of skins lying on the rocks. As I approached these skins, several Eskimos sat upon them, telling me as they did so that the owner of them was away hunting, and therefore I could not buy them. I assented, but asked to be allowed to look at them. Even this, however, was stoutly refused, as the owner was not present. I could not help admiring these fellows for their fidelity to one of their number. Some time was then spent in collecting information about the country, and in purchasing nicknacks of one kind and another, and while doing so the owner of the skins returned. He at once proceeded to open up his furs, which, with the exception of one wolf skin, were all musk-ox robes, but of inferior quality. The four best skins were picked out and reserved, and the frowsy remnant then offered to us. The poor skins, I told him, were not the ones we wanted, but for a time he positively refused to sell the good ones. After a little discussion, however, the crafty hunter came to the conclusion that he wanted a small kettle and some gun-caps (for he had an old gun), and so offered me one of the skins for these articles. We happened to have a kettle in which we had carried our butter, but which had now become only an article of extra baggage, so after some "serious consideration," I concluded to let him have the kettle and some caps for the skin.
It was then my turn to make him an offer. I produced a telescope, a jack-knife, and an old shirt, and offered them for the three remaining robes. The temptation proved too great; the skins were handed over, and the telescope, knife and shirt accepted with great delight and many thanks. Although it was now time
