Wild Indians, who, coming down the lake, saw our camp-fire. They had a
number of thin, wild, wolfish, half- starved Esquimaux dogs with them.
They made a great fuss over me, which here meant so much tea and food. I
treated them kindly, and, fearing for our supplies, and even our dog
harness, and the other things for which the terrible Esquimaux dog has
such an appetite, I politely informed them that I thought they would be
more comfortable if they travelled on a little further. This hint was
met with loud protestations that they could not, under any
circumstances, think of denying themselves the pleasure of at least
stopping one night in the camp of the Missionary, about whom they had
heard so much as the great friend of the Indian. Of course I could not
go back on my record, or resist such diplomacy; but I saw trouble ahead,
and I was not disappointed. In order to save something, I gave to their
wolfish dogs all the fish I had, which was sufficient for my eight for
several days. These the Esquimaux speedily devoured. I made the men
bring the dog harness into the camp, and with the sleds, to save the
straps and lashings, they built a little barricade against the wind. In
addition to the food supplies for the trip, I had a bag of meat, and
another of buns, for my use when I should reach the village, where I was
going to preach and to teach. I gathered a pile of clubs, which I cut
from the driftwood on the shore, from which we had also obtained that
for our fire. Then, putting the bag of meat, which was