OF THE POLAR SEA. 81 



The tidings were received with apparent 

 indifference, by people whose lives are al- 

 ternate changes from the extremity of want 

 to abundance. But as their countenances 

 seldom betray their emotions, it cannot be 

 determined whether their apathy is real or 

 affected. However, the women prepared 

 their sledges and dogs, with the design of 

 dismembering, and bringing home, the car- 

 cass ; a proceeding to which, in their neces- 

 sitous condition, I could have had neither 

 reasonable nor available objections, without 

 giving them a substitute. By much solici- 

 tation I obtained an audience, and offered 

 them our own provisions, on condition of 

 their suspending the work of destruction 

 till the next day. They agreed to the pro- 

 position, and we set out with some Indians 

 for the place where the animal was lying. 

 The night advancing, we were separated by 

 a snow storm, and not being skilful enough 

 to follow tracks which were so speedily 

 filled up, I was bewildered for several hours 

 in the woods, when I met with an Indian, 

 who led me back at such a pace that I was 



VOL. II. G- 



