SPLENDID DISPLAYS OF THE AURORA. 



147 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Splendid Displays of the Aurora. — "The World on Fire." — Arrival of Captain 

 Parker in the True-love. — Visit to his Ship. — Nikujar the Pilot. — Anecdotes of 

 Parker's Arctic Experiences. — First Interview with the Innuits Ebierbing and 

 Tookoolito. — Their previous Visit to England and Presentation to Royalty. — The 

 Accomplishments of Tookoolito. — Eenoolooapik. — A Walk on Shore. — Snow- 

 storm. — A natural Causeway. — Fluctuations of the Compass Needle. — Tookoo- 

 lito at Work. — She tries to Educate her People. — Her Power to do Good. — Ad- 

 vantages of a Mission Colony. — Difference of Language among the Esquimaux. — 

 Carl Petersen, M'Clintock's Interpreter. — Tookoolito rebuking Swearers. 



For several days now our life was of a very monotonous de- 

 scription, except so far as varied by the visits of Esquimaux, who 

 were frequently on board performing different avocations more 

 or less useful to us. Scrubbing the cabin floor, sewing and dress- 

 ing sealskins, were some of the occupations that engrossed their 

 time. Occasionally the younger members were ready pupils un- 

 der my hand in trying to learn whatever I could teach them of 

 civilized education. 



But at this time the phenomena of Nature frequently gave me 

 intense delight. The aurora, in all its glorious brilliancy, shone 

 forth on several nights, and often did I linger on deck gazing 

 upon it, with my soul entranced by the sight. It is impossible 

 for me to give a just and full description of the immeasurable 

 beauty and grandeur of such a scene. All I can attempt to do is 

 to put before the reader my thoughts and sensations at the several 

 times, as recorded in my journal. 



"November 23, 1860. A few places at six o'clock this evening 

 where the cerulean sky and stars can be seen. While standing on 

 deck near the bow of the vessel, viewing Mars in its meridian 

 passage at this place, all at once a bright, beautiful beam of aurora 

 shot up midway between the star and the moon. The moon — 

 some 39° or 40° east of Mars — was shining brightly, but above 

 and below it were cirri cumuli clouds. Between the planets all 

 was clear. The aurora beams increased rapidly. They were of 

 prismatic colors to-night, pea-green predominating. Oh that I 

 could pen or pencil the beauty of this display ! The kind of 

 clouds which I have named are the most distant of any. The 



