CHAPTER XVI 



"OOMIAKSOAK TIGALAY ! " — THE SHIP HAS COME! 



An Eskimo Messenger — " Oomiaksoak Tigalay" (the Ship has come) — Letters 

 from Home — A Visit from Professor Heilprin — Distressing Possibilities — 

 The "Kite" leaves for Smith Sound — Return of the "Kite" — Domestic 

 Disturbances among the Natives — An Eskimo Woman and Girl disappear. 



Sunday, July 24. At five o'clock this morning, before I 

 was really awake, I heard a sharp, shrill whistle, different 

 from the notes of the birds that usually awake me, and before 

 I could quite satisfy myself that it was not a bird I heard it 

 again, close to the tent, and also a footstep. " Kiny-ah-una" 

 (who is there), I called. "Awangah, oomiaksoak tigalay " (me, 

 the ship has come), was the answer. " Angwo " (not so), I 

 replied. " Shagloo nahme awangah " (me not lie), he said, 

 and with this a shaggy, black head was thrust into the tent, 

 and a bundle of mail tossed to me. The next few hours are 

 a blank to me, for I was devouring my mother's letter, which 

 took the shape of a journal that she had kept for me. A few 

 words from Professor Heilprin tell me that he is at Redcliffe 

 with a party and the old " Kite," but he does not say who are 

 in the party. Now if Mr. Peary only gets back safe I shall 

 indeed be happy. All those dear to me have been spared, 



