60 SONGS AND DANCES. 



the rancid oil and blubber, which they used as 

 perfumes,) they assembled upon deck to dance. 

 The women did not dance, but assisted as mu 

 sicians. Their song, accompanied by the dull 

 music of the tambourine, consisted of a few 

 hollow and unconnected tones, sent forth at 

 intervals to keep time with the stamping of 

 their feet. The men made the most extraordi 

 nary motions with their arms and bodies, vary 

 ing them by high leaps into the air, while 

 showers of feathers fell from their heads. Every 

 dancer retained his own place, but turning con 

 tinually round and round, gave the spectators 

 an opportunity of admiring him on all sides. One 

 only stood a little apart ; he was particularly de 

 corated with ermine-skins and feathers, and beat 

 time for the dancing with a staff ornamented 

 with the teeth of the sea-otter. He appeared 

 to be the director of all the movements. 



At every pause we offered tobacco-leaves to 

 the dancers and musical ladies: both sexes eager 

 ly seized the favourite refreshment, and cram 

 med their mouths with it, then recommencing 

 the music and dancing with renewed alacrity. 

 When at length downright exhaustion put an 



