642 A COMFORTABLE WINTER. 



But this was less than another service rendered for a 

 similar compensation. The shipwrecked crew had lost, in 

 landing, a considerable part of their already inadequate 

 supply of clothing. The Esquimaux, on the other hand, 

 had a large quantity of skin clothing; this, though its 

 odor is extremely offensive, is especially desirable in the 

 Arctic regions on account of its warmth, and our friends 

 gratefully availed themselves of the opportunity to re- 

 plenish their scanty wardrobe from the Esquimaux stores. 

 Besides which, these Esquimaux, from time to time, gave 

 them a walrus. Indeed, they seem to have studied in 

 every way to render all the assistance they could, and 

 the kindnesses were the more felt as they were tendered 

 in an unostentatious manner. 



Thus, in a short time, our friends found themselves 

 quite comfortable, with a good house, plenty of warm 

 clothing and a sufficient supply of food, which, if not the 

 best, was palatable and wholesome. The general health 

 was excellent, and every one was cheerful. Time did not 

 hang so drearily upon them as might have been antici- 

 pated, though hunting and other like pastime appeared 

 impracticable, and they were restricted to reading (and 

 this embraced no large supply or variety of reading 

 matter), chess, draughts, cards and spinning " yarns." 



The winter was long and dreary enough, with a great 

 deal of snow. This, however, was rather an advantage 

 than otherwise ; for, banked up against the walls of their 

 house, it made it more tenantable by excluding the cold 

 winds which would have found entrance, in spite of their 

 own efforts to make the walls tight. 



So carefully had they provided for the winter that it 

 was not till the 27th of January that they found it 

 necessary to visit the Polaris, and then only in quest of 

 Wood. There was no difficulty in obtaining fresh water. 



As the winter wore slowly away, and was near its close, 

 they began to think of ways and means of extricating 



