78 NATIVES OF GREENLAND. 



horrible smell of their huts, persons, and almost every- 

 article belonging to them, is intolerable to the coarsest 

 feeling. Even the sailor accustomed to the atmosphere of 

 a whale-ship has been frequently known to nauseate the 

 inside of a Greenlander's hut. Those poor creatures smile 

 at such squeamishness, and kindly excuse the want of 

 poHteness in the stranger, as he could not possibly know 

 any thing better. 



The whale often wounded, and carrying in his huge body 

 the instrument of destruction, very often in his anguish 

 runs himself ashore, or into some creek among the rocks, 

 and there, lingering, dies. Such a chance is an unexpected 

 blessing if discovered ; and any person who has ever winded 

 a dead whale must know that an occurrence of that kind 

 is not likely to remain long a secret. Every hut is then 

 emptied to take advantage of the fortunate occasion. If 

 any one is within reach of the good tidings, he is imme- 

 diately invited, and it is easy to imagine what a scene ensues. 

 Men, women, and children, with every edged instrument 

 at command, are in full employment. But in such eager- 

 ness wounds are often intiicted by accident, and such 

 are never resented. The blubber is carefully stored, that 

 it may subside into oil ; the muscular parts are removed for 

 future fare, and nothing can be of coarser texture, yet 

 still they relish it, and are thankful for the blessing. The 

 tendons also are carefully preserved, to be appropriated as 



