OF THE POLAR SEA. 



349 



but we had no difficulty in finding a channel through them. On 

 regaining the shore party, we regretted to find that some of the 

 men had incautiously appeared on the tops of the hills, just at the 

 time Augustus was conversing with one of the Esquimaux, who had 

 approached in his canoe, and was almost persuaded to land. The 

 unfortunate appearance of so many people at this instant, revived 

 his fears, and he crossed over to the eastern bank of the river, and 

 fled with the whole of his party. We learned from Augustus that 

 this party, consisting of four men and as many women, had mani- 

 fested a friendly disposition. Two of the men were very tall. The 

 man who first came to speak to him, inquired the number of canoes 

 that we had with us, expressed himself to be not displeased at our 

 arrival, and desired him to caution us not to attempt running the 

 rapid, but to make the portage on the west side of the river. Not- 

 withstanding this appearance of confidence and satisfaction, it seems 

 they did not consider their situation to be free from danger, as they 

 retreated the first night, to an island somewhat farther down the 

 river, and in the morning they returned and threw down their 

 lodges, as if to give notice to any of their nation that might arrive, 

 that there was an enemy in the neighbourhood. From seeing all 

 their property strewed about, and ten of their dogs left, we enter- 

 tained the hope that these poor people would return after their first 

 alarm had subsided ; and therefore I determined on remaining until 

 the next day, in the expectation of seeing them, as I considered the 

 opening of an early communication to be a matter of the greatest 

 importance in our state of absolute ignorance respecting the sea 

 coast. The canoes and cargoes were carried across the portage, and 

 we encamped on the north side of it. We sent Augustus and 

 Junius across the river to look for the runaways, but their search 

 was fruitless. They put a few pieces of iron and trinkets in their 

 canoes, which were lying on the beach. We also sent some men to 

 put up the stages of fish, and secure them as much as possible from 



