﻿1848. ESKIMO WOMEN. 313 



Simpson had impressed them with a favourable 

 opinion of the dispositions of white men, and doubt- 

 less was the cause of their readiness to come to our 

 assistance, and to put themselves and their families 

 so completely in our power. Our men bought seal- 

 skin boots from them, which proved very useful; 

 and we paid the man with the wen, who was the 

 leader, for his services in ferrying us over, with two 

 hatchets, which were of great value to him. I had 

 cautioned every one against offering this harmless, 

 good-natured people any offence ; and I must give 

 our men the credit of having strictly adhered to 

 the orders they received. I believe I was the only 

 one who entered any of their huts ; and I did so 

 for the purpose of presenting some needles and 

 other articles to the women, and obtaining a glimpse 

 of their menage. In one tent six or seven women 

 were seated in a circle sewing. They were nearly 

 naked, very dirty, hung their heads down, and 

 seemed to be much afraid. As the females we met 

 on the coast, who showed neither fear nor shame- 

 facedness, were generally clean, I believe that the 

 apprehensions of these poor women had caused 

 them to rub ashes or mud on their faces and 

 persons. They received my presents, but seemed 

 to be relieved when I took my leave. Before we 

 quitted the encampment, several younger men 

 joined from the northern shore of the inlet ; and we 



