130 



AECTIC RESEAECH EXPEDITION. 



pie string could be used. One arrangement represented a deer ; 

 another a whale ; a third the walrus ; a fourth the seal ; and so 

 on without end. 



This Kunniu was a first-rate woman in all relating to work, 

 whether in boat or on shore. She was an excellent pilot, and 

 could pull an oar with any of our men. One day a whale was 

 captured by the George Henry's crew at the lower part of the 

 bay, and it was necessary for all aid to be rendered in towing 

 the monster alongside our ship. The natives gave every assist- 

 ance, and I also went with a boat, rowed by Kunniu and three 

 others, to help. But I found they were doing well without us, 

 and accordingly returned. On our way back a strong north- 

 wester was blowing, and it was becoming very difficult to cross 

 the channel. A heavy sea prevailed, and the tide was strong, 

 causing a commotion in the waters any thing but pleasant. In 

 the boat was that Esquimaux woman I have mentioned as pos- 

 sessing the semi-white child, and never did mother more dote 

 upon a babe than she upon this. Her care and solicitude for its 

 preservation was truly affecting. It lay in the bow of the boat 

 as she pulled and pulled, seemingly with the strength of six men, 

 and every now and then she would look at it with a tender glance, 

 while renewed force was placed upon her oar. Mother? Yes, 

 she was a true mother ; and Kunniu evidently must have been 

 the same, for she pulled like a giantess. How they watched to 

 see if we progressed ! How they turned their eyes to the sleep- 

 ing babe, as a wave would occasionally mount up and top its 

 white crest clear over our heads ! 



At length we were able to get the boat under the lee of an isl- 

 and, and so make more headway in smoother water; and finally, 

 after some very severe labor, we got on board. 



As for the whale, during the afternoon it was brought along- 

 side, and a most interesting sight it was to see the seven boats 

 towing this M king of fishes" toward the ship. I was reminded by 

 it of the way in which old Eome celebrated her " triumphs" over 

 great kings and kingdoms. "We of the white race were proud of 

 our victory over such a monster of the deep, and they of the dark- 

 er skin were rejoiced at having aided in the capture of what 

 would very soon give them an immense quantity of u black skin" 

 and "krang" for food. 



The skin of the Mysticetus (Greenland whale) is a great treat 

 to the Esquimaux, who eat it raw ; and even before the whale 



