ine for a short time, and we
saw above thirty islands, which I named COXE'S GROUP, varying in
size from one hundred yards to a mile or more in length. Two deer
were observed on the northern land, which was called _Khead-Laghioo_
by the Esquimaux, and Toolemak accompanied Dunn in chase of them. On
crossing to bring over our game, we found the old Esquimaux had
skinned and broken up the deer after his own manner, and my
companions being without food, I divided it into shares.

"Arriving on the ice, a skin was taken from the sledge as a seat,
and we all squatted down to a repast which was quite new to me. In
ten minutes the natives had picked the deer's bones so clean that
even the hungry dogs disdained to gnaw them a second time. Dunn and
myself made our breakfast on a choice slice cut from the spine, and
found it so good, the windpipe in particular, that at dinner-time we
preferred the same food to our share of the preserved meat which we
had saved from the preceding night.

"As we sat I observed the moschetoes to be very numerous, but they
were lying in a half torpid state on the ice, and incapable of
molesting us. Soon after noon we set forward on our return, and,
without seeing any object but the flat and decaying ice, passed from
land to land with our former celerity, dashing through large pools
of water much oftener than was altogether agreeable to men who had
not been dry for above thirty hours, or warm for a still longer
period. Our eleven dogs were large, fine-looking animals, and an old
one of peculiar sagacity was placed at their head by having a longer
trace, so as to lead them over the safest and driest places, for
these animals have a great dread of water. The leader was instant in
obeying the voice of the driver, who did not beat, but repeatedly
talked and called it by name. It was beautiful to observe the
sledges racing to the same object, the dogs and men in full cry, and
the vehicles splashing through the water with the velocity of rival
stage-coaches.

"We were joyfully welcomed to the dwelling of Ooyarra, whose guest I
was now to become, and the place of honour, the deerskin seat, was
cleared for my reception. His two wives, _K~ai-m=o=o-khi~ak_
and _Aw~a-r=un-n~i_ occupied one end, for it was a double
tent; while at the opposite extremity the parents of the s