Page:Narrative of the Discoveries on the North Coast of America.djvu/141

 out "Caw-caw!"—but persisted in following at a short distance, even after one or two blank shots, till I fired with ball over them; upon which they instantly ducked their heads, veered round, and, after paddling out of reach, halted to hold a consultation,—more canoes now appearing in the distance. Thus delivered, we continued our course under sail, with a light close wind, passing the reefs and shoals about four miles from the land; the weather dark and threatening. At 10 o'clock a violent squall took us, and it was with the utmost exertion that we were able to gain the shore at midnight.

The tide rose here about one foot on the morning of the 10th, bringing with it great numbers of methy (lota maculosa) many of which we speared with the Esquimaux lances. Before we had time to take any rest, a heavy swell came rolling in upon the beach, and compelled us to look out for another harbour. After pulling for several hours along the steep mud-banks that form the coast-line, we reached Shingle Point, lying under the 69th parallel of latitude, and there erected our tents, for the first time, since our detention by wind at the head of Mackenzie River. A north-west gale had now commenced, and raged all day. We found at this place a number of winter huts, and of