98 OLD WHALING DAYS. 



Durban, and continued to coast along, each day sending 

 boats inshore until we reached Cape Dyer ; then sailed for 

 Cumberland Gulf, and brought up at Niatlik, but not seeing 

 many whales we got under weigh and proceeded to Nugumut, 

 and came to anchor in one of the harbours on the north 

 side, having taken some natives as guides. Although they 

 know the land along the coast for many miles, they have not 

 the least idea of sunken rocks or depth of water. This time 

 we did not go outside, but threaded our way among the 

 islands, thereby saving much time and anxiety. We had no 

 previous knowledge of this route. In this harbour we found 

 a very large encampment of Nugumut Esquimaux. The next 

 day when we went to the outside we found a heavy swell rolling 

 in, and breaking so high upon the mainland that it was impos- 

 sible to go near. The whole coast was studded with rocks, 

 some extending more than a mile. The wind was off the 

 land when we came into this harbour, and we soon found 

 out that it was not a likely place for whales. The master 

 gave orders if the weather was rough to return on board. 

 One morning the boats went out, but were forced to come 

 back at 10 a.m. on account of a strong easterly wind and 

 heavy sea. I was surprised to see the native omeacks or 

 luggage boats (so called because they carry the tents, women, 

 and children from place to place) alongside with bows and 

 arrows fixed in the gunwales of their boats. There were no 

 women or children to be seen, which we thought strange. 

 When our boats were hoisted up one of the crew told me 

 that some of the natives had their knives or bone-handled 

 daggers inside their jackets. 



When I mentioned this to the master, he ridiculed the 

 idea of the natives attempting to do us any harm. One of 

 our men took hold of a native in a playful manner, when he 

 immediately drew his knife. Then I was ordered to send 

 them on shore, which was our usual practice when night 

 came on. I hurried them off, and thought no more about 



