SHORES OF THE POLAR SEA. 227 



and, on my return, I found the sides of the 

 boat lined with men as thick as they could 

 stand, brandishing their knives in the most 

 furious manner, and attempting to seize 

 every thing that was movable ; whilst ano- 

 ther party was ranged on the outside ready 

 to bear away the stolen goods. The Lion's 

 crew still kept their seats, but as it was 

 impossible for so small a number to keep 

 off such a formidable and determined body, 

 several articles were carried off. Our prin- 

 cipal object was to prevent the loss of the 

 arms, oars, or masts, or any thing on which 

 the continuance of the voyage or our per- 

 sonal safety depended. Many attempts 

 were made to purloin the box containing 

 the astronomical instruments, and Duncan, 

 after thrice rescuing it from their hands, 

 made it fast to his leg with a cord, deter- 

 mined that they should drag him away also 

 if they took it. 



" In the whole of this unequal contest, 

 the self-possession of our men was not more 

 conspicuous than the coolness with which 

 the Esquimaux received the heavy blows 

 q 2 



