INNUIT PKECAUTION. 



535 



the coast. Sharkey said it was altogether doubtful whether we 

 should be able to do so, on account of the ou-kun-nier (an extend- 

 ed opening in the ice caused by the tides). It seems that, during 

 the coldest weather, these open places between the numerous isl- 

 ands in this part of Frobisher Bay never freeze over on account 

 of the swiftly-running tides. However, we experienced no great 

 trouble in making our way over an ice-belt that led past this ou- 

 kun-nier. This space of open water abounded in seals. In the 

 course of a few minutes Sharkey fired two shots, the last being 

 successful, killing a fine large seal, which we soon had fast to the 

 sledge. We now had a Ninoo and a seal — enough for a feast for 

 both men and dogs. 



When at the tide-opening we were only one mile and a half 

 from where we had killed the bear. This distance would not sat- 

 isfy my friends by several miles for making encampment, there- 

 fore, at 6 P.M., we resumed our journey. A few minutes brought 

 us to where the channel opened out to a beautiful bay, which I 

 named Eggleston Bay.* Our course then was over a smooth field 

 of ice. After making a distance of some six miles from where the 

 bear was killed, and as we were making good progress homeward 

 directly down the bay, all at once the dogs were turned by the 

 driver sharply to the left, nearly but not quite half round, and di- 

 rected toward the south termination of Pugh Island, where we 

 made our eighteenth encampment. Before we retired for the 

 night the sledge was stuck up on end in an ice-crack, and the guns 

 and spears were put in order, at the head of our couch, for imme- 

 diate use, if occasion should require it. As I needed an explana- 

 tion of some of these movements of my Innuit companions, so my 

 readers may require one of me. I thus give it: The reason of 

 going to such a distance from the scene of the bear-hunt before 

 making our encampment has already been given. The sharp turn 

 • — nearly reversing our course — -was designed, as the Esquimaux 

 explained it, for a safeguard against pursuit by the enraged old 

 bear. If she should attempt to pursue on our sledge-track, her 

 movements would be rapid ; and, finding the track nearly in a 

 straight line for so long a distance, she would become somewhat 

 confident, "thinking" that the same undeviating course had been 

 kept to the end ; therefore, on her reaching the place of the sharp 

 turn, it might be unnoticed and unscented, and she would con- 



* Named after Benjamin Eggleston, of Cincinnati, Ohio. The centre of this bay 

 is in lat. 63° 13' N., long. 68° W. See Chart. 



