144 VISIT OF NATIVES. Chap. VIII. 



heard, altliough. we could scarcely distinguish 

 them upon the land-ice. The ship was made 

 fast, and the shouting party, consisting of three 

 men, three women, and two children, eagerly 

 came on hoard. Only four individuals remained 

 on shore. 



The old chief Kal-lek is remarkable amongst 

 Esquimaux for having a bald head. He in- 

 quired by name for his friend Captain Ingle- 

 field. These three families have spent the last 

 two years upon this coast, between Cape Hors- 

 burgh and Croker Bay. Their knowledge does 

 not extend further in either direction. They 

 are natives of more southern lands, and crossed 

 the ice in Lancaster Sound with dog-sledges. 

 Since the visit of the 'Phoenix' in '54 they 

 have seen no ships, nor have any wrecks drifted 

 upon their shores. They seemed very fat and 

 healthy, but complained that all the reindeer 

 had gone away, and asked if we could tell 

 where they went to ? Our presents of wood, 

 knives, and needles were eagerly received. 

 They assured us that Lancaster Sound was still 

 frozen over, and that all the sea was covered 

 with pack. After half an hour's delay we 

 steamed onward, and on reaching a larger space 

 of water our hopes (somewhat depressed by the 

 native intelligence) began to revive. But we 



