386 



ARCTIC RESEARCH EXPEDITION. 



"We made what speed we could to the westward and northward, 

 having to use the oars, the wind being right ahead. In an hour's 

 time we came to an island, where the other boat was stopping a 

 while. Here I saw " Jack," the angeko, performing the ceremony 

 of ankooting over poor sick Tweroong. The woman was reclin- 

 ing on some tuktoo furs in the boat's bow, while Jack was seated 

 on the tide-wet rocks, making loud exclamations on her behalf. 

 It is very strange what faith these people place in such incanta- 

 tions. I never saw the ceremony otherwise than devoutly attend- 

 ed to. I then took my usual exploring walk upon the island, see- 

 ing the bones of a huge whale, portions of which were covered 

 with moss, and the rest bleached to a pure white, but all as heavy 

 as stone. 



When we again started, the sight of the two boats and two kias 

 pulling side by side was particularly interesting. There were 

 fourteen souls on board the other boat, men, women, and children, 

 the women pulling at the oars ; in each of the two kias was also 

 an Innuit man. The raven hair of the females hanging loosely 

 about the head and face — the flashing ornaments of brass on their 

 heads — their native dress — their methodical rock to and fro as 

 they propelled the boat along, formed, indeed, a striking picture. 

 All were abreast, the two boats and the two kias, and pulling in 

 friendly competition. " Miner" had a flag of checked red, white, 

 and black at the bow of his boat, and the glorious ensign of the 

 United States was streaming to the breeze at the bow of mine. 

 To me the scene was one of indescribable interest. In that re- 

 gion — never before visited by white man, except when Frobisher, 

 three centuries ago, set foot there — it was perfectly novel in its 

 features, and I was truly thankful that I had been blessed with 

 the privilege of raising the " Flag of the Free" in that strange 

 land. 



Our progress during the day was not very great, owing to the 

 frequent stoppages of my Innuit crew. Let me be ever so anxious 

 to get on, or to do any thing in the way of making observations, 

 if a seal popped up his head, or any thing appeared in the shape 

 of game, away they would go in chase, utterly regardless of my 

 wants or wishes. They meant no ill ; but the Innuits are like 

 eagles — untamable. 



Before reaching our tenth encampment* that night, which was 



* In lat. 63° 32' N., long. 67° 51' W., by a small cove one mile north of the important 

 island I have named " Frobisher's Farthest," called by the Innuits Ki-ki-tuk-ju-a. 



