LAST VOYAGE OF CAPT. ROSS. 
423 
the difference was so great as to excite many complaints, and to 
raise a murmur, which, under any other circumstances than those, 
in which the crew were then placed, might have broken out into 
a direct mutiny. 
The weather on the 6th, was uncommonly fine, and the ship 
was visited by several Esquimaux, amongst whom were the man 
and boy, who had accompanied Commander Ross on his last 
excursion, and a fresh proof was now given, of the low cunning 
to which these people are addicted. Mention has already been 
made of the ox that was driven over the precipice ; but, as it 
was found impossible by Commander Ross, to convey both the 
animals to the ship, at the same time, he determined to leave the 
brute at the foot of the precipice, for a day or two, until an 
opportunity presented itself of fetching it away. Powyeke, 
however, determined to be before-hand with the commander; 
for he argued with himself, that if he cut up the ox, it did not 
follow, that it should be detected, that he was the anatomist; for 
a strong probability existed, that it might have been found by 
some of his tribe, and then little doubt remained as to the manner, 
in which the animal would have been disposed of. Besides, as it 
was his intention to sell the flesh of the ox to the Kabloonas, it 
was impossible, he thought, for them to identify the flesh, as 
having formed a part of the identical ox, which he had assisted in 
driving over the precipice; and, therefore, when he viewed the 
business from all these points, he hesitated not a moment in re¬ 
pairing to the spot, and having cutup the animal a V Esquimaux, 
he conveyed the principal parts to the vicinity of the ship, where 
he buried them under the snow, to traffic with them as the 
opportunity might offer. 
As their conduct on the expedition had entitled them to the 
commendation of Commander Ross, they each of them received 
a present of a seal knife; congratulating themselves on the 
acquisition of the very article, of which they stood in need, to 
enable them to cut up the buried joints of the ox, in a proper 
and dexterous manner. Capt„ Ross was not the first among the 
many sons of Adam, who have unwittingly placed a weapon in 
the hands of another, which in a short time, is to be turned to 
