last VOYAGE OF CAPT. RObS. 
187 
mander Ross accompanied them for nearly two miles, and having 
parted from them on the most friendly terms, returned on board. 
At the close of divine service on the following day, the officers 
went in search of the habitation of the Esquimaux, but before 
they had proceeded a mile, they saw the Esquimaux approaching, 
and they returned with them to their huts, where every proof 
of kindness, which their savage nature could suggest, was shown 
to the illustrious visitors. It is perhaps not illiberal to remark 
that this kindness was in a great degree, the consequence of the 
presents, which Capt. Ross had brought with him, for on receiving 
any thing, their joy was excessive, jumping and shouting in the 
most hideous manner, and making the most extraordinary ges¬ 
tures, as if they were a set of lunatics. The tribe consisted of 
about 70, and it was ascertained that the place where they had 
now constructed their huts, was what they called their stow- 
hole, or depository of their winter provisions, it appearing to be 
the custom of these people, during their hunting excursions 
in the summer, to bury the produce of the chace in deep 
holes in the snow, and then in the winter to construct their 
huts in the immediate vicinity of their magazines. From 
information obtained from them, the rein-deer and other ar¬ 
ticles of food which were seen in their stow-hole, had been 
buried there since last September, and as soon as this stock 
of provisions was exhausted, it was their intention to move 
farther into the country, where they had established another 
magazine. 
The natives in return for the presents, gave Capt. Ross a bow 
and arrow, and several of them were induced to return with 
the officers to the ship, with a view no doubt of having some 
further presents made them. Two of them were taken into the 
cabin when dinner was served up, but they seemed to view the 
good things with positive disgust, and no invitation nor entreaty 
could induce them to partake of them. 
It may be here necessary to state, that on the sailing of the 
vessel it was a regular order throughout the ship, that no man 
was to be allowed to purchase any article of an Esquimaux, and 
