d _K=o=on~ik_, which is rubbing noses, to the great
amusement and amid the plaudits of the whole company. After this, as
if much refreshed, he resumed his performance, occasionally,
however, taking a koonik to enliven himself and the spectators. The
rub-_bee_, if I may be excused the expression, was at length brought
forward and put in the place of the first dancer, who rushed out of
the tent to cool himself. In this manner five or six couples
exhibited alternately, obtaining more or less applause, according to
the oddity of their grimaces. At length a witty fellow, in
consequence of some whispering and tittering among the ladies,
advanced and gave me the koonik, which challenge I Was obliged to
answer by standing up to dance, and my nose was in its turn most
severely rubbed, to the great delight of all present.
"Having been as patient as could be wished for above an hour, and
being quite overpowered by the heat of the crowded tent, I made a
hasty retreat, after having distributed needles to all the females,
and exacting kooniks from all the prettiest in return. A general
outcry was now made for Dunn, a most quiet North countryman, to
exhibit also; but he, having seen the liberties which had been taken
with my nose, very prudently made his retreat, anticipating what
would be his fate if he remained.
"During a short, interval of fine weather, we hung out our clothes
to dry, and the contents of our knapsacks, instruments, knives, and
beads were strewed on the ground, while we went inland to shoot a
few ducks. We cautioned no one against thieving, and were so much at
their mercy that everything might have been taken without a
possibility of detection; yet not a single article was found to have
been removed from its place at our return. At night I was attended
by the same bedfellows as before; the young puppy, however, being
now better acquainted, took up his quarters in my blanket-bag, as
from thence he could the more easily reach a quantity of
walrus-flesh which lay near my head; and I was awakened more than
once by finding him gnawing a lump by my side.
"On the morning of the 29th I was really glad to find that the ships
were not yet in sight, as I should be enabled to pass another day
among the hospitable natives. While making my rounds I met several
others, who were also v
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