Having finished this, they were ordered to return to their camp on the ice beside the ship, and a vigorous barter was speedily begun.
First of all, however, a number of presents were made to them, and it would really have done your heart good, reader, to have witnessed the extravagant joy displayed by them on receiving such trifles as bits of hoop-iron, beads, knives, scissors, needles, etc.

Iron is as precious among them as gold is among civilized 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 uproarious applause was a Union Jack, which the captain gave to their chief, Awatok.