A TUSKI FEAST, 173 



engulfing them for a brief period, witlidrcAv tlieni 

 quite in apple-pie order once more. 



The board was now again replenished, this time 

 with viands less repellent to our unnurtured tastes. 

 Boiled seal and walrus flesh appeared, and our 

 hospitable friends were greatly relieved when they 

 beheld us assist in the consumption of these items, 

 which, being utterly devoid of flavour, were dis- 

 tasteful only from their extreme toughness and mode 

 of presentation, but we did not, of course, desire to 

 appear too singular or squeamish. Next came a 

 portion of whale's flesh, or, rather, whale's skin ; this 

 was perfect ebony in hue, and we discovered some 

 apprehensions respecting its fitness as an article of 

 food ; but our fears were groundless. It was cut and 

 recut crosswise into diminutive cubes ; venturing 

 upon one of which we were agreeably surprised to 

 find it possessing a cocoa-nut flavour, like which also 

 it ate, " very short ;" indeed so much astonished were 

 we on this occasion that we had consumed a very 

 considerable number of these cubes, and with great 

 relish too, before we recovered from our wonder. 

 This dish was ever afterwards a favourite with me. On 

 its disappearance a very limited quantity of boiled 

 reindeer meat, fresh and fat, was served up, to which 

 we did ample justice ; then came portions of the gum 



