SHORES OF THE POLAR SEA. 225 



three men who held me now leaped ashore, 

 and those who had remained in their canoes 

 taking them out of the water, carried them 

 to a little distance. A numerous party then 

 drawing their knives, and stripping them- 

 selves to the waist, ran to the Reliance, and 

 having first hauled her as far up as they 

 could, began a regular pillage, handing the 

 articles to the women, who, ranged in a row 

 behind, quickly conveyed them out of sight. 

 Lieutenant Back and his crew strenuously, 

 but good-humouredly, resisted the attack, 

 and rescued many things from their grasp ; 

 but they were overpowered by numbers, 

 and had even some difficulty in preserving 

 their arms. One fellow had the audacity 

 to snatch Vivier's knife from his breast, 

 and to cut the buttons from his coat, whilst 

 three stout Esquimaux surrounded Lieu- 

 tenant Back with uplifted daggers, and 

 were incessant in their demands for what- 

 ever attracted their attention, especially for 

 the anchor buttons which he wore on his 

 waistcoat. In this juncture a young chief 

 coming to his aid, drove the assailants away. 



VOL. IV. Q 



