422 Thirty Years 



party was ranged on the outside ready to bear away 

 the stolen goods. The Lion's crew still kept, their 

 seats, but as it was impossible for so small a number 

 to keep off such a formidable and determined body, 

 several articles were carried off. Our principal object 

 was to prevent the loss of the arms, oars, or masts, or 

 any thing on which the continuance of the voyage, or 

 our personal safety, depended. Many attempts were 

 made to purloin the bos containing the astronomical 

 instruments, and Duncan, after thrice rescuing it from 

 their hands, made it fast to his leg with a cord, deter- 

 mined that they should drag him away also if they 

 took it. 



In the whole of this unequal contest, the self-posses- 

 sion of our men was not more conspicuous than the 

 coolness with which the Esquimaux received the heavy 

 blows dealt to them with the butts of the muskets. 

 But at length, irritated at being so often foiled in 

 their attempts, several of them jumped on board and 

 forcibly endeavored to take the daggers and shot- belts 

 that were about the men's persons ; and I myself was 

 engaged with three of them who were trying to disarm 

 me. Lieutenant Back perceiving our situation, and 

 fully appreciating my motive's in not coining to ex- 

 tremities, had the kindness to send to my assistance 

 tli>- young chief who had protected him, and who, on 



his arrival, drove my antagonists out of the boat. I 



