to pay a last visit.  I gave the former a large piece of oak wood for a bow and two arrows, a second iron spear-head, and various other articles, to add to the stock of wealth he had from time to time received from us.  As these good folks found themselves perfectly at home in my cabin, I was usually in the habit of continuing my occupations when they were there, without being disturbed by them.  Being now engaged in writing, my attention was unexpectedly directed towards them by Iligliuk’s suddenly starting from her seat, moving quickly towards the door, and, without saying a word either to me or any of the officers present, hastening directly on deck.  Okotook, indeed, as he followed her out of the cabin, turned round and said “Good-by,” of which expression he had learned the meaning, and then, without giving us time to return the compliment, they both hurried out of the ship, leaving us in some astonishment at this singular leave-taking, which we then supposed to be the last.

We could now begin to perceive, from day to day, that the snow on shore was diminishing.  How slow this process was, may, however, be understood by the fact, that it was necessary to make a mark on some stone to be assured it was thus receding.  Our snow-wall had indeed settled down nearly a foot by the gradual diminution of the blocks of which it was composed; but the thawing had been artificially assisted by the black cloth hung against it.  Five ravens were seen to-day, all quite black; four of them were flying in pairs.

On the 22d a number of the Esquimaux came to the ships with a sledge, and among the rest my late host Arnaneelia and his wife, the latter having the front of her jacket adorned with numberless strings of beads that we had given her, arranged with exact uniformity, to which, in the fashion of their dresses and the disposition of their ornaments, these people always rigidly adhere.  Aneekta had scarcely reached the cabin when she produced a little ivory comb and a pair of handsome mittens, which she presented to Mr. Edwards, at the same time thanking him for the attention he had shown her on an occasion when she had been taken in a fit alongside the Fury, from which she was recovered by bleeding.  This expression of gratitude, in which she was heartily joined by her husband, was extremely gratifying to us; as it served, in some degree, to redeem these people in our estimation from the imputation of ingratitude, which is, indeed, one of their greatest failings.  They stated having seen two reindeer the preceding day going over the ice to the main land.  They spoke of this with great pleasure:  and we were ourselves not displeased with the prospect of changing our diet for a little venison.  They now became extremely urgent with us for wood to make bows and arrows, most of their own having, with the childishness that accompanied their first barterings, been parted with to our officers and men.  Having several broken oars which could be turned to little or no