184 ARCTIC VOYAGES. Chap. VI. 



friendly an intercourse they should on this particu- 

 lar visit feel themselves somewhat neglected ; it 

 could hardly be expected that they should not feel, 

 on such an occasion, an apparent indifference so 

 contrary to the uniform attention and kindness they 

 had received. But Parry found a change had taken 

 place in Iligliuk's conduct, and explains the causes 

 which gave rise to it. 



" I am, however, compelled to acknowledge that the 

 superior decency and even modesty of her behaviour 

 had combined, with her intellectual qualities, to raise her 

 in our estimation far above her companions ; and I often 

 heard others express, what I could not but agree in, 

 that for Iligliuk alone, of all the Esquimaux women, that 

 kind of respect would be entertained which modesty in a 

 female never fails to command in our sex. Thus regarded, 

 she had always been freely admitted into the ships, the 

 quartermasters at the gang-way never thinking of refusing 

 entrance to the ' wise woman,' as they called her. When- 

 ever any explanation was necessary between the Esquimaux 

 and us, Iligliuk was sent for, quite as an interpreter ; infor- 

 mation was chiefly obtained through her, and she thus found 

 herself rising into a degree of consequence to which, but for 

 us, she could never have attained. It may not, therefore, 

 be wondered at, if she became giddy with her exaltation, 

 assuming airs which, though infinitely diversified in their 

 operation, according to circumstances, perhaps universally 

 attend a too sudden accession of good fortune, in every 

 child of Adam from the Equator to the Poles. The conse- 

 quence was, Iligliuk was soon spoiled ; considered her admis- 

 sion into the ships, and most of the cabins, no longer as an 

 indulgence, but a right ; ceased to return the slightest 

 acknowledgment for any kindness or presents ; became list- 



