CAPTAIN PARRY. 



183 



shore where they were, they were so alarmed 

 as to run off over the rocks, and that they did 

 not return till the big canoes were out of sight 

 towards where the sun rises. This information 

 led me to suppose that they were the Discovery 

 Ships, under the command of Captain Parry ; 

 and to conjecture that the ice had been a 

 barrier to his progress in search of a North- 

 West Passage, and that he was returning down 

 the Bay to England. The object of the Es- 

 quimaux in meeting from different tribes at 

 Chesterfield Inlet every year, is to barter with 

 those principally who trade at Churchill Fac- 

 tory, and also with some Northern Indians, 

 who exchange what European articles they 

 may have for fish-hooks made of bone, and 

 sinew lines, and skins. I then shook hands 

 with them, and gave to each individual a clasp- 

 knife, some tobacco, and a few beads, to take 

 with them to their wives, with which they were 

 much pleased, telling me, not to be afraid to 

 come to their country, as Esquimaux would 

 treat me well. 



August 7.— When the remaining party re- 

 turned to Knapp's Bay, it was proposed by the 

 Master of the Company's Posts, that they 

 should stop for a few days at Seal River, about 



