OF A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 405 



always the first to make the objection. We had therefore to furnish a ^^'-^- 

 separate set of things for each person, and Innooksioo was so unhappy 



while the boiler of the stove, which held several gallons, was used for 

 thawing snow for another person's consumption as well as his own, that 

 we were under the necessity of allowing his wife to burn her own lamp, 

 and thus provide him with water at the expense of nearly a gallon of our oil 

 per day. One day, however, this prejudice received a very necessary and 

 serviceable check. Mr. Skeoch while pouring out some medicine into a 

 little glass measure used exclusively for that purpose, and which could not 

 be changed for any other, observed Innooksioo beginning to acquaint the 

 other patient, for whom the draught was intended, that he had been drinking 

 out of the same vessel. Mr. Skeoch perceiving the absolute necessity of 

 opposing him in this instance, immediately, and with great seriousness, 

 threatened to beat him if he dared to say another word. The other man 

 having in part overheard from behind his screen what had been going on, 

 asked Innooksioo some question before he would put the vessel to his lips, 

 but Mr. Skeoch's threat having entirely closed those of Innooksioo, no answer 

 was returned, the medicine was drank without further hesitation, and this 

 point once for all effectually gained. 



These and several other fancies of the Esquimaux combined, as may be 

 supposed, to render the hospital duties no sinecure to those engaged in per- 

 forming them ; and in thus noticing occurrences in themselves perhaps so 

 trivial and unimportant, I have had in view the double object of illustrating 

 the character and disposition of these people, and of doing all the justice in 

 my power to those gentlemen who, with unabated patience and assiduity, 

 continued to combat every difficulty, resolved if possible to cure the Esqui- 

 maux even in spite of themselves. 



While such were the difficulties attending the management of our public Mon. lo. 

 infirmary. Captain Lyon had suiFered his full share of annoyance from the 

 frowardness of Kaga, who, to the usual unthankfulness of the Esquimaux 

 disposition, unfortunately added a degree of self-willed perverseness that 

 rendered her wholly intractable, and wore out the patience of all that were 

 concerned in attending upon her. Her strength and spirits were now so much 

 restored that she could sing when not too sulky, and had made for herself 

 a fear-nought jacket, of which she stood much in need, so that it was de- 

 termined to send her back to the village; Nui/dk/ia, a man noted for his 

 respectability, and who said that his wife was Kaga's sister, having pro- 



