MERRY CHRISTMAS. 209 



to tink about de merry Christmas. De Commander 

 see dese big reindeers." And he went on vigorously 

 basting two fine haunches of venison which had been 

 carefully treasured for the occasion, and putting the 

 last touches to a kettle of tempting soup. Intending 

 encouragement, I reminded him that his labors would 

 be over with the serving of the dinner, when, with 

 that consistency for which human nature is remark- 

 able, especially in a ship's cook, he replied, " Please 

 sar, so long as my Hebenly Fader gives me healt I 

 likes to vork." 



As I passed out of the hold into the officers' cabin, 

 the crew sent after me three cheers, and three more 

 for the expedition, and I don't know how many fol- 

 lowed afterward for a " merry Christmas " to them 

 selves. The upper-deck was light and cheerful with 

 the multitude of lamps, and had been " cleared up " 

 with unusual care ; and from amidships every thing 

 had been removed. This Knorr told me was his work, 

 and I was informed that there was to be a " ball." 

 The disposition to consume oil was contagious. Even 

 the heathenish little wife of my absent hunter had 

 managed to procure an additional supply, and rejoiced 

 in an extra blaze in honor of the day, the meaning of 

 which was all Greek to her. Her hut was a cheerful 

 nest of furs, and little Pingasuik, with a strip of tough 

 seal-blubber, substituted for one of Goodyear's patent 

 arrangements for children's gums, was laughing and 

 crowing as a Christian baby would be expected to do 

 on this most Christian day. Jacob, fat Jacob, was 

 grinning in one corner. Charley told me that he be- 

 gan grinning early in the morning, at the prospect of 

 the manv crumbs to come from so bounteous a feast ; 



and, in order to prepare himself for the task, he had 



u 



