268 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP. Another yourt, to which a store of provision was attached, by a low 
subterraneous passage, w^as examined by Lieutenant Belcher the ensuing 
"'“82?’ respects very similar, and as I have given a section 
of it, needs no particular description. Of these yourts, one was of much 
larger dimensions than the others, which, it w^as intimated by the natives, 
was constructed for the purpose of dancing and amusing themselves. 
Mr. Belcher was particularly struck with the cleanliness of the boards 
and sleeping places in the interior of the your the examined ; while the 
passage and entrance were allowed to remain in so filthy a condition, 
the air was too oppressive to continue in them for any length of time. 
Every yourt had its rafters for placing sledges, skins of oil, or other 
articles upon in the winter time, to prevent their being buried in the 
snow. The number of these frames, some bearing sledges, and others 
the skeletons of boats, formed a complete wmod, which had attracted 
our notice at the distance of six or seven miles. Of the many yourts 
which composed the village, very few were occupied ; the others had 
their entrances blocked up with logs of drift wood and the ribs of 
whales. From this circumstance, and the infirm condition of almost 
all who remained at the village, it was evident that the inhabitants had 
gone on sealing excursions, to provide a supply of food for the winter. 
The natives, wdien we were about to take our leave, accompanied us 
to the boat, and as we pushed off they each picked up a few pebbles 
and carried them aw^ay with them, but for what purpose we could not 
guess, nor had we ever seen the custom before. 
The point upon which this village stands projects almost sixteen 
miles from the general line of coast ; it is intersected by several lakes 
and small creeks, the entrances of which are on the north side. There is 
a bar across the mouth of the opening, consisting of pebbles and mud, 
which has every appearance of being on the increase ; but when the 
water is smooth a boat may enter, and she will find very excellent 
security within from all winds. It is remarkable that both Cook and 
Clarke, who passed within a very short distance of this point, mistook 
the projection for ice that had been driven against the land, and 
omitted to mark it in their chart. 
The next morning we communicated with the barge, and found 
