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Page 27
24th. David roused us about five o'clock, by firing at a seal, which he
killed. The women went on shore to cook it with some geese. When they
returned, we all breakfasted on the contents of their pot.
The Esquimaux want no books of cookery to manage their kitchen affairs.
The meat is boiled with the blood in it, and the addition of some water.
When it is sufficiently done, that is, according the Ungava custom, when
half warm, the women take it out of the pot, and serve it up on a piece
of stone, if on shore, and on a piece of board, if at sea. Then the
person, who has caught the seal or game, proclaims with great
vociferation, that the _men_ may come and sit down to eat. Such exertion
of voice, however, seems hardly necessary, as the Esquimaux are very
acute at hearing, when they are invited to dinner. When the men have
done, the women sit down, having taken good care, beforehand, that their
share is secured. The Esquimaux customs never permit men and women to
sit down together at a meal.
It sometimes happens among the heathen Esquimaux, that several having
had good success, one huntsman's feast is hardly over, before another
proclaims the invitation to his banquet. This is never suffered to pass
unnoticed, while the power of cramming down another morsel remains. Thus
they will continue eating, till they are scarcely able to breathe, and
then lie down to sleep off the effects of their gluttony. Indeed their
excessive voraciousness on such occasions produces, especially after
long fasting, all the symptoms of drunkenness. They forget, under its
sensual influence, all moderation, and abandon themselves to the most
disgusting abominations.
In the afternoon we steered W. by N. (wind N.E.), for the cape of
_Kernerauyak_, at the east side of the entrance of the river _Koksoak_,
(Sand river). Before we arrived at the cape, we left some islands to the
South, the largest of which is again called _Kikkertarsoak.
Saeglorsoak_, is a large flat island, about eight or ten miles long, and
its neighbourhood very dangerous, on account of many sunken rocks. The
continent hereabouts is well wooded, and Indians are said to be
frequently seen in the interior. The mouth of the Koksoak is seven or
eight English miles broad: its shores steep, but the rocks in general
low, and covered with moss. The Esquimaux say, that in the middle there
is water enough for any large ship, though the tides prevent any near
approach to the land. At sunset we came to an anchor at the mouth of the
river.
CHAPTER XII.
_Sail up the river Koksoak. Transactions in that region.
Dangerous eddy. Meet Esquimaux. Address to them. Their joy and
eagerness to have Missionaries, resident among them. Find a
suitable situation for a settlement. Description of the
country._
August 25th.--This was the joyful day on which at last we saw our hopes
realized, and the principal aim of our journey obtained. The sun rose
beautifully, and announced a delightful day. We were obliged to wait
till seven A.M. for the turn of the tide, before we could proceed up the
river. The estuary of the _Koksoak_ lies, according to an observation
taken, in 58� 36' N. latitude, nearly the same as Okkak. To the west the
country is called by the Esquimaux _Assokak_, the coast turning again
W.N.W. This river, therefore, seems to be at the most southern point of
the coast, George's river entering the sea at 58� 52', consequently more
North.
The Koksoak appeared to us to be about as broad as the Thames at
Gravesend, or the Elbe near Hamburg, and the whole river, with its
various windings, much resembles the Thames for twenty-four miles
upwards. Its depth is sufficient for a ship thus far. Its general
direction is from the South. We reckoned it to be about 600 or 700 miles
from Okkak, and Killinek or Cape Chudleigh half way.
Having proceeded five or six miles up the river, we came to a small
island, which we left on our right.
We saw several sacks of blubber, a sledge, and some other, articles
lying on the beach, and Jonathan and Brother Kmoch went in the small
boat to discover the proprietors, but found nobody there, to guard the
goods.
A little farther on is a point of land running out into nearly the
middle of the stream. The current sets very rapidly round it, so as to
form a dangerous eddy. Our boat was seized, and twice turned quite
round; the small boat was whirled about several times, as she pushed
through it. The women on board our boat, on seeing this, set up a loud
scream; but Jonathan only laughed at their fears, and we afterwards saw
kayaks passing the eddy in perfect safety.
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