116 OUR CLOTHING. 



learned to consider too cumbrous, though well suited 

 to repel cold ; against which, however, activity is the 

 best antidote. Our di^ess consisted of under-garments 

 of flannel, or fleeces and linen, trowsers of box-cloth, 

 or breeches of reindeer or seal-skin, heavy snow-boots, 

 which were found to be dreadfully inconvenient, large 

 frocks or shunts of reindeer skin, with the hair out- 

 wards, over which, in snowy weather, was drawn the 

 invaluable okoncho, a welshwig or woollen cap, covered 

 by a huge outside one, with a long-haired border 

 (mine was made of white bear-skin, provided, as was 

 nearly all my excellent equipment, by the foresight 

 of Yaneenga) ; worsted gloves, within large gauntlets 

 or mitts, completed our costumes, which increased our 

 bulk to double its ordinary dimensions, and made us 

 look funny enough. 



The 9th was so unfavourable, that we were com- 

 pelled to delay our journey, and were sufliciently occu- 

 pied in taking magnetic observations, revising our 

 wardrobes, and re-arranging the ladings of the sledges, 

 as considered advisable, the journey hither having 

 suggested some few alterations in that respect ; 

 Yaneenga, who seemed to consider us as her especial 

 charges, busied herself in making a pair of deer-skin 

 mocassins for Martin, that he might discard his snow- 

 boots, which were an effectual preventive to exercise. 



