CHAPTER VIII. 

 North Bluff — Ashe's Inlet. 



visit from huskies — strange account of a shipwreck — 

 getting information through an interpreter — trading 

 with the natives — ice jams — bad weather — a monster 



ICEBERG. 



Nestled in rocks of gneiss 

 Formed while chaos-gloom yet shrouded earth, 

 And sheltered by eternal snow-crowned cliffs, 

 Yet lashed by many a gale, the restless waves, 

 Unceasing, chant the dirges of eternity. 



*E had not been anchored in this harbour at North Bluff, 

 which Lieutenant Gordon decided to call Ashe's Inlet; 

 jrc but a few minutes, when we observed the ice-floes fol- 

 .- < ~? 9 ^ J lowing our tracks with the tide and wind, and before 

 dark the whole bay was filled with ice, the pans being tightly 

 wedged and jammed together, with our ship in the centre. This 

 desolation was made the more miserable by a cold storm of mixed 

 snow and rain which continued far into the night. 



Before the ice overtook us, and while the anchor was yet upon 

 the Neptune's bow, an Eskimo, observing our approach, pushed 

 away from the dark outline of the shore, and paddled toward the 

 ship in his odd-looking kayak; and came on board soon after. 

 From him our interpreter learned, that nearly a hundred natives 

 were residing and hunting along the north coast in that vicinity, 

 all of whom had been in the habit of trading with the " American 

 sailor," Captain Spicer. He told us how that they had shot two fine 

 stags that very day, and Captain Sopp arranged with him at once 

 for the venison, agreeing to give him powder and shot for it. 

 But in a little while another Eskimo arrived with the hearts of 



