194 THE WORLD OF ICH.

mime, which, doubtless, explained much of his meaning
to himself, but certainly to no one else.

“Ah! then, ye don’t onderstand me? Well, well,
now, isn’t that strange? Look you, avic, have ye
seen a brig or a brig’s crew anywhere betune this and
the north pole ?—try, now, an’ remimber.” He illus-
trated this question by holding up both arms straight
above his head to represent the masts of a brig, and
sticking his right leg straight out in front of him, to
represent the bowsprit; but the woman gazed at him
with an air of obtuse gravity that might have damped
the hopes even of an Ivishman. O'Riley prided him-
self, however, on not being easily beat, and despite his
repeated failures, and the laughter of his messmates,
was proceeding to make a third effort, when a loud
shout from the cliffs caused the whole party to start
and turn their eyes in that direction, The ery had
been uttered by a figure whose costume bore so close
a resemblance to that which they themselves wore,
that they thought for a moment it was one of their
own shipmates; but a second elance proved that
they were mistaken, for the individual in question
carried a spear, which he brandished with exceedingly
fierce and warlike intentions.

“Faix ib must be her husband,” said O'Riley.

“Hallo! lads, there’s more on ’em,” cried ‘Grim, as
ten or twelve Esquimaux emerged from the rents and
caverns of the ice-belt, and scrambling to the top of
surrounding hummocks and eminences, gazed towards
the party of white men, while they threw about their