Chap. VI. CAPTAIN PARRY'S SECOND VOYAGE. 169 



attracted our attention, they began, to our utter astonish- 

 ment and consternation, to strip, though the thermometer 

 stood at 23 below zero. We soon found, however, that 

 there was nothing so dreadful in this as we at first imagined, 

 every individual among them having on a complete double 

 suit. The whole were of deer-skin, and looked both clean 

 and comfortable." — p. 159. 



This party conducted themselves with great de- 

 corum, and without any apprehension visible on their 

 countenances or manner; therefore as soon as all 

 that they had to sell had been purchased, a wish 

 was expressed by signs to accompany them to their 

 huts. The description which follows is curious and 

 interesting : — 



" When it is remembered that these habitations were 

 fully within sight of the ships, and how many eyes were 

 continually on the look-out among us for anything that 

 could afford variety or interest in our present situation, our 

 surprise may in some degree be imagined at finding an 

 establishment of five huts, with canoes, sledges, dogs, and 

 above sixty men, women, and children, as regularly, and to 

 all appearance as permanently fixed, as if they had occupied 

 the same spot for the whole winter. If the first view of the 

 exterior of this little village was such as to create astonish- 

 ment, that feeling was in no small degree heightened, on 

 accepting the invitation soon given us, to enter these extra- 

 ordinary houses, in the construction of which we observed 

 that not a single material was used but snow and ice. After 

 creeping through two low passages, having each its arched 

 door-way, we came to a small circular apartment of which 

 the roof was a perfect arched dome. From this three door- 

 ways, also arched and of larger dimensions than the outer 

 ones, led into as many inhabited apartments, one on each 

 side, and the other facing us as we entered. The interior 



