OF THE POLAR SEA. 



169 



tossing up their hands in the air, and ac- 

 companying their motions with much shout- 

 ing, to signify, I conceive, their desire of 

 peace. Our men saluted them by pulling 

 off their hats, and making bows, but neither 

 party was willing to approach the other; 

 and at length the Esquimaux retired to the 

 hill, from whence they had descended when 

 first seen. We proceded in the hope of 

 gaining an interview with them, but lest 

 our appearance in a body should alarm 

 them, we advanced in a long line, at the 

 head of which was Augustus. We were 

 led to their baggage, which they had de- 

 serted, by the howling oft he dogs ; and on 

 the summit of the hill we found, lying 

 behind a stone, an old man, who was too 

 infirm to affect his escape with the rest. 

 He was much terrified w T hen Augustus ad- 

 vanced, and probably expected immediate 

 death; but that the fatal blow might not 

 be unrevenged, he seized his spear, and 

 made a thrust with it at his supposed 

 enemy. Augustus, however, easily re- 

 pressed the feeble effort, and soon calmed 



