568 
LAST VOYAGE OF CAPT. ROSS. 
Mc’Diarmid, who, very properly considering that a brace of 
grouse would be more acceptable than the knowledge of per¬ 
haps some trivial act committed by a brace of Esquimaux, fired 
his gun, on which the Esquimaux suddenly stopped; but, instead 
of showing any disposition to form an acquaintance with the 
strangers, they took to their heels, and ran off with ail the ex¬ 
pedition, that their cumbersome habiliments would allow them. 
Having gained some distance, they stopped, apparently for the 
purpose of watching the motions of the officers, when, on seeing 
that they were not pursued, they walked on at a slower rate, 
and were soon out of sight. 
Commander Ross, being aware that a deep and low cunning 
was one of the characteristics of these people, proposed to Mr. 
Mc’Diarmid, that they should defer visiting the place where 
the Esquimaux had lately busied themselves, until their return 
to the ship; for it was not improbable, that the Esquimaux 
might, from some eminence, be watching their motions; and so 
strong was their curiosity excited, to become acquainted with 
the motive of the late mysterious conduct of the natives, that 
they determined not to commit any action, which, if they were 
watched, could lead to the suspicion on the part of the natives, 
that they had been detected in their proceedings. 
The two officers therefore proceeded to the place of their des¬ 
tination, which was a high hill to the south-east of the bay where 
the Victory then lay. From this eminence they had an uninter¬ 
rupted view to the westward, and also to the northward of Vic¬ 
tory Harbour, and particularly of that part of it, through which 
the ship would have to effect a passage, to enable her to get 
mto the open sea to the westward. Sad and disheartening how¬ 
ever was the prospect, which here presented itself, the whole line 
of the coast was completely blocked up with ice, and at the en¬ 
trance of the bay, berg seemed to be piled upon berg; as if fate 
had conspired to place the greatest accumulations of ice in that 
particular place where they were the least wished for. To add 
to the gloom and misery, which this prospect held forth, the sea 
to the westward was completely clear of ice, and the skv of that 
dark blue colour, which in those latitudes indicates the exist- 
