In the Arctic Regions. 447 
w 
were before them, and though invited to land, we were 
not able, on account of the surf. Augustus was 
desired to assure them of our friendship, and of our 
“intention to stop at the first sheltered spot, to which 
they and their husbands might come to receive a pre- 
sent. More than this our little friend could not be 
prevailed upon to communicate, because they were 
’ and it was evident that he considered 
any further conversation with women to be beneath 
his dignity. On passing round the point we discovered 
that the ice was closely packed to leeward, and such 
“old wives ;’ 
a heavy swell setting upon it, that it was unsafe to 
proceed. We, therefore, encamped, and Augustus 
set off immediately to introduce himself to the Esqui- 
maux. The tents were scarcely pitched, and the 
sentinels placed, before he returned, accompanied by 
twelve men and women, each bringing a piece of dried 
meat, or fish, to present to us. We learned fsom ~ 
them that the boats, when at a distance, had been 
taken for pieces of ice; but when we drew near 
enough for them to distinguish the crews, and they 
perceived them clothed differently from any men they 
had seen, they became alarmed, and made ready their 
arrows, as we had observed. On receiving some pre- 
sents, they raised a loud halloo, which brought five or 
six others from an adjoining island, and in the evening 
there was a further addition to the party of some 
