OF A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 



169 



of music and merriment, was always sure to put her immediately into high in- 

 spirits. As they came three or four hours before the performance of " John F ^^!/ 

 Bull" was to commence, they began to grow tired and impatient, especially 

 when it became dusk and candles were brought into the cabin. The men 

 then explained that it would soon be dark, and that, in returning late to 

 their huts, they should disturb the people who would then be fast asleep 

 there. Finding that they grew uneasy, I made no objection to their return- 

 ing, and sent them off loaded with bread-dust and some oil for each of their 

 lamps. They remained long enough, however, to have a peep at Mrs. Brul- 

 gruddeiy, whose dress, when they were informed it was that of a kabloona 

 noollte-a, (European wife,) they were very anxious in examining, and seemed 

 to grieve at going away without witnessing the diversion which this and other 

 preparations seemed to promise. 



On the 13th our friends at the huts were fortunate in procuring three seals, Wed. 13. 

 an event that created great joy at the village. Mr. Allison, who happened to 

 be there when one of these prizes was announced, informed me that there 

 was a general outcry of joy ; all the women hurried to the doors of the huts, 

 and the children rushed to the beach to meet the men dragging along the 

 prize. One of these little urchins, to complete the triumphant exultation with 

 which this event was hailed, instantly threw himself on the animal, and, 

 clinging fast to it, was thus dragged to the huts. Each woman was observed 

 to bring her obtkooseek, or cooking-pot, to the hut where the seal was dis- 

 sected, for the purpose of receiving a share of the meat and blubber. 



Some light snow fell in the forenoon, though the day was otherwise clear. 

 A thermometer exposed to the sun's rays * at noon stood at — 9°, that in the 

 shade being 10° lower than this. The snow was melting on the black paint- 

 work and in other situations equally favourable. Another wolf, being the 

 third, was entrapped this evening, and Mr. Skeoch undertook to make a ske- 

 leton of it for preservation as a specimen of these animals. 



* It is here necessary to explain that the " temperatures in the sun" registered in this Jour- 

 nal, were taken by a thermometer suspended on the south side of an unpainted upright post, 

 at the distance of one hundred yards from the ship ; those " in the shade" by a correspond- 

 ing thermometer on its north side. This explanation is necessary, because, in certain situa- 

 tions, such as under the lee of the house, or the ships' 1 sterns, where much heat was radiated, 

 the snow was frequently melting, when in places not thus favourably situated, the sun pro- 

 duced no such effect, 



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