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Page 14
CHAPTER VI.
_Pass Cape Nennoktok. Visit the Esquimaux families at
Kummaktorvik and Amitok. Description of an Esquimaux travelling
bed. Mountains seen at Ungava. Netsek seal described. Greenland
houses. Danger of being shipwrecked near Kakkeviak._
July 20th.--We proceeded with little or no wind, and taking to our oars,
doubled the great Cape of Nennoktok. Here a strong swell from the sea
met us, and tossed our boat violently about, and, having no wind, it
drove us nearer to the shore than was perfectly safe. We remained about
an hour in this unpleasant situation, when a breeze sprung up, which
carried us out to the open sea among islands. It now began to rain very
hard, and the wind rose. While Brother Kmoch was assisting the people on
deck, Brother Kohlmeister had enough to do below, to keep peace among
the furniture of our cabin, and sometimes found himself defeated in his
attempts, pots and pans, and boxes, and every thing that was not a
fixture, tumbling upon him. Several of our people were in the skin-boat,
and the fury of the wind and sea would not permit them to come to our
assistance. The weather also became so thick and foggy between the
islands, that we were unable to see to any distance. Jonathan was
therefore glad to have been yesterday on shore, when from the mountain
he discovered the situation of the promontory, the coast, and the
islands before us, and now contrived to steer in the proper direction.
We soon found ourselves in smoother water, and among islands, where a
vast number of seals and birds made their appearance. At six in the
evening we reached _Kummaktorvik_, and came to an anchor.
Having landed, Brother Kmoch shot a hare, close to the beach. These
creatures are white in winter, and grey in summer, and in winter so
numerous, that though, when roasted, they are excellent food, we were
almost tired of them last year at Okkak.
The rain continuing during the whole of the night and forenoon of the
21st, we found it necessary by sufficient rest to strengthen ourselves
for future watchfulness.
An Esquimaux travelling bed consists of a large bag of reindeer-skin,
with the hair turned inward, covered with seal-skin, the hair turned
outward. It is furnished with a broad flap to cover the mouth, and a
strap to fasten down the flap. This bag comprehends the whole apparatus
and furniture of an Esquimaux bed-room. Having undressed, the traveller
creeps into it, and a kind neighbour having shut him up close by
fastening the strap, he leaves him to sleep on till morning, when he
helps him out again. In summer the flap is dispensed with. The
invention, however, is of European origin, and a luxury introduced by
the Missionaries; for an Esquimaux lies down in his clothes, without
further preparation.
In the morning we landed, and had the usual Sunday's service with our
people on shore; after which Brother Kohlmeister visited the Esquimaux
in their tents, and had some religious conversation with them, to which
they seemed to pay attention. Afterwards Kuttaktok, John, Nukkapiak, and
Kajulik, with their wives, came to see us on board. They are the winter
inhabitants of this bay. John was baptized in infancy at Okkak, but
afterwards left the settlement, and not only associates with the heathen
Esquimaux, but has even been guilty of murder. All of them, however,
come occasionally to Okkak. They had two tents about four miles from our
landing place.
22d. The contrary wind forbidding our departure, Brother Kohlmeister,
accompanied by Jonathan, Jonas, and Thukkekina, walked across the
country to the N.W. bay, to return their visit. When they saw them
coming at a distance, they fired their pieces, to direct them to the
tents, and came joyfully to meet the Missionary and his party. Nothing
could exceed the cordiality with which they received them. A kettle was
immediately put on the fire to cook salmon-trout, and all were invited
to partake, which was the more readily accepted, as the length of the
walk had created an appetite, the keenness of which overcame all
squeamishness. To do these good people justice, their kettle was rather
cleaner than usual, the dogs having licked it well, and the fish were
fresh and well dressed. To honour the Missionary, a box was placed for
him to sit upon, and the fish were served up to each upon a flat stone
instead of a plate. After dinner, Brother Kohlmeister, in acknowledgment
for their civility, gave to each of the women two needles, and a small
portion of tobacco to each man, with which they were highly delighted.
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