Iii the Arctic Regions. 447 



were before them, and though invited to land, we were 

 not able, on account of the surf. Augustus was 

 desired to assure them of our friendship, and of our 



intention to stop at the first sheltered Bpot, to which 

 they and their husbands might come to receive a pre- 

 sent. More than this our little friend could not be 

 prevailed upon to communicate, because they were 

 "old wives;" and it was evident that he considered 

 any further conversation with women to be beneath 

 his dignity. On passing round the point we discovered 

 that the ice was closely packed to leeward, and such 

 a heavy swell setting upon it, that it was unsafe to 

 proceed. We, therefore, encamped, and Augustus 

 set off immediately to introduce himself to the Esqui- 

 maux. The tents were scarcely pitched, and the 

 sentinels placed, before he returned, accompanied by 

 twelve men and women, each bringing a piece of dried 

 meat, or fish, to present to us. We learned from 

 them that the boats, when at a distance, had been 

 taken for pieces of ice ; but when we drew near 

 enough for them to distinguish the crews, and they 

 perceived them clothed differently from any men they 

 had Been, they became alarmed, and made ready their 

 arrows, as we had observed. On receiving Borne pre- 

 sents, they raised a loud halloo, which brought live or 

 six others from an adjoining island, add in the evening 

 there was a further addition to the party of some 



