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Page 16
Kumiganna soon came off in his kayak, and advised us to steer for the
land right before us, where he thought we should find _Uttakiyok_; nor
was there any safe anchorage in this place. We therefore took a young
Esquimaux on board as pilot, and steered between the main land and the
islands, for _Oppernavik_, twenty English miles off. Having left the
skin-boat to follow us, we cut swiftly through the water, and soon
reached the place of our destination.
CHAPTER VII.
_Arrival at Oppernavik. Account of Uttakiyok. His perseverance
in waiting for the arrival of the Missionaries. Islands and
bays between Kakkeviak and Killinek. Danger in the ice at
Ammitok. Want of fuel supplied by robbing old graves._
When we arrived at Oppernavik, we found _Uttakiyok_, with his two wives
and youngest brother, waiting to receive us. He and his family are from
the Ungava bay, and had been upon the watch in this place during the
whole spring. They welcomed us with shouts of joy, and firing of their
pieces, and we had indeed the greatest reason to thank God, that he had
sent us this man, to conduct us on our way to an unknown country, and
through unfrequented seas.
For this service Uttakiyok was eminently qualified, and without such a
steady, faithful guide, we should have been wandering in the most
painful and dangerous uncertainty in the desert regions to the West of
Cape Chudleigh, where, on a coast of 100 miles in length, we did not
meet with a single inhabitant. He was so anxiously intent upon meeting
us, that he had erected signals on all the heights surrounding his tent,
to prevent our missing him. Among his countrymen he is much respected,
on account of his superior sense, and skill in all Esquimaux arts, and
possesses great influence among them.
_Uttakiyok_ was one of the two Esquimaux, from whom, in the year 1800,
we received the first distinct information respecting the Ungava country
and its inhabitants, by which the desire, excited both at home and here
in Labrador, to visit the northern Esquimaux, was greatly strengthened,
and led to a resolution, if possible, to take early steps to accomplish
this object, (See page 3).
Two years ago, he had been on a trading voyage to Okkak, from Killinek,
where he then dwelt, and intended to return, in the summer following, to
Ungava, his native country, but an illness, which befel his son,
detained him. This intelligence was received at Okkak during last
winter, when we sent him word, that as we purposed paying his countrymen
a visit, we wished him to wait for us, that he might conduct us through
the straits of Killinek. But having heard nothing further concerning
him, we remained in uncertainty respecting his intentions. We were the
more thankful to God, who had disposed the heart of this man cheerfully
to accept of the commission, and wait to be our guide, an office which
he performed with a degree of faithfulness and disinterested kindness,
which claims our admiration and gratitude.
While we were here waiting for a favourable opportunity to pass the
straits, which were yet filled with ice, he behaved in the kindest
manner to us and our Esquimaux. Though a heathen, he regularly attended
our morning and evening worship, and declared to Jonathan, that he also
intended to be converted to Jesus, and if we would form a settlement in
his country, would come and live with us, and was sure, that many of his
countrymen would do the same.
Around his tent, a considerable extent of rock was covered with seal's
flesh, and in the hollows were pools of oil. Ten bags of blubber were
standing ready for sale; and with a view to shew him our good-will,
Brother Kohlmeister bartered with him for three of them, which were hid
under the stones, to take them with us, if practicable, on our return.
26th. We put up our three tents; Uttakiyok's people had three more. Wind
N.W. We were now near the entrance into the Ikkerasak, (or straits),
which separate the island of Killinek and two or three other large
islands from the continent. They stretch to the N. to the distance of
about 12 or 15 English miles, the outer one forming Cape Chudleigh. To
the N.W. of the cape lie some other small islands, called by the
Esquimaux _Tutsaets_, and N.N.E. of these, the great island
_Resolution_, called _Igloarsuk_, on which, as we were informed, many
Esquimaux reside. The Tutsaets were discernible from this place, but not
the latter, which however, as the Esquimaux say, may be seen from the
Tutsaets. We guessed at its situation, from the clouds hanging over it
in the North quarter. The weather was, as might be expected on the
northern coast of America, foggy, rainy, and cold, and our small stove,
which we brought into the tent, was of great use to us during our stay
in this place.
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