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324 ‘ JEMMY ’ AND HIS FAMILY. March
detected me, and a sudden movement of the hand to his head
(as a sailor touches his hat) at once told me it was indeed
J emmy Button—but how altered ! I could hardly restrain my
feelings, and I was not, by any means, the only one so touched
by his squalid miserable appearance. He was naked, like his
companions, except a bit of skin about his loins ; his hair was
long and matted, just like theirs ; he was wretchedly thin, and
his eyes were affected by smoke. We hurried him below,
clothed him immediately, and in half an hour he was sitting
with me at dinner in my cabin, using his knife and fork properly,
and in every way behaving as correctly as if he had
never left us. He spoke as much English as ever, and, to our
astonishment, his companions, his wife, his brothers and their
wives, mixed broken English words in their talking with him.
Jemmy recollected every one well, and was very glad to see
them all, especially Mr. Bynoe and James Bennett. I thought
he was ill, but be surprised me by saying that he was “ hearty,
sir, never better,”* that he had not been ill, even for a day,
was happy and contented, and had no wish whatever to change
his way of life. He said that he got “ plenty fruits,”! “ plenty
birdies,” “ ten guanaco in snow time,” and “ too much fish.”
Besides, though he said nothing about her, I soon heard that
there was a good-looking] young woman in his canoe, who was
said to be his wife. Directly this became known, shawls, handkerchiefs,
and a gold-laced cap appeared, with which she was
speedily decorated; but fears had been excited for her husband’s
safe return to her, and no finery could stop her crying
until Jemmy again showed himself on deck. While he was
below, his brother Tommy called out in a loud tone—“ Jemmy
Button, canoe, come t” After some time the three canoes went
ashore, laden with presents, and their owners promised.to come
again early next morning. Jemmy gave a fine otter skin to
me, which he had dressed and kept purposely; another he gave
to Bennett.
* A favourite saying of his, formerly.
t Excrescences on the birch trees, and berries.
t For a Fuegian.
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