422 Thirty Years 
party was ranged on the outside ready to bear away 
the stolen goods. The Lion’s crew still kept their 
seats, but as it was impossible for so small a number 
to keep off such a formidable and determined body, 
several articles were carried off. Our principal object 
was to prevent the loss of the arms, oars, or masts, or 
any thing on which the continuance of the voyage, or 
our personal safety, depended. Many attempts were 
made to purloin the box containing the astronomical 
instruments, and Duncan, after thrice rescuing it from 
their hands, made it fast to his leg with a cord, deter- 
mined that they should drag him away also if they 
took it. 
In the whole of this unequal contest, the self-posses- 
sion of our men was not more conspicuous than the 
coolness with which the Esquimaux received the heavy 
blows dealt to them with the butts of the muskets. 
But at length, irritated at being so often foiled in 
their attempts, several of them jumped on board and 
forcibly endeavored to take the daggers and shot-belts 
that were about the men’s persons ; and I myself was 
engaged with three of them who were trying to disarm 
me. Lieutenant Back perceiving our situation, and 
fully appreciating my motives in not coming to ex- 
tremities, had the kindness to send to my assistance 
the young chief who had protected him, and who, on 
his arriyal, drove my antagonists out of the boat. I 
