Being
under sail in the boat, with a fresh breeze, we took two of the canoes
in tow, and dragged them along at a great rate, much to the satisfaction
of the Esquimaux, who were very assiduous in piloting us to the best
landing-place upon the ice, where we were met by several of their
companions and conducted to the tents. Before we had reached the shore,
however, we had obtained one very interesting piece of information,
namely, that it was Igloolik on which we were now about to land, and
that we must therefore have made a very near approach to the strait
which, as we hoped, was to conduct us once more into the Polar Sea.
We found here two divisions of tents, there being eleven where we
landed, and five more about half a mile to the northward. By the time we
reached the tents we were surrounded by a crowd of men, women, and
children, all carrying some trifling article, which they offered in
barter, a business they seemed to understand as well, and to need much
more than their countrymen to the southward. We were, of course, not
backward in promoting a good understanding by means of such presents as
we had brought with us, but they seemed to have no idea of our giving
them anything _gratis_, always offering some trifle in exchange, and
expressing hesitation and surprise when we declined accepting it.
Pages:
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33