The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-09-04

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beaten face. Scarcely q word was spoken. The
orders issued in clear trumpet tones and the
same discipline which at all times marks the ves
sells OF the navy now told to great advantage.
Confusion there was none, and not even the
ominous cry OF breakers close aboard, sir I" dis
turbed the equanimity of the cool and brave
commander. The vessel was stopped and backed
and just cleared the breakers which rolled the
rocks with the widest fury. Icebergs Of
enormous dimensions noated past in dozens.
and more critical position for vessel
1t has seldom been the mariners lot to see.
What with fOgs and currents the navigation
proved exceedingly dangerous Evidently the
vessel was set in shore by strong local tides which
have rise and fall Of eighteen feet, and although
she was steered point on her course TO seward
the ship was set bodily in shore by the tides run
ming into this sound, which were accelerated by
moderate northeasterly gale. The next settlement
at which dogs and skins could be obtained being
Sukkertoppen the Juniata once more stood in to
ward the land, and being again set in too far by
the current she hauled Off Shore When the fog
cleared up somewhat the morning OF the 10th,
she headed for Hamb0rg Island and anchored. 1t
was the first time that the rock-bound coast was
in all it's wildness and desolation, for although
previously within q few miles from the land the
view was entirely obscured. The Juniata was
combated SO hravely, being sheltered from the
storm that ragged SO iuriously without.
SHOOTING ELDER DUCKS
In the afternoon party Of officers went to q
neighboring island, and succeeded in shooting q
number Of elder ducks, while others went to the
main land for exploring purposes. With the
exception Of mosquitoes 1t was utterly destitute
Of life, and after weary and fruitless tramp up
precpitous crags the travellers INDUCED in smart
game Of snow ball--an event which, occurring on
the 10th OF July, proved quite novelty. A more
cherries spot 1t would be hard to fnd on the face
OF creation, and the charm Of "Greenland's icy
mountans' as quickly disappeared as the sense Of
utter loneliness became more firmly impressed on
the mind. Once on board the ship few
cared to return; for, even with all the
dangers attending q cruise in the Arctic
Sea, the security of the snug and well
trimmed man-of-war was far more preferable than
the bleak and barren shore. At seven O'Clock in
the evening two Esquimaux were seen approaching
the vessel in kyacks and their appearance was
hailed with evident satisfaction. 1t was OF first
supposed that the strengthening objects we're
swimming but the rapid manner In which they
moved through the water soon resolved all doubts
on the subject. Presently two dirty-brOwn faces,
creased with grins, appeared under the stern OF
the vessel. They gazed up inquiringly, and as
looked like brace Of Newfoundland dogs on the
tiptoe Of expectation for good mouthful.
THE KYACK
Is canoe-shaped frame work, entirely covered
with tensely-stretched sea-sklns and very handsome
in model In the centre is an elliptcal hole, to re-
ceive the occupant, who filling up the space. rem
ders the little boat both air and water tight The
length OF the kyack is about eighteen feet, and
it tapers fore and aft to an absolute point The
beam is only twentyOne inches, and it is propelled
by double-baded oar, grasped in the middle,
which the Esquimau uses paddle fashion. He
seems, indeed, to be part and parcel OF the whole
MACHINE The rapidity with which these kyacks move
through the sea is surprising. The two strangers
were promptly h0isted on board, kyack
and all, and the wOnderment which their
presence created, especially among the crew,
was beyond description. Neither could speak
word OF English, and II. is only fair &c add that
we were in a similar predicament so far the
Esqumau tongue was concerned. When, however,
they had been RECALLED with hearty dinner-and
before it the poor fellows looked hungry enough
they were made to comprehend that the Juniata
was going to the harbor of Sukkertoppen, and that
the services Of pilot were in demand, Commander
Brane despatched one Of them with letter to the
Governor OF sukkertoppen, setting forth the con-
ditiOn Of AFFAIRS while the other remained board.
In the dense fog that prevailed in the morning the
vessel had passed the beacon outside Sukkertop-
pen and the present anchorage. of HambOrg Island,
was fifteen miles from that settlement. Next morn
ing the Lieutenant Governor, accompanied by q
pilot, boarded the ship, which soon got under
weigh for
sUKKERToPPEN.
The Sukkertop, or Sugar Loaf, as it is more gen.
orally known, is wild, isolated peak, and over.
looks region as rugged and inhospitable as ever
moi no q.
and presents q spectacle almost Startling to be-
hold. Steaming away from this solitary and life.
less region the vessel stood out once more, and at
the rock bound barb0r Of the little colony that
nestles at the base OF bleak ana frOwning preci-
pieces appeared in sight. The rocky gorge is so
mar row and broken that stairway connects the
miserable huts, and, when the tide rises, part Of
the settlement is converted into q temporary
island. The rugged cns and grotesque structures at
their base give the place picturesque appearance;
but the surroundings, SO far as life is concerned,
cannot scarcely be viewed with other than feelings
OF disgust. As the vessel came to anchor she was
surrounded by scores Of natives in kyacks, and the
clamor raised by them was speedily communicated
to the shore, where crowd Of women and children
had congregated TO see the strange arrival.
mother group never assembled in any country.
What with the shouts OF the children and the
bowling OF the dogs and the smell Of fish and the
blighted look which every thing presented, it Is
safe to say that this first impression Of the visitor
was not a favorable one
AT THE GOVERNORS HOUSE
Accompanied by the Lieutenant Governor, Com
mander Brane proceeded TO- the gubernatoral
mansion-a little wooden structure, OF the provin.
cial candy snop pattern, with little blinds. The
Governor is little man with pinched lace, upon
whom the severe winters of twenty years IN this
locality have evidently told. His large. triangular
shaped head Bat pair Of narrow shoulders
seemingly unable to bear the weight, but he had
a clear, mild expression at once friendly and in
telhgent. He received Commander Braine with
every courtesy, and spared no effort in showing
him and your correspondent over the little settle
ment. He had been Governor for over fifteen years
at Holsteinborg, and his removal to Sukkertoppen
was regarded as promotion. Happy man The
aixtr as Apaericau q