Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-10-19

At this time we passed the Ice bat
tered and storm swept cliff Of Cape
Parry. Beyond was Whale sound. On
a sea of gold. strewn with ice islands
Of ultramarine and alabastar, whales
spouted and walrus shouted. The
grampus was out early for a fight.
Large hocks of little auks rushed over
on hurried missions.
Entering InsIefield 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 well into Inglefeld gulf, and near
Ittiblu there was strong head wind
and enough ice about to engage the
eye Of the lookout.
We aimed here to secure Eskimo
guides and with tho .'ee.. caribou In
Olrick's bay. While the yacht was
tacking for a favorable berth In the
drift of Kanga the launch was low
cred and we sought to interview the
Eskimos of Ittiblu. There were only
one woman, a few children and about
q score Of dogs at the place. The wo-
man talked quickly and explained at
some length that her husband and
others were away on caribou hunt.
and she told US without a leading ques.
ton the news Of the tribe for year.
After gasping for breath like smoth-
cred seal, she began with news Of pre-
vious years and history Of the for
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 before
It occurred to her that she was In need
Of something. Would we not give her
a few boxes of matches In exchange
for narwhal tusk? We would be de-
lighted, said Mr.. Bradley. and a 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
q tin spoon was also given just to
show that we were liberal.
The yacht was headed northward
across Ingle1eld gulf. 1t is necessary
for deep sea craft to give Karnah
wide berth. There were bergs enough
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 neared the shore we tried to
locate Ikwa. but there was not man
In town. Five women, fifteen children
and forty-fve dogs came out to meet
US. The men were on hunting cam
paign, and their location was not ex-
actly known.
Attahtungwah, Manee's rival, fat.
unsociable creature, stood on a useful
stone, where we chose to land, and did
not accommodate us with footing on
the same platform.
A Thrifty Eskimo Camp.
There were five sealskin tents pitch
ed among the powders Of glacial
stream. An immense quantity Of mar,
whal meat was placed on the rocks
and stones to dry. Skins were stretch
ed on the grass, and general air Of
thrift was shown about the place.
Bundles Of sealskins. packages Of
pelts and much ivory were brought out
to trade and establish friendly inter-
course. We gave them sugar, tobacco
and ammunition In quantities to suit
their own estimate Of value.
The fat woman entered her tent, and
we saw no more Of her during our
stay, for she did not venture to trade
as cid the others. Nance was kindly
treated by the other village folk, and a
pot steaming with oily meat was soon
served In her honor. We were cor.
daily invited to partake Of the feast,
but had convenient excuse, just haV-
ing finished meal.
Would. we not place ourselves at
ease and stay for day or two, as their
husbands would soon return? We were
forced to decline their hospitality, for
without the harbor there was roo
much wind to keep the vac ht waiting.
Eskimos have no system Of saluta-
ton except greeting smile or a part
ing look of regret. We got both at the
same time as we stepped into the
launch and shouted goodby.
Aboard, the captain was told to pro-
ceed to Cape Robertson. The wind
eased. a fog came over from the inland
ice and blotted out the landscape down
to about a thousand feet. but unher
this the mir was clear.