234 



SECOND VOYAGE FOR THE DISCOVERY 



single plant was found in a state of vegetation, which may perhaps account 

 for the almost total absence of birds, as we only saw one raven and three 

 snow buntings. The deer were all in a most wretched condition, and sub- 

 sistence was barely afforded them from the withered plants of the last season ; 

 yet it may be inferred that these animals are numerous in the summer, from 

 the circumstance of our finding on almost every elevated ridge of hills the 

 remains of Esquimaux dwellings, and the piles of stones behind which the 

 hunters are used to conceal themselves. We only twice procured water at 

 noon, and many hours of painful thirst were in consequence experienced. I 

 cannot conclude this account without particularly noticing the great assist- 

 ance derived from our snow shoes, without which it would not have been 

 possible to proceed even a fourth of the distance we passed over, the snow 

 being, at this season, very deep and soft." 



Tues. 23. On the 23d, our neighbours the Esquimaux, who had long by their own 

 account been setting off for Amitioke, at length began in earnest to pack up 

 for their departure. As soon as their preparations were finished, I sent for 

 them all on board, and gave them one of their own sledges, of which they 

 were much in want for carrying their goods, a couple of boarding-pikes, some 

 knives, and several tin canisters filled with bread-dust for their journey. 

 These presents had scarcely been made them when we had reason to appre- ) 

 hend so sudden an influx of wealth might produce serious effects, especially 

 upon the women, whose joy threw them into immoderate fits of laughter, 

 almost amounting to hysterics, which were succeeded by a flood of tears. 

 The men seemed thankful, though less noisy in the expression of their 

 acknowledgments. As soon as some degree of composure was restored, 

 we accompanied them to their baggage, which they had stowed on two of 

 the small travelling sledges given them by Captain Lyon, but which they 

 now shifted to their own. When all was ready, and some other valuable 

 presents had been added to their stock by Captain Lyon, they proceeded to 

 the northward, the women assisting to drag the sledge, for they had only one 

 large dog and one puppy. On taking their departure, these good-humoured 

 and ever-cheerful people greeted us with three cheers in the true Kabloona 

 style, a mode of salutation they had witnessed once or twice among us, and 



Frid. 24. frequently practised for their amusement and ours. On the 24th we found 

 they had only proceeded a few miles, as "John Bull" once more made his 



