The exercise was also in a peculiar manner serviceable to Mr.
Hood.

Ever ardent in his pursuits he had, through close attention to his drawings and other avocations, confined himself too much to the house in winter, and his health was impaired by his sedentary habits.

I could only take the part of a spectator in these amusements, being still lame from the hurt formerly alluded to.
The sun now sank for so short a time below the horizon that there was more light at midnight than we enjoyed on some days at noon in the wintertime.
On the 27th the hunters brought in two reindeer.

Many of the Indians attended divine service this day and were attentive spectators of our addresses to the Almighty.
On the 28th I had a conversation with Long-legs whose arrival two days before has been mentioned.

I acquainted him with the objects of our Expedition and our desire of promoting peace between his nation and the Esquimaux, and learned from him that his brother the Hook was by this time on the Copper-Mine River with his party and that, although he had little ammunition, yet it was possible he might have some provision collected before our arrival at his tents.