If, for instance, a knife was offered for any article, they would
hesitate for a short time, till they saw we were determined to
give no higher price, and then at once consented to the exchange.
In this case, as well as when anything was presented to them, they
immediately licked it twice with their tongues, after which they
seemed to consider the bargain satisfactorily concluded. The
youngest of the party very modestly kept behind the others, and,
before he was observed to have done so, missed several presents,
which his less diffident, though not importunate companions had
received. As the night closed in they became desirous to depart,
and they left us before dark, highly delighted with their visit.
As I had purchased one of their canoes, a boat was sent to land
its late owner, as only one person can sit in each. Mr. Palmer
informed me, that, in going on shore, the canoes could beat our
boat very much in rowing whenever the Esquimaux chose to exert
themselves, but they kept close to her the whole way. During the
time that they were on board, we had observed in them a great
aptness for imitating certain of our words; and, while going on
shore, they took a particular liking to the expression of "Hurra,
give way!" which they heard Mr. Palmer use to the boat's crew, and
which they frequently imitated, to the great amusement of all
parties.

Soon after we had landed on the 7th, the old Esquimaux and one of
his younger companions paddled over from the main land, and joined
us upon the island. They brought with them, as before, some pieces
of whalebone and sealskin dresses, which were soon disposed of,
great care being taken by them not to produce more than one
article at a time; returning to their canoes, which were at a
little distance from our boat, after the purchase of each of their
commodities, till their little stock was exhausted. Considering it
desirable to keep up among them the ideas of fair and honest
exchange, which they already seemed to possess in no ordinary
degree, I did not permit them to receive anything as presents till
all their commodities had been regularly bought. While we were
waiting to obtain the sun's meridian altitude, they amused
themselves in the most good-natured and cheerful manner with the
boat's crew; and Lieutenant Hoppner, who, with Mr. Beverly, had
joined us in the Griper's boat, took this opportunity of making a
drawing of the young man. It required, however, some show of
authorit