358 Successful Salmon-Fishing. [jmy, ises. 



salmon, some of which measured 32 to 37 inches in length, weigh- 

 ing from 9 to 13 pounds eacli. 



The record of the two remaining summer months presents as inci- 

 dents of special interest a successful season for salmon-fishing and 

 deer-hunting; the very unfortunate, though justified, shooting of 

 one of the five hired men ; and the capture of another whale, the pos- 

 session of which, together with renewed supplies from friends in the 

 United States, encouraged Hall to hope that he could remain over 

 still another year and yet reach King William's Land. In this it will 

 be found he succeeded in the following spring. 



A supply of salmon had always been an object, as well for the 

 change which it offered from the unvarying rough Arctic food, as for 

 the value of the fish when dried and stored for the winter; but up to 

 this time little success had rewarded the best efi'orts made by Hall and 

 his hired men either with their nets or spears. The Innuits, through 

 long practice, were experts in spearing, and they seemed to have gen- 

 erally considered the fishing-grounds as their exclusive property. 



The notes of July 20 record a determination not to be outdone 

 in the work. Hearing that they were securing very many fish and 

 Ills men very few. Hall, though quite ill, jumped from his bed, and 

 quickly dressing, ordered eacli of his company to repair promptly 

 their sadly broken spears, for he would see whether white men could 

 be so easily beaten ; " one need not starve while such food abounds." 



As the tide was about fo flood, it became necessary to make great haste or 

 our ehauce would be lost till next ebb ; so every one worked with a will. When 

 the spears were in order, [ organized my men into a regular fish-fighting com- 

 I»any, and then into the deep pools all in line we plunged, or in fact waded thigh 

 deep. The Innuits had all left, each having caught as many as he could well 

 attend to, except Ar-goo-moo-too-IiJc, whom I requested to desist while I made a 



