254 SECOND JOURNEY TO THE 



drift- timber," says Dr. Richardson, " on al- 

 most every part of the coast, that a suffi- 

 cient supply of fuel for a ship might easily 

 be collected ; and," he adds, ' ' should the 

 course of events ever introduce a steam- 

 vessel into those seas, it may be important 

 to know that, in coasting the shores between 

 Cape Bathurst and the Mackenzie, fire- 

 wood sufficient for her daily consumption 

 may be gathered." The following is the 

 description of an Esquimaux village, in 

 which was one very curious building : — 



" The large building for an assembly- 

 room was, in the interior, a square of twenty- 

 seven feet, having the log-roof supported on 

 two strong ridge poles, two feet apart, and 

 resting on four upright posts. The floor in 

 the centre, formed of split logs, dressed and 

 laid with great care, was surrounded by a 

 raised border about three feet wide, which 

 was, no doubt, meant for seats. The walls, 

 three feet high, were inclined outwards, for 

 the convenience of leaning the back against 

 them, and the ascent to the door, which was 

 on the south side, was formed of logs. The 



