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MEETING WITH NATIVES. 123 



of skins lying on the rocks. As I approached these 

 skins, several Eskimos sat upon them, telling me as 

 they did so that the owner of them was away hunt- 

 ing, and therefore I could not buy them. I assented, 

 but asked to be allowed to look at them. Even this, 

 however, was stoutly refused, as the owner was not 

 present. I could not help admiring these fellows for 

 their fidelity to one of their number. Some time was 

 then spent in collecting information about the country, 

 and in purchasing nicknacks of one kind and another, 

 and while doing so the owner of the skins returned. 

 He at once proceeded to open up his furs, which, with 

 the exception of one wolf skin, were all musk-ox robes, 

 but of inferior quality. The four best skins were picked 

 out and reserved, and the frowsy remnant then offered 

 to us. The poor skins, I told him, were not the ones 

 we wanted, but for a time he positively refused to sell 



e good ones. After a little discussion, however, the 

 crafty hunter came to the conclusion that he wanted a 

 small kettle and some gun-caps (for he had an old gun), 



d so offered me one of the skins for these articles. 

 We happened to have a kettle in which we had carried 

 our butter, but which had now become only an article 

 of extra baggage, so after some " serious consideration," 

 I concluded to let him have the kettle and some caps 

 for the skin. 



It was then my turn to make him an offer. I pro- 

 duced a telescope, a jack-knife, and an old shirt, and 

 offered them for the three remaining robes. The temp- 

 tation proved too great ; the skins were handed over, 

 and the telescope, knife and shirt accepted with great 

 delight and many thanks. Although it was now time 



