GREENLAND REVISITED 21$ 



At this settlement, where formerly so many natives lived, 

 we found only three families, all of them strani^e to us ; they 

 could tell us nothing about our acquaintances in the tribe, not 

 having seen any of the inhabitants to the north of them since 

 the time we left McCormick Bay. We pushed on along the 

 Greenland coast until we rounded Cape Parry, and then steamed 

 into Barden Bay, stopping at the Eskimo village of Netchiolumy. 

 Here, too, instead of finding about sixty natives, as was the 

 case a year ago, we found only two families. Mr. Peary with 

 two men went ashore at once, and before their boat reached 

 the land I heard one of the natives shout " Chimo Peary," 

 and saw him dance up and down for joy. On his return 

 Mr. Peary informed me that the natives were Keshu, alias the 

 Smiler, and Myah, the White Man, with their families. They 

 were wild with delight, and begged to be allowed to accom- 

 pany us to the site of our new house and pitch their tents 

 beside it. They were stowed with all their belongings into 

 Mr. Peary's boat, and in a short time both families with their 

 houses and their chattels were on board the " Falcon." They 

 gave us all the news and gossip of the tribe. Naturally, we 

 first questioned them about our lost companion, Mr. VerhoefT. 

 There never was a doubt in our minds that Mr. Verhoeff lost 

 his life in crossing the glacier at the head of Robertson Bay ; 

 but his friends at home took a different view of the matter, 

 and were confident that we would find him ali\-e and well. 

 These natives say that nothing has been seen or heard of him, 

 and they hesitate to speak of him, as they never speak of their 



