IG A'ISIT THE SHORE. 



speedily got on a very good footing. The fiddle was 

 produced for their amusement, and in return we were 

 regaled by the monotonous beating of a species of 

 drum, which they had brought with them. 



Two of their number, who seemed more intelligent 

 than the rest, and took the most prominent share in 

 their doings, and were, therefore, conjectured to be 

 chiefs, informed us, by signs, of a convenient harbour 

 close to our position, and of their desire that we should 

 enter it. To ascertain the accuracy of their report, 

 Captain Moore sent me on shore to examine, the two 

 natives before alluded to accompanying me in the boat 

 without the slightest trepidation. By their direction, 

 I landed on the beach near their huts, and, surmount- 

 ing the shingly bank which had been formed by the 

 ice forcing up the shore, became in an instant the 

 centre of attraction to a varied group of men, women, 

 children, and dogs. It was now easy to discover that 

 we had as yet seen only men, the women were readily 

 distinguished by the difference of their costume and 

 other details. Having made the necessary observations, 

 I took leave of my companions, and returned to the 

 ship. 



On the morrow natives again visited us ; and one 

 of those whom we had yesterday supposed to be 

 chiefs, and who informed us that his name wa^AkouU, 



