448 



ARCTIC RESEARCH EXPEDITION. 



weights of stones at their base, and my readers may conceive bet- 

 ter than I can describe the position I was in during my detention 

 on that desolate coast. 



During this trip I had opportunities for much talk with the In- 

 nuits concerning the Frobisher expedition, and also concerning 

 some of their own traditions and superstitions. Concerning the 

 " dreaded land," Annawa said: 



" Years ago many Innuits were carried away on the ice and 

 never came back again. Then Innuits would not live there for 

 a long time. Finally they began to go there again in great num- 

 bers, when once more they were all lost, but how no Innuit could 

 tell. At last, hearing nothing from the people who had gone 

 there, a boat's crew of Innuits went to ascertain their fate. They 

 arrived in the region they sought, but the very first night they 

 could not sleep, owing to a terrible noise, all the same as if Nu-na 

 — the land — cracked, shook, and broke. There was no sea, no 

 wind, no ice; se-lar — sky — fine, weather good, yet the dreadful 

 noise continued. However, the searching party went on shore to 

 examine ; they looked around, and they went all over the land, 

 but not one of their people could be found. All were gone ! 

 Some mysterious fate had overtaken them. This frightened the 

 new visitors ; they knew not what to make of it. Then, too, the 

 dreadful noises continued ; each night their sleep was troubled by 

 a repetition of the direful sounds. The earth cracked and rum- 

 bled, and seemed as if breaking up in all directions. It was 

 enough ! Without farther delay, the visitors took to their boat 

 and left the dreaded land. Since then no Innuits will live there." 

 Annawa said the last catastrophe happened when he was a boy ; 

 the first was a long time before he was born. 



On Wednesday, October 9th, though within a mile of Lupton 

 Channel, I determined upon returning to the ship ; it was all but 

 impossible to proceed. But here again were other disappoint- 

 ments ; the wind changed, a heavy storm set in right against us, 

 and, after accomplishing a short distance, we had once more to 

 encamp, this time close to " French Head." 



My trip thus far had been any thing but pleasant. In the boat 

 I was so cramped, and wet with the spray, that I could hardly 

 move. When I landed my limbs almost refused their several 

 functions, and it was necessary for me to have a good walk before 

 I could restore proper circulation. It was a comfort to have such 

 a walk, a greater comfort to be within the tupic, and a still greater 



