376 



ARCTIC RESEARCH EXPEDITION. 



at once. In a quarter of an hour we had every thing on board, 

 and set out for the desperate work of running the " mill-race" of 

 waters pouring over the rocks, whose tops were then near the sur- 

 face. If we could not succeed in the attempt, we must either wait 

 until next tide, or make a long detour outward around several 

 islands. 



It was an exciting operation. Koojesse stood on the bread- 

 cask that was at the bow of the boat, so that he might indicate 

 the right passage among the rocks. Occasionally we touched 

 some of them, but a motion of the boat-hook in his hand gener- 

 ally led us right. There was a fine breeze helping us, and we 

 also kept our oars at work. Indeed, it required all the power we 

 could muster to carry us along against so fierce a tide. At one 

 time, thump, thump we came upon the rocks at full speed, fairly 

 arrested in our progress, and experiencing much difficulty in mov- 

 ing forward again. But, favored by the breeze, we at last got 

 through this channel, and soon stopped at an island to take our 

 much-needed breakfast. That dispatched, we again pushed on, 

 keeping along the coast. The land was low, with iron-looking 

 mountains in the background. But some spots showed signs of 

 verdure, and altogether, the day being fine, the scene was charm- 

 ing. 



By evening we had arrived at Tongue Cape, on the east side 

 of the entrance to Waddell Bay,* and there made our seventh 

 encampment. The whole of the next day was spent by the male 

 Innuits in hunting tuktoo, and by the women in sewing skins and 

 attending to other domestic matters. As usual, I was occupied 

 with my observations. 



On Sunday, August 18th, we left our seventh encampment and 

 proceeded along the coast. As we neared Opera-Glass Cape, a 

 point of land on the west side of Waddell Bay, round which we 

 had to pass, a kia was observed approaching ; and in a short time, 

 to my great surprise, the old Innuit Artarkparu was alongside 

 of us. 



This man was the lather of Koojesse's wife, and therefore the 

 meeting was additionally pleasant. He was, as may be recollect- 

 ed, an invalid, having lost the free use of his lower limbs by a dis- 

 ease in his thighs ; yet he was rarely idle, every day going out 

 sealing, ducking, or hunting for walrus and tuktoo. In the win- 



* Named after William Coventry H. Waddell, of New York City. Its east side 

 (Tongue Cape) is in lat. 63° 11' 30", and long. 66° 48' W. 



