called Savage Islands, where they fell in with some savages in kayaks, or

them: these boats were made of whale-bone, covered with the skins of the deer; they were called oomiaks, or women's boats."

"What singular names, kayaks and oomiaks!" After this, sailing

on, from place to place, they fell in with more Esquimaux Indians. Some of them had boots on of a very large size. One Esquimaux woman sold one of her boots to the sailors; but all that they could do or say was in vain, to get her to part with the other. What was the reason, think you? why, she had stolen many articles from the sailors, and hid them in her boot. The boot, however, was taken from her by force, and then the theft was found out. It is true that she had never heard of the commandment, 'Thou shalt not steal;' but for all that, she knew that it was wrong."

"What a sly creature she must have been! Who would have thought that she would have hid her stolen treasure in her boot! However, it did not answer!"

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No, boys, it never answers to do what is wrong. Well, Captain Parry pushed on till the ice grew thicker and thicker; and, at last, he was once more frozen up

for the winter. To pass away their time, pleasantly and profitably, the sailors set up a school. Those who could read and write, turned schoolmasters, and taught their messmates."

"That was a capital plan for those who could not read and write; but it would not keep them so warm as running after one another round the deck, to the tune of the old organ."

"You are right there, boys; but, though they set up a school, they did not neglect to take exercise. In the northern regions, the sun is not seen for a certain part of the year, and a twilight prevails. The aurora borealis, or northern morning, as many call it, is then very brilliant. Sometimes, it is like a bright arch; then it changes, when the wind is high, into showers of rays; and, at other times, long strips of light move about in all manner of forms and motions."

"Well! that must be very beautiful!”

"It is a part of His almighty creation, whose works are all wonders. The moving rays of the northern lights are called the ' merry dancers; and the poor ignorant Indian says, they are the spirits of his fathers in the land

of souls.'

"What an odd thought! But the poor Indians have nobody to teach them better."

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Captain Parry met with some more Esquimaux, who gave the sailors skins for knives, and other implements, such as saws, chisels, and nails. The sailors visited their houses under the snow; and the Esquimaux went

on board the ships, and were very merry, playing at leap-frog, and other games, with the sailors.'

"An Esquimaux, in his rough skin clothing, playing at leap-frog!"

open

"In July, Captain Parry sailed northward, and, after many difficulties, came to a strait, with the tide running through it; he thought, too, that he saw the ocean to the westward. By and bye, the ice again stopped him: disappointments and difficulties again awaited him; and, after doing his best, he was once more obliged to put back, and get into a safe place for another winter.'

"There seems no end of his difficulties."

"In August, he tried again; but, as symptoms of scurvy began to spread among the sailors, very much against his inclination, he returned home, after an absence of two years. You may be sure that he was well received by his countrymen, after all his dangers and all his perseverance."

"No doubt he was; and was that the very last time he tried to find the north-west passage?"

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No, boys; for he tried again in 1824, but could not succeed. Perseverance will do much, but it cannot conquer impossibilities. The Fury was lost in this attempt, and her crew were glad to get aboard the Hecla. In 1827, Captain Parry set off again, and was provided with light boats, with runners to them like sledges, that when his ship was stopped by the ice, he might travel over the ice."

"That was a good plan, however.

on with his boats?"

How did he get

Why, very well; but, when he arrived at near the eighty-third degree of north latitude, he found that the high winds blew the ice, on which he travelled, faster to the south, than he could travel to the north; so he came home again. An attempt has been made, with steamboats, by Captain Ross, to find the passage; and most people thought, by his being absent so long, that he and his party had perished. Captain Back, a very bold man, set out overland from North America to find him." "And did he find him?"

No, boys; but while he was doing his best to discover him, he heard that Captain Ross had returned home safe. Whether there will ever be found a northern passage to the East Indies, it would be hard to say. For the present, it has pleased God to put a barrier of ice in the way; and this seems to cry aloud to those who would pass it,' Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further.' And now, boys, the old sea Captain has had a long cruise with you, and he must put into port, and pay off the ship, that she may be laid up in ordinary. At another time, mayhap, we may sail again in company; but do not forget, that in the dangers of the north and south, and the perils of the east and west, God can alone preserve us. Whether we are in the cabin or on the deck, at the helm or the mast head, let us look to him, then, for his almighty aid, that he may guide us by his counsel, and bring us to glory."

Scudding-Trade winds-A Jack Tar has affections in his heartCaptain Back leaves Liverpool-Lake Superior-Fall of Kakabikka-The Great Slave Lake-The river Thlew-ee-chohChipewyans and Yellow Knives-Pemmican-Fort Reliance -Indian chief, Akaitcho-The sabbath day-Rugged ground -Fearful falls-Fogs-Return to Fort Reliance-Captain Back returns home.

"Here you are, at anchor, Captain! and you have told us all about anchors. Will you now please to explain what scudding before the wind is ?"

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Cheerly, boys! cheerly! Scudding afore the wind