MEETING WITH NATIVES 



natives of our approach. All eyes keenly watched us. As 

 we drew nearer they soon observed by our canoes and personal 

 appearance that we were not Indians, as they had conjec- 

 tured, but " Kudloonahs " (white men), the friends of the 

 Eskimos. I shouted to them, " Chimo! Kudloonah uvagut 

 peeaweeunga tacko Innuit." To this they responded with 

 cheers and wild gesticulations, and as we landed we were 

 received with handshaking and great rejoicing. None showed 

 the least sign of hostility. Indeed the ladies exhibited an 

 embarrassing amount of cordiality, so much so that it was 

 thought wise to make our visit as brief as possible. Having 

 " greeted all the brethren," I proceeded to obtain what in- 

 formation I could from them regarding our road to the sea, 

 and was much pleased to learn that we were close to the 

 mouth of the river. I also obtained a sketch-map of our 

 course thence to the " sea " or Hudson Bay. There was now 

 no doubt as to the route. We were to reach the bay through 

 Chesterfield Inlet, which was now not far distant, and at this 

 certain knowledge we felt much encouraged. Besides this 

 information, several skins were obtained from the natives, 

 and also some skin clothing and a few trinkets. One very 

 old man asked to be given a passage down the river a few 

 miles to another native village. Placing him in our third 

 or freighting canoe, and accompanied by an escort of three 

 kyacks, we departed, amid a generous exchange of salutes. 



We were pleased to learn from the natives that there were 

 no more rapids or obstructions to be encountered. As we pro- 

 ceeded, however, we found the current both strong and swift, 

 and quite rough in some places, but the Eskimos in their 

 kyacks shot ahead from time to time and showed us the best 

 channels. Sometimes they fell behind, evidently for the sake 

 of having the opportunity of showing how quickly they could 

 repass. Just as we had been able to paddle around the 

 Indians in their bark canoes, so were these little fellows able 

 to paddle around us. Soon after leaving the Eskimo camp 



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