A RAGING SEA TEARING UP ICE. 



289 



half past 2 A.M., and I also noticed that clouds were hugging 

 some of the high lands. This indicated a coming storm. At 

 8 45 A.M. we passed from the bay to the main land, and now it 

 began to blow strongly from the southwest. I selected the lee 

 side of some rocks and took several compass bearings, then pro- 

 ceeded on my way alone, the rest of my party, with the sledge, 

 having gone on before. I overtook them at the summit of Bay- 

 ard Taylor Pass, and then together we began the descent on the 

 other side. 



I have already spoken of this Pass, but each time I traversed it 

 I could not help being transfixed with wondering awe. Near the 

 western termination of this pass each side is walled by bold, crag- 

 gy mountains, and the scenery there is truly magnificent. Well 

 might I exclaim, as I did on viewing it, Great God, thy works 

 are indeed mighty ! Shortly after, when we reached the frozen 

 waters of the bay, the dogs and sledge carried us along past scen- 

 ery ever changing and remarkable. While crossing this, I judged 

 it to be Frobisher's Countess of Warwick Sound. 



Our course this time, owing to a wide gap in the ice, led us to 

 the north of Oopungnewing, as we intended to make for the low 

 point of land called Twerpukjua; hence we passed the island at 

 some little distance. Here^ when nearest to it, Punnie left us to 

 go to Annawa's settlement ; and after resting a while, employing 

 the time in sealing, we again proceeded. Kiountelik Island we 

 passed about a quarter of a mile off, and then, at 10 A.M., we ar- 

 rived at Twerpukjua. 



When approaching the shore-ice we met a party of Innuits 

 with a sledge and team of dogs going to the vessel, having just 

 come from the island where I had been April 25th and 26th, 

 while staying wtth Sampson. Among them were Johnny Bull, 

 his wife Kokerzhun, and New-iver-che, one of the most enterpris- 

 ing and energetic Innuits with whom I was acquainted. The§r 

 reported that the ice had broken up, and said it would be impos- 

 sible for me to proceed on my journey by sledge. This I soon 

 perceived to be the case. While consulting with them, I could 

 see quite enough to convince me so. The wind was then blow- 

 ing strong from the south. A heavy sea was at work tearing up 

 the ice between Niountelik and Twerpukjua. To where we were, 

 the distance from the raging, open sea was not two hundred fath- 

 oms. 



It was a trial to me to give up this trip, yet I acted as I believe 



T 



