MEETING WITH NATIVES. 123 
of skins lying on the rocks. As I approached these 
skins, several Eskimos sat upon them, telling me as 
they did so that the owner of them was away hunt- 
ing, and therefore I could not buy them. I assented, 
but asked to be allowed to look at them. Even this, 
however, was stoutly refused, as the owner was not 
present. I could not help admiring these fellows for 
their fidelity to one of their number. Some time was 
then spent in collecting information about the country, 
and in purchasing nicknacks of one kind and another, 
and while doing so the owner of the skins returned. 
He at once proceeded to open up his furs, which, with 
the exception of one wolf skin, were all musk-ox robes, 
but of inferior quality. The four best skins were picked 
out and reserved, and the frowsy remnant then offered 
to us. The poor skins, I told him, were not the ones 
we wanted, but for a time he positively refused to sell 
the good ones. After a little discussion, however, the 
crafty hunter came to the conclusion that he wanted a 
small kettle and some gun-caps (for he had an old gun), 
and so offered me one of the skins for these articles. 
We happened to have a kettle in which we had carried 
our butter, but which had now become only an article 
of extra baggage, so after some “serious consideration,” 
I concluded to let him have the kettle and some caps 
for the skin. 
It was then my turn to make him an offer. I pro- 
duced a telescope, a jack-knife, and an old shirt, and 
offered them for the three remaining robes. The temp- 
tation proved too great; the skins were handed over, 
and the telescope, knife and shirt accepted with great 
delight and many thanks. Although it was now time 
