MEETING WITH NATIVES. 119 
mos. I shouted to them, “Chamo! Kudloonah uvagut 
peeaweeunga tacko Enuit.” To this they responded 
with cheers and wild gesticulations, and as we landed 
we were received with hand-shaking 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 information 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 Chester- 
field 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, some skin clothing and a few trinkets. One 
very old man of the camp 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 accom- 
panied 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 proceeded, 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. Some- 
times 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 
