11;^ VILLAGES OF THE TUSKI. 



Yaneenga, accepted the office of guides/ being familiar 

 with the coast and position of the villages ; and three 

 officers had the honour of appointment to this 

 important duty; these were Messrs. H. Martin, 

 W. H. Moore, and myself. It ^vill be necessary now 

 to offer a few remarks, that the reader may the more 

 clearly comprehend the mode in which this and all 

 other journeys were performed during our stay. 



The villages of the Tuski are placed at irregular 

 distances along the line of coast ; none are ever situated 

 inland, as fishing is considered a great resource even by 

 those who are the possessors of deer, and who therefore 

 select the localities for their dwellings with a two-fold 

 view. There was not a tree or even shrub to be 

 found for a long distance from the sea ; and although 

 we might have carried spirit lamps for fuel and 

 warmth, and tents for shelter, these would have 

 infinitely increased the burdens, and were unnecessary, 

 as we desired to proceed by the coast line, to learn 

 its configuration, and visit each hamlet for information, 

 and in these accommodation for repose could easily 

 be found. Added to this, the heavy falls of snow and 

 the astonishing drift which sweeps over the unshel- 

 tered face of the country in high winds, so completely 

 alter its appearance, filling up the beds of rivers and 

 even whole valleys, that it would be rash to adventure 



