d with a long
exhibition, I retreated to the tent, but was allowed a very short
repose, as I was soon informed that the people from the farthest
tents were come to see my performance, and, on going out, I found
five men stationed at proper distances with their heads down for me
to go over them, which I did amid loud cries of _koyenna_ (thanks).

"As the ship drew near in the evening, I perceived her to be the
Hecla, but, not expecting a boat so late, lay down to sleep. I soon
found my mistake, for a large party came drumming on the side of the
tent, and crying out that a 'little ship' was coming, and, in fact,
I found the boat nearly on shore. Ooyarra's senior wife now
anxiously begged to tattoo a little figure on my arm, which she had
no sooner done than the youngest insisted on making the same mark;
and while all around were running about and screaming in the
greatest confusion, these two poor creatures sat quietly down to
embellish me. When the boat landed, a general rush was made for the
privilege of carrying our things down to it. Awarunni, who owned the
little dog which slept with me, ran and threw him as a present into
the boat; when, after a general koonik, we pushed off, fully
sensible of the kind hospitality we had received. Toolemak and
Ooyarra came on board in my boat, in order to pass the night and
receive presents, and we left the beach under three hearty cheers."

CHAPTER XI.

A Whale killed.--Other Charts drawn by the Esquimaux.--Account of a
Journey to the Narrows of the Strait.--Discovery of the Sea to the
Westward.--Total Disruption of the Ice at the Eastern Entrance of
the Strait.--Instance of local Attraction on the Compasses.--Sail
through the Narrows, and again stopped by fixed Ice.--Account of
several Land Journeys and Boat Excursions.--Observations on the
Tides.--Continued Obstacles from fixed Ice.

_Aug._ 1.--The information obtained by Captain Lyon on his late journey
with the Esquimaux served very strongly to confirm all that had before
been understood from those people respecting the existence of the
desired passage to the westward in this neighbourhood, though the
impossibility of Captain Lyon's proceeding farther in that direction,
combined with our imperfect knowledge of the language, still left us in
some doubt as to the exact position of the strai