oats attain, and the
motion graceful as that of a flying bird. Kayak and rower become to the
eye one creature; and the civilized spectator must be stronger than I in
his own conceit not to feel a little humble as he looks on.

We had racing one calm evening. Three kayaks competed: the prize--O
Civilization!--was a plug of tobacco. How the muscles swelled! How the
airy things flew! "Hi! Hi!" jockey the lookers-on: they fly swifter
still. Up goes another plug,--another!--another!--and the kayaks half
leap from the water. It was sad withal.

The racing over, there was a new feat. One of the kayakers placed
himself in his little craft directly across the course; another
stationed himself at a distance, and then, pushing his kayak forward at
his utmost speed, drove it directly over the other! The high sloping bow
rose above the middle of the stationary kayak on which it impinged, and,
shooting up quite out of water, the boat skimmed over.

The Esquimaux is an honest creature. I had engaged a woman to make me a
pair of fur boots, leaving my name on a slip of paper. L----, next day,
roaming among the huts, saw her hanging them out to dry. Enamored of
them, and ignorant of our bargain, he sought to purchase them; but at
the first token of his desire, the woman rushed into the hut, and
brought forth the slip of paper, as a sufficient answer to all question
on that matter. L---- having told me of the incident, and informed me
that he had elsewhere bargained for a similar pair, I was wicked enough
to experiment upon this fidelity, desirous of learning what I could.
Taking, therefore, some clothes, which I knew would be desired, and
among them a white silk handkerchief bordered with blue, which had been
purchased at Port Mulgrave, all together far exceeding in value the
stipulated price, I sought the hut, and began admiring the said boots,
now nearly finished. Instantly came forth the inevitable slip with
L----'s name upon it. Making no sign, I proceeded to unroll my package.
The good creature was intensely taken with its contents, and gloated
over them with childish delight. But though she rummaged every corner to
find somewhat to exchange with me for them, it evidently did not even
enter her thoughts to offer me the boots. I took them up and admired
them again; she immediately laid her hand on the slip of paper. So I
gave her the prettiest thing I had, and left with a cordial _okshni_
(good-bye).

This honesty is attributed t