The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1873-06-12

dreary prospect which spread out before
them. Those who read this narrative
IN their comfortable homes can form brt
a faint impression Of the sufferings
which these people endured. The great
est privation which the darkness occa-
stoned was that it put stop for the
time to seal hunting, which, to the
crew, was
THE CHIEF MEANS OF sUsrENANoE.
The dark colon of the animal prevent
ed it from being seen at any distance,
and the pursuit of it in the midst of
darkness was attended with SO many
perils that few had the temerity to en-
gage in it. Even the Esquimaux, who
were familiar with the habits of the
seal, and knew its every movement. re-
Trained almost entirely from hunting it
during the Stygian darkness. It must
not be understood from this that the
Arctic winters night does not vary in
duration, as it lasts months longer in
some latitudes than in others but It
must be remembered that, drifting
south, they We're gradually diminishing
the period of that darkness which reign
ed at Northumberland Island, and APP
proaching the extending light of g other
days" In the latter part of February
they lived principally on birds-dove-
keys-which they picked up between
the ice cracks.
The description of seal taken in the
North is called by the natives netsik,
and another known as the "bearded
SEAL" It is short and chunky, and
smaller than the better known harps of
the Newfoundland shores.
The provisions lasted until the end of
February, when the party had to fall
back upon the rifles and seals and birds.
THE SUN APAEARs on THE HORIZON
On the 10Th of January for the first
time after its disappearance in Novem-
Der, rising at half-past eleven A. N. and
setting at half-past twelve P. NJ. After
the sun set there was twilight for six or
seven hours. The days after that rap
idly grew longer until the party was
picked up.
On the last of February they had the
remaining of their provisions brought
from the vessel, only two cans of pemi-
can and 100 pounds of bread-the latter
wet and mouldy One of the boats was
cut up to make fuel to melt the ice into
water to drink. During the time they
were without blubber their provisions
we're eaten cold.
The natives We're very faithful in their
exertions to kill seals during the months
of darkness but, as said before, they
rarely succeeded, the difficulties and
dangers attending the undertaking be-
ing very great. Starvation now stared
the party in the face, and the return of
the sun, though it gave some promise
of succor, found every one, even the
most hopeful, cheerless and despon-
dent. But work and action were neces-
sary to sustain life, and Captain Tyson
set an example of energy and industry
which was initiated by all.
A lot of Esquimaux dogs drifted on
the foe, most of which Hans and his
family regaled themselves upon. The
whites were at that time little deli
cate, but would subsequently, they say,
have
EATEN A ROAST DOG.
Captain Tyson says he wanted the
men to save the dogs, kill and store
them up for n more hungry day; but
they would not, not thinking at the time
that they would eat seals entrails, etc,
afterward.
After the provisions gave out the men
ate not only the flesh and fat of the
seals they We're fortunate enough to
get, but only the bones, skins, entrails,
and all intestines and appurtenances.
Captain Tyson showed us two of his
front teeth, broken by chewing up
frozen seal bones, while Mt times it was
considered a great luxury to get a lump
of blubber to hold in the mouth and
suck, to keep ont the cold The people
confined themselves for days together
to their huts during the cold drifts.
spending the time sleeping, wrapped mp
in skins.
In March they got among the seals
and procured plenty of meat, upon
which they were entirely supported
after that
POLAR BEARS on THE wARPATH.
One night a very large polar bear APP
preached their encampment and COM
menced eating their seal skins lying
about. The natives were directed to
initiate the seals, lying PROSTATE on the
ice, in order to entice the monster with
in a convenient shooting distance but
they were ell afraid, whites and all, and
fed. Tyson fred one shot, which
wounded the bear, who thereupon faced
and attacked him. Tyson had to re-
treat to get more ammunition, and, re-
turning, dispatched him. This was q
welcome addition to their scanty store
house, so they took the preoaution to
save up bears fiesh, seals skin, entrails,
etc, and in this way collected enough
food to last them to the middle of May,
should they not by that time reach some
land or vessel.
But a greater misfortune, perhaps
than any overlook the heroic little band
Of settlers on the ocean. About tn,
end of March heavy gale drove them
out to sea,
broke Up THE FLoE
On which they had lived so many
months, and on which stood their home
of snow and newly-stored stock of food
, The foe, which had been nearly five
5 miles in circumference, was by this un
, toward calamity reduced TO pan of ie,
no more twenty yards in diameter. Tbs
consequence was that they concluded
by the advice of Captain Tyson, anC
t after much alteration and difference o
) opinion. to abandon their late home
/ and endeavor to regain the main pack
! This was done on the lst of April, and
: with the foe and huts. they also aban
donod all their stock of meat. q larg'
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