308 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP, yourts. The natives, on seeing us anchor, came down opposite the boat 
in great numbers, but seemed very doubtful whether to treat us as 
xVarrative friends 01’ enomios. We made signs of friendship to them ; and a couple 
BargI of baidars reluctantly ventured off and accepted a few beads and some 
tobacco, which on their return to the shore induced several others to 
visit us. These people were clothed like the Esquimaux we had seen 
on the other parts of the coast : their implements were also the same, 
except that w^e thought they were more particular in constructing the 
bow’, the spring of which was strengthened w ith whalebone. 
Many of the men w ore, as lip ornaments, slabs of bone and stone in 
an oblong shape, about three inches in length and one in breadth. They 
were much more daring than any w’e had before seen, and attempted 
many thefts in the most open manner. Tobacco was the most marketable 
article ; but, excepting their implements, ornaments, or dress, they had 
nothing w orth purchasing. They were exceedingly difficult to please, 
and not at all satisfied with what w’as given in exchange, insisting, after 
a bargain had been transacted, on having more for their articles. One 
of them who came alongside in a caiack, having obtained some tobacco 
that was offered for a lance, was resolute in not delivering up either ; 
and Mr. Elson, considering that if such conduct was tamely submitted 
to they would be still more inclined to impose, endeavoured by threats 
to regain the tobacco, but without effect. More boats coming off, and 
proving by their audacity equally troublesome, we thought it would be 
most advantageous to keep the barge under sail, which in all probability 
would prevent any thing serious occurring. Before weighing, the baidar 
was broken up, as her weight would materially impede our progress in 
working to windward on our return ; the hides were taken as a covering 
for the deck, and the frame-work destroyed for fire-wood. During 
the time we were at anchor, the wind shifted to S. AT., and we stood 
to the N. AT. with a light breeze ; but finding ourselves drifting rapidly 
to the northward by the current, we were again obliged to anchor. 
Point Barrow bearing S. by E. ^ E. two and a half miles. Here we 
remained till eight o’clock. This point is the termination to a spit of 
land, which on examination from the boat’s mast-head seemed to jut 
out several miles from the more regular coast line. The width of the 
