FIRST VOYAGE OF CAPT. ROSS. 
91 
while the how of the Isabella, which was close to the ice, was 
crowded with the crew; and certainly a more ludicrous, yet 
interesting scene was never beheld, than that which took place 
while they were reviewing the ship, nor is it possible to convey 
to the imagination, any thing like a just representation of the 
wild amazement, joy and fear, which successively peivaded the 
countenances, and governed the gestures of these creatures, who 
gave full vent to their feelings. Their shouts, halloos, and 
laughter were heartily joined in, and imitated by all hands, as 
well as the ceremony of nose pulling, which could not fail to in¬ 
crease the mirth of the sailors and of the whole party. 
The natives now accompanied the party to that part of the bow 
of the ship, from which a rope ladder was suspended, and the 
mode of mounting it was shown them, but it was a considerable 
time before they could be prevailed upon to ascend ; the new 
wonders that now surrounded them on every side caused fresh 
astonishment, which after a moment of suspense always termi¬ 
nated in loud and hearty laughter. 
The only thing they looked on with contempt was a little 
terrier dog, judging no doubt that it was too small for drawing 
a sledge, but they shrunk back as if in terror from a pig, whose 
pricked ears and ferocious aspect, being of the Shetland breed, 
presented somewhat of a formidable appearance. This animal 
happening to grunt, one of them was so terrified, that he became 
from that moment uneasy, and appeared impatient to get out of 
the ship. 
Among other amusements afforded to the officers and men on 
board, by their trials on the inexperience of the natives, was the 
effect produced upon them by seeing their faces in a magnifying 
mirror: their grimaces were highly entertaining, while like 
monkies, they looked first into it, and then behind it, in hope of 
finding the monster, which was exaggerating their hideous 
gestures. A watch was also held to the ear of one, who sup¬ 
posing it alive, asked if it was good to eat. On being shown 
the glass of the skylight and binnacle, they touched it, and 
desired to know what kind of ice it was. During this scene 
one of them wandered to the main hatchway, and stooping down 
