PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
559 
XIX. 
Sept. 
1827. 
presented himself to us with his arms covered with mud : as a defence CHAP 
they were as perfect as circumstances would allow, and while they show 
the resources of the people, they mark a determination of obstinate re- 
sistance. The effect of the arrows was fully as great as might have been 
expected, and, had they been properly directed, would have inflicted 
mortal wounds. At the distance of a hundred yards a flesh-wound was 
produced in the thigh, which disabled the man for a time ; and at eight 
or ten yards another fixed the right arm of a marine to his side ; a 
third buried itself two inches and a half under the scalp. The wounds 
which they occasioned were obliged to be either enlarged to extract the 
arrows, which were barbed, or to have an additional incision made, that 
the arrow might be pushed through without further laceration. Most of 
these wounds were inflicted by an arrow with a bone head, tipped with 
a pointed piece of jaspar. 
We were sorry to find our musketry had inflicted so severe a 
chastisement upon these people, but it was unavoidable, and richly 
deserved. It was some consolation to reflect that it had fallen upon a 
party from whom we had received repeated insult, and that it was not 
until after they had threatened our boat in Escholtz Bay, insulted us 
alongside the ship, defied our party on shore, had twice drawn their 
knives upon our people, and had wounded several of them, that they 
were made acquainted with the nature of our fire-arms ; and I am con- 
vinced the example will have a good effect, by teaching them that it was 
forbearance alone that induced us to tolerate their conduct so long. 
For the purpose of keeping together the particulars of our trans- 
actions with the Esquimaux, I have omitted to mention several 
occurrences in the order in which they transpired. Many circum- 
stances indicated the earlier approach of winter than we had experienced 
the preceding year. About the middle of September, therefore, we 
began to prepare the ship for her departure, by completing the water, 
taking on board stone ballast in lieu of the provisions that had been 
expended, and refitting the rigging. These operations were for several 
days interrupted by strong westerly winds, which occasioned much sea 
at the anchorage, and very unaccountably had the effect of producing 
remarkably low tides, and of checking the rise which on several occa- 
sions was scarcely perceptible. 
