Chap. II. COMMANDER JOHN ROSS. 27 



Of the history of this young man there will be oc- 

 casion to speak hereafter. 



On the fitting out of the present expedition, 

 Captain Basil Hall, finding that Saccheous had a 

 wish to join it, made his desire known at the Ad- 

 miralty, and he was accordingly appointed inter- 

 preter, in which capacity he proved exceedingly 

 useful, in the very limited opportunity that occurred 

 of holding any communication with his native 

 countrymen. Among the mirthful group before 

 mentioned, Ross tells us — 



" A daughter of the Danish resident, about eighteen 

 years of age, and by far the best looking of the group, was 

 the object of Jack's particular attentions ; which being ob- 

 served by one of our officers, he gave him a lady's shawl, 

 ornamented with spangles, as an offering for her acceptance. 

 He presented it in a most respectful and not ungraceful 

 manner to the damsel, who bashfully took a pewter ring from 

 her finger and presented it to him in return ; rewarding him 

 at the same time with an eloquent smile, which could leave 

 no possible doubt on our Esquimaux's mind that he had 

 made an impression on her heart." — p. 56. 



After some delay the wind changed and the ice 

 began to separate, leaving an opening along the 

 coast ; but Jack, who had gone on shore with his 

 countrymen, had not returned. A boat was there- 

 fore sent to bring him off; but the poor fellow was 

 found in one of the huts with his collar-bone broken, 

 having, under the idea, as expressed by himself, of 

 " plenty powder, plenty kill" overloaded his gun, and 

 the violence of the recoil had caused the accident. 



