220 



ARCTIC RESEARCH EXPEDITION. 



procure food. Indeed, I understood that not less than a hundred 

 Innuits were located in one place, and doing well. 



On the 24th of February Ebierbing returned to Cornelius Grin- 

 nell Bay, carrying with him many presents and articles of provi- 

 sions for himself and wife, given by Captain B and myself. 



TJgarng also went away well loaded ; and Koodloo and his family, 

 Sharkey, with some of our dogs, and one or two other persons, 

 likewise departed for the same place. Sharkey was to come back 

 soon with the dogs, which were only loaned to him for the occa- 

 sion. Koojesse, Johnny Bull, Kokerzhun, and all the natives that 

 were about the ship on my arrival, or who came over soon after- 

 ward from Frobisher Bay, evinced their joy at my return in a 

 way that much pleased me, and showed that I had a hold of no 

 slight nature upon their affections. 



Thus two or three days passed away while preparations were 

 being made by the ship^s company for their spring whaling, and 

 by myself for another excursion, previous to making an effort to- 

 ward proceeding on the main object of my voyage. 



While thus occupied, an incident occurred that, when related, 

 as here, from notes taken at the time and from facts well-attested, 

 may perhaps, by some of my readers, be deemed almost incredi- 

 ble. But precisely as it took place, just so I narrate it. 



About 9 A.M. of March the 4th, the Innuit Charley, then on 

 deck, reported reindeer in sight upon the ice. This immediately 

 caused much excitement, and, from captain to cabin-boy, the cry 

 ran through the ship, " Tuktoo ! Tuktoo !" Of course we were 

 now all but certain we should get a taste of north country venison, 

 for there were numbers of us to give chase and insure a capture. 

 Guns were charged, and a whole party were going off to the hunt, 

 when it occurred to the more knowing ones that it would be wise 

 to let Koojesse, who offered himself, proceed alone, taking with 

 him only the rifle which I put in his hands. The wind, which 

 was blowing from the north, placed the herd on the windward 

 side of him, thus making his chance more favorable on account 

 of the deer being unable so readily to "scent" the foe. 



As Koojesse cautiously proceeded, we all watched him most 

 eagerly. Fifteen minutes saw him "breasted" by a small island 

 toward which the deer approached. When they were within 

 rifle shot he fired, but evidently missed, for the game wheeled 

 round and darted away. 



Directly the report was heard, Barbekarh, my Greenland dog, 



