NORTHERN OCEAN 175 



Early in the morning of the fifteenth, we set out, when I 1771. 

 immediately began my survey, which I continued about ten {jth. 

 miles down the river, till heavy rain coming on we were 

 obliged to put up ; and the place where we lay that night was 

 the end, or edge of the woods, the whole space between it and 

 the sea being entirely barren hills and wide open marshes. In 

 the course of this day's survey, I found the river as full of 

 shoals as the part which I had seen before ; and in many 

 places it was so greatly diminished in its width, that in our 

 way we passed by two more capital falls. 



Early in the morning of the sixteenth, the weather being i6th. 

 fine and pleasant, I again proceeded with my survey, and con- 

 tinued it for ten miles farther down the river ; [148] but still 

 found it the same as before, being every where full of falls 

 and shoals. At this time (it being about noon) the three men 

 who had been sent as spies met us on their return, and in- 

 formed my companions that five tents of Esquimaux were on 

 the west side of the river. The situation, they said, was very 

 convenient for surprising them ; and, according to their ac- 

 count, I judged it to be about twelve miles from the place we 

 met the spies. When the Indians received this intelligence, 

 no farther attendance or attention was paid to my survey, but 

 their whole thoughts were immediately engaged in planning 

 the best method of attack, and how they might steal on the 

 poor Esquimaux the ensuing night, and kill them all while 

 asleep. To accomplish this bloody design more effectually, 

 the Indians thought it necessary to cross the river as soon as 

 possible ; and, by the account of the spies, it appeared that no 

 part was more convenient for the purpose than that where we 

 had met them, it being there very smooth, and at a consider- 

 able distance from any fall. Accordingly, after the Indians 

 had put all their guns, spears, targets, &c. in good order, we 

 crossed the river, which took up some time. 



When we arrived on the West side of the river, each painted 

 the front of his target or shield ; some with the figure of the 



