44 ARCTIC RESEARCH EXPEDITION. 



five in the evening we had arrived at a point on the coast of 

 Greenland which was very much like the neighborhood of Hol- 

 steinborg. The bold mountain peaks were so thickly enveloped 

 in clouds that it was impossible to determine the exact locality. 

 The sea also was covered with fog ; hence it was wisely determ- 

 ined to run off the land for the night and lie-to. This was done, 

 and as we were upon good codfish banks, lines were put over to 

 catch some. We were very successful. Before twelve o'clock 

 three lines had drawn in full 800 lbs. of halibut and codfish, the 

 latter largely predominating. I myself caught four cod weighing 

 in all 100 lbs. One halibut weighed no less than 125 lbs., and 

 two others fifty pounds each ! I was astonished at the sight of 

 every cod drawn in. Such gormandizers had they been — preying 

 upon the smaller ones of their kind — that their stomachs were 

 distended to the utmost limit of expansion. 



The next day, July 5th, we once more stood in toward the land, 

 but it still continued foggy, and we were unable to get near till 

 about 4 P.M., having just before again sighted the Mariane. At 

 that time two Esquimaux were seen coming at full speed toward us. 

 In a few moments more they were alongside, and hoisted — kyacks 

 and all — into the ship. Their names were "Sampson" and 

 "Ephraim," each 5 feet 6i inches in height, with small hands, small 

 feet, and pleasing features, except that both had some of their 

 front teeth gone. These men had brought an abundance of sal- 

 mon, caplins, sea-birds, etc., and eagerly began to trade with us. 

 Speedily we were on the most friendly terms, and, as they were 

 retained to pilot us in, merry-making was the order of the day. 

 On entering the cabin to supper their conduct was most orderly, 

 and when it was over they said, in good American, " Thank you." 



That night I had not long retired to rest before the captain 

 came and told me it was calm, and a good opportunity for halibut 

 and codfish. I was quickly dressed and on deck with line in 

 hand. Two or three minutes more, and a halibut weighing 225 

 lbs. was fast to my line, fifty fathoms deep, and in another two 

 minutes I had the fish up in the sun's rays with harpoon stuck 

 through him. In one hour a ton weight of codfish and halibut 

 was taken by the use of only three lines. Sometimes, as I was 

 informed, halibut have been caught weighing 500 lbs. each, and 

 measuring eight feet in length. The Esquimaux in Greenland 

 use the transparent membrane of the stomach of this fish instead 

 of plates of glass. 



