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.
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