nd dragged them along at a great rate, much to the satisfaction
of the Esquimaux, who were very assiduous in piloting us to the best
landing-place upon the ice, where we were met by several of their
companions and conducted to the tents. Before we had reached the shore,
however, we had obtained one very interesting piece of information,
namely, that it was Igloolik on which we were now about to land, and
that we must therefore have made a very near approach to the strait
which, as we hoped, was to conduct us once more into the Polar Sea.

We found here two divisions of tents, there being eleven where we
landed, and five more about half a mile to the northward. By the time we
reached the tents we were surrounded by a crowd of men, women, and
children, all carrying some trifling article, which they offered in
barter, a business they seemed to understand as well, and to need much
more than their countrymen to the southward. We were, of course, not
backward in promoting a good understanding by means of such presents as
we had brought with us, but they seemed to have no idea of our giving
them anything _gratis_, always offering some trifle in exchange, and
expressing hesitation and surprise when we declined accepting it. This
was not to be wondered at among people who scarcely know what a free
gift is among themselves; but they were not long in getting rid of all
delicacy or hesitation on this score.

The tents, which varied in size according to the number of occupants,
consisted of several seal and walrus skins, the former dressed without
the hair, and the latter with the thick outer coat taken off, and the
rest shaved thin, so as to allow of the transmission of light through
it. These were put together in a clumsy and irregular patchwork, forming
a sort of bag of a shape rather oval than round, and supported near the
middle by a rude tent-pole composed of several deer's horns or the bones
of other animals lashed together. At the upper end of this is attached
another short piece of bone at right angles, for the purpose of
extending the skins a little at the top, which is generally from six to
seven feet from the ground. The lower part of the tent-pole rests on a
large stone, to keep it from sinking into the ground, and, being no way
secured, is frequently knocked down by persons accidentally coming
against it, and again replaced upon the stone. The lower borders of the
skins are held down by stones laid on them outside; and