420 Thirty Tears 



took his station in front to catch my arm whenever I 

 attempted to lift my gun, or the broad dagger which 

 hung by my side. The whole way to the shore they 

 kept repeating the "word " teyma," beating gently on 

 my left breast with their hands, and pressing mine 

 against their breasts. As we neared the beach, two 

 oomiaks, full of women, arrived, and the " teymas ' 

 and vociferation were redoubled. The Eeliance was 

 first brought to the shore, and the Lion close to her a 

 few seconds afterwards. The three men who held me 

 now leaped ashore, and tk«se who had remained in 

 their canoes, taking them *ut of the water, carried 

 them to a little distance. A numerous party then 

 drawing their knives, and stripping themselves to the 

 waist, ran to the Eeliance, and having first hauled her 

 as far up as they could, began a regular pillage, hand- 

 ing the articles to the women, who, ranged in a row be- 

 hind, quickly conveyed them out of sight. Lieuten- 

 ant Back and his crew strenuously, but good-humor- 

 edly, resisted the attack, and rescued many things 

 from their grasp, but they were overpowered by num- 

 bers, and had even some difficulty in preserving their 

 arms. One fellow had the audacity to snatch Vivier's 

 knife from hia breast, and te cut the buttons from his 

 coat, whilst three Btoul Esquimaux surrounded Lieut- 

 < nuut Back with uplifted daggers, and were inn 

 in their demands for whatever attracted their atten- 



