As we returned I noticed a quantity of the _ledum
palustre_, and, having plucked some of it, gave it to the boy to
carry; after which, though he very much disliked its smell, he
gathered every root of it that we came to, and deposited it at our
tents. This lad was uncommonly quick and clever in comprehending
our meaning, and seemed to possess a degree of good-humour and
docility which, on our short acquaintance, made him a great
favourite among us.

We had hitherto been much pleased with our new acquaintance,
who were certainly a good-humoured, decent sort of people. We
therefore loaded them with presents, and endeavoured to amuse them
by showing them the manner of rowing our boats, which were hauled
up on the beach. While the men and children were occupied in
observing this, the women were no less busily employed, near the
tents, in pilfering and conveying into their boots some of our
cups, spoons, and other small articles, such as they could
conveniently secrete. This they accomplished with so much
dexterity, that no suspicion would have been excited of their
dishonesty had not Mr. Sherer fortunately missed a cup which was
required for supper. A general search being instituted in
consequence, and the cargo of the women's boots brought back to
our tents, I directed all our presents to be likewise taken from
the two offenders; and, dismissing the whole party with great
appearance of indignation, thus put an end, for the present, to
our communication with these people.

We spent the two next days in exploring a creek which we called
CULGRUFF, and another on the opposite or eastern shore, which
received the name of NORMAN'S CREEK, and returned to the Hecla on
the evening of the 14th.

I learned from Captain Lyon that the Hecla had just anchored at
her present station, the Fury still remaining at the former place,
into which the ice had lately come so thick as to require the
assistance of all hands from both ships to warp and tow the Hecla
out. Proceeding with a fresh boat's crew towards the Fury, which
we found close beset by thick and heavy ice, we succeeded, after
much difficulty, in hauling the boat through it, and arrived on
board at ten P.M.

As soon as the tide would serve in the offing on the morning of
the 15th, we weighed, and, by means of warping and towing, in
which we were assisted by Captain Lyon's boats, succeeded in
joining the Hecla at her anchorage at three P.M.

CHAPTER V.

Farther Exam