The New York herald., 1879-09-05
Hunting the Deer Near
Hudson's Bay.
SAM THE WILLIE NIMR0D.
Weary Wanderings Over Barren
Rock and Fell.
LIFE IN A "TUPIC."

The Iwillie tribe. who with this winter.
are from Repulse Bay at the northern extremity Of
Rowes Welcome. The tribe consists Of about IT'S
men. women and children and equal number of
dogs. About every four i've years nearly all the
dogs die Off with a disease known the "back
tongue" and last year was marked by recurrence
of the epidemic. that dogs scarce. Yet we
have the promise of a sufficient number Of them for
our journey next spring. If necessary We can send
to Igloolik during the winter and get supply from
there, where they said to be in abundance and of
superior quality. Joe says they are the best dogs
In the Arctic. On Monday. August 49, all went to the
hunting grounds but Armow ana his party, who
to go in boat but it was so stormy that they
aid not get off. When the others broke camp and
started the hills it was novel and interesting
spectacle Each one had his load the women. in
addition to their other burdens having to carry
their children upon their backs. Behind them
their dogs staggering under loads that
almost hid them from view and getting into
all kinds of trouble among the rocks. Jerry"
also left on the 19th with his family,
cepting his son Koumana, lad about twelve
thirteen years old, TO whom / had taken a great
fancy. He unusually bright, manly little fel-
low, and, though SO young. had already killed
reindeer. We are all much interested in him, and
his parents much pleased that he had found
favor with the Kadlunas. His father Of
Captain Halls party in his King William Land jour
ney, and will also accompany us. He seems like
good, honest, faithful fellow, and has the reputa
tion OF being first class hunter. He is great
friend of Joe who was delighted at securing
Jerry" for the trip. Koumania's parents have
given him to me, and say may take him back to
the United States with if desire. If
successful in efforts / think it likely that
shall take him home with u.s. as he is just the right
age to learn the language and take Joe's place
as interpreter of Arctic expeditions, Joe is get
ting old enough to want to settle down quietly
for the rest of his life Koumania running
toward me before their departure with his face
cred with smiles and soapsuds. and found that
Frank had given him soap and told him 1
would like him better it he would wash. Poor fell
low! he had done the best he could and had at any
rate shown willing spirit.
1t not until Wednesday that the boat party
could get away Most of the time it rained and blew
perfect gale. We then alone in the camp. with
the exception of tupc which contains one old man.
two old women and three children. There were
plenty of dogs. though and we have had concerted
music every night. spent some time In making
over some civilze clothes for my boy. had to
take them in everywhere except around the waist.
There he is as big as am. though weigh nearly
two hundred pounds. 1t is popularity Of this
people to have large stomachs There is not q child
in camp but would shame any alderman in New
York. would certainly have thought the Arst in
stance noticed of dropsy but that had been
forewarned don't wonder at it. for while there
anything TO eat they without something Of
the sort in their hands. and they gorge until they
cry.
On Friday. August %, it rained in torrents during
the night and leaked through tent that there
was no comfort in sleeping. We got another tent
ours and thereafter enjoyed partial immunity
from the storm.
A HUNTING EXPEDITION
Ireturned from hunting and exploring excur-
sion Saturday night, August 81, and had come to
the conclusion by that time after satisfactory
perience. that tuk-too hunting is not q pastime. It
is good. solid work from beginning to end with no
rest for the weary. If any of the readers of the
HERALD have meditated such task as o divertise-
ment, would beg to dissuade them from the under
taking. for they know not what they do Before at
tempting to follow tuktoo hunters over these hills
and valleys would advise a severe course of train
ing. for until one is able to run up and down the
stairs in Trinity Church steeple six times without
stopping he is in condition for the task he would
submit himself to. tried it, aud that I
still live and am able to talk about it
seems to something in the nature Of
a miracle. We started on the morning of the 25th,
in the midst of strong gale, which had been blow
ing all night from the northwest and bitter cold
1t rained, showed and hailed all at the same time
and the pelting hard stones cut faces nearly all
the morning. The party consisted of SAM" his
two younger brothers. Koumania and myself. 1
took a blanket and little provisions in case
should be out over night. We walked along with
out stopping distance of about eight miles across
the hardest country to travel had ever seen,
and when we halted to rest was indeed tired. The
rocks and hills were hard enough to walk over but
the worst of all were the moss covered meadows
Your foot would sink at every step, and 1t
much like walking in loose, wet sand "a anything
with which l coold compare IL. 1 wore native
boots, or cummings, a they are called, for knew
1t would be impossible TO get along with
anything else, but the sharp edges aud points
OF the stones could be felt through them almost
II one were barefooted. DO think that the ossy
meadows were relief after the rocks. ON the con-
trary. they were but delusion aud snare. for be-
heath the velvet cushion was concealed the sharp
and jagged rock that cut the foot ali the same and
proved n more deadly, because hidden foe Though
tired when L sat down to rest wac more when
1 got up to walk again; but. ashamed my weak
ness. kept on, ertting my teeth and determined
do or die.
"a LITTLE WAY"
1t was getting late, and still we saw no deer-in
fact. was losing my interest IN deer very rapidly
and only hoped might soon see tupic. Alter
had walked about fifteen miles sam pointed at a
mountain that did not seem very OF and said
80 oungd tuptc seftotU tmy tent is thcrc This was
refreshing. and plodded along still determin
edly. would have given anything to have been
back in my own tcnt but that was out of the aues-
ton. Ii was further to go back than to 20 ahead
and though every bone in my body achcd
/ plodded along. frequently stopping to rest. l
thought we had passed the mountain that SAM
had pointed out, and finally ventured to ask him
where the tupic was. His answer was invariably
C0nituk- ro-too' "a little wayl and began to weary
of the monotony of the answer. as probably he did
of the question. until at last, in valley further of
than had originally thought the mountain. saw
the tupc. The approach was by circuitous route,
the wind still blowing 30 strongly against that
each took his turn in leading the others crouching
behind the slight shelter thus afforded. And this
was n pleasure tripi When we finally did reach the
tent received the kindly welcome of old "Molasses"
and his wife, and dropped down on some deerskns,
completely used up. The hunters were naturally
hungry after their long walk and from pile of fresh
meat on the side OF the tent "Sain" seized
large piece half cooked and. taking q
vigorous bite, of the mouthful with
his disengaged hand and passed the rest
TO the one standing nearest him, who helped him