196 



AECTIC RESEARCH EXPEDITION. 



we lowered the sledge. The tide, however, was out, and it caused 

 some difficulty in getting on to the main ice. At length all was 

 safely accomplished, and once more we started on our way, Too- 

 koolito again leading. Then we proceeded for about five miles, 

 when we came to an igloo out on the ice, which had evidently 

 been erected and occupied the night before by Ugarng and his 

 party. Here we should have stopped; but, as the igloo was too 

 small for us, we went on another mile, and then, rinding good ma- 

 terial for building a snow house, we encamped at 5 P.M." 



Ebierbing and Koodloo at once commenced sawing out snow- 

 blocks, while I carried them to a suitable spot for erecting the 

 igloo, which took us one hour to make. And a right good one it 

 was, as I soon found. The door sealed up, and the cheerful lamp 

 in full blaze, with a hot supper preparing, made me feel remark- 

 ably comfortable, though in a house of snow, built so speedily 

 upon the frozen surface of the treacherous ocean. I will here 

 give this matter more in detail. 



Soon as the igloo was completed, Tookoolito entered and com- 

 menced placing the stone lamp in its proper position. It was 

 then trimmed, and soon a kettle of snow was over it making 

 water for coffee and soup. She then proceeded to place several 

 pieces of board we had brought with us on the snow platform 

 where our beds were to be made. Upon these pieces was spread 

 the canvas containing some of that small dry shrub I have al- 

 ready alluded to. Over this went the tuktoo skins, and thus our 

 sleeping accommodations were complete. 



I should mention that every article on the sledge is passed in 

 through an opening at the back of the igloo, for the purpose of 

 convenience. When all is thus within, then this opening is closed, 

 and a proper entrance made on the side opposite the beds. The 

 dogs are left outside. 



The drying of whatever has been worn during the day, or 

 whatever has become wet with perspiration, falls to the lot of the 

 " igloo wife." She places the things on the in-ne-tin (a net over 

 the fire-lamp), and through the night attends to the turning of 

 them, as occasion requires. Her other duties consist in the re- 

 pairing of such clothing as may be needed. Nothing is allowed 

 to go one day without repair. Every thing, where care is re- 

 quired, even to pipes and tobacco, is placed in the igloo wife's 

 hands — in this case, Tookoolito's. These matters I particularly 

 noticed on the occasion of my first night spent in an arctic igloo. 



