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Page 21
_Kangertlualuksoak_ river was the spot to which we had principally
directed our views. It lies about 140 miles S.S.W. of Cape Chudleigh. By
an observation at its mouth its latitude appeared to be 58� 57'. But we
had no means of finding the longitude. At its entrance the bay runs
rather S.S.E. for about ten or twelve English miles, then turns due S.E.
for six or eight more, and after that S.W. At the second turn towards
the S.E. there is the greatest quantity of wood, chiefly Larch, but of
moderate size. We particularly noticed a fine slope facing the south,
which appeared the most pleasant part of the bay, to which a vessel
might approach and anchor with convenience, there being from 24 to 30
fathoms water. We also imagined that the entrance from the sea would be
free from obstructions, as no islands are seen in that direction.
Uttakiyok likewise declared, that there was no bar or sunken rocks near
the mouth of the bay.
We found no inhabitants on our arrival, but on the 13th, a whole company
of people from Killinek joined us.
Our transactions in the bay of _Kangertlualuksoak_, from the 7th, are
here noticed more in detail.
_August_ 8th. We landed, and went in search of our people, who had spent
the night in tents on shore. Okkiksuk accompanied us to the top of a
hill, overlooking the bay _Ittimnekoktok_, where we had anchored the day
before. We saw it quite dry, and full of large fragments of rock.
Turning towards the land, we discovered some wood at a distance. The
weather being calm and warm, the musquitoes were excessively
troublesome. The vallies here are overgrown with verdure, and the hills
pretty well clothed with moss, and berry-bearing plants; but we could
not continue our walk, on account of the musquitoes, which persecuted us
unmercifully, and drove us back to our tents. All our men were out, two
on that side on which we had landed, and the others having crossed the
bay in their kayaks, were employed in hunting reindeer. Jonathan only
remained at home. In the afternoon he accompanied us in the small boat,
to a hill, situated to the South of our station, at about two miles
distant, where we landed, and went up the country, but found nothing
much worth notice. We observed, that round the headland near us, the
water was very rough, with eddies and whirlpools, occasioned by the
rising of the high tides. On returning to our little boat, we found it
aground. We therefore gathered some drift-wood, of which there was
plenty, and made a good fire, at which we sat down and regaled ourselves
with some biscuit and beer. Having pushed the boat into the water, we
set out, but owing to the violence of the current had hard work to get
to the great boat, and did not arrive till dark. Jonas saluted us from
on board, by firing off his piece in token of success, and we found that
he had got two, and his companion three reindeer, and a small black
bear. The carcases were left at the tents, where part was cooked, and a
mess brought to us on board, which proved an agreeable repast after our
fatigue. Jonas and his family spent the night on board, the rest of the
Esquimaux in their tents on shore.
9th. Jonas having found a good harbour on the other side of the bay, and
the current being here very strong, we sailed across and anchored there.
The strand was even, and full of smooth rocks, above high water mark.
The bottom of the bay is mud, and a slimy substance, covering all the
stones and pebbles, left by the tide, makes walking very troublesome.
The land is not high, but pleasant, covered with moss, with many small
ponds, and marks of being frequented by reindeer.
10th. We went farther up the bay in the skin-boat, with Jonathan,
Uttakiyok, Thukkekina, Paul, David, and Okkiksuk. At a short distance
from the place where we had landed yesterday, we came to a fine green
terrace, overgrown with low shrubs and bushes, which delighted us much.
From hence, a woody valley, extending to the left, seemed to invite us
to take that course into the country, but we would not waste our time by
examining it. On sailing farther up the bay, and turning round the
abovementioned terrace, we came to a small inlet, dry at low water, on
the left shore. Its banks were pleasantly covered with low bushes,
interspersed with higher trees, and the place seemed to us very suitable
for a settlement. From hence we perceived, at a short distance, on the
opposite coast, a cape or headland, over which the tops of trees made
their appearance. We sailed towards it, and found behind it a tract
covered with low wood, chiefly larch and pine: on landing we saw the
tracks of rein-deer, which had just left the spot. Jonathan, in an
instant, ran like a young man for his gun, and with it into the wood. We
followed him for two or three miles, but saw nothing but the track of
the deer. The country inland seems in general level, with some low
hills, and many ponds; without wood, but overgrown with rein-deer moss.
No success attended our huntsman, and in the evening we met again in the
boat. Brother Kmoch had kept up with Jonathan, and saw, among the
bushes, the same kind of large partridge, or American wild pheasant,
which is found about Okkak, but seems only to live in woods. It was a
hen, with a covey of young birds, one of which which he caught,
examined, and let go again, nor would he take or shoot the hen, out of
compassion to the young brood.
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