THE WORLD OF ICE. 203

upon the scene, while the air was still calm and cold ;
but a cloud or two now began to darken the horizon
to the north-east, and a puff of wind blew occasionally
over the icy plain, and struck with such chilling
influence on the frames of the traffickers, that with
one consent they closed their business for that day,
and the Esquimaux prepared to return to their snow
village, which was about ten miles to the southward,
and which village had been erected by them only
three days previous to their discovery of the ship.

“Tm sorry to find,” remarked the captain to those
who were standing near him, “that these poor erea-
tures have stolen a few trifling articles from below.
I don’t like to break the harmonious feeling which
now exists between us for the sake of a few worthless
things, but I know that it does more harm than good
to pass over an. offence with the natives of these
regions, for they attribute our forbearance to fear.”

“Perhaps you had better tax them with the theft,”
suggested the surgeon; “they may confess it, if we
don’t look very angry.”

A few more remarks were made by several of those
who stood on the quarter-deck, suggesting a treatment
of the Esquimaux which was not of the gentlest
nature, for they felt indignant that their hospitality
had been abused.

“No, no,” replied the captain to such suggestions,
“we must exercisc forbearance. These poor fellows
do not regard theft in the same light that we do;
besides, it would be foolish to risk losing their