|
"The preceding narrative shows that, bad as the general conduct
of the Esquimaux was, we had some active friends amongst them;
and I was particularly desirous of cultivating a good understanding
with them, for we were as yet ignorant of the state of the ice
at sea, and did not know how long we should have to remain in
their neighborhood. I was determined, however, now to keep
them at bay, and to convince them, if they made any further
attempts to annoy us, that our forbearance had proceeded from
good-will, and not from the want of the power to punish them. We had not gone above a quarter of a mile from Pillage Point before the boats again took the ground at the distance of one hundred and fifty yards from the shore; and having ascertained by the men wading in every direction, that there was no deeper water, we made the boats fast side by side, and remained in that situation five hours." |
