Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1823-12-24

an island, in lat. sc, II, 40, long. 83,
was found, which promised US shelter
from the northerly winds and drift ice.
canal was cut in the new formed ice,
and the ships properly placed by the
10th about quarter Of mile from the
shore. We were soon afterwards froz-
en- up and housed over, and otherwise
prepared for the winter, which now set
in very fast: the land was covered with
snow, and deserted by almost every an
imal: foxes and bears seemed the only
exceptions.-Our recreations and amuse-
ments now became so regular, that the
history of single day may suffice for
the whole winter. At seven o'clock in
the morning we got up, at eight break
tasted, at nine mustered on deck; the
rest of the forenoon was generally spent
in visiting our fox-traps, of which almost
every officer contrived to have one.
This amusement, or in walking over
the snow, lasted till Christmas. Att
P. M. dined; the afternoon was spent by
some in sleep, others reading, OF play
ing chess, backgammon, or cards, till
five o'clock, when we took tea; at sig
attended muster, reading or writing, IN.
til eight, when we supped ! after that
continued in general conversation over
a glass of grog and a segar, until bed.
time. On the lst of February, when all
our tales had been at least twice told
and the time began to hang rather
heavy upon our hands, most seasonal
Bile relief appeared in tribe Of Esqui.
maux, who were approaching the ships.
"This appeared the more astonish-
ing to us, as we had seen none Of them
since leaving Hudson's Straits, except
one family that were seen by our boats
at the top Of the inlet, and some others
that were heard on the shores to the
westward, during the summer, although
in every place we landed, we met with
remains of their huts, and some of them
wore the appearance of being lately oc-
cupied. They came towards the ships
without hesitation, entirely unarmed,
one of them carrying an old man on his
back; on coming on board, they looked
round, either with the most stupid indif-
ference, or struck dumb with astonish-
ment, as they never bad seen ship be-
fore, nor indeed, man, besides their own
race. They exchanged any thing they
had for whatever was offered them, and
received presents with extreme delight,
jumping and shouting in the most hide
Gus manner, when any thing was given
them. They pointed to their huts
which were about three miles distant
from the ships, on the southwest face
of hill; and onsome of US making
signs, wishing to go there; one or two
of them readily accompanied US. When
We got near, all that were at home came
out 10 welcome us with shouting and
jumping their huts were built entirely
of snow arched over like bakers oven.
but high enough to stand upright in on
each side was a bench of snow, covered
with skins, which served as the seat and
bed Of a family; at each corner was a
lamp with stone pot suspended over
it. Each hut was about twelve feet in
diamater, and contained from q dozen
TO eighteen inhabitants, most of the
men being accommodated with two
wives. The door was about eighteen
inches high, and three or four of
the huts communicated with covered
passage, having one common door. The
horde has been driven down to the
Point by necessity, to look for open wa
ter that they might kill seals and they
had encampe6 there the evening be-
fore.
During the remainder Of the win
ter months we lived in the greatest
friendship with them, occasionally sup
plying them with mess of bread-dust
and oil, when the fishing failed them;
they in return, lent US their sledges to
ride on. The day the natives appeared,
herd of wolves, (l3 in number) pas
sed close to the ships, and continued
proving about in the neighborhood UNI
til they were all shot or caught in traps.
We continued at this place until the lat
ter end Of September, in hopes that it
might break up, but the frost then set
ting in, very nearly froze the ships up,
and it was with some dficulty that we
got out of the Strait, when it was re,
solved to return TO the Island in the Bay
inhabited by natives, called Igloelek, 10
fwinter there.
"In the beginning Of October, the
ships were secured s. fitted for the win
ten. The natives seemed Fejoiced to
see US return, & visited US daily on their
sledges, and always ready 10 drive Us
up to theirshuts, about six miles distant,
whenever we wished to go; we also
had sledges built, and purchased pack
/ &C dora for Zach shin IN fhasa -.