132 The Natives Wish to Visit the Ships Af/ain. [January, jses. 



The rays of the aurora were vertical; it appeared all alive, as if in 

 high glee, dancing to and fro with almost the rapidity of lightning. 

 The three belts extending from southeast to northwest were the most 

 interesting, as they often flashed into the brilliant colors of the rain- 

 bow. Each belt occasionally resolved itself into two lines or tiers of 

 rays; as one line would dance rapidly to windward, the other would 

 dance as quickly in the opposite direction. This extraordinary display 

 lasted five minutes — an unusual time. Hall was so impressed with it 

 tliat he wrote, " If at home it could be witnessed for one moment, one 

 would say, 'I never saw northern lights before.'" 



The natives were now looking forward to hunt again for walrus 

 when the ice should form. After securing one animal they would 

 renew their visit to the whale-ships. They pleaded for this visit their 

 promise to assist the captains in getting fresh meat for the crews, and 

 their having received from them many presents without making any 

 in return. Hall's journal says : 



Innuits are a strange people to deal with; a wliite man, to get along with 

 them, must have the patience of Job. They are the children of nature, and like 

 to do just as a notion leads them. I learned this evening that half the people of 

 the village, including several of the women, are making arrangements to accom- 

 pany me down to Depot Island. I must try to check this, for if the Innuits can 

 be induced to be here in the middle of February, I can make my desired journey 

 next spring. If I had a small vessel at Eepulse Bay, I could learn all the particu- 

 lars of the Franklin Expedition in two years; with Innuits alone it may take live 

 or more. 11 I liaxc, liowever, a team of ten dogs, mj'self Ebierbing and Too- 

 koo-li-too can reach Boothia Felix in the spring. I regret that I have not a few 

 white men with me. 



But a second visit to the ship at Depot Island was arranged. 

 Tlio party was made up of Hall, six Innuit men, Too-koo-li-too, and 

 six other females, a boy (Oot-jnk), and two babes; all of whom were 



