Three Voyages for the Discovery of a Northwest Passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and Narrative of an Attempt to Reach the North Pole, Volume 2Parry, William Edward, Sir
History
Three Voyages for the Discovery of a Northwest Passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and Narrative of an Attempt to Reach the North Pole, Volume 2
Parry, William Edward, Sir
Arctic regions; Northwest Passage; Parry, William Edward, Sir, 1790-1855
"The weather clearing in the afternoon, one ship was seen in the
distance, which diffused a general joy among the people, who ran
about screaming and dancing with delight. While lounging along the
beach, and waiting the arrival of the ship, I proposed a game at
'leap frog,' which was quite new to the natives, and in learning
which some terrible falls were made. Even the women with the
children at their backs would not be outdone by the men, and they
formed a grotesque party of opposition jumpers. Tired with a long
exhibition, I retreated to the tent, but was allowed a very short
repose, as I was soon informed that the people from the farthest
tents were come to see my performance, and, on going out, I found
five men stationed at proper distances with their heads down for me
to go over them, which I did amid loud cries of _koyenna_ (thanks).
"As the ship drew near in the evening, I perceived her to be the
Hecla, but, not expecting a boat so late, lay down to sleep. I soon
found my mistake, for a large party came drumming on the side of the
tent, and crying out that a 'little ship' was coming, and, in fact,
I found the boat nearly on shore. Ooyarra's senior wife now
anxiously begged to tattoo a little figure on my arm, which she had
no sooner done than the youngest insisted on making the same mark;
and while all around were running about and screaming in the
greatest confusion, these two poor creatures sat quietly down to
embellish me. When the boat landed, a general rush was made for the
privilege of carrying our things down to it. Awarunni, who owned the
little dog which slept with me, ran and threw him as a present into
the boat; when, after a general koonik, we pushed off, fully
sensible of the kind hospitality we had received. Toolemak and
Ooyarra came on board in my boat, in order to pass the night and
receive presents, and we left the beach under three hearty cheers."
CHAPTER XI.
A Whale killed.--Other Charts drawn by the Esquimaux.--Account of a
Journey to the Narrows of the Strait.--Discovery of the Sea to the
Westward.--Total Disruption of the Ice at the Eastern Entrance of
the Strait.--Instance of local Attraction on the Compasses.--Sail
through the Narrows, and again stopped by fixed Ice.--Account of
several Land Journeys and Boat Excursions.--Observations on the
Tides.--Continued Obstacles from fixed Ice.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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