108 ACCOUNT OF THE REIN-DEER. 



had collected together are now at my disposal j I shall reli- 

 giously execute the last commands of my illustrious friend ; 

 and, if I may hazard that expression, I shall have the glory 

 of having completed his Works, as far at least as my powers 

 will permit me." 



ACCOUNT OF THE REIN-DEER. 



[From the Journal kept by Mr. Cartwright in Labrador, 17790 



" I took a walk round the island with the dogs, but saw no- 

 thing ; I was also attended by my young deer, which is now 

 perfectly tame, — and I shall here make some remarks on those 

 animals. Notwithstanding rein-deer are naturally very wild 

 and timorous, yet no creature is so soon or so effectually 

 tamed if taken young; but what they may be when caught 

 afterwards, I cannot tell. They not only grow very bold, but 

 also show great affection for such men and dogs as they take 

 a liking to, and have a great spite against those who affront 

 them. This deer of mine has had its full liberty ever since 

 the fourth day after it was caught (except a few nights' con- 

 finement in the crib, lest the dogs should kill it when we 

 were all asleep) ; but since then it has constantly lain out. It 

 is not in the least alarmed at any noise, not even at the 

 report of a gun fired close to it ; but it is much terrified if 

 any dogs run after, or even near it, and any running of the 

 people instantly affrights it : but the moment all is quiet, it 

 is so too. It will often go up to a dog, and smell to him ; 

 it is well acquainted with all mine, and will lie down by the 

 fire amongst them. I believe they scarce ever sleep, for as 

 much as I have watched this, I never could observe that it 

 was ever asleep, or kept its eyes closed for more than two 

 seconds at a time ; and if I moved ever so little, it would 

 start up. When I have lain down on the bed, at a time when 

 it was lying on the floor, it would start up every five or six 

 minutes, and come to see that I was not gone \ and having 

 licked my face, or sucked my neckhandkerchief a little, it 

 would quietly lie down again. When at any time it lost me, 

 it would run about, grunting somewhat like a hog, and never 

 rest until it had found me, when it would run up to me at 

 full speed. Sometimes I have diverted myself with stooping 

 and running, both after and from it, which pleased it much ; 

 and it would do the same, and frisk about in the same 

 manner as I have seen the wild calves one among another : 

 I have likewise observed, that whenever it is frightened, it 

 erects its single (tail), which at all other times hangs down. 



