Page:Narrative of the Discoveries on the North Coast of America.djvu/134

 other northern tribes. In the afternoon we passed through "the Narrows," where the Loucheux chief was encamped, like a brave general protecting his frontier. We had given a passage from Fort Good Hope to one of his young men, who seemed to consider himself as not a little honoured by our attentions; and he now explained to the chief our intention not to take any of his people to the coast. Yet such was their confidence in or regard for us, that several again volunteered their services. After thanking them, and acknowledging their kindness by some small gifts, we re-embarked. We had provided ourselves with an Esquimaux vocabulary, which we hoped would serve our purpose in our intercourse with that singular race; but, to guard more effectually against danger, we now issued to each of the men a gun and ammunition, to be used only at our express command. We supped at Point Separation; and, as we passed the mouth of Peel River, had the satisfaction, new to most of the party, of beholding the sun at midnight, more than his own diameter elevated above the horizon.

Just as our people were almost exhausted with rowing and the merciless assaults of the musquitoes, a gentle northerly breeze sprang up in the forenoon of the 8th, and for a while cleared the