NATIVES REMAIN ON BOAUD THEIR FEAST. 10 



restored to-day by the wife of the reputed thief, who 

 thereupon received from our witty tars the cognomen 

 of " Thermometer Jack." During the night the 

 wind increased to a gale, which, however, did not 

 deter the natives from their accustomed visit. They 

 brought accounts that the upper harbour was freezing 

 over. In the afternoon the wind and sea became so 

 boisterous, that our visitors were unable to return to 

 shore ; their boats were hoisted up, and preparations 

 made for their accommodation during the night. 



It was of course necessary to provide them with food ; 

 and as they did not like our usual diet, culinary in- 

 vention was brought to bear upon the subject most 

 successfully. We had on board a large pitch-kettle 

 which fortunately had not yet been in use ; in this 

 were boiled together oatmeal, biscuit, and fat, which 

 latter the episode of the tallow candle convinced us 

 would be appreciated. The mixture was distributed to 

 groups and individuals in all the vessels we could 

 muster, and was devoured with manifest appreciation, 

 the diligence of the partakers only lessening upon an 

 approach to satiety. Immediately upon the conclusion 

 of the meal, pipes were universally produced and filled, 

 fire struck with flint and steel, and a smoke taken by 

 each, after which the demand for tin-tin-mee-mil 

 (fresh water) became general, which we had great 



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