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Page 11
13th. It blew hard from the West. David and Okkiksuk crossed the bay to
explore the state of the ice from the hills. In the evening they
returned with intelligence, that the sea was cleared of ice to the
northward. David had caught a netsek, (a small species of seal), and we
had taken a good draught of trout in the net before our tent.
14th. Jonathan roused us at four in the morning, the wind being in our
favour, and we immediately made preparations to depart. After breakfast,
as we were praying the Litany, a sudden storm arose. We were assembled
in Jonathan's tent, and the stones and pegs, with which it had been
fastened down to the ground, being already removed, the tent-skins were
soon blown about our heads by the violence of the wind, and we were now
obliged patiently to wait till the storm abated. In the midst of our
deliberations, accompanied with expressions of our disappointment,
Thukkekina gravely observed, that we might very likely get away this
summer, and need not be dismayed. Towards evening, it fell calm, and the
musquitoes teazed us unmercifully. We supped on fresh salmon, filled our
tents with smoke, to keep off our winged tormentors, shut ourselves in,
and forgot our grievances and Thukkekina's consolations in sound sleep.
15th. In the morning at three o'clock, we took a final leave of
Nullatartok bay, and got under way with a favourable, though rather
boisterous wind at S.W. having been detained here for twelve days by the
ice. After about an hour's sail, we were near the entrance of the inlet,
when a sudden gust from the mountains carried away our after-top-mast,
with sail and tackle. It fell with great noise on the deck, and into the
sea. By God's mercy no one was hurt, and we were more particularly
thankful, that of the five children on board, none were just then on
deck.
It once happened, that the main-yard fell down, and but narrowly missed
striking two children, who with a third were sitting and playing
together. They must inevitably have lost their lives, had it fallen upon
them. We praised God for their preservation during the whole voyage. By
the above-mentioned disaster, we were obliged to run into a small cove,
where we repaired the mast with all speed, and proceeded with a gentle
wind towards Nachvak. A calm ensued, and as there is no anchorage
between Nullatartok and Nachvak, we rowed all night, and felt the
advantage of the great length of days, at this season of the year.
16th. The view we had of the magnificent mountains of Nachvak,
especially about sun-rise, afforded us and our Esquimaux great
gratification. Their south-east extremity much resembles Saddle island
near Okkak, being high, steep, and of singular shape. These mountains in
general are not unlike those of Kaumayok for picturesque outline. In one
place, tremendous precipices form a vast amphitheatre, surmounted by a
ledge of green sod, which seemed to be the resort of an immense number
of sea-gulls and other fowls, never interrupted by the intrusion of man.
They flew with loud screams backwards and forwards over our heads, as if
to warn off such unwelcome visitors. In another place, a narrow chasm
opens into the mountain, widening into a lagoon, the surrounding rocks
resembling the ruins of a large Gothic building, with the green ocean
for its pavement, and the sky for its dome. The weather being fine, and
the sun cheering us with his bright rays, after a cold and sleepless
night, we seemed to acquire new vigour, by the contemplation of the
grand features of nature around us. We now perceived some Esquimaux with
a woman's boat, in a small bay, preparing to steer for Nachvak. They
fired their pieces, and called to us to join them, as they had
discovered a stranded whale. Going on shore to survey the remains of
this huge animal, we found it by no means a pleasant sight. It lay upon
the rocks, occupying a space about thirty feet in diameter, but was much
shattered, and in a decaying state. Our people, however, cut off a
quantity of blubber from its lips. The greater part of the blubber of
this fish was lost, as the Esquimaux had no means of conveying it to
Okkak.
The Esquimaux stationed here showed great willingness to assist us; and
as our party was much fatigued with rowing all night, they towed us into
Nachvak, where we arrived about 2 P.M. Old Kayaluk and a young man,
Parnguna, and his wife, were here. The latter called on Brother
Kohlmeister, and thanked him for having saved her life. He had forgotten
that he had once given her medicine at Okkak in a dangerous illness, but
her gratitude was still unbounded.
CHAPTER V.
_Reception at Nachvak. Description of the bay. The Esquimaux
manner of spearing salmon and trout. Christian deportment of
the Okkak and Hopedale Esquimaux. Jonas's address to the
Heathen. Love of music general among these Indians. Departure
from Nachvak. Danger in doubling the North Cape. Arrival at
Sangmiyok bay._
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