Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1909-10-05
The speed Of the yacht increased as

The speed of the yacht increasea as
the night advanced. A snow squat
frosted the decks, and to escape the
icy air we sought our warm berths
early. At 4 o'clock in the morning
the gray gloom separated and the
warm sun poured forth a 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. On
a sea of gold. strewn with ice islands
of ultramarine and alabaster. whales
spouted and walrus shouted. The
grampus was out early for a fight.
Large f1ocks of little auks rushed over
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 well into lnglefield gulf. and near
Ittibln 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 them seek caribou In
Olrick's bay. While the yacht was
lacking for favorable berth In the
drift off kanga the launch was low
cred and we soughtvto interview the
Eskimos Of lttibu. There were only
one woman, few children and about
a 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 a 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 a 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 $3.50
Had we a knife to spare? Yes. and
a tin spoon was also given just t.
show that we were liberal.
The yacht was headed northwarf
across lnglefeld gulf. 1t is necessar.
for deep sea craft to give Karnah !
wide berth. There were bergs enough
about to hold the water down. thoug
an occasional sea rose with q sicken
ing thump.
The launch towed the dory. of which
Nance and her children were the onl.
occupants.
Karnah was to be her future home
locate Ikwa, but there was not ma
in town. Five women. fifteen childre
and forty-fve dogs came out to NEE
us. The men were on hunting can
paign, and their location was not e1
actly known.
Attahtungwah. Names rival. a fa'
y unsociable creature. stood on uSefl
: stone. where we chose to land. and di
I not accommodate us with footing o
the same platform.
A Thrifty Eskimo Camp.
Il There were five sealSkin tents pitct
3 ed among the powders of Il giaci;
S stream. An immense quantity of Ma
what meat was placed on the rocl
!. and stones to dry. Skins were stretcl
I ed on the grass, and general air ,
|. thrift was shown about the place.
Bundles of sealskins. packages {
, pelts and much ivory were brought oil
o to trade and establish friendly int
q course. We gave them sugar, tobact
6 and ammunition III quantities to su
a their own estimate of value.
The fat woman entered her tent. al
!, we saw no more of her during OF
!, stay. for she did not venture to traC
|. as cid the others. Nance was kind
treated by the other village folk. and
pot steaming with oily meat was 500
served in her honor. We were &C
daily invited TO partake of the feas
II but had convenient excuse. just ha
:" ing finished a meal.
'e Would we not place ourselves
= ease and stay for day or two. as the
y husbands would soon return? We we
u forced to decline their hospitality. f
without the harb0r there was t
much wind to keep the yacht waiting
~ ESkimos have no system of salut
'e ton except greeting smile or Il pal
y" ing look of regret. We got both at I
same time as we stepped into t
y launch and shouted goodby.
~ Aboard. the captain was told to p
o coed to Cape Robertson. The wi
II eased. fog came over from the inla
o' ice and blotted out the landscape doS
to about thousand feet, but und
he this the air was clear.