SHORES OF THE POLAR SEA. 



221 



Though we had not hitherto observed any 

 of them stealing, yet they showed so much 

 desire to obtain my flag, that I had it furled 

 and put out of sight, as well as every thing 

 else that I thought could prove a tempta- 

 tion to them. They continued, however, to 

 press upon us so closely, and made so many 

 efforts to get into the boats, that I accepted 

 the offer of two chiefs, who said that if they 

 were allowed to come in, they would keep 

 the others out. For a time they kept their 

 word, and the crews took advantage of the 

 respite thus afforded, to endeavour to force 

 the boats towards the river into deeper 

 water. The Reliance floated, but the Lion 

 was immovable, and Lieutenant Back, drop- 

 ping astern, again made his boat fast to the 

 Lion by a rope. At this time one of the 

 Lion's crew perceived that the man whose 

 kaiyack had been upset had a pistol under 

 his shirt, and was about to take it from 

 him, but I ordered him to desist, as I 

 thought it might have been purchased from 

 the Loucheux. It had been, in fact, stolen 

 from Lieutenant Back, and the thief, per- 



