170 



ARCTIC RESEARCH EXPEDITION. 



quimaux the meaning of this, but none would inform me till I 

 met Koojesse, who said it was for a guide to any Innuit stranger 

 traveling that way, and who was thus welcomed, as well as direct- 

 ed what to do. 



As soon as Koojesse had left the tent, he immediately set to 

 work in completing the operation of filling our water-cask. He 



had been told by Captain B to find, fill, and send off another 



cask, left on shore during some stormy weather a few days back, 

 and this he now did by directing nearly the whole inhabitants of 

 the village to aid in the task. Every conceivable article possessed 

 by the natives that would hold water, from a pint up to a gallon, 

 was brought into requisition. Most of these articles were made 

 of tin, supplied by the various whaling ships visiting Northum- 

 berland Inlet, but it would have puzzled a white man to detect 

 any difference between their color and a negro's. Some of the 

 vessels, however, were made of oolcgook skins, and were excellent 

 affairs — water-tight, light, but strong, and in no danger of being 

 broken or indented. 



As soon as the one cask in our boat was full we were ready for 

 starting, when it was ascertained that Ugarng and Kunniu were 

 absent. Seeking for them caused some slight delay, and, mean- 

 while, Angeko began his tricks again. By signs he first ordered 

 one, and then another of the Esquimaux, to do this and do that, 

 and, with a single exception, all obeyed. The exception was 

 Kooperneung (Charley), who, standing in the boat's stern, was 

 smoking a pipe. He was told by the angeko to put away his 

 pipe ; but Charley, with the same smiling face that he generally 

 possessed, laughed loud and heartily as he laid hold of his pipe, 

 gave it a swing, and replaced it, smoking away as before. Evi- 

 dently Charley was an Independent, though I imagined, from 

 what I had seen of him before going to the wizard's tent, that his 

 bravado now was more because he was under present civilized 

 rule than from any real strength of mind in the matter. 



The other natives pulling the boat were servilely obedient. At 

 a signal from the angeko, who swung his arms on high, my Innuit 

 crew tossed up their oars, and turned their attention to the shore. 

 There we saw him surrounded by the villagers, and making signs 

 for us to return. 



Now Ugarng had on his neck a colored kerchief given him by 

 some civilized hand. This was stated by the angeko to be a great 

 encumbrance, and would be better off than on — in fact, would be 



