FISH-SPEARING. 259 



joiiraey. The good folks collected round five tents 

 near our resting-place, wliicli belonged to some of 

 them, to bid us farewell ; and five men launching 

 theii" tiny and beautiful kiacs, accompanied us for a 

 while, the light vessels, propelled by a double-bladed 

 paddle, dancing over the rippling waves light as a 

 gossamer, and keeping pace with us with perfect ease, 

 although we were favoured by a light breeze, and 

 used both oars and sail. Two of these men continued 

 with us for a considerable time, and amused us 

 greatly by their proceedings. They frequently darted 

 their fish-spears, or harpoons, at imaginary prey, to 

 demonstrate the mode of using them : these spears 

 were about a yard long, of thin drift-wood, with 

 double or triple barbs of ivory : they were thrown 

 fi'om a hand-board, into which they fitted in a socket, 

 and had a bladder attached to keep them afloat in 

 the water, the hunter picking them up with great ease 

 as he passed rapidly onwards in his canoe. We 

 landed to dine at about noon, and were shortly joined 

 by the family of one of our friends, who had hailed 

 his spouse when passing the spot where his tent was 

 pitched. In a very short time they had struck the 

 tent : this, with themselves and household gods, now 

 filled their oomiak, which was laden to the gunwale. 

 Soon a number more of the natives arrived in single 



s 2 



