numbers, and, forming a crescent, creep slowly towards the herd, go as not to alarm them much at first; but when they perceive that they have fairly hemmed in the unsuspecting creatures, and cut off their retreat across the plain, they move more quickly, and with hideous yells terrify their prey, and urge them to flight by the only open way, which is that towards the precipice; appearing to know, that when the herd is once at full speed, it is easily driven over the cliff, the rearmost urging on those that are before. The wolves then descend at their leisure, and least on the mangled carcases.”
This stratagem was attempted on Dr. Richardson, near the above encampment.
“Having the first watch, he had gone to the summit of the hill, and remained there contemplating the river that washed the precipice under his feet, long after dusk had hid distant objects from his view. His thoughts were, perhaps, far distant from the surrounding objects, when he was roused by an indistinct noise behind him, and on looking round perceived that nine white wolves had ranged themselves in form of a crescent, and were advancing, apparently with the intention of driving him into the river. On his rising up they halted, and when he advanced they made way for his passage down to the tents. He had a gun in his hand, but forebore to fire, lest there should be Esquimaux in the neighbourhood. During the middle watch, the wolves appeared repeatedly on the summit of the hill, and at one time they succeeded in driving a deer over.”
The first view of the Polar Sea was obtained by Dr. Richardson, from the top of a lofty hill, which he ascended after supper, on the 14th of July. Next day, the expedition arrived at the “Bloody Fall” of Hearne, situated in lat. 67° 42' 35" N., long. 115° 49' 33" W. The appearance of many different bands of Esquimaux, in the neighbourhood of this place, terrified the Indians to such a degree, that they determined not to proceed any farther, lest they should be surrounded and their retreat cut off. Captain Franklin endeavoured, by the offer of any remuneration they would choose, to prevail upon one or two of them to go on, but in vain; and he had much difficulty even in obtaining their promise to wait at the Copper Mountains for Mr. Wentzel, and four men whom he intended to discharge on his arrival at the ocean, then only nine miles distant. The fears which the
