NINE MONTHS IN THE ARCTIC. 179 



CHAPTER X. 



East Cape, a Point of Observation. — The greater Part of our Men 

 gathered here. — The Kanaka. — Weather softening. — Ice still 

 firm. — Arctic Scenes. — Icequakes. — Migratory Fowl. — A 

 Whale discovered. — Gala Time among the Natives. — The Na- 

 tives thorough Drinkers. —A drunken " Spree." — Cruise into the 

 Country. — Birds-egging. — Incidents. — Native Manner of killing 

 Fowl. — Amusements of the Natives. — Vegetation. — Face of the 

 Country. — Fish. — Fowl. — The Ochotsk Sea and Country. 



We had now reached nearly or quite the end 

 of our journey ; at least we had attained one of 

 the great objects of our desires and exertions. It 

 was from this place as a point of observation, 

 that most, if not all, the ships passing into the 

 Arctic Ocean on the breaking up of the ice could 

 be seen ; and hence this place was the most suit- 

 able locality, from which we could be easily 

 taken off. 



While the greater part of our company re- 

 mained at this place, one party of our number, 

 consisting of six or seven, passed down the coast 

 some considerable distance, perhaps twenty miles 

 or more ; and another party of four took up their 

 abode at a less distance. Our purpose, and, in- 

 deed, the chief one we had in view, was that, in 



