sed by our dogs, especially by a
large one of the Newfoundland breed, that had been taught to fetch
and carry; a qualification which seemed to excite unbounded
astonishment; and the children could scarce contain themselves for
joy when Captain Lyon gave them a stick to throw for the dog to
bring back to them. A child of five or six years old, thus amusing
itself, on such a day and in such a climate, formed by no means
the least characteristic figure of our motley group. An old and
infirm man, supported by a stick, which, indeed, he much needed,
was soon left behind us, his companions seeming to take no notice
of his infirmities, and leaving him without reluctance or apology
to find his way home at his own pace. When we had approached the
huts within a few hundred yards, three of the Esquimaux went on
before us, having previously explained that they were going to
confine their dogs, lest, being frightened at our coming, they
should run away.

When it is remembered that these habitations were fully within
sight of the ships, and how many eyes were continually on the
look-out among us for anything that could afford variety or
interest in our present situation, our surprise may in some degree
be imagined at finding an establishment of five huts, with canoes,
sledges, dogs, and above sixty men, women, and children, as
regularly and, to all appearance, as permanently fixed as if they
had occupied the same spot for the whole winter. If the first view
of the exterior of this little village was such as to create
astonishment, that feeling was in no small degree heightened, on
accepting the invitation soon given us to enter these extraordinary
houses, in the construction of which we observed that not a single
material was used but snow and ice. After creeping through two
low passages, having each its arched doorway, we came to a small
circular apartment, of which the roof was a perfect arched dome.
From this three doorways, also arched, and of larger dimensions
than the outer ones, led into as many inhabited apartments, one on
each side, and the other facing us as we entered. The interior of
these presented a scene no less novel than interesting. The women
were seated on the beds at the sides of the huts, each having her
little fireplace or lamp with all her domestic utensils about her;
the children crept behind their mothers, and the dogs, except the
female ones, which were indulged with a part of the beds, slunk out
past us