200 THE WORLD OF ICE.

people. The small quantities they possessed of it had
been obtained from the few portions of wrecks that
had drifted ashore in their ice-bound land. They
used it for pointing their spear-heads and harpoons,
which, in default of iron, were ingeniously made of
ivory from the tusks of the walrus and the horn of
the narwal. A bit of iron, therefore, was received
with immense glee, and a penny looking-glass with
shouts of delight.

But the present which drew forth the most up-
roarious applause was a Union Jack, which the captain
gave to their chief, Awatok. He was in the cabin
when it was presented to him. On seeing its gaudy
colours unrolled, and being told that it was a gift to
himself and his wife, he caught his breath, and stared,
as if in doubt, alternately at the flag and the captain ;
then he gave vent to a tremendous shout, seized the
flag, hugged it in his arms, and darted up on deck
literally vowring with delight. The sympathetic
hearts of the natives on the ice echoed the cry be-
fore they knew the cause of it; but when they beheld
the prize, they yelled, and screamed, and danced, and
tossed their arms in the air in the most violent manner.

“Theyre all mad, ivery mother’s son o’ them,”
exclaimed O'Riley, who for some time had been
endeavouring to barter an old rusty knife for a paix
of seal-skin boots.

“They looks like it,” said Grim, who stood looking
on with his legs apart and his arms crossed, and
grinning from ear to ear.