﻿1848. OLD WOMAN. 255 



thrown in a few seasons. It is still supported by 

 whale-skulls built round its outside wall. After 

 seeing the boats secured, Mr. Rae and I walked 

 through the village by a well-beaten path which 

 meandered among the long grass ; and on looking 

 into one of the smaller houses, found an old crone 

 sitting warming herself over a few embers. She 

 seemed surprised when she saw our faces, but 

 exhibited no signs of fear, and soon began to talk 

 very volubly. Some rows of very inviting herring- 

 salmon being hung to dry on poles by her tent, 

 she gave me five or six at my request, and, while 

 Mr. Rae had gone to the boats to procure some 

 articles to repay her and for presents, she told me 

 that she must go to a party who were encamped 

 on the shore about a mile off. I endeavoured to 

 persuade her to remain till she got the articles I 

 had sent for, but she was bent on going, and, 

 having made up a small bundle of some of her 

 property, walked off with a quickness and elasticity 

 of step which her first appearance was far from war- 

 ranting. The deep furrows of her countenance, and 

 its weather-beaten aspect, gave her the appearance 

 of advanced age; and while she sat she seemed to be a 

 woman of ordinary stature, a little bowed down; but 

 when she stood up she looked dwarfish, her height 

 not exceeding four feet. Two tents, towards which 

 she bent her steps, were visible from the boats, but 



