by a fire made expressly for the purpose.

[Footnote: When the weather was not very severely cold, and a part
of the vapour escaped from the pipe of the galley-fire, the
fore-rigging was always coated with ice, from the smoke passing by
it.]

On the morning of the 1st of February it was reported to me that a
number of strange people were seen to the westward, coming towards
the ships over the ice. On directing a glass towards them we found
them to be Esquimaux, and also discovered some appearance of huts
on shore, at the distance of two miles from the ships, in the same
direction. I immediately set out, accompanied by Captain Lyon, an
officer from each ship, and two of the men, to meet the natives,
who, to the number of five-and-twenty, were drawn up in a line
abreast, and still advanced slowly towards us. As we approached
nearer they stood still, remaining, as before, in a compact line,
from which they did not move for some time after we reached them.
Nothing could exceed their quiet and orderly behaviour on this
occasion, which presented a very striking contrast with the noisy
demeanour of the natives of Hudson's Strait. They appeared at a
distance to have arms in their hands; but what we had taken for
bows or spears proved to be only a few blades of whalebone, which
they had brought either as a peace-offering or for barter, and
which we immediately purchased for a few small nails and beads.
Some of the women, of whom there were three or four, as well as
two children, in this party, having handsome clothes on which
attracted our attention, they began, to our utter astonishment and
consternation, to strip, though the thermometer stood at 23 deg. below
zero. We soon found, however, that there was nothing so dreadful
in this as we at first imagined, every individual among them
having on a complete double suit. The whole were of deerskin, and
looked both clean and comfortable.

However quietly the Esquimaux had awaited our approach, and still
continued to conduct themselves, there was as little apprehension
or distrust visible in their countenances or manner as it was
possible for one strange set of persons to evince on meeting
another. As soon, therefore, as we had bought all that they had to
sell, and made them a number of valuable presents, we expressed by
signs our wish to accompany them to their huts, with which they
willingly complied, and we immediately set out together. On our
way the Esquimaux were much amu