OF A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 



179 



After quitting this scene of filth, I found, on returning to Kaoongut's hut, p ^J T? 

 that Toolooak had been no less successful than his brother, and that the 

 same operation was also performing here. Having, therefore, explained to 

 Iligliuk that none of them were to come to the ships the following day, I 

 had no inclination to see the process repeated, and was glad to take my 

 leave. 



We observed a great deal of open water to the southward, about three 

 miles from the land, with the usual cloud of frost-smoke hovering over it. 

 The ice on which we had accompanied the Esquimaux a few days before had 

 now entirely disappeared, and on that side of the island the clear water again 

 washed the shore. 



On the 24th no natives visited the ships, in consequence of my injunction Sun. 24. 

 to that effect. This, however, was the only Sunday on which they complied 

 with it, partly, I believe, from their not rightly understanding what we wished, 

 but perhaps more from their not much piquing themselves on sacrificing any 

 convenience of their own to that of others. A great number of dovekies, 

 whose plumage appeared still whiter than before, were swimming about off 

 the point, but the risk of sending a boat among the young ice in the tide- 

 way was too great to attempt it. The weather was remarkably fine and plea- 

 sant, the wind being light from the north-west ; but the thermometer was low 

 during the day, and fell to — 32° at midnight. At noon, on 'the 25th, it was Mon. 25. 

 at — 28° in the shade, and at — 16° in the sun. The temperature of the sea 

 at the surface, and that at the bottom in the seven fathoms were both 28° 

 by the same thermometer. 



The 26th was a clear and moderate day, and the thermometer gradually Tues. 26. 

 rose to — 9° at midnight. The wind became easterly for a few hours, and 

 then suddenly veered again to the northward. Our theatre closed this night 

 for the season with the two farces of " The Citizen," and " High Life below 

 Stairs." The ships' companies testified the gratification which they had derived 

 from these performances in their own way, namely, by three hearty cheers at 

 the fall of the curtain ; and the officers, I am confident, considered their 

 trouble more than repaid by this expression of the men's feelings. 



The veering of the wind to the northward soon produced its usual effect of Wed. 27. 

 reducing the temperature of the atmosphere, and the thermometer rapidly 

 fell till it had reached — 37°. On the 28th, Okotook and Iligliuk coming Thur 2 8, 

 on board, an occurrence took place, which, as it shews the disposition of 

 the Esquimaux, and especially of one of the most intelligent and interesting 



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