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Page 26
The sky had been from the morning cloudy, the wind became unfavourable
and violent, and about noon heavy rain came on. Not being well able to
proceed, on account of the violence of the wind, we cast anchor on the
west side of _Pitsiolak_, about 2 P.M. but perceiving a thunderstorm
rising from the western horizon, with very black clouds, threatening to
drive us on shore if we remained at this anchorage, we weighed as
quickly as possible, and endeavoured to get to the other side of the
island.
Meanwhile a most tremendous storm of thunder, lightning, and rain
overtook us. The claps of thunder followed the flashes without interval,
and the lightning seemed to strike into the water close to our boat,
while the wind carried the spray into the air like smoke. Providentially
we had doubled the northern point before the worst came on, and got to
an anchor under shelter of the land. The storm passed by swiftly, it
grew calm, the sun broke out, and the weather became uncommonly fine
with us, though at a distance we saw the black clouds, and heard the
hollow murmuring of the thunder for a long time.
We now expected to have a comfortable night's rest, but it grew
intensely cold, and again began to blow violently from the west. The
strong current and heavy swell brought us into some danger, and the poor
people, who were obliged to remain on deck all night, suffered much from
cold and wet. When the tide was full, about midnight, the island we had
seen to the west nearly vanished, the greater part being covered with
water.
21st. In the morning we again saw the skin-boat lying upon a pretty high
rock, and a tent pitched close to it. The weather was calm, but the wind
contrary. Our Esquimaux made good use of this respite to refresh
themselves after the fatigues of the night with a hearty meal and a
sound nap.
In the afternoon we landed. The island Pitsiolak, which forms two at
high water, is low and flat, overgrown with Empetrum and Rubus
Chamoemorus, (_Akpik_-berries). Quantities of driftwood float about the
shores. The jasper occurred here again. This island may be about four or
five miles long, and, at low water, is connected with other islands to
the north. By the help of our glasses we could perceive woods on the
continent, and the Esquimaux thought they discovered the smoke of Indian
fires. They are much afraid of meeting these people. Bloody encounters
occasionally occur between them. The Indians come from the interior, and
from Hudson's Bay, and are frequently seen near the two principal
rivers, George river and South river, towards which we were going; but
we met with none. Brother Kohlmeister rather wished for it, as some of
them are said to understand English, and he was desirous of endeavouring
to bring them to a more peaceable disposition towards the Esquimaux, by
friendly conversation.
22d. We found the skin-boat a great hindrance to us. Without being
obliged to take that in tow, we might have kept at a greater distance
from the shore, which would have enabled us to get on more rapidly, and
with greater safety. On shore we found a great quantity of cubical
pyrites in a grey matrix. The Esquimaux are attentive to this mineral,
and have before now brought it to Okkak.
23d. We proceeded at 6 A.M. and steered for the island of _Saeglorsoak_.
The islands called _Nocharutsit_ lay on our left. They are a group of
numerous small islands, many of which are overflowed at high water,
extending W. and E. towards the entrance of South river. Between these
islands and Akpatok, the sea is said to be clear of rocks, and the water
of sufficient depth for any ship entering from Hudson's Straits, and
bound to the Koksoak, or South river; but no ship durst, in our opinion,
venture to approach the coast of Ungava within twenty or thirty miles.
In the afternoon, the tide turning against us, and the wind
unfavourable, we were obliged to come to an anchor among the islands. We
had left the skin-boat behind, with Thukkekina, Uttakiyok's brother
Annoray, and one of his wives, to whom he had given his baggage in
charge. The Esquimaux wives are very punctilious, the first always
maintains the highest dignity, regulates the housekeeping, distributes
the provisions, and directs everything, as mistress of the family.
Jonas went out in his kayak, and shot a seal. We saw many, and fired at
them, but got none. Whitefish were likewise seen at a distance.
Uttakiyok and David were out in their kayaks, and joined us in the
evening loaded with geese.
On the turn of the tide we proceeded, and at ten P.M. cast anchor among
the Nocharutsits, under a pretty high island, about three or four miles
in circumference. All our people remained on board during the night,
which was calm and pleasant.
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