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AECTIC RESEARCH EXPEDITION. 



much frightened. Jennie, the angeko, was seated near me, and 

 she tried to put as great a distance as possible between herself 

 and the negress, believing the apparition to be an evil spirit. But 

 all shortly became reconciled to the stranger, especially when 

 Smith resumed his place, playing and shouting, Innuit-like, and 

 making so much fun that all our sides ached with laughter. 

 Even the singing women were obliged occasionally to give way 

 and join in the merriment. 



The negress was next called on to act as drummer. Ooksin 

 held the keeloun while she performed "Yankee Doodle," "Hail 

 Columbia," and other pieces, with admirable skill and effect, using 

 two iron spoons for drum-sticks. The finale was a dance by two 

 Innuit ladies and two of the ship's crew, the music being fur- 

 nished by Bailey with his " viddle." 



At the early hour of half past six the performances closed, all 

 concerned being highly pleased with the enjoyments of the even- 

 ing. "A hearty laugh is as good as a feast." The number of 

 Innuit guests exceeded fifty ; many of the ladies were ornament- 

 ed in the height of fashion among the arctic aristocracy. The 

 brightly-glittering head-bands, and the pendents of variegated 

 beads which hung from each side of their hair, made the assembly 

 look quite theatre-like. Tookoolito was present with her infant, 

 as were many other ladies with similar organs of melody at their 

 backs. 



On the 28th of November we celebrated Thanksgiving Day to 

 the best of our ability. It is true, we had no turkeys, roast beef, 

 or onions ; but yet we had something extra — something besides 

 whale, salt junk, salt pork, and hard bread. It was a sea-pie of 

 foxes. The arctic fox is a very pretty species, and is killed in 

 considerable numbers by the Innuits for its flesh and its fine 

 white fur. 



The time wore on without many incidents especially worthy 

 of note till the 10th of December. I must, however, mention one 



scene which was deeply interesting. Captain B and several 



of the aft hands were in the main cabin, where were also Shevi- 

 koo, Koojesse, and other Innuits. The captain had a way of his 

 own in occasionally breaking out in strong, unmistakable terms 

 against that northern country. While speaking of it on the 

 evening referred to, he said, " Koojesse, what do you have such a 

 cold, bleak, barren, mountainous, rocky, icy, stormy, freezing coun- 

 try here for, unfit for a white man or any one else to live in ?" 



