In the Arctic Regions. 417 
ceedingly angry, but soon became reconciled to his 
situation, and looking about, discovered that we had 
many bales, and other articles, in the boat, which had 
been concealed from the people in the kaiyacks, by the 
coverings being carefully spread over all. He soon 
began to ask for every thing he saw, and expressed 
much displeasure on our refusing to comply with his 
demands:; he also, as we afterwards learned, excited 
“the cupidity of others by his account of the inex- 
haustible riches in the Lion, and several of the younger 
men endeavored to get into both our boats, but we 
resisted all their attempts. Though we had not 
hitherto observed any of them stealing, yet they 
showed so much desire to obtain my flag, that I had 
it furled and put ont of sight, as well as every thing 
else that I thought could prove a temptation to them. 
They continued, however, to press upon us so closely, 
and made so many efforts to get into the boats, that I 
accepted the offer of two chiefs, who said that if they 
were allowed to come in, they would keep the others 
out. For a time they kept their word, and the crews 
took advantage of the respite thus afforded, to en- 
deavor to force the boats towards the river into deeper 
water. The Reliance floated, but the Lion was im- 
movable, and Lieutenant Back dropping astern again 
made his boat fast to the Lion by arope. At this 
time one of the Lion’s crew perceived that the man 
18* 
