THE SNOW VILLAGE. — A SUNDAY PICTURE. 271 



Next morning I arose much refreshed, and took a walk on the 

 neighboring hill. The ice had before parted and left the bay al- 

 most free, but I was greatly astonished at the immense number 

 of ducks I saw swimming about. For miles and miles around 

 the waters were literally covered and black with them, making 

 such a thundering, indescribable medley of sounds as quite start- 

 led me. Talk about the " absence of life" in these regions of ice 

 and snow ! Why, before my eyes were countless numbers of 

 animated creatures, from the winged fowl of the sea to the seal 

 and walrus ! 



What do all these creatures live upon? Why are they here? 

 The waters must be alive with other innumerable creatures ! Soon 

 "great whales" will be here, and for what? Is there food for 

 them here too ? 



At 9 A.M. I left Twerpukjua, and directed my way to Anna- 

 wa's, at the island of Oopungnewing, where I arrived in due 

 course, and was kindly welcomed as usual. Noodleyong was 

 busy sewing skins together for making the summer tupic or tent, 

 and Annawa, with other men, were out sealing. In the afternoon 

 these latter returned, and we had the customary feast in the open 

 air. 



It was Sunday, and I could not help thoughtfully looking upon 

 the scene before me. There was the snow village of pure white 

 igloos, with their wad-lings and took-soos embellished by trophies 

 of the walrus hunts. A score of laughing, happy, untutored, un- 

 civilized, and " unchristianized" sons and daughters of the North 

 were around or near me. There was a group on my right com- 

 mencing the feast; three women, that had been out gathering 

 help (seaweed) as an article of food, coming up from the beach ; 

 Annawa and his sealing company drawing up their kias on the 

 floe-ice seaward ; open water near by covered with ducks ; Blind 

 George standing in front of Bob's igloo, facing and welcoming 

 the sun's warm rays ; a number of boys drawing another captured 

 seal across the rugged ice lining the shore ; and one young urchin 

 with a brace of ducks newly shot. In the narrow distance were 

 some icebergs and floating masses of ice, and behind, as well as 

 far off, the bold mountains, which gave a grandeur to the view. 



The next morning, April 29th, accompanied by Esheeloo and 

 his wife Oonga, I started on. foot for the ship in Eescue Harbor, a 

 distance of about twenty miles. 



Part of the way was over broken ice, and this made the jour- 



