342 



ARCTIC RESEARCH EXPEDITION. 



Nothing was done, or could then be done, to alleviate Sampson's 

 distress or arrest the progress of his disease, which was evidently, 

 as Kogers thought, a cancer. It was neglected, and the dirt, tuk- 

 too hair, etc., that were allowed to accumulate within it, irritated 

 the sore and hastened its progress. 



Ookgooalloo was also confined to his tupic, unable to sit up, 

 and spitting blood. And the other Innuits seemed to be all starv- 

 ing, only one man being in a condition to go out and hunt for 

 food. On the following morning Eogers started for an island a 

 little farther up, and arrived there at 11 A.M. While there he 

 visited a place in which, he was informed by the natives, a good 

 harbor could be found ; and he saw that such was the case for 

 small vessels, but not for the George Henry, as only eight feet wa- 

 ter, and this over black sandy bottom, could be found. He re- 

 mained an hour there, and then struck a course direct down the 

 bay for the whaling depot. The wind, however, came against 

 him with so great force that he was obliged to make for Samp- 

 son's settlement, and remain there for that night. Next morning 

 he again set out, and on the way his Innuit crew killed many 

 ducks, which they ate raw. Eogers was offered some, but he 

 said to me, " I could not go that. 11 He arrived at the whaling 

 depot, at Cape True, about 11 P.M. on the 26th, and finally re- 

 turned to the ship as already stated. 



The return of the George Henry's crew on board, and the break- 

 ing up of the ice, were the signal for the ship's departure to anoth- 

 er place, to try anew the chances of whaling ; but with all relating 

 to such work, except where it is connected with my own personal 

 labors, I have nothing to do. My task was that of research, ex- 

 ploration, and discovery, and not to aid in the capture of whales, 

 albeit that, in itself, was an exciting and adventurous occupation. 

 I had come to the North for another and, to me, a more glorious 

 purpose. When, therefore, the time approached for the vessel to 

 move away, the hour had also come for me to leave her and take 

 up my abode with the natives, as I had originally proposed. 

 What my plans and intentions were, as noted and recorded at the 

 time, I will now proceed to show. 



It was now the 28th of July, 1861. In two or three days the 

 vessel was to leave Eescue Harbor to cruise for whales. I intend- 

 ed, therefore, to make a boat voyage to explore the so-called " Fro- 

 bisher Strait," which had been proved to me, by Innuit testimony,* 

 * See page 126, and the Sketch Chart, page 125. 



