OF THE POLAR SEA. 



165 



the neighbourhood. From seeing all their 

 property strewed about, and ten of their 

 dogs left, we entertained the hope that these 

 poor people would return after their first 

 alarm had subsided ; and therefore I deter- 

 mined on remaining until the next day, in 

 the expectation of seeing them, as I consi- 

 dered the opening of an early communica- 

 tion a matter of the greatest importance in 

 our state of absolute ignorance respecting 

 the sea-coast. The canoes and cargoes 

 were carried across the portage, and we 

 encamped on the north side of it. We sent 

 Augustus and Junius across the river to 

 look for the runaways, but their search was 

 fruitless. They put a few pieces of iron 

 and trinkets in their canoes, which were 

 lying on the beach. We also sent some 

 men to put up the stages of fish, and secure 

 them as much as possible from the attacks 

 of the dogs. Under the covering of their 

 tents were observed some stone kettles and 

 hatchets, a few fish spears made of copper, 

 two small bits of iron, a quantity of skins, 

 and some dried salmon, which was covered 



