OF THE POLAR SEA. 



217 



where, and that plenty might come into 

 their pound. He next prayed that the 

 other animals might be numerous, and par- 

 ticularly those which were valuable for their 

 furs, and then implored that the party pre- 

 sent might escape the sickness which was 

 at that time prevalent, and be blessed with 

 constant health. Some other supplications 

 followed, which we could not get interpreted 

 without interrupting the whole proceeding ; 

 but, at every close, the whole Indian party 

 assented by exclaiming Aha ; and when he 

 had finished, the old man drank a little and 

 passed the cup round. After these cere- 

 monies each person smoked at his leisure, 

 and they engaged in a general conversation, 

 which I regretted not understanding, as it 

 seemed to be very humorous, exciting fre- 

 quent bursts of laughter. The younger 

 men, in particular, appeared to ridicule the 

 abstinence of one of the party, who neither 

 dranked nor smoked. He bore their jeer- 

 ing with perfect composure, and assured 

 them, as I was told, they would be better if 

 they would follow his example. I was 



