OF THE POLAR SEA. 



19 



near the ship. The men's dresses consisted of a jacket of seal-skin, 

 the trowsers of bear-skin, and several had caps of the white fox-skin. 

 The female dresses were made of the same materials, but differently 

 shaped, having a hood in which the infants were carried. We 

 thought their manner very lively and agreeable. They were fond of 

 mimicking our speech and gestures; but nothing afforded them 

 greater amusement than when we attempted to retaliate by pro- 

 nouncmg any of their words. 



The canoes were of seal-skin, and similar in every respect to those 

 used by the Esquimaux in Greenland ; they were generally new and 

 very complete in their appointments. Those appropriated to the 

 women are of ruder construction, and only calculated for fine wea- 

 ther ; they are, however, useful vessels, being capable of containing 

 twenty persons with their luggage. An elderly man officiates as 

 steersman, and the women paddle, but they have also a mast which 

 carries a sail, made of dressed whale-gut. 



When the women had disposed of all their articles of trade they 

 resorted to entreaty ; and the putting in practice of many enticing 

 gestures was managed with so much address, as to procure them pre- 

 sents of a variety of beads, needles, and other articles in great demand 

 among females. 



It is probable these Esquimaux go from this shore to some part of 

 Labrador to pass the winter, as parties of them have been frequently 

 seen by the homeward-bound Hudson's Bay ships in the act of 

 crossing the Strait. 



They appear to speak the same language as the tribe of Esqui- 

 maux, who reside near to the Moravian settlements in Labrador ; for 

 we perceived they used several of the words which had been given to 

 us by the Missionaries at Stromness. 



Towards evening, the Captain, being desirous to get rid of his 

 visitors, took an effectual method by tacking from the shore ; our 

 friends then departed apparently in high glee at the harvest they had 



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