were still adhering to many parts of the bank, indicating the tardy
departure of winter from, this inhospitable land,, but the earth around
them was rich with vegetation. In the evening two musk-oxen
being seen- on the beach, were pursued; and killed by o u t men.
Whilst we were waiting to embark the meat, the Indians rejoined us,
and reported they had been attacked by a bear, which sprung upon
them whilst they were conversing together. His attack was so sudden
that they had not time to level their guns properly, and they all
missed except. Akaitcho, who, less confused than the rest, took
deliberate aim, and shot the animal dead. They db not eat the flesh
of the- bear, but knowing that we had no such- prejudice, they
brought us some of the choice- pieces, which upon trial we found to
be excellent meat.
The. Indians having informed us. that we were now within twelve
miles of the rapid where the Esquimaux have invariably been found,
we pitched our tents; on the beach, under the shelter of a high hill
whose, precipitous side is washed by the river; intending to; send forward
some persons to determine the situation of their present abode.’
Some vestiges of an old Esquimaux encampment were observed near
the tents; and the stumps of the trees bore marks of the stone
hatchets; they use. A strict watch was appointed, consisting of an
officer, four Canadians, and an Indian, and directions were1 given for
the rest of the party to sleep with their arms by their side. That as
little delay as possible might be experienced in opening; a communication
with the Esquimaux, we immediately commenced
arrangements for sending forward persons to discover whether there
were any in. our vicinity. Akaitcho and the guides proposed that
two of the hunters should be despatched on this service, who. had
extremely quick sight, and were accustomed to act as scouts, an office
which requires equal caution and circumspection. A strong objection,
however, lay against this plan, in the probability of their
being discovered 'by a straggling hunter, which would be destructive
to every hope of accommodation. It was therefore determined to
send Augustus and Junius, who were very desirous to undertake
the service. These adventurous men proposed to go armed only
with pistols concealed in 'their dress, and furnished with heads,
looking-glasses, and other articles, that they might conciliate their
countrymen by presents. We could not divest our minds of the
apprehension, that it might be a service of much hazard, if the
Esquimaux were as hostile to strangers as the Copper Indians have
invariably represented them to be; and we felt great reluctance
in exposing our two little interpreters, who had rendered themselves
dear to the whole party, to the most distant chance of receiving
injury ; but this course of proceeding appeared in their opinion and
our own to offer the only chance of gaining an interview. Though
not insensible to the danger, they cheerfully prepared for their
mission, and clothed themselves in Esquimaux dresses, which had
been made for the purpose at Eort Enterprise. Augustus was
desired to make his presents, and to tell the Esquimaux that the white
men had come to make peace between them and all their enemies,
and also to discover a passage by which every article of which they
stood in need might be brought in large ships. He was not to
mention that we were accompanied by the Indians, but to endeavour
to prevail on some of the Esquimaux to return with him. He
was (Erected to come back immediately if there were no lodges
at the rapid.
The Indians were not suffered to move out of our sight, but in
the evening we permitted two of them to cross the river in pursuit
of a musk-ox, which they killed on the beach, and returned immediately.
The officers, prompted by an anxious solicitude for Augustus
and Junius, crawled up frequently to the summit of the mountain,
to watch their return. The view, however, was not extensive, being