58 



THE LAST CRUISE OF THE MIRANDA. 



to be Sukkertoppen (Sugar-loaf), an Eskimo settlement of 

 about four hundred people, ruled by Governor Bistrup and 

 Assistant Governor Baumann. As soon as the ship dropped 

 anchor we were surrounded by a fleet of kayaks and oomiaks — 



or woman's boat. 

 It was not long 

 before several of 

 our boats were 

 lowered among 

 this, to us, novel 

 fleet, and we 

 were soon on 

 shore. Here the 

 entire popula- 

 tion, with the 

 exception of 

 those in the 

 boats, had gatli- 

 ered just in 

 front of the gov- 

 ernors' house, 

 and received us 

 with every expression of simple-minded wonder and delight. 

 We found that the governors were away for the time being, 

 and so we paid our respects to their ladies, and were most 

 hospitably entertained by them. After coming out from 

 the governors' house we had great sport with the natives. 

 The prettiest girls were selected from the crowd, which kept 

 in a solid phalanx, and induced, with much difficulty at 

 times, for they were not lacking in coquetry, to come 

 forward and have their pictures taken. Then we scattered 

 over the settlement generally, and the crowd broke and 

 followed us about in sections. 



It was not long before the commercial spirit displayed 



DANISH BUILDINGS AT SUKKERTOPPEN. 



