164 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



Esquimaux, who had again approached in 

 his canoe, and was almost persuaded to 

 land. The unfortunate appearance of so 

 many people at this instant revived his 

 fears, and he crossed over to the eastern 

 bank of the river, and fled with the whole 

 of his party. We learned from Augustus 

 that this party, consisting of four men and 

 as many women, had manifested a friendly 

 disposition. Two of the former were very 

 tall. The man who first came to speak to 

 him, inquired the number of canoes that we 

 had with us, expressed himself to be not 

 displeased at our arrival, and desired him 

 to caution us not to attempt running the 

 rapid, but to make the portage on the west 

 side of the river. Notwithstanding this 

 appearance of confidence and satisfaction, 

 it seems they did not consider their situa- 

 tion free from danger, as they retreated the 

 first night to an island somewhat farther 

 down the river, and in the morning they 

 returned and threw down their lodges, as if 

 to give notice to any of their nation that 

 might arrive, that there was an enemy in 



