In the Artic Regions. 183 
met our people returning at a slow pace, and learned 
that they had come unawares upon the Esquimaux 
party, which consisted of six men, with their women 
and children, who were traveling towards the rapid 
with a considerable number of dogs carrying their 
baggage. The women hid themselves on’ the first 
alarm, but the men advanced, and stopping at some 
distance from our men, began to dance in a circle, 
tossing up their hands in the air, and accompanying 
their motions with much shouting, to signify, I con- 
ceive, their desire of peace. Our men saluted them 
by pulling off their hats, and making bows, but 
neither party was willing to approach the other ; and, 
at length, the Esquimaux retired to the hill, from 
whence they had descended when first seen. We 
proceeded in the hope of gaining an interview with 
them, but lest our appearance in a body should alarm 
them, we advanced in a long line, -at the head of 
which was Augustus. We were led to their baggage, 
which they had deserted, by the howling of the dogs ; 
and on the summit of the hill we found, lying behind 
a stone, an old man, who was too infirm to effect his 
escape with the rest. He was much terrified when 
Augustus advanced, and probably expected immediate 
death ; but that the fatal blow might not be unre- 
venged, he seized his spear, and made a thrust with it 
at his supposed enemy. Augustus, however, easily 
