In the Arctic Regions. 179 
fortunately escaped the water, which was soon dis- 
charged when we reached the bottom of the rapid, 
At noon we perceived Hepburn lying on the left bank 
of the river, and we landed immediately to receive his 
information. As he represented the water to be shoal 
the whole way to the rapid, (below which the Esqui- 
maux were,) the shore party were directed to continue 
their march to a sandy bay at the head of the fall, 
and there await the arrival of the canoes. The land 
in the neighborhood of the rapid, is of the most sin- 
gular form : large irregular sand hills bounding both 
banks, apparently so unconnected that they resemble 
icebergs ; the country around them consisting of high 
round green hills. The river became wide in this part 
and full of shoals, but we had no difficulty in finding 
a channel through them. On regaining the shore 
party, we regretted to find that seme of the men had 
incautidusly appeared on the tops of the hills, just at 
the time Augustus was conversing with one of the 
Esquimaux, who had approached in his canoe, and 
was almost persuaded to land. The unfortunate ap- 
pearance of so many people at this instant, revived 
his fears, and he crossed over to the eastern bank of 
the river, and fled with the whole of his party. We 
learned from Augustus that this party, consisting of 
four men and as many women, had manifested a 
friendly disposition.. Two of the men were very tall. 
