AKRIVAL AT SAMPSON'S. 



265 



well, and had often resided there. It was called Ah-hoo-wie-shut- 

 too-ping* One hour's walk across the ice brought us close to 

 it. Ice boulders, however, always between the sea-ice and the 

 " ice-foot," gave us the usual trouble in getting on shore ; but, this 

 over, we soon found ourselves, to my great joy, among familiar 

 faces. The first I saw was Sampson, who, taking me kindly by 

 the hand, squeezed it, hugged it,- patted it, and then led me into his 

 igloo. 



It was an early hour for them, and his family were still in bed, 

 yet they all arose and heartily welcomed me. Food, and especial- 

 ly water , was plentifully put before me, and I need not say how 

 gratefully I partook of both. Four large igloos were there, each 

 occupied by two families. The bay being partially frozen over, 

 the men were preparing to start on a grand sealing excursion to- 

 ward Kingaite, which here seemed to be only about twenty -five 

 miles off. Two of the women accompanied this party, and before 

 they left I arranged with Sampson to stay in his igloo until he 

 returned. His wife was sick, and with her two daughters she re- 

 mained to "keep house." 



Sampson and his party started about 8 A.M. of Thursday, April 

 25th, and at noon a snow-storm raged so furiously that some fears 

 were entertained for their safety ; but they returned in the after- 

 noon, having captured one fine seal. A feast, as usual, followed ; 

 and here I noticed for the first time an Innuit custom of giving to 

 the youngest child the seaVs eyes. That night, while in bed, I re- 

 ceived a rather unwelcome visitor in the following way : 



It has been justly said that "knowledge is often pursued under 

 difficulties," but in my case the knowledge I desired came to me 

 instead of my seeking it. 



I was desirous of making myself acquainted with the tides in 

 that region, and took every opportunity to investigate the subject; 

 but, on the night in question, between seven and eight o'clock, the 

 tide came pouring into the igloo, threatening destruction to all with- 

 in it. The full moon, by Greenwich time, was, April 24th, 10 h. 

 23 m., and, consequently, the highest rise of the tide would here be 

 some forty hours after. I had watched for it during some time, 

 and finally retired to my tuktoo furs, little expecting it would 

 show itself to me by my bedside in the way it did ; but such a 

 proof was enough. From it I ascertained that the rise of tide at 

 full and change was thirty feet. Fortunately, the tidal flow and 



* In lat. 62° 56' N., long. 65° 57' W. 



