80 Our North Land. 



tobacco, and felt that the native had been badly swindled ; while, on 

 the other hand, he seemed to think he had struck a bonanza, and 

 grinned all over his great broad ugly face. 



With a disposition to continue the traffic I inquired for " Nan- 

 nuk," or white bear skin. He exhibited a piece about eighteen 

 inches square, and I brought out some more tobacco, but he shook 

 his head and wanted "og-jik" (powder). I had none of this. Then 

 he wanted " in-nip-a-lowlite," (gun caps) ; I had none ; and then he 

 shouted " de-vine-looka," all of which meant only " shot," but I had 

 none. However, he was not to be easily discouraged and called for 

 a " shi-powit," or a pipe. I had only one, and could not part with 

 that, so I said, turning away, " ok-shan-i," or good-bye. This was a 

 good stroke — I mean a business stroke. He came to time without 

 delay and called after me : " Pish-shee-yon-ma-go-lova-too-goot," or 

 " I want to trade." I then exhibited two plugs of black- strap, and 

 asked, in a decided tone of voice, as if it were my last offer, 

 " oomungde ? " He yielded, and I became the happy owner of this 

 small piece of valuable skin. 



Just then a new arrival advanced, and, extending my hand, I 

 said carelessly, " kan-we-kuk " (how are you). He took my hand 

 and shook it heartily, and spreading out his skins, said, " pish-shee- 

 yon-ma-go-lova." I turned him over to a companion who relieved 

 him of his peltries, giving in return therefor as little in value as I 

 had done for the goods obtained from the first. 



Every man on ship-board, as soon as we got into Hudson Strait, 

 became a trader, from the cook's-devil (Johnny) to the skipper, and 

 for weeks it was unsafe to leave powder, shot, tobacco or any other 

 article of commerce lying round loose, as they were liable to be con- 

 verted into peltries sometimes without the consent of the proper 

 persons. All obtained something, and got that something cheaply. 



Later in the day, I attempted to interview one of the natives, 

 through an interpreter, without much success, as follows: — 



" Are there many natives in this section of the country ?" 



" He says most likely there is." 



" But don't he know ? " 



" Yes, he says most likely there is a good many." 



