214 



SECOND VOYAGE FOR THE DISCOVERY 



A jji rature. This effect was invariably produced by the wind suddenly blow- 

 • ing on a thermometer, when the mercury had been considerably raised by 



Sat. 20. exposure to the sun's rays. On the 20th the wind blew fresh from the north- 

 east, which only requires to be noticed because, for the last fortnight, we 

 had scarcely experienced a breeze, which in the language of a sea-log had 

 sufficient strength to be called " moderate." On the 21st Mr. Bird saw a 

 flock of seven birds, which he took to be grouse. 

 Mon. 22. O n tne 22d a number of the Esquimaux came to the ships with a sledge, 

 and among the rest my late host Arnaneelia and his wife, the latter having 

 the front of her jacket adorned with numberless strings of beads that we 

 had given her, arranged with exact uniformity, to which, in the fashion of 

 their dresses and the disposition of their ornaments, these people always 

 rigidly adhere. Aneetka had scarcely reached the cabin when she pro- 

 duced a little ivory comb and a pair of handsome mittens, which she pre- 

 sented to Mr. Edwards, at the same time thanking him for the attention he 

 had shewn her on an occasion when she had been taken in a fit alongside 

 the Fury, from which she was recovered by bleeding, This expression of 

 gratitude, in which she was heartily joined by her husband, was extremely 

 gratifying to us ; as it served, in some degree, to redeem these people 

 in our estimation from the imputation of ingratitude, which is indeed one 

 of their greatest failings. They stated having seen two rein-deer the pre- 

 ceding day going over the ice to the main land. They spoke of this with 

 great pleasure ; and we were ourselves not displeased with the prospect 

 of changing our diet for a little venison. They now became extremely 

 urgent with us for wood to make bows and arrows, most of their own 

 having, with the childishness that accompanied their first barterings, been 

 parted with to our officers and men. Having several broken oars which 

 could be turned to little or no account on board, we were enabled, at a small 

 expense of useful stores, to furnish them very abundantly with wood for 

 this purpose. Arnaneelia also informed us that Okotook, who had been 

 unwell for some days, was now much worse, and seemed, as he described 

 it, to be labouring under a violent pulmonary complaint. On the circum- 

 stance being mentioned to Mr. Skeoch, he kindly volunteered to go to 

 the village, and accordingly took his seat on the sledge accompanied also 

 by Mr. Sherer. They carried with them a quantity of bread-dust to be dis- 

 tributed among the Esquimaux at the huts, their success in seal catching 

 having lately been indifferent. 



