MEETING WITH NATIVES. 119 



mos. I shouted to them, "Chimo! Kudloonak uvagut 

 peeaweeunga tacko Enuit" To this they responded 

 with cheers and wild gesticulations, and as we landed 

 we were received with hand-shaking and great rejoicing. 

 None showed the least sign of hostility. Indeed the 

 ladies exhibited an embarrassing amount of cordiality, so 

 much so that it was thought wise to make our visit as 

 brief as possible. Having " greeted all the brethren," I 

 proceeded to obtain what information I could from them 

 regarding our road to the sea, and was much pleased to 

 learn that we were close to the mouth of the river. I 

 also obtained a sketch map of our course thence to the 

 " sea " or Hudson Bay. There was now no doubt as to 

 the route. We were to reach the Bay through Chester- 

 field Inlet, which was now not far distant, and at this 

 certain knowledge we felt much encouraged. Besides 

 this information, several skins were obtained from the 

 natives, some skin clothing and a few trinkets. One 

 very old man of the camp asked to be given a passage 

 down the river a few miles to another native village. 

 Placing him in our third or freighting canoe, and accom- 

 panied by an escort of three kyacks, we departed, amid 

 a generous exchange of salutes. 



We were pleased to learn from the natives that there 

 were no more rapids or obstructions to be encountered. 

 As we proceeded, however, we found the current both 

 strong and swift, and quite rough in some places, but 

 the Eskimos in their kyacks shot ahead from time 

 to time and showed us the best channels. Some- 

 times they fell behind, evidently for the sake of having 

 the opportunity of showing how quickly they could 

 repass. Just as we had been able to paddle around the 



