430 



ARCTIC RESEARCH EXPEDITION. 



change of moon. The iron stain from this specimen was in the 

 rock ; otherwise its top was cleanly washed. 



" This was just what I wanted to find — some of the heavy stone 

 which the venerable Innuit woman, Ookijoxy JSTinoo, had told me 

 about the previous winter. Of course my heart was a happy one 

 in finding this iron, brought here only eighty-six years after the 

 discovery of America by Columbus. 



" The Innuit circles of stones at Tikkoon, indicating this to be 

 a place for the summer residences of the Innuits, were very nu- 

 merous. I know not where I have seen more numerous signs of 

 Innuits than on the plain a little distant from the cape. Between 

 the plain and the extremity of the cape the usual rough old rocks 

 are the nature of the land. The north side is flanked by high, 

 bold mountains, a bay extending back for a mile or so on the 

 west side. On the east side extends the bay, one branch of which 

 leads toward Field Bay. The plain extends across the cape 

 from one bay to the other, the distance being less than one eighth 

 of a mile. The " heavy stone" was found at the coast edge fac- 

 ing Kodlunam, which island is about half a mile off. Bones 

 of ducks, tuktoo, walrus, and whale were numerous all around. 

 Some were very old, being nearly overgrown with grass and 

 moss. I doubt not, two or three centuries old were some of these 

 remains." 



On leaving Tikkoon the wind was strong from the northeast, 

 and it soon increased to a gale. Kooterenier (Miner) was my 

 boat-steerer, and well he performed his task in passing several 

 dangerous places where heavy gusts came rushing down the ra- 

 vines or over the abrupt mountains. Our boat shipped much 

 water, the mad waves frequently flying over us. Once a sharp 

 gust caught us while under sail, and instantly sent the boat on- 

 ward toward a dangerous reef of rocks on our lee. In a moment 

 sail was down, oars out, and all hands pulling strong and rapidly 

 to clear the danger. Fortunately, a few moments of hard work 

 carried us free, and we soon after reached Cape Ood-loo-ong and 

 landed. 



Here I took a few compass bearings, and walked about to ex- 

 amine the spot. Many relics of Innuits were seen here. After 

 remaining there an hour we again started, and proceeded up Vic- 

 toria Bay, keeping well inshore for smoother water. The scenery 

 was magnificent. Stupendous cliffs rose up almost perpendicular 

 from the water's edge, and mountains towered high above me, the 



