152 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



the flesh of the bear, but, knowing that we 

 had no such prejudices, they brought us 

 some of the choice pieces, which upon trial 

 we found to be excellent meat. 



The Indians having informed us that we 

 were now within twelve miles of the rapid 

 where the Esquimaux have invariably been 

 found, we pitched our tents on the beach, 

 under the shelter of a high hill, whose pre- 

 cipitous side is washed by the river, intend- 

 ing to send forward some persons to deter- 

 mine the situation of their present abode. 

 Some vestiges of an old Esquimaux en- 

 campment were observed near the tents, 

 and the stumps of the trees bore marks of 

 the stone hatchets they use. A strict watch 

 was appointed, consisting of an officer, four 

 Canadians, and an Indian, and directions 

 were given for the rest of the party to sleep 

 with their arms by their side. That as little 

 delay as possible might be experienced in 

 opening a communication with the Esqui- 

 maux, we immediately commenced arrange- 

 ments for sending forward persons to dis- 

 cover whether there were any in our vicinity. 



