The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-10-07
ot;ro bar RI him az wife No 3

When we later saw Ikwa he did NO
thank US for the trouble we had taken
but we had expected no reward.
The speed of the yacht increased al
the night advanced. A snow squal
frosted the decks, and to escape thu
icy air we sought our warm berths
early. At o'clock in the morning
the gray gloom separated and tho
warm sun poured forth suitable
wealth of August rays.
At this time we passed the ice bat
tered and storm swept cliff OF Cape
Parry. Beyond was Whale sound. Or
a sea of gold, strewn with ice islands
Of ultramarine and alabaster. whales
spouted and walrus shouted. The
grampus was out early for fight
Large focks Of little auks rushed ovei
on hurried missions.
Entering ingIefieId Gulf.
The wind was light, but the engines
pulled US along at pace just fast
enough to allow US to enjoy the superb
surroundings In the afternoon we
were we'll into Inglefield gulf. and near
Ittiblu there was a strong head. wind
and enough ice about to engage the
eye Of the lookout.
We aimed here to secure Eskimo
guides and with them seek caribou III
OIrick's bay. While the yacht was
lacking for a favorable berth in the
drift off Kanga the launch was low
fn nj taxU q
Eskimos of Ittiblu. There were only
one woman. few children and about
a score Of dogs at the place. The wo'
man talked quickly and explained ~
some length that her husband and
others We're away en- a caribou hunt.
and she told us without leading CUES
ton the news of the tribe for Il year.
After gasping for breath like Il smoth
cred SEAL she began with news OF pre-
vious years and a history of the fer
gotten ages. We started back for the
launch, and she invited herself to the
pleasure Of our company to the beach
An Eskimo Trade.
We had only gone few steps befor
1t occurred to her that she was in need
of something. Would we not give her
q few boxes of matches in exchange
for q narwhal tusk? We would De de-
lighted, said Mr.. Bradley. and 4 hand
full Of sweets went with the bargain
Her boy brought down two ivory
tusks each eight feet in length. The
two were worth $50.
Had we knife to spare? Yes, and
a tin spoon was also given just &c
show that we were liberal.
The yacht was headed nOrthwlrd
across Inglefield gulf 1t is necesS;,r.
for deep sea craft to give Karnah /;
wide berth. There were bergs euouS!
about to hold the water down. though
an occasional sea rose with sicken
ing thump.
The launch towed the dory, of which
Nance and her children were the only
occupants.
Karnah was to be her future home
and as we nearCd the shore we tried Il
locate 1kwa. but there was not Il mar
in town. Five women. fifteen chi.Lrc.
and forty-tive dogs came out to meet
US. The men were on Il hunting "a M
paign. and their location WAS not ex
actly known.
Attahtungwah. Manee's rival, Il fat
unSociable creature. stood On uSefu
stone, where we chose to land, and die
the same platform.
A Thrifty Eskimo Camp.
There were five seaiskin tents pitch
ed among the powders of IL glacia
stream. An immense quantity Of mar
whal meat was placed on the rocks
and stones 10 dry. Skins We're stretch
ed OH the grass, and /; general air O
thrift was shown about the place.
Bundles Of sealSkins. packa yes u
pelts and much ivory were brought ou
to trade and establish friendly inter
course. We gave them sugar, tobacco
and ammunition i'll quantities to sui
their own estimate Of value.
The fat woman entered her tent, an(
we saw no more of her during oul
stay, for she did not venture to trade
as cid the others. Nance was kindly
treated by the other village folk. and /
pot steaming with oily meat was sool
served in her honor. We We're cor
daily invited to partake of the feast
but had a convenient excuse. Just hav
ing finished meal.
Would We lot place ourselves 4
ease and stay for Z day or two, as thei
husbands would soon return: We Wee
forced to decline their hospitality. fol
without the harbor there was to-
much wind to keep the yacht waiting
EskimoS have no system of sahi: A
ton EXCEPT Il greeting smile or Il part
ing look of regret. We got both ut tn,
same time rs we stepped into tn,
launch and shouted goodby.
Aboard. the captain WAS told to PR,
coed to Cape Robertson. The wiz.
eased. fog came over from the inlan,
ice and hlotted out the landscape down
to about thousand feet. hut undo
this tho mir was clear.
WYE awoke OF Cape Robertson
w ana s.s went ashore before break
suddenly to an altitude O
1000 feet and Is crowned with an Ice
cap. 1t is picturesque enough. Large
bays, blue glacial walls and prominen
headlands offer pleasing variety. bu
it is much like the coast of all Green
land.
1t had, however, the tremendous ad
vantages of southern exposure ant
rocks. providing a resting place for til,
little aux in millions. These littl,
birds darted from the cliff to the sea
Rather rich grassy verdure also offer
ed an oasis for the arctic hare, Will,
the blue fox found life easy here. fo
he could fill his winter den with ia
feathered creatures
AS we approached the shore 10 men
9 women, 81 children and 100 dog
came out to meet us. / count the chill
dren and dogs. for they are equal,
| important in Eskimo economy. Tn
latter are by far the most important +