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Page 22
Brother Kohlmeister had meanwhile gone farther up the bay, and thought
he had discovered the entrance of the river, but no fresh water
appearing, we must still have been a great way off its influx into the
bay.
We now lighted a fire, boiled coffee, and cooked a dish of reindeer
venison. The weather was warm, and the night fine and clear, but frosty.
Having brought our travelling-beds with us on shore, (see page 34), we
crept into them, and spent the night at the fire-side, the Esquimaux
lying down anywhere about us. In the morning, the whole country was
covered with hoar-frost, and the straw we had lain upon was frozen fast
to the ground.
CHAPTER X.
_Further transactions in Kangertlualuksoak Bay. The Esquimaux
women frightened by reports of Indians. Ceremony of taking
possession of this new-explored country, as belonging to the
King of England, and of naming the river George river. Leave
the bay and proceed to Arvarvik. Whales caught by the Esquimaux
in the shallows. Storm at Kernertut._
August 11th.--We rose by break of day, and after breakfast, sailed
across the bay, and landed at the second small inlet, with an intention
of penetrating into the country, but the returning warmth of the weather
by day, and the myriads of musquitoes we had to contend with, rendered
us unable to execute our purpose.
The Missionaries and Jonathan ascended a hill, from which a great tract
of country might be overlooked. It was full of wood, as far as the eye
could reach. Near the inlet some places seemed boggy, or covered with
grass. From hence a valley stretched into the country, with a small lake
in it, about two or three miles distant. Berries were every where in
abundance. The summits of the hills had no wood upon them, but much
reindeer-moss.
On our return, being about a mile from our landing-place, we saw our
skin-boat in the middle of the bay, and fired a gun as a signal for it
to come to us. The Esquimaux had five rein-deer in the boat, which
Uttakiyok had perceived on the opposite bank. He had followed them in
his kayak, driven them into the water, and killed them there. When hard
pressed, reindeer soon take to the water, and swim so well, that a
four-oared boat can scarcely come up with them, but an Esquimaux, in his
kayak will overtake them. They therefore, if possible, drive them into
the water, being then sure of their game.
After dining on part of the venison, we returned to the great boat. On
the passage, we thought we perceived at a considerable distance a black
bear, and Uttakiyok, elated with his recent success, hoped to gain new
laurels. He entered his kayak and proceeded as cautiously as possible
along the shore, towards the spot, landed, climbed the hill, so as not
to be observed, but when he had got just within gun-shot, perceived,
that his bear was a black stone. This adventure furnished the company
with merriment for the remainder of the voyage to the boat, which we
reached about six P.M.
When we got on board the boat, we found that all the women had taken
refuge in it, thinking that they had seen Indians onshore. The men
therefore immediately landed, to take care of the forsaken tents. This
was no doubt a false alarm, for we never discovered any traces of them
during our stay. To the south of Hopedale the Indians and Esquimaux
sometimes meet, but as the Hopedale Esquimaux seek to cultivate their
friendship, quarrels and bloodshed seldom occur. In Ungava, however,
though they often exchange tokens of friendship, they are apt to give
way to their national jealousies; and provocations being aggravated,
their meetings now and then terminate in murder. The Esquimaux are much
afraid of the Indians, who are a more nimble and active race.
12th. Having finished reconnoitring the neighbourhood, and gathered all
the information concerning it, which our means would permit, and
likewise fixed upon the green slope or terrace above described, as the
most suitable place for a settlement, on account of the abundance of
wood in its neighbourhood, we made preparations to proceed. Uttakiyok,
who had spent more than one winter in the Ungava country, assured us,
that there was here an ample supply of provisions, both in summer and
winter, which Jonathan also credited, from his own observation. The
former likewise expressed himself convinced, that if we would form a
settlement here, many Esquimaux would come to us from all parts. We
ourselves were satisfied that Europeans might find the means of
existence in this place, as it was accessible for ships, and had wood
and water in plenty. As for Esquimaux, there appeared no want of those
things upon which they live, the sea abounding with whitefish, seals,
sea fowl, &c. and the land with reindeer, hares, bears, and other
animals. The people from Killinek declared their intention of removing
hither, if we would come and dwell among them, and are even now in the
habit of visiting this place every summer. Our own company even
expressed a wish to spend the winter here.
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