OF THE POLAR SEA. 



351 



country altogether has a richer appearance than the barren lands 

 of the Copper Indians. We had a distinct view of the sea from the 

 summit of a hill behind the tents ; it appeared choked with ice and 

 full of islands. 



On the morning of the 16th three men were sent up the river to 

 search for dried wood to make floats for the nets. Adam, the inter- 

 preter, was also despatched with a Canadian, to inform Akaitcho of 

 the flight of the Esquimaux. We were preparing to go down to 

 the sea in one of the canoes, leaving Mr. Back to await the return 

 of the men who were absent ; but just as the crew were putting 

 the canoe in the water, Adam arrived in the utmost consternation, 

 and informed us that a party of Esquimaux were pursuing the men 

 whom we had sent to collect floats. The orders for embarking were 

 instantly countermanded, and we went with a party of men to 

 their rescue. We soon met our people returning at a slow pace, 

 and learned that they had come unawares upon the Esquimaux 

 party, which consisted of six men, with their women and children, 

 who were travelling towards the rapid with a considerable number 

 of dogs carrying their baggage. The women hid themselves on 

 the first alarm, but the men advanced, and stopping at some dis- 

 tance from our men, began to dance in a circle, tossing up their 

 hands in the air, and accompanying their motions with much shout- 

 ing, to signify, I conceive, their desire of peace. Our men saluted 

 them by pulling off their hats, and making bows, but neither party 

 was willing to approach the other ; and, at length, the Esquimaux 

 retired to the hill, from whence they had descended when first seen. 

 We proceeded in the hope of gaining an interview with them, but 

 lest our appearance in a body should alarm them, we advanced in a 

 long line, at the head of which was Augustus. We were led to 

 their baggage, which they had deserted, by the howling of the 

 dogs ; and on the summit of the hill we found, lying behind a 

 stone, an old man, who was too infirm to effect his escape with 



