KAKSIMIUT. 253 



the accordion drawled, and the feet shuffled arid stamped 

 in tune. The ball was opened. As we came out, the 

 same sight met us as at Julianeshaab in the stores. In a 

 cloud of dust, redolent of the fumes of the oil-lamps, 

 heads were spinning round each other ; and here, too, the 

 tuft of hair belonging to some fair one came in very 

 close contact with the face of the partner or spectator. 

 The conversation was highly interesting, and it was not 

 long before our old host had grasped a jolly maiden, 

 and was swinging round with the others. He could not 

 understand that neither myself, nor the steersmen, who 

 now came in, would know anything of the dance. 



Much too early, according to his idea, did we leave his 

 hospitable roof, and much too little honour had we done 

 to his rum. • He could not reproach himself in that 

 respect, for, even after our departure, he continued to 

 probe the contents of the bottle in quiet solitude, even- 

 tually giving unmistakable proofs to the still active 

 company in the ball-room of the effect produced by a 

 somewhat excessive enjoyment of spirituous liquors. 



The morning of the 18th of July brought more life 

 than usual into our neighbourhood. A small coasting 

 vessel, bound to Julianeshaab, had, on her return journey, 

 put into Kaksimiut harbour in order to land some goods 

 and take in oil. She brought the news that the Peru, on 

 her way to Julianeshaab, would that day pass Kaksimiut. 

 For Motzfield, besides various other things, they had 

 brought a barrel of liquor. The receiver had at once 

 proved both quality and quantity, and found them excel- 

 lent, which accounted for his spirits being of the best 

 order when he came on board that morning. Not long 

 after that, we saw him pull out of the bay in holiday 



