n the morning of the 16th three men were sent up the river to search for
dried wood to make floats for the nets. Adam the interpreter was also
despatched with a Canadian to inform Akaitcho of the flight of the
Esquimaux. We were preparing to go down to the sea in one of the canoes,
leaving Mr. Back to await the return of the men who were absent but, just
as the crew were putting the canoe in the water, Adam returned in the
utmost consternation and informed us that a party of Esquimaux were
pursuing the men whom we had sent to collect floats. The orders for
embarking were instantly countermanded and we went with a part of our men
to their rescue. We soon met our people returning at a slow pace and
learned that they had come unawares upon the Esquimaux party, which
consisted of six men with their women and children, who were travelling
towards the rapid with a considerable number of dogs carrying their
baggage. The women hid themselves on the first alarm, but the men
advanced and, stopping at some distance from our men, began to dance in a
circle, tossing up their hands in the air and accompanying their motions
with much shouting, to signify I conceive their desire of peace. Our men
saluted them by pulling off their hats and making bows, but neither party
was willing to approach the other, and at length the Esquimaux retired to
the hill from whence they had descended when first seen. We proceeded in
the hope of gaining an interview with them but lest our appearance in a
body should alarm them we advanced in a long line, at the head of which
was Augustus. We were led to their baggage, which they had deserted, by
the howling of the dogs, and on the summit of a hill we found lying
behind a stone an old man who was too infirm to effect his escape with
the rest. He was much terrified when Augustus advanced and probably
expected immediate death but, that the fatal blow might not be
unrevenged, he seized his spear and made a thrust with it at his supposed
enemy. Augustus however easily repressed the feeble effort and soon
calmed his fears by presenting him with some pieces of iron and assuring
him of his friendly intentions. Dr. Richardson and I then joined them
and, after receiving our presents, the old man was quite composed and
became communicative. His dialect differed from that used by Augustus but
they understood each other tolerably well.

It appeared that his party consisted of eight men and their families who
were return