HANS AND PETER. 113 



time previous. This is the first time that I have seen 

 the place since the night I passed there in December, 

 1854, — a night long to be remembered. 



Near by the hut I discovered a splendid buck leis- 

 urely pawing away the snow and turning up the dried 

 grass and moss, of which he was making a well-earned 

 if not inviting meal. Approaching him on the leeward 

 side, I had no difficulty in coming within easy range ; 

 but I felt reluctant to fire upon him. He was so in- 

 tent upon his work, and seemed so little to suspect 

 that these solitudes, through which he had so long 

 roamed unmolested, contained an enemy, that I almost 

 relented ; and I did not pull trigger until I had aimed 

 a third time. But, notwithstanding this irresolution, 

 his splendid haunch now hangs in the rigging, and is 

 set apart for some future feast ; and I have no doubt 

 that I shall then eat my share of him without once 

 thinking that I had done a deed of cruelty. 



October 20th. 

 I have observed for some days past decided symp- 

 toms of a rivalry existing between my two Esquimau 

 hunters, Hans and Peter, both of whom are very ser- 

 viceable to me. Peter is a very clever little fellow, 

 and withal honest ; and he has quite taken my fancy. 

 He is a thorough-bred Esquimau, with very dark com- 

 plexion, jet-black hair, which he cuts in native fashion, 

 square across his forehead ; but he keeps himself clean 

 and neat, and is on all occasions very well behaved. 

 Not only is he a fine hunter, but he possesses great 

 ingenuity, and has wonderful skill with his fingers. I 

 have before me several specimens of his handiwork 

 in the shape of sali>spoons, paper-cutters, and other 

 little trinkets which, with an old file, a knife, and a 



