RETURN TO ETAH. 
135 
secure under such circumstances from the Esquimaux 
hunters of the Far North, who, not having the kayak 
of the more southern settlements, can only approach 
them on the ice. 
In the late summer or “ ausak,” after all ice has 
melted, the walrus are in the habit of resorting to 
the rocks. They are then extremely alert and watch¬ 
ful; but the Esquimaux note their haunts carefully, 
and, concealing themselves in the clefts, await their 
approach with patient silence, and secure them by the 
harpoon and line. 
My departure fx-om Etah Bay was hastened by news 
from the brig. Hans brought me a letter from Dr. 
Hayes, while I was out walrus-hunting near Life-Boat 
Cove, which apprised me of the dangerous illness of 
Mr. McGary. I had a load of meat on my sledge, and 
was therefore unable to make good speed with my four 
tired dogs; but I rode and ran by turns, and reached 
the brig, after fifty miles’ travel, in seven hours from 
the time of meeting Hans. I was thoroughly broken 
down by the effoi't, but had the satisfaction of finding 
that my excellent second officer had passed the crisis 
of his attack. 
I left Hans behind me with orders to go to Peteravik 
and persuade Kalutunah to come to the brig, sending 
him a capstan-bar as a pledge of future largess,—in¬ 
valuable for its adaptation to harpoon-shafts. 
“April 19, Thui-sday.—The open water has not ad¬ 
vanced from the south more than four miles within 
the past three weeks. It is still barely within Cape 
