NORTHERN OCEAN 177 



before, and which entirely corresponded with the accounts 1771. 

 given of it by the spies. ^^^' 



It is perhaps worth remarking, that my crew, though an 

 undisciplined rabble, and by no means accustomed to war or 

 command, seemingly acted on this horrid occasion with the 

 utmost uniformity of sentiment. There was not among them 

 the least altercation or separate opinion ; all were united in 

 the general cause, and as ready to follow where Matonabbee 

 led, as he appeared to be ready to lead, according to the advice 

 of an old Copper Indian, who had joined us on our first arrival 

 at the river where this bloody business was first proposed. 



Never was reciprocity of interest more generally regarded 

 among a number of people, than it was on the present occasion 

 by my crew, for not one was a moment in want of any thing 

 that another could spare ; and if ever the spirit of disinterested 

 friendship expanded the heart of a Northern Indian, it was 

 here exhibited in the most [151] extensive meaning of the 

 word. Property of every kind that could be of general use now 

 ceased to be private, and every one who had any thing which 

 came under that description, seemed proud of an opportunity 

 of giving it, or lending it to those who had none, or were 

 most in want of it. 



The number of my crew was so much greater than that 

 which five tents could contain, and the warlike manner in 

 which they were equipped so greatly superior to what could 

 be expected of the poor Esquimaux, that no less than a total 

 massacre of every one of them was likely to be the case, unless 

 Providence should work a miracle for their deliverance. 



The land was so situated that we walked under cover of 

 the rocks and hills till we were within two hundred yards of 

 the tents. There we lay in ambush for some time, watching 

 the motions of the Esquimaux ; and here the Indians would 

 have advised me to stay till the fight was over, but to this 

 I could by no means consent ; for I considered that when the 

 Esquimaux came to be surprised, they would try every way to 



M 



