32 ApKeevor'i Voyage to Hudson's Say. 



he takes hold of it by the centre, dips either end in the water 

 alternately, and thus he moves with incredible celerity; so 

 great, inaeed, that an English boat, with twelve oars, is not 

 able to keep up with him.* The broad flat part is generally 

 inlaid, in a very tasly and fanciful manner, with portions of 

 sea-horse teeth, cut into a,variety of forms. 



The dexterity with which they manage these canoes is really 

 astonishing. No weather can prevent them from going out to 

 sea ; they venture out in the midst of tempestuous whirlwinds, 

 and driving snows, with as much composure as if it were a 

 perfect calm. Even though the sea should break over them, 

 in an instant they are again seen flying along the ridge of the 

 wave. 



But what appears still more extraordinary, is the power 

 they possess of completelyupsetting themselves in their canoes, 

 so as to hang perpendicularly under the water. I shall relate 

 an instance of this. Captain Turner was one day standing on 

 the quarter-deck while the Indians were along-side trading ; 

 he observed at some distance an Esquimeaux paddling up and 

 down, as if for amusement : having made a sign to him to 

 come over, he told him he would give him a knife and a few 

 needles, in case he would capsise himself in his canoe. The 

 Indian immediately made tight all his running-strings, lapped 

 some skins about his body, and having thus secured himself 

 from the water entering, he looked at Captain Turner with a 

 very significant air ; he then inclined his body towards the 

 surface of the water, and instantly dipped down ; here he re- 

 mained suspended for a few seconds, when he appeared at the 

 opposite side in his former upright position. This he did 

 three successive times. When he had done, he shook himself, 

 laughed very heartily, and, after getting his knife and needles, 

 paddled off. 



The value which they set on their canoes is, as we might 

 naturally, suppose, very great ; indeed, they will very rarely 

 part with them, unless they get in exchange a considerable 

 number of valuable articles, such as a tin-pot, a kettle, a saw, 

 and perhaps a few gimblets. Captain Turner purchased one 

 of the neatest I think I have ever seen : it was quite new, and 

 was very beautifully ornamented. The hoop which surrounds 

 the central aperture, instead of wood, was made of highly- 

 polished ivory. The workmanship on the extremity of the pad- 

 dle was exquisite. Before the owner parted with it he paddled 

 up to an elderly man at some distance, whom, the captain told us, 



* See page 29. 



