STEALING. 265 



decline early ; for althougli nearly all the old women 

 we saw were, candidly to speak, almost hideous, their 

 strength did not seem to have forsaken them 

 greatly. We obtained by barter some very fine fish, 

 among which were beautiful salmon, also various 

 articles of dress and curiosity. From one damsel I 

 purchased the frock she wore ; and although we of a 

 milder clime found the night sensibly cold, the loss 

 of the garment did not seem to be at all inconvenient ; 

 it was decorated with a number of small white beads, 

 but these were particularly exempted in the bargain, 

 and the girls were all most anxious to ol)tain this 

 kind. A few faint streaks of Aurora were observed 

 to night, the first seen during the season. I think it 

 worth while to notice the abstraction of two articles 

 at this place, taken probably while the boats were 

 partly unloaded : one was a bottle, containing lemon 

 syrup ; the other a handsome clasp-knife, of Spanish 

 manufacture, about ten inches long, having the 

 handle of ivory, with etching in compartments ; its 

 recognition by any future expedition may be 

 productive of interest. 



A strong current running to the westward, of 

 fresh and yellow water, evidenced on the 25th 

 proximity to the efflux of the Mackenzie, oui* delight 

 at which may well be imagined. We landed in the 



