OF THE POLAR SEA. 73 



salute, some tobacco, vermilion to paint 

 their faces, a comb and a looking-glass. 



At eleven Akaitcho arrived ; at the first 

 notice of his appearance the flag was hoisted 

 at the fort, and, upon his nearer approach, 

 a number of muskets were fired by a party 

 of our people, and returned by his young 

 men. Akaitcho, preceded by his standard- 

 bearer, led the party, and advanced with a 

 slow and stately step to the door, where 

 Mr. Wentzel and I received him. The 

 faces of the party were daubed with vermi- 

 lion, the old men having a spot on the right 

 cheek, the young ones on the left. Akaitcho 

 himself was not painted. On entering he 

 sat down on a chest, the rest placed them- 

 selves in a circle on the floor. The pipe 

 | was passed once or twice round, and in the 

 > mean time a bowl of spirits and water, and 

 j a present, considerable for our circum- 

 stances, of cloth, blankets, capots, shirts, 

 &c. was placed on the floor for the chief's 

 ; acceptance, and distribution amongst his 

 people. Akaitcho then commenced his 

 ; speech, but I regret to say, that it was very 



