26S 
LAST VOYAGE OF CAPT. ROSS 
the source of no little gratification to Capt. Ross, to have the 
opinion confirmed by an individual, who appeared to possess such 
extraordinary talent, of the existence of an open sea to the 
westward, and Okkaru became in consequence a great favourite 
on board the Victory. The result however of her superior under¬ 
standing, and the attention that was shown to her, was just 
what might have been expected : Okkaru was a female, and 
what female head is indifferent to praise, whether it be on the 
shoulders of an Esquimaux, or a native of Middlesex. She found 
that she was treated with a degree of confidence, far superior to 
what was shown to the other females of her tribe; for whilst 
they were not permitted to ascend the gangway, and were kept 
shivering in the outer air, exposed to all the violence of the 
elements, the watchman on the gangway made way for Okkaru, 
as if she actually belonged to the ship; it is not therefore to be 
wondered at that she became giddy with her exaltation, and 
began to assume certain airs, which although infinitely diversi¬ 
fied in their operation according to circumstances, perhaps 
universally attend a too sudden accession of good fortune in 
every child of Adam from the equator to Felix Harbqur. The 
consequence of all, which was that Okkaru was spoiled; she con¬ 
sidered her admission into the ship and most of the cabins no 
longer as an indulgence but a matter of right; she ceased to 
return the slightest acknowledgment for any kindness or presents; 
became listless and inattentive in unravelling the meaning of the 
questions that were propounded to her, and careless whether her 
answers conveyed the information which was desired; in short 
Okkaru in the middle of February and Okkaru on the 1st of 
March were confessedly very different persons, at the same time 
it afforded no little amusement to observe the airs and graces 
which she put on, whenever one of her countrywomen accosted 
her; turning her back upon her, as if it were a condescension 
to speak to her ; nor was it very easy for any of the crew to per¬ 
suade themselves that the Okkaru who brought the belaying pin, 
and wa,s glad to receive a needle in return, was the same person 
who strutted about the deck of the Victory, as if she were Cleo¬ 
patra herself on board the vessel of Marc Anthony. The in- 
