FIRST VOYAGE OF CAPT. ROSS. 87 
the presents remained untouched. A single sledge was shortly 
after observed at a great distance, but it immediately drove off 
with great rapidity. 
Being extremely anxious to communicate with the natives, a 
pole was prepared on which a flag was fixed, and being carried 
to an iceberg, midway between the ships and the shore, was 
there erected, and a bag containing presents was fastened to the 
pole within reach, and left there. The ships in the mean time 
were moored in a convenient situation, for observing what might 
take place. 
On the following day the 10th, the crews were rejoiced to see 
eight sledges, driven by the natives, advancing by a circuitous 
route towards the place where the ships lay. They halted about 
a mile from them, and the natives alighting from their sledges, 
ascended a small iceberg as if to reconnoitre ; after remaining 
apparently in consultation for nearly half an hour, four of them 
descended, and came towards the flag staff, which however they 
did not venture to approach In the mean time, a white flag 
was hoisted at the main in each ship, and Sacheuse was de¬ 
spatched bearing a white flag with some presents, that he might 
endeavor if possible to bring them to a parley. This was a 
service which he most cheerfully volunteered, requesting to go 
unattended and unarmed, a request to which no objection could 
be made, as the place chosen for the meeting, was within half a 
mile of the Isabella. In the execution of this service, Sacheuse 
displayed no less address than courage. Having placed his flag 
at some distance from the canal, he advanced to the edge, and 
taking off his hat, made friendly signs for those opposite to 
approach, as he did; this they partly complied with, halting at a 
distance of three hundred yards, when they got out of their sledges, 
( and set up a loud simultaneous halloo, which Sacheuse answered 
by imitating it. They then ventured to approach a little nearer^ 
not having any thing in their hands, but the whips with which 
they guide the dogs. Shouts, words, and gestures were ex¬ 
changed for some time to no purpose, though each party seemed 
in some degree to recognise each other’s language. Sacheuse, 
after a time thought he could discover that they spoke the 
