428 Thirty Years 
—, 
to assure them that every person would be shot who 
should pass the prescribed limit. This plan was 
adoptegl in all succeeding interviews with the Esqui- 
maux. After five hours’ absence Augustus returned, © 
accompanied by twenty men and two elderly women, 
who halted at the boundary. Theyhad come without 
bows or arrows, by the desire of * Augustus, and, fol- 
lowing his instruction, each gave Lieuteuant »Back 
and myself a hearty shake of the hand. We made 
presents to every one of beads, fish-hooks, awls, and 
trinkets ; and that they might have entire. confidence 
in the whole party, our men were furnished with beads, 
to present tothem. The men were directed to advance 
singly, and in such a manner as to prevent the Hs- 
quimaux from counting our number, unless they paid 
the greatest attention, which they were not likely to 
do while their minds were occupied by a succession of 
novelties, , 
Our visitors were soon quite at ease, and we were 
preparing to question them respecting the coast, and 
the time of removal of the ice, when Augustus begged 
that he might put on his gayest dress, and his medals, 
before the conference began. This was the work of a 
few seconds ; but when he returned, surprise and de- 
light at his altered appearance, and numerous orna- 
ments so engaged their minds, that their attention 
could not’ be drawn to any other subject for the next 
