COMFORTABLE QUARTERS. 157 



and an air of self-respect visible in every action, 

 betokened not only his superiority, but also his 

 knowledge of it. 



Entering the yarang M^ith our host, we were 

 ceremoniously presented to his neat and pretty little 

 wife, who soon showed that she had been well chosen 

 for her industrious habits. A canopy of white sacking, 

 variegated with printed cottons, was quickly spread 

 over head, and deer-skins of beauty and fine condition 

 laid down for our repose. All was bright and clean ; 

 not a speck was observable on the walrus-skin floor, nor 

 a stray hair lodged upon one's dress. Every prepa- 

 ration that a hearty welcome could suggest was put 

 in force for our comfort ; we were divested of our 

 heavy dresses, and reclined at ease in a moderate 

 temperature, for Ahmoleen saw at once our distress 

 in great heat, and instantly reduced it. In a very 

 brief space of time a delightful, because clean, meal 

 of boiled venison was served, upon which our host 

 would have had us surfeit ourselves. He seemed 

 very desirous that we should remain some time with 

 him, counting five upon his fingers, to denote the 

 days he would have us stay, and seeming greatly 

 disappointed when we intimated our inability to 

 accept his kind invitation. We smoked our pipes in 

 quiet conversation, after which our host, with 



