172 ARCTIC VOYAGES. Chap. VI. 



Judging from the sample who visited the ships 

 at Winter Island, they exhibit none of those traits 

 of stupidity by which they have generally been dis- 

 tinguished; but would rather appear to be lively 

 and cheerful, than to show any signs of dullness. 

 Quiet and orderly, however, as they were disposed 

 to be on their first visit, they betrayed a strong 

 inclination to merriment ; for, Parry observes, that 

 on Commander Lyon's ordering his fiddler to* 

 exhibit upon the Hecla's deck, they danced with 

 the seamen for an hour, and then returned in high 

 glee and good humour to their huts. Another 

 party took great delight in listening to the organ, 

 and to anything in the shape of music, singing, or 

 dancing, of all which they appeared to be remark- 

 ably fond. 



The same party were asked to go through the 

 process of building a snow-hut, for the amusement 

 and information of the Europeans. " From the 

 quickness," says Parry, " with which they com- 

 pleted this, our surprise at the sudden appearance 

 of the village ceased ; as we now saw that two or 

 three hours would be more than sufficient to have 

 completed the whole establishment just as we at 

 first found it." The following day a number of 

 natives came on board, according to promise, to re- 

 build the hut in a more substantial manner, and to 

 put a plate of ice in the roof as a window, which 

 they did with great quickness, as well as care, 

 several of the women cheerfully assisting in the 



