SKETCH OF THE BOOTHIANS. 16 



of snow detained the whole party; and, in the calcnlated time, tlie 

 provisions of the guides were exhausted. The needful supply was 

 therefore given them from our own stores, which they promised to 

 replace on their arrival at Neitchillee. 



Here, however, when they at length arrived, their deposits could 

 not be found, from the mass of snow by which they had been 

 overwhelmed ; in consequence of which they were again supplied 

 with food enough to enable them to return to the ship. Here they 

 related all that had been done for them, with the strongest expres- 

 sions of gratitude ; adding that their parents would come and thank 

 Commander Ross, when he returned, for the kindness which he 

 had shown. Tliis was done on the next day, by our furnishing the 

 means of that journey after we had accommodated them on board 

 for the night ; when the father and mother arrived with a present of 

 seal-skins of the best quality, and an offer to make them up into 

 tlie water-proof boots for which they were intended ; while they 

 seemed exceedingly pleased that we accepted them without offering 

 any remuneration. In a few days they returned with the manu- 

 factured articles; nor did their gratitude end even then, since it 

 was often expressed afterwards, and, even at the distance of four 

 months, with a promise of a similar pair when the ship should 

 arrive at Neitchillee. 



If the Esquimaux race has often been noted for cheerfulness and 

 good temper, we found that confirmed here. Under the latter 

 quality, if kind in their domestic relations, as I formerly noticed, so 

 were they to their dogs; unlike to many of their fraternity, who 

 have been noticed for their ill-treatment of these useful animals. 



