Page:Narrative of the Discoveries on the North Coast of America.djvu/137

 the chief who interfered to stop the plunder of Sir John Franklin's party by his countrymen at Pillage Point. He likewise told us that it was his wives who, terrified by our sudden appearance, abandoned the oomiak, which was laden with reindeer meat. We presented our new friend with an axe, a knife, and several other articles, besides a liberal share of our repast. But, notwithstanding our generosity, he was immediately after detected in the act of concealing, in the breast of his dress, a knife and fork, having previously secreted a tin dish among the willows, where on a search it was discovered. He laughed at all this as a good joke; and, when we re-embarked, he did the same, declaring his resolution to accompany us, and protect us from his ill-disposed brethren at the mouth of the river. He persisted in his intention for some time, holding on by one of the boats, till the breeze freshening, and his canoe being almost run under, we cast him off. Even then so swiftly did he propel the light skin vessel with his broad two-bladed paddle, that we should scarcely have dropped him, had not a goose with her young brood upon the bank attracted his notice. We saw him no more. At 4 the Arctic Ocean burst into view. We saluted it with joyous cheers, and, immediately