Chap. VI. CAPTAIN PARKY'S SECOND VOYAGE. 173 



labour. The men seemed to take no small pride in 

 showing in how expeditious and workman-like a 

 manner they could perform this ; and the hut, with 

 its outer passage, was soon completed. But they 

 extend the use of this transparent material, applying 

 that of frozen hummocks to other purposes. A 

 sledge was required to carry a youth to some dis- 

 tance, and none at hand : — 



" We found, however, that a man, whom we had observed 

 for some time at work among the hummocks of ice upon the 

 beach, had been employed in cutting out of that abundant 

 material a neat and serviceable little sledge, hollowed like 

 a bowl or tray out of a solid block, and smoothly rounded 

 at the bottom. The thong to which the dogs were attached 

 was secured to a groove cut round its upper edge ; and the 

 young seal-catcher, seated in this simple vehicle, was dragged 

 along with great convenience and comfort." — p. 206. 



Captain Parry being desirous of trying how far 

 they might be disposed to part with their children, 

 proposed to buy a fine lad, named Toolooak, for 

 the valuable consideration of a handsome butcher's 

 knife. His father, apparently understanding the 

 meaning, joyfully accepted the knife ; and the boy 

 set off in high spirits, and at first assisted in draw- 

 ing a sledge; but beginnings by some additional 

 signs, more clearly to comprehend the true mean- 

 ing of his situation, took the opportunity to slink 

 off among some hummocks of ice, so that when the 

 party arrived on board Toolooak was missing. 



Toolooak, however, was a constant visiter to 

 Parry, and considered himself fully privileged to 



