In the Arctic Regions. 413 
and having walked towards the mouth of the river, 
discovered on an island, which formed the east side of 
the bay into which the river opened, a crowd of tents, 
with many Esquimaux strolling amongst them. I in- 
stantly hastened to the boats, to make preparations 
for opening a communication with them, agreeably to 
my instructions. A selection of articles for presents 
and trade being made, the rest of the lading was close- 
ly covered up; the arms were inspected, and every 
man was directed to keep his gun ready for immediate 
use, I had previously informed Lieutenant Back of 
my intention of opening the communication with the’ 
Esquimaux by landing amongst them, accompanied 
only by Augustus ; and I now instructed him to keep 
the boats afloat, and the crews with their arms ready 
to support us in the event of the natives proving hos- 
. tile ; but on no account to fire until he was convinced 
that our safety could be secured in no other way. 
Having received an impression from the narratives of 
different navigators that the sacrifices of life which had 
occurred in their interviews with savages, had been 
generally occasioned by the crews mistaking noise and 
violent gestures for decided hostility, I thought it ne- 
cessary to explain my sentiments on this point to all 
the men, and peremptorily forbade their firing till I 
set the example, or till they were ordered to do so by 
Lieutenant Back. They were also forbidden to trade 
