OF THE POLAR SEA. 



245 



she might be buried at a distance from the 

 fort, that he might not be reminded of his 

 loss when he visited us. 



Keskarrah, the guide, also remained be- 

 hind, with his wife and daughter. The 

 old man has become too feeble to hunt, and 

 his time is almost entirely occupied in at- 

 tendance upon his wife, who has been long 

 afflicted with an ulcer on the face, which has 

 nearly destroyed her nose. 



Lately he made an offering to the water 

 spirits, whose wrath he apprehended to be 

 the cause of her malady. It consisted of a 

 knife, a piece of tobacco, and some other 

 trifling articles, which were tied up in a 

 small bundle and committed to the rapid 

 with a long prayer. He does not trust en- 

 tirely, however, to the relenting of the spirits 

 for his wife's cure, but comes daily to Dr. 

 Richardson for medicine. 



Upon one occasion he received the medi- 

 cine from the doctor with such formality, 

 and wrapped it up in his rein-deer robe 

 with such extraordinary carefulness, that it 

 excited the involuntary laughter of Mr. 



