ON THE LOWER TELZOA. 107 



and a pair of moleskin trousers. Upon inquiry I was 

 told they had received them in trade from other 

 "Enuits" (Eskimos). We satisfied ourselves that this 

 family were accustomed to meet with the Eskimos from 

 Hudson Bay who trade at Fort Churchill or Marble 

 Island, and for that reason the Telzoa must in all proba- 

 bility flow into the bay. We were, moreover, soon con- 

 vinced of this by getting the Eskimo to draw us a sketch 

 of the river's course. 



From the natives we also secured several articles, such 

 horn spoons, personal ornaments, and two or three 

 leer-skin coats, to do us service, if necessary, later in 

 season. In exchange for these we were asked for 

 >wder, bullets and gun- caps, all of which they were 

 idly in need of. About camp there appeared to be 

 abundance of venison for the present support of the 

 family, but the hunt for musk oxen was what had 

 brought this venturesome hunter far up the river in 

 Ivance of his tribe. 



As Eskimo interpreter I had little difficulty in con- 

 with the natives, though I found that many of 

 words as used by the Eskimos on the east coast of 

 [udson Bay and the north shore of the Straits were 

 lot understood. It was not so surprising 'that many of 

 leir words were not understood by me. In the main, 

 however, I found the language to be the same as that 

 spoken by the Eskimos of various other districts for- 

 merly visited. 



Among those of us who for the time shared the hos- 

 pitality of this native family was our worthy cook, 

 John, who also laid claim to the distinction of being an 



