156 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



tant from the surrounding scenery, when he 

 was roused by an indistinct noise behind 

 him, and, on looking round, perceived that 

 nine white wolves had ranged themselves 

 in the form of a crescent, and were ad- 

 vancing, apparently with the intention of 

 driving him into the river. On his rising 

 up they halted, and when he advanced they 

 made way for his passage down to the tents. 

 He had his gun in his hand, but forbore to 

 fire, lest there should be Esquimaux in the 

 neighbourhood. During Mr. Wentzel's 

 middle watch, the wolves appeared re- 

 peatedly on the summit of the hill, and at 

 one time they succeeded in driving a deer 

 over the precipice. The animal was stunned 

 by the fall, but recovering itself, swam 

 across the stream, and escaped up the river. 

 I may remark here, that at midnight it was 

 tolerably dark in the valley of the river at 

 this time, but that an object on the eminence 

 above could be distinctly seen against the sky. 



The following observations were taken 

 at this encampment ; latitude, 67° 23' 14" N., 

 longitude, 116° 6' 51" W., variation, 49° 46' 



