PEKI U T L I K. 
9QQ 
» o t.» 
lump rising here and there through the lead-colored 
surface, like tussocks of grass or rushes struggling 
through a swamp. The labor would have been too 
much for us, weary and broken as we were, but for the 
occasional assistance we derived from the Esquimaux. 
I remember once a sledge went so far under, carrying 
with it several of the party, that the boat floated 
loose. Just then seven of the natives came up to us, 
—five sturdy men, and two almost as sturdy women,— 
and, without waiting to be called on, worked with us 
most efficiently for more than half a day, asking no 
reward. 
Still passing slowly on day after day,—I am reluc¬ 
tant to borrow from my journal the details of anxiety 
and embarrassment with which it abounds through¬ 
out this period,— we came at last to the unmis¬ 
takable neighborhood of the open water. We were 
off Pekiutlik, the largest of the Littleton Island 
group, opposite “Kosoak,” the Great River. Here 
Mr. Wilson and George Whipple rejoined us, under 
the faithful charge of old Nessark. They had broken 
through twice on the road, but without any serious 
inconvenience in consequence. It was with truly 
thankful hearts we united in our prayers that 
evening. 
One only was absent of all the party that remained 
on our rolls. Hans, the kind son and ardent young 
lover of Fiskernaes, my well-trusted friend, had been 
missing for neai'ly two months. I am loath to tell the 
story as I believe it, for it may not be the true one 
