528 



AKCTIC RESEARCH EXPEDITION. 



sledge with our backs to the gale. The sun was out with thaw- 

 ing heat, melting the snows in our front, wetting our furs, while 

 the temperature at our backs was 14° below the freezing mark. 

 When we reached the point at the west side of the entrance to 

 Ward's Inlet at 8 A.M., we were compelled to stop and go into 

 camp. 



My notes, written upon the spot, read, "Stop on account of 

 the driving gale and drift. Sharkey proceeds to make an igloo. 

 Koojesse is sick — knocked up completely, while I am in perfect 

 health." 



As I have said, the sun was out, notwithstanding the flying- 

 drift ; therefore I proceeded to occupy myself as usual in making 

 observations for time, and taking a round of angles, etc. 



I continue extracts from my rough and ready note-book of 

 same date (May 13th) : " The gale abated 2 P.M., yet snow flying 

 thick over toward Kingaite. Thought of starting, but, desirous 

 of having good and extensive views when I cross the Bay of Fro- 

 bisher to Kingaite side, I decided to hold over till to-morrow. It 

 will take two days' good weather to get back to the place of tenth 

 encampment — perhaps three. Koojesse and Sharkey gathered 

 from the mountain's side a skin jacket full of Northern wood 

 (dwarf shrub), with which we cooked a soup. The dogs have no 

 food. To supply them and ourselves, shall have to let the Innu- 

 its seal to-morrow. Gave Koojesse pills to-night ; he is badly off. 



" Wednesday r ; May 14dh. Up. at 2 A.M. We cooked our break- 

 fast of tuktoo and seal. Used the straw (dwarf shrub) of our 

 beds for fuel. This morning, as a matter of trial of the pluck of 

 my companions, I proposed to continue up to the head of Frobish- 

 er Bay. The Innuits expressed a willingness to go. I have no 

 idea of doing this, but now intend to cross Frobisher Bay to-day 

 from Noo-ook-too-ad-loo, a small island close by Eae's Point, di- 

 rect to Kingaite, and thence pass down by the coast to near 

 where I had my ninth encampment, and then recross the bay to 

 place of tenth encampment. The weather is thick this morning, 

 but there is a bright streak along the horizon in the east. The 

 dogs are very hungry. Last night they ate up the whip-lash, 

 which was thirty feet long. They are voracious. I witnessed a 

 sight some days since of a hungry dog swallowing down a piece 

 of how (walrus hide and blubber) one inch and a half square and 

 six feet long in seven seconds ! The act I timed by chronome- 

 ter." 



