 lost our anchors partly in consequence of this, as 

 time was not spared to haul up to them. The 

 strong breeze still continuing, we regained the Retm'u 

 Reef, landed, and buried three cases of pemmican ; 

 we had barely concluded, when three boats full of 

 natives having crossed from the village, landed also 

 about half a mile off, and came down towards us, 

 keeping to windward, that their arrows might fly 

 truly. We did not, however, give opportunity for a 

 display of their skill, but re-embarked, and pidled 

 away, first firing a shot over their heads. The whistling 

 ball made them wince and hesitate a little, but they 

 became emboldened by perceiving that it had done 

 no damage. This manceuvre is perhaps more in- 

 jurious than beneficial in its effect upon savages, as 

 they ascribe its harmless result rather to want of 

 skill or ability than to an intimation of the possession 

 of means of aggression or defence. As soon as we 

 had embarked, the Esquimaux regained, and launched 

 their oomiaks : with their light boats it was no 

 difficult matter to keep up with oiu- deeply -immersed 



