164 



AKCTIC EE SEARCH EXPEDITION. 



CHAPTEK IX. 



Visit to Esquimaux Village. — First Specimen of domestic Life among the Innuits. 

 — Seal's Blood excellent. — Blind George in Trouble. — His paternal Affection. — 

 "Black Skin" for Food. — Female Tongues good Cleaners. — The Angeko. — Ex- 

 traordinary Conduct of the Natives. — The Angeko's Power. — Mysteries of Innuit 

 Worship. — Koojesse's Trepidation. — Angeko's Cunning. — Choice of Wives. — Cu- 

 rious Guide Poles to Travelers. — Charley's independence of Angeko. — Ship beset 

 in the Ice. — Hoar-frost on the Rigging. — Changes of Temperature. — Sudden 

 Movements of the Ice. — Frozen in. — A Bear-hunt.— Author's first Encounter with 

 a Bear. — Death of Bruin. — Visit the Tupic of Ebierbing. — Scarcity of Innuit 

 Food and Fuel. — The Esquimaux Lamp. — Patience and Perseverance of an In- 

 nuit Hunter. — An Igloo. 



At this time I frequently paid visits to the Esquimaux village, 

 and one trip I find recorded in my journal as follows: 



"October 30. After dinner a boat was sent from the ship to ob- 

 tain some fresh water at the head of the bay, and I availed my- 

 self of the opportunity to go on shore. Smith had charge of the 

 boat, and in less than an hour we arrived at a beautiful little har- 

 bor two and a half miles distant northwesterly from the vessel. 

 Here there was a complete Esquimaux village, and all the inhab- 

 itants, men, women, children, and dogs, rushed out to meet us. 

 Our crew consisted of five white men, and each of them soon en- 

 gaged a native to carry water to the boat, while he himself sought 

 amusement among the tents. Smith and I walked on for about 

 an eighth of a mile to the lakelet where the water was obtained, 

 and put the Esquimaux fairly to work. We then returned, and 

 called at one of the tents. Smith, being first, intended to pass in, 

 but had no sooner lifted the folding door (pendent skins) and in- 

 troduced his head, than he rapidly withdrew it again, exclaiming, 

 ; Whew ! By thunder, I'm not going in there ! It's crowded, and 

 smells horribly. How it looms up !' He then turned away, but 

 I, having more inducements to bear the infliction, determined to 

 pass in. ■ 



" Bowing down almost to a horizontal position, in went head, 

 shoulders, body, and all. The next second I found myself butt 

 up against a dozen Esquimaux, all lusty fellows, and crowded to- 

 gether in a heap, each armed with a knife ! But there was no 

 cause for alarm. The knives were not for any warlike or evil 



