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ARCTIC RESEARCH EXPEDITION. 



breakfast — I would gladly have eaten two pounds could I have 

 had it — and soon afterward started for the head of Peter Force's 

 Sound, where some more igloos of the natives were situated. 

 Arriving there at noon, I directed my steps to the igloo of Oo- 

 soo-kar-ho, whom I had seen the night before at Sampson's. I 

 was met and kindly welcomed by his wife, quickly finding my- 

 self at home. I now quote from my diary : 



"Monday, December 16th, 1861. * * * * After a few words 

 of greeting and gladness from her, I commenced taking off my 

 feet gear, for the object of holding my almost frozen feet over the 

 ikhumer. I had just removed my kumings as in came a very 

 venerable Innuit woman, whom I remembered having seen sev- 

 eral times before, but whose name I could not call to mind ; but 

 I passed the compliments of the day by saying, L As-shu-e-tid-ley V 

 (Are you well?) To which she replied, ' Ter-boy-ou-lod 1 (very 

 well). I was seated on the tuktoo bed, and commenced at once to 

 move on one side to make room for the old lady. But she signi- 

 fied to me to keep my seat, at the same time picking up the snow- 

 shovel (pwa-kiri), which is a small pine board with handle, plac- 

 ing it near my feet, and seating herself on it. The old lady, see- 

 ing me engaged in extricating my feet from their gear, put forth 

 her hands, and drew off my double set of native socks and tuktoo 

 stockings. She did not stop here, though I assured her that 

 would do. I had on, next my feet, civilization stockings, and in- 

 tended keeping them on ; but Pe-ta-to — for this is the name of 

 the warm-hearted old mother — grasped first one foot and then 

 the other, stripping each bare ! Quick as thought she lifted up 

 the double flaps of the front of her tuktoo jacket, and as quickly 

 placed my ik-ke is-si-kars (cold feet) flatly upon her body, and 



GENUINE HOSPITALITY. 



