CRUISE OF STEAMER OOKWTN IN THE ARCTIC OCEAN. 27 



came in sight, and four natives from Tapkan were soon in camp. From them meat was obtained 

 for the dogs for a few pieces of tobacco, which more than compensated for the loss of rest caused 

 by their arrival. Breakfast was also shared with them. After breakfast all sought the rest they 

 so much needed, having dragged sleds, without sleep or rest, for twenty-eight hoars. The country 

 thus far seems to have been entirely barren of game, none being seen, although search for it had 

 been made many times. At 5.30 p. m. arrangements were made for another start, but the ground 

 being covered with newly-fallen snow, through which the sleds cut at every step, it was impossible 

 to proceed until it had frozen; so they waited until 1.30 a. m., June 6, before starting, when the 

 track was quite good, although the ice in all directions showed sigus of breaking up, and was cov- 

 ered with water, and as the dogs invariably refuse to go into water unless beaten, it was necessary 

 to wade through with them to prevent their turning back. These dogs, which we had picked up 

 at different places, had never before worked together, or it would not have been so difficult to 

 drive. There were nine dogs attached to the large sled, and the leader, a dog belonging to Joe's 

 team, constantly watched the others and would occasionally, when he found them shirking, 

 turn and give them a sharp bite. As they were great shirks, this would have been extremely grati- 

 fying, but by so doing he caused such a commotion among them and got them so entangled in 

 their harness that it was often necessary to stop and clear them, and as the harness is so con- 

 structed that the dog has little difficulty in getting away, the escape of several under such circum- 

 stances is no unusual thing. As they are very rapid runners after becoming frightened they are 

 not easily caught, and it can only be accomplished by strategem. The native entices runaway 

 dogs within reach in a way which is both novel and effective, but disgusting in its character. 

 On the 0th a large number of reindeer were met. They were being driven down the coast 

 in search of good grazing ground. One of the dogs had just treed himself from bis harness and 

 defied recapture. Fearing that he would cbase the deer and cause them to stampede, which might 

 result in trouble with the owners of the herd, the dog was shot. The next village reached was 

 Onmau, at the cape of that name, which is a double one, there being a small beach between the 

 two points. This settlement consists of only five huts and about sixtv inhabitants. It was decided 

 to rest here for a day or two, and as soon as the tent was pitched the chief sent deer-skins for 

 beds and food for the dogs. The people all seemed very hospitable and kindly disposed. As usual 

 along this coast, no game was found. From the top of the cape open water could be seen about 

 10 miles off shore. The cape is a precipitous rock about 1,000 feet high. On the top are sharp, 

 flinty stones, covered with lichens. Off the northern point of the cape are several detached rocks, 

 rising perpendicularly more than a hundred feet, and resembling huge monuments. About 12 

 miles south of Cape Onman there is a smaller point, not as bold or rocky as Cape Onman, with low 

 land intervening. All of these cliffs give a fine echo. Whenever natives were met inquiries were 

 made in regard to the missing vessel, and at this settlement (Onman) they were told that a broken 

 vessel (wreck) had been seen by the people off Oncanina ( Wankerem), a few miles farther up the 

 coast. Accordingly our party pushed along the coast as fast as the poor condition of the traveling 

 would permit. The snow was becoming softer each day, and many streams of water formed by the 

 melting snow were encountered, which made traveling exceedingly difficult. About 5 miles north- 

 west from Cape Onman a small settlement, called by the natives Euelpau. was passed, but no delay 

 was made there. Notwithstanding the bad condition of the traveling, good progress was made, and 

 the party reached Wankerem at 8.15 p. m. Wankerem is a small settlement of twelve huts and 

 seventy-five inhabitants, situated on the west side of the Wankerem River. Our party was kindly 

 received, and after giving the natives presents of coffee and tobacco made known the object of their 

 visit. All the information in their possession was freely given. Three men belonging to the village 

 had seen and boarded the wreck, bringing a number of articles from it. The men were sent for, and 

 brought the articles with them, which were inspected, but the closest examination failed to show any 

 marks by which they could be identified by our party as belonging to any vessel or person, with the 

 exception of one knife which had the letter Y carved on the handle, probably the initial of -'Vigi- 

 lant." The three natives said : Last fall, when the new ice was making, they were out sealing near 

 Concarpio,au island off Cape Wankerem, and saw a wrecked vessel drifting down towards the island. 

 The wind was from the northward at the time, and they went on board the wreck, which was half 

 full of water. The three masts had been cut off near the decks, no boats could be seen, and the bul- 



