216 SECOND JOURNEY TO THE 



The western party had scarcely cleared 

 the branch of the river down which they 

 descended, when they discovered a crowd 

 of tents on an island, with a number of 

 Esquimaux strolling among them. Captain 

 Franklin wished to open a communication 

 with these people, but gave orders that the 

 boats should be kept afloat, and that on no 

 account should any one fire upon them, 

 even if they showed any marks of hostility, 

 until himself or Lieut. Back should set 

 them the example. 



" On quitting the channel of the river we 

 entered into the bay, which was about six 

 miles wide, with an unbounded prospect 

 to seaward, and steered towards the tents 

 under easy sail, with the ensigns flying. 

 The water became shallow as we drew 

 towards the island, and the boats touched 

 the ground when about a mile from the 

 beach ; we shouted, and made signs to the 

 Esquimaux to come off, and then pulled a 

 short way back to await their arrival in 

 deeper water. Three canoes instantly put 

 off from the. shore, and before they could 



