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The following story is intended to iQustrate one of the many phases of the fur-trader's life in those wild regions of North America which sm-round Hudson Bay. Most of its major incidents are facts, — ^fiction being employed chiefly for the purpose of weaving these facts into a readable form. If this volume should chance to fall into the hands of any of those who acted a part in the first settlement of Ungava, we trust that they will forgive the liberty that has been taken with their persons and adventures, remembering that transposi- tions, modifications, and transformations, are necessary in constructing a tale out of the " raw material" We take this opporlimity of expressing to the Leader of the adventurous band our grateful acknow- ledgments for his Idndness in placing at our disposal the ground-work on which this story has been reared. '■n ! |Tlie forest, an tion— An ic( Head-quarters skins of dead Shows how Stai child develop to Ungttva,.., Explanatory, bi ment— The ci ce looks unpn nearly forgott [haracter parti 1 Bundled out o piows how the i tfie camp flre- CONSENTS. CHAPTER I. p^ |The forest, and the leaders of the forlorn-hope — A good shot — A consulta- tion—An IcC'floe, and a narrow escape in a small way, 9 CHAPTER II. lead-quarters— Tlie men— Disputation and uncertainty — New uses for the skins of dead boys!— Mutinous resolves, 17 CHAPTER III. Shows how Stanley deigned to consult vith womankind— Tlie opinions of a clilld developed — Persuasion fails— Example triumphs — The first volunteers to Ungava, 29 CHAPTER IV. Explanatory, but not dry! — Murderous designs thwarted by vigorous treat- ment— The cattle pay for It !— Preparations for a long, long voyage, 40 CHAPTER V. ce looks unpropitious— The start— An important meml)er of the party nearly forgotten— Chimo, CO CHAPTER VI. Iliaracter partially developed— Ducks for supper— A threatened "nip"— I Bundled out on the ice, 62 CHAPTER VIL piows how the party made themselves at homo In the bush— Talk round [ the camp fire— A flash of temper— Turning in, 70 I vi CONTENTS. CHAPTER VIII. Bryan's adrenture with a polar bear, fta CHAPTER IX. A storm brewing— It bnrsts and produr consequences— The party take to the water per force, - CHAPTER X. The sand-bank— Dismal prospects— Consultations — Internal arrangements exposed and detailed, CHAPTER XI. St«rt afresh— Superstitious notions— The whirlpool— The Interior- Fishing in the old way on new ground, and what came of it— A cold bath— The rescue — Deeper and deeper into the wilderness, CHAPTER XII. A new scene— The Esquimaux— Deer Slaying- Enemies in the bush, »»i. 101 ml i»| 1611 ■il CHAPTER XIII. Sarage loye— A wife purchased — The attack— Tlie flight— The escape — The wounded man, CHAPTER XIV. The pursuit— Seal-spearlng— The giant's despair, , CHAPTER XV. End of the voydgo— Plans and prospects- Exploring parties sent out,. CHAPTER XVI. Resources of the country begin to develop— Bryan distinguishes himself— Fishing extraordinary,., CHAPTER XVII. Successes and encouragements— Bryan lost and found, CHAPTER XVIII. Ontpost-bullding— Fort Chlmo — An unexpected arrival, which causes much Joy , 16!l 171 CONTENTS. Vii "I* ishing -The CHAPTER XIX. ^kuftle «nd builness — A great feast, In which Bryan and La Roche are pilma ^ ^1 moTera— New ideas in the art of cooking, CHAPTER XX. :e to ^winter approaches— Esquimaux arrive— Effect of a word— A sucking baby — ^*^^| Prospects of trade, CHAPTER XXI. iients ^Hlent conrersation— Raw food— Female tails— A terrible battle terminated lliH by the intei-position of a giant, ml 1611 CHAPTER XXII. ^axlmos— Deer-spearlog— A surprisingly bad shot— Character of the natives, CHAPTER XXIII. kore arrivals-Honesty— Indians come upon the scene— The tribes recon* I oiled— Disease and death change the aspect of things— Philosophic dl»> I course, N9 SM 270 281 205 J— The CHAPTER XXIV. Ifect of snow on the feelings, not to mention the landscape— A wonderftil i^^^ dome of ice, CHAPTER XXV. ^'^niried alive, but not killed— The giant in the snow-storm, 811 824 niself— CHAPTER XXVI. Ij^^ excnrsion— Igloe building, and fishing under the ice— A snow table and I a good feast— Edith spends the night under a snow roof for the first but not [the last time, CHAPTER XXVIL 841 ank Morton gets into difficulties 85fi "1 »s much CHAPTER XXVIII. [lith becomes a heroine indeed, CHAPTER XXIX. ■dark cloud of sorrow envelops Fort Chlmo, 871 883 Vni CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXX. i^n old fk-lend ai^id new Mends and novelties— A desperate battle and a glo- rious victory, CHAPTER XXXI. Another desperate battle, and a decided victory— The Esquimaux inffer s severe loss, 4I4| CHAPTER XXXII. Edith waxes i.ielancholy, but her sadness is suddenly turned into Joy; and the Esquimaux receive a sui'prisc, and And a friend, and lose one, 43I| CHAPTER XXXIII. The clouds are broken, the sun bursts through, and once more irradiates Fort Chimo— Hopes and fears for Maxiraus, 44l| CHAPTER XXXIV. Rough and tumble— A polar bear made useful— Fishing and floundering and narrow escapes — An unexpected discovery, productive of mingled per- plexity and Joy, 44tl CHAPTER XXXV. A stirring period In the life of Maximus, 46)1 CHAPTER XXXVI. Happy meetings and Joyous feastings — i^ove, marriage, desertion, desola- tion, and conclusion, 4901 The forest, an< UNGAVA. CHAPTER I. I The forest, and the leaders of the forlorn-hope — A good shot — A consolation— An lce Esquimaux interpreters. Moses, ) Gaspard, labourer and fisherman. Oostesimow, Ma-istequan, The craft in which these were about to embarkl wei'e three canoes, two of which were large and one I Indian guides and hunters. UNGAVA. 53 small. They were made of birch bark, a substance wliich is tough, light, and buoyant ; and, therefore, admirably adapted for the construction of craft that have not only to battle against strong and sometimes shallow currents, but have frequently to be carried on the shoulders of their crews over rocks and moun- tains. The largest canoe was sixteen feet long by five feet broad in the middle, narrowing gradually towards the bow and stern to a sharp edge. Its loading consisted of bales, kegs, casks, and bundles of goods and provisions ; each bale or cask weighed exactly 90lbs., and was called a piece. There were fifteen pieces in the canoe, besides the crew of six men, and Mr. Stanley and his family, who occupied the centre, where their bedding, tied up in flat bundles and covered with oiled cloth, formed a com- fortable couch. Notwithstanding the size and capa- city of this craft, it had been carried down to the beach on the shoulders of Massan and Dick Prince, who now stood at its bow and stern, preventing it with their paddles from rubbing its frail sides against the wharf ; for although the bark is tough, and will stand a great deal of tossing in water and plunging among rapids, it cannot sustain the slightest blow from a rock or other hard substance without beinor Clacked, or having the gum whicli covers the seams I scraped off. To those who are unacquainted with 54 UNGAVA. nm 11 ! .llllll! travelling in the wild regions of the north, it would seem impossible that a long journey could be accom- plished in such tender boats; but a little experience proves that, by judicious treatment and careful man- agement, voyages of great length may be safely ac- complished in them, — that they are well adapted for the necessities of the country, and can be taken with greater ease through a rough, broken, and mountain- ous region, than ordinary wooden boats, even of smaller size, could be. The second canoe was in all respects similar to the one we have described, excepting that it was a few inches shorter. The third was much smaller ; so small that it could not contain more than three men, with their provisions and a few bales; and so light, that it could with the greatest ease be canied on the shoulders of one man. It was intended to serve as I a sort of pioneer and hunting craft, which should lead the way, dart hither and thither in pursuit of game, and warn the main body of any danger that should threaten them ahead. It was manned bv the two Indian guides, Oostesimow and Ma-istequan, and by Frank Morton, who, being acknowledged one] of the best shots of the party, was, by tacit under- standing regarded as commissary-general. It might I have been said that Frank was the best shot, were it I not for the fact that the aim of Dick Prince was per-l UXOArA. 55 lect, and it is generally admitfcid that perfection can- lot be excelled. Although differing widely in their dispositions and [ppearance, the men of the expedition were similar least in one respect, — they were all first rate, and id been selected as being individually superior to )eir comrades at Moose Fort. And a noble set of (Hows they looked, as they stood beside their re- ^ective canoes, leaning on their little brilliantly Jloured paddles, awaiting the embarlcation of their iders. They all wore new suits of clothes, which ere sufficiently similar to give the effect of a uni- 1, yet so far varied in detail as to divest them of )notony, and relieve the eye by agi'eeable contrast [bright colours. All of them wore light-blue cloth 3otes with hoods hanging down behind; all had cor- roy trousers gartered below the knee ; and all wore bccassins, and had fire-bags stuck in their belts, in ph were contained the materials for producing fire, [lacco and pipes. So far they were alike, but the fi-sted belts of some were scarlet, of others crimson, of others striped. Some gartered their trousers kh thongs of leather, others used elegant bands of i,d-vvork — the gifts, probably, of soiTowing sweet- ps, sisters, or mothers — while the fire-bags, be- being composed, some of blue, some of scarlet were ornamented more or less with flowers ■■'i , ; I A ■If f 56 UNGAYA. -.|| and fanciful devices elegantly -wTOught in the dyed quills of the porcupine. On seeing Stanley and his wife and child approacl ing, Massan gave the order to embark. In a momei every man divested himself of his capote, which folded up and placed on the seat he was to occupi then, shaking hands all round for the last time, thi stepped lightly and carefully into their places. "All ready I see, Massan," said Stanley, as came up, " and the ice seems pretty open. How you, shall we make a good day of it?" Massan smiled dubiously as he presented his tb'i shoulder as a support to Mrs. Stanley, while stepped into her place. He remembered the convi sation of the previous evening, and determined ti whatever should happen, he at least would not the shadow of a doubt on their prospects. But, his own mind, he suspected that their progress woi be interrupted ere long, as the wind, although vi light — almost imperceptible — was coming from north-west. " It'll be full flood in less nor half an hour," he plied, "and (take care. Miss Edith, give me y( little hand; there, now, jump light,) and we'll past the p'int by that time, and git the good o' ebb till sun-down." ** I fear," said Frank Morton, approaching, UNGAVA. 57 the ice is rather thick for us ; but it don't much latter, it will only delay us a bit — and at any rate re'll make good way as far as the point." " True, true," said Stanley ; " and it's a great latter to get fairly started. Once off, we must go Iforward. All ready, lads?" "Ay, ay, sir." " Now, Frank, into your canoe and show us the ^ay; mind we trust to your guidance to keep us [lear of blind alleys among these lanes of water in lie ice." At this moment, Edith — who had been for the sist few minutes occupied in alternately drying her yes and kissing her hands to a group of little chil- ren who had been her play-fellows during her sojourn It the fort — uttered a loud exclamation. "Oh! oh! papa, mamma — Chimo! — we've forgot Ifhimo! Oh, me! don't go away yet!" " " So we have!" said her father; "dear me, how [upid to forget our old friend! Hallo! Frank, [rank, we've forgot the dog," shouted Stanley to his )ung comrade, who was on the point of starting. On hearing this, Frank gave a long shrill whistle. jThat'U bring him if he's within ear-shot." When the well-known sound broke upon Chimo's (ir, he was lying coiled up in front of the kitchen k being privileged to do so in consequence of his '^' M i ^ 58 UNGAVA. position as Edith's favourite. The cook, having! gone out a few minutes previously, had left Chimol to enjoy his slumbers in solitude, so that, when hel started suddenly to his feet on hearing Frank'jl whistle, he found himself a prisoner. But Chimol was a peculiarly strong-minded and strong-bodiel dog, and was possessed of an iron will! He was the Esquimaux breed, and bore some resemblance td the Newfoundland; but was rather shorter in tliJ legs, longer in the body, and more powerfully made^ Moreover, he v/as more shaggy, and had a stouJ blunt, straightforward appearance, which conveyej to the beholder the idea that he scorned flattery, an| would not consent to be petted on any consideration Indeed this was the case, for he always turned awai with quiet contempt from any of the men wlij attempted to fondle him. He made an exceptiocj however, of little Edith, whom he not only permitt to clap him to any extent, but deliberately invite her to do so, by laying his great head on her hi rubbing himself against her, and wagging his buslij tail, as if to say, " Now, little girl, do what you with me!" And Eda never refused the animalj dumb-show request. When she was very young anj had not much sense, — at which time Chimo M 3'^oung too, but possessed of a great deal of sense,- she formed a strong affection for the Esquimaux dol I I r- UXGAVA. 59 Fection which she displayed by putting her little round his neck and hugging him until he felt Indency to suffocation; she also pulled his ears Itail, and stuffed her fat little hands into his eyes Imouth ; all of which dreadful actions she seemed Link, in her childish ignorance, must be very int to Chimo, and all of which the dog appeared to enjoy. At all events, whether he liked it \t, he came regularly to have himself thus treated day. As Eda grew older she left off choking favourite, and poking out his eyes, and contented ilf with caressing him. Chimo also evinced a ility for Mr. Stanley and Frank Morton, and accompanied the latter on his hunting excur- |; but he always comported himself towards with dignified hauteur, accepting their caresses a slight wag of acknowledgment, but never ing their favour. jumping up, as we have already said, and ob- ig that the door was shut, the dog looked slowly ilmly round the apartment, as if to decide on I was best to be done; for Chimo was a dog of energy of character, and was never placed in ircumstances in which he did not pursue some id course of action. On the present occasion [was not a hole, except the key-hole, by which Id hope to make his escape. Yes, by-the-by, ! i ! i f i a I, s -'^1- 60 UNQAVA. there was a hole in the window, which was maj parchment; but aa that was merely the bullet through which the animal that had given his skJ a window had been shot, and was not larger tliij shilling, it did not attbrd much hope. Nevertb Chimo regarded it with a steady gaze for a or two, then he turned to the fire, and having fied himself that the chimney was impractia being full of flames and smoke, he faced the win once more, and showed his teeth, as if in chagiiJ " Whew-ew ! Chimo-o-o!" came Frank's vj floating faintly from afar. Chimo took aim at| buUet-hole. One vigorous bound, — a horrible that nearly caused the retui'ning cook to faint,- the dog was free. " Ah, here he comes ! — good dog \" cried Fr| as the animal came bounding over intervening stacles towards the canoes. Chimo made straigti the small canoe, in answer to his master's call like many dogs and not a few men, he owd higher power than that of a master. The voiJ his little mistress sounded sweetly in his ear,| the sound of a silver bell. " Oh, Chimo, Chimo! darling pet ! come here — here." It was a tiny voice, at the loudest, and was quite dio\t amid the talking and laughter of the men ; but 01 heard it. Turning at a sharp angle from his coi UNOAVA. 61 iBwepfc past the light canoe, and, bounding into of Mr. Stanley, lay down beside Eda and placed [bead in her lap, where it was immediately smo- red in the caresses of its young mistress. Mr. Stanley smiled and patted his little girl on shoulder, as he said, " That's right, Eda ; the love la faithful dog is worth having and cherishing." in turning towards the stern of the canoe, where Bsau stood erect, with his steering paddle ready ! action, he said to that worthy, — f Now, Massan, all ready ; give the word." I" Ho, ho, boys ; forward ! " The paddles dipped simultaneously in the water Ih a loud, gurgling sound ; the two large canoes bt out into the stream abreast of each other, pre- |ed by the light one, which, urged forward by the rerful arms of Frank and the two Indians, led the among the floating fields of ice. The people on bre took off their caps and waved a last farewell. pk Prince, who possessed a deep, loud, sonorous Ice, began one of those beautiful and wild, yet lintive songs, peculiar to the voyageurs of the wil- fness. The men joined, with a full, rich swell, in chorus, as they darted forward with arrow-like feed, — and the voyage began. i I 62 UNGAVA. CHAPTER VI. Character partUlly developed— Ducks for supper— A threatened "nip"— Bnt^ out on the Ice. Fortunately the wind veered round to the psdii east soon after the departure of the canoes h Moose Fort, and although there was not enough ofl to ruixle the surface of the river, it had the effect] checking the influx of ice from James's Bay, tide, too, began to ebb, so that the progress of canoes was even more rapid than it appeared to and long before the sun set, they were past the poij at the mouth of the river, and coasting along shores of the salt ocean. Outside of them the sea was covered with hu mucks and fields of ice, some of which ever and met in the cross currents caused by the river, witlj violent shock. Close to the shore, however, thickness of the ice caused it to strand, leaving a of open water, along which the canoes procee easily, the depth of water br'ng much more sufficient for them, as +^ vr-^pst can^^ did not more than a ^ 5^ ^^*^ :•, however, this spj was blocked ^ gments, and consiij able difficn ^ as exj lienced in steering the canj amongst them. Ha t the party tiavelled in ba DNGAVA. 63 ^ey would have easily dashed through many of these jiecks, but with canoes it is far otherwise. Not only their bark sides easily broken, but the seams are ^vered with a kind of pitch, which becomes so brittle ice-cold water that it chips off in large lumps with |e slightest touch. For the sea, therefore, boats are [st ; but when it comes to carrying the craft over iter-falls and up mountain sides, for days and weeks Tether, canoes are more useful, owing to their light- iss. "Take care, Massan," said Mr. Stanley, on ap- [oaching one of these floes. " Don't chip the gum ' if you can help it. If we spring a leak we shan't end our first night on a pleasant camping ground, the shore just hereabouts does not look invit- » "No fear, sir," replied Massan. "Dick Prince is [the bow ; and as long as his mouth's shut I keep mind easy." I" You appear to have unlimited confidence in pee," said Stanley, with a smile. " Does he never in anything, that you are so sure of him?" ["Fail!" exclaimed the steersman, whose paddl© ept constantly in a circle round his head, while he bged it from side to side as the motions of the ioe required ; " fail ! ay, that does he sometimes, pal man must get on the wrong side o' luck now ' :- 1 ,5f t t i t ■ ) • t I ;1 \ '■,,. , 1 i ! ;■■ i I J 1 , 1 ■ 1 1 1 i 9 1 ■; i 64 TJNGAVA. and then. I've seen Dick Prince fail, but I nevs saw him make a mistake." " Well, I've no doubt that he deserves your go opinion. Nevertheless, be more than ordinarily can ful. If you had a wife and child in the canoe, Mas you would understand my anxiety better." Stanlej smiled as he said this, and the worthy steersii replied, in a grave tone, — " I have the wife and child of my bourgeois undfj my care." " True, true, Massan," said Stanley, lying back onl couch and conversing with his wife in an under tonij " 'Tis curious," said he, " to observe the confiden that Massan has in Prince ; and yet it would be di^ cult to say wherein consists the superiority of one over the othf^r." " Perhaps it is the influence of a strong mind a weaker," suggested his wife. *' It may be so. Yet Prince is an utterly unedj Gated man. True, he shoots a hair's-breadth beta than Massan ; but he is not a better canoe-ai neither is he more courageous, and he is certaiij less powerful: nevertheless Massan looks up to and speaks of him as if he were greatly his superil The secret of his power must lie in that steaij never- wavering inflexibility of purpose, that chan terizes our good bow-man in everything he does."! UNGAVA. 65 " Papa,'' said Edith, who had been holding a long Iconversation with Chimo on the wonders of the Bcene around them, — if we may call that a conversa- tion where the one party does all the talking and the other all the listening, — " Papa, where shall we r11 sleep to-night?" The thought seemed to have struck her for the Hist time, and she looked up eagerly for an answer, [yhile Chimo gave a deep sigh of indifference, and rent to sleep, or pretended to do so, where he was. " In the woods, Eda. How do you think you kill like it?" " Oh, I'm sure I shall like it very much," replied llie little one. " I've often wished to live in the i'oods altogether, like the Indians, and do notliing \\\t wander about and pull berries." " Ah, Jessie," said Stanley, " what an idle little bggage your daughter is. I fear she's a true chip Ifthe old block!" "Which do you consider the old block?" retorted rs. Stanley. "You or me?" " Never mind, wife ; we'll leave that an open liiestion. But tell me, Eda, don't you tliink that pmdering about and pulling berries would be a very pc4ess sort of life?" " No," replied Edith, gravely. " Mamma often lis me that God wants me to be happy, and I'm w r II 66 UNGAVA. quite sure that wandering about all day in the beau- tiful woods would make me happy/' " But, my darling," said Stanley, smiling at tliel simplicity of this plausible argument in favour of anl idle life, " don't you know that we ought to try ty| make others happy too, as well as ourselves?" "Oh, yes," replied Eda, with a bright smile, "ll know that, papa; and I would try to make every- body happy by going with them and showing theml where the finest flowers and berries were to k\ found; and so we would all be happy together, aii(l| that's what God wants, is it not?" Mr. Stanley glanced towards his wife with an arcli[ smile. " There, Jessie, what think you of that?" "Nay, husband, wdiat think you?" " I think," he rephed in an under tone, " that yoiii| sagacious teaching against idleness, and in favour diligence and attention to duty, and so forth, li not taken very deep root yet." " And / think," said Mrs. Stanley, " that howevei| wise you men may be in some things, you are most incomprehensibly stupid in regard to the de| velopment of young minds." " Take care now, Jessie; you're verging upoii| metaphysics. But you have only given me you opinion of men as yet ; you have still to say what yon think of Eda's acloiowledged predilection for idleness UNGAVA. 67 "Well," replied Mrs. Stanley, "I think that my gacious teaching, as you are pleased to call it, has ken pretty firm root akeady, and that Eda's speech one of the first bright, beautiful blossoms, from 'ytoj^hich we may look for much fruit hereafter; for, to ake one's self and one's fellow-creatures happy, be- "\Wa.use such is the will of God, seems to me a simple and ^eryl|mprehensive way of stating the whole duty of man." tbeniB Stanley's eyes opened a little at this definition. 3 beHHum! multum in parvo ; it may be so," he said; , allied, casting down his eyes, he was soon lost in a ofound reverie, while the canoe continued to pro- ess forward by little impulsive bounds, under the ,pid stroke of the paddles. Eda rested her fair eek on the shaggy brow of Chimo, and accompanied m to the land of nod, until the sun began to sink hind the icebergs on the seaward horizon, where a rk line indicated an approaching breeze. Massan cast an uneasy glance at this from time to e. At length he called to his friend in the bow, alio, Prince! will it come stiff, think ye?" "No," replied Prince, rising and shading his eyes ill his hand; " it'll be only a puff; but that's enough di'ive the ice down on us, an' shut up the open ter." " It's my 'pinion," said Massan, " that we should Id away for the p'int yonJer, an' camp there." ; I Si t? 1 'J II I ■-: 68 IJNGAVA. 11! Dick Prince nodded assent, and resumed his padcUd As he did so, the report of a gun came sharply over) the water. " Ha !" exclaimed Stanley, looking out aheadj "what's that?" " Only Mr. Frank," said Massan ; " he's dowsed two] birds. I seed them splash into the water." " That's right," said Stanley ; " we shall have somej thing fresh for the kettie to-night ; and, by the wajj we'll need all we can kill, for we haven't much m vision to depend on, and part of it must be reserve! in case of accidents, so that if Frank does not do duty, we shall have to live on birch bark, Massan.'J " That would be rayther tough, I'm afeer'd," plied the steersman, laughing. " I've tried the t^ o' a deer-skin coat afore now, an' it wasn't much boast of; but I niver tried a birch-bark steak, doubt it would need a power o' chewin'!" By this time the two large canoes had dran gradually nearer to the leading one. As theyajj proached, Frank ordered his men to cease })addlii!j " WeU, Frank, what success ?" said Stanley, as tli^ came up. " There's our supper," cried Frank, tossing a lai^ duck into the canoe; "and there's a bite for men," he added, sending a huge gray goose into midst of them. " I saw a herd of rein-deer on UNGAVA. 69 bther side of tlie point; but the ice closed up the Lssage, and pre-vented me from getting within range. [t will stop our farther progress for to-night t' j ; so [waited to advise you to camp here." " There it comes ! " cried Dick Prince. " Jump it on the ice, lads, and unload as fast as you can." As Dick spoke, he sprang on to a field of ice [liich was attached to the shore, and drawing the moe alongside, began hastily to remove the cargo. lis example was instantly followed by the men, who png over the gunwales like cats ; and in less than re minutes the cai'goes were scattered over the ice. leiuiwhile, the breeze which Massan had. observed [ntinued to freshen, and the sea-ward ice bore Uclly down on the shore, gradually naiTowing and |ing up the lanes of water among which the tra- leis had been hitherto wending their way. Dick [ince's sudden action was caused by his observing a be solid field, which bore down on them with con- |erable rapidity. His warning was just in time, the goods were scarcely landed and the three tioes lifted out of the water, when the ice closed in th a crash that would have ground the frail barks Ipieces, and the passage was closed up. So com- tely was every trace of water obliterated, that it led as though there never had been any there )re! M Mi ;; I 70 UNGAVA. CHAPTER Vir. Shows how the party made themselves at home In the hush— Talk round theci-ij fire— A flash of temper— Turning in. The spot where they were thus suddenly arrested i their progress was a small bay, formed by a loJ point which jutted from the mainland, and shut on the prospect in advance. There was little or no wool on the point, except a few stunted willows, whid being green and small, would not, r^s La Roche tli| cook remarked, '' make a fire big enough to roast tlJ wing of a mosquito." There was no help for it, ho™ ever. The spot on which Massan had resolved t encamp for the night was three miles on the otli^ side of the point, and, as the way was now solid i instead of water, there was no possibility of gettii there until a change of wind should drive the icei the shore. Moreover, it was now getting dark, it behoved them to make their preparations witlii much speed as possible. Accordingly, Massan aij Prince shouldered one canoe, Fran9ois and Gaspai carried the other, and the light one was placed on shoulders of Bryan the blacksmith ; La Roclie to(| the provision basket and cooking utensils under 1 special charge, wliile the three Esquimaux interpret V'> f,;? ■r/l- 72 UNGAVA. on notliin', an' as the murphies was all sp'iled wi' tlie| rot, I had to lave or starve." At last, after a long search, Frank Morton found | a spot pretty well adapted for their purpose. It wasi an elevated plot of gravel, which was covered with al thin carpet of herbage, and surrounded by a belt ofl willows, which proved a sufficient shelter against tliel wind. A low and rather shaggy willow-tree spread! its branches over the spot, and gave to it a good deal! of the feeling and appearance of shelter, if not muctl of the reality. This was of little consequence, howl ever, as the night proved fine and comparativeljl mild, so that the black vault of heaven, spangled! with hosts of brilliant stars, amply compensated the want of a leafy canopy. Under the willow-tree, Frank and La Roche biisiel themselves in spreading a very small white tent m Mr. Stanley and his family. Frank himself, althouglj entitled from his position in the Company's senid to the luxury of a tent, scorned to use one, preferriii to rough it like the men, and sleep beneath the shelt of the small canoe. Meanwhile, Mr. Stanley pn ceeded to strike a light with his flint and steel, ad Bryan, having deposited his burden near the tenj soon collected a sufficiency of diift-wood to makei good fire. Edith and her mother were not idle the midst of this busy scene. They collected a fej UNGAVA. '3 jiindles of dried twigs to make the fire light more leasily, and, after the blaze was casting its broad TJare of light over the camp, and the tent was pitched, ley assisted La Roche in laying the cloth for supper. )f course, in a journey like this, none but necessary liticles were taken, and these were of the most lomely character. The kettle was the tea-pot, the kups were tin pannikins, and the table-cloth was a irge towel, while the table itself was the ground, i'om the damp of which, however, the party in the 3nt were protected by an ample oil-cloth. ^Yhen all the things were carried up, and the men Bsenibled, the camp presented the following appear- bce : In the centre of the open space, which nature |ad arranged in the form of a circle, blazed the fire ; (1 a right jovial, spluttering, outrageous fire it was, ^nding its sparks flying in all directions, like the tillcry of a beleaguered fortress in miniature, and piling its flames about in fierce and wayward bngues, that seemed bent on licking in and swallow- b up the entire party, but more especially La loche, who found no little difficulty in paying due ptention to his pots and kettles. Sometimes the Mnes roared fiercely upwards, singeing off the foliage the overhanging willow as they went, and then, irsting away from their parent fire, portions of ^em floated oft' for a few seconds on the night air. 74 TJNGAVA. On the weather side of this tire stood Mr. Stanley'l tent, under the willow-tree, as before described, itJ pure white folds showing strongly against the daiil ness of the sky beyond. The door- way or curtail of the tent was open, displaying the tea equipagfj within, and the smiling countenances of Stanley ani his wife, Frank and Eda, who, seated on blaukell and shawls around the towel, were preparing to makJ an assault on the fat duck before mentioned. Tliiil duck had been split open and roasted on a piece stick before the blaze, and now stood with the stiiraiJ of its wings and leg's extended, as if demanding urgently to be eaten; a demand which Chimo, whJ crouched near the door- way, could scarce help com] plying with. To the right of the tent was placed the smaJ canoe, bottom up, so as to aftbrd a partial protectioJ to the bedding which Oostesimow was engaged iJ spreading out for Frank and himself and his con rade Ma-istequan. Facing this, at the other side the fire, and on the left of the tent, the largest cano was turned up in a similar manner, and several the men were engaged in covering the ground beneatlj it with a layer of leaves and branches, above wliiclj they spread their blankets; while others loungej around the fire, and smoked their beloved pipes, watched with impatient eyes the operations of Bry; DNGAVA. 75 who, being accustomed to have familiar dealings with the fire, had been deemed worthy of holding the , office of cook to the men, and was inducted accord- ingly. It is due to Bryan to say that he fully merited I the honour conferred on him ; for never, since the days of Vulcan, was there a man seen who could daringly dabble in the fire as he did. He had a Ipeculiar sleight-of-hand way of seizing hold of and jtossing about red-hot coals with his naked hand, that linduced one to believe he must be made of leather. Hames seemed to have no effect whatever on his sinewy arms when they licked around them ; and as |[br smoke, he treated it with benign contempt. Not BO La Roche : with the mercurial temperament of his ckss he leaped about the fire, during his culinary [tperations, in a way that aftbrded infinite amusement [o his comrades, and not unfrequently brought him )to violent collision with Bryan, who usually re- vived him on such occasions with a strong Irish bowl, mingled with a disparaging or contemptuous remark. Beyond the circle of light thrown by the fire was Ihe belt of willows which encompassed the camp on 111 sides except towards the sea, where a, narrow gap wmed a natui'al entrance and afforded a glimpse of lie ocean with its fields and hummucks of ice float- 76 UNGAVA. ing on its calm bosom and glancing in the faint light of the moon, which was then in its first quarter. "How comfortable and snug everything is!" said Mrs. Stanley, as she poured out the tea, while her| husband carved the duck. " Yes, isn't it, Eda," said Frank, patting his fa- 1 vourite on the head, as he held out her plate for a wing. " There, give her a bit of the breast too," he added. " I know she's ravenously hungry, for I saw her looking at Chimo, just before we landed, as if she meant to eat him for supper without waiting to have] him cooked." "Oh! Frank, how can you be so wicked?" saidl Eda, taking up her knife and fork and attacking the wing with so much energy as almost to justify her| friend's assertion. " Snug, said you, Jessie ? yes, that's the very wordl to express it," said Stanley. "There's no situatioal that I know of (and I wasn't bom yesterday) that IjI so perfectly snug, and in all respects comfortable, asl an encampment in the woods on a fine night in sprin^jj or autumn." " Or winter," added Frank, swallowing a pannikiej of tea at a draught, nodding to Chimo, as much as toj say "Do that if you can, old fellow," and handing to Mrs. Stanley to be replenished. " Don't oniit| UNGAVA. 77 winter, — cold, sharp, sunny winter. An encampment in the snow, in fine weather, is as snug as this." "Rather cold, is it not ?" said Mrs. Stanley. "Cold! not a bit," replied Frank, making a reck- less dive with his hand into the biscuit bag ; " if you have enough wood to get up a roaring fire, six feet long by three broad, and four deep, with a bank of i snow five feet high all round ye, a pine-tree with lots j of thick branches spreading overhead to keep off the [snow, and two big green blankets to keep out the frost (another leg of that widgeon, please) — you've no no- |tion how snug it is, I assure you." " Hum ! " ejaculated Stanley, with a dubious smile, 'you forgot to add — a youthful, robust frame, with Ithe blood careering through the veins like wild-fire, Ito your catalogue of requisites. No doubt it is plea- Kant enough in its way ; but commend me to spring or autumn for thorough enjoyment, when the air is did, and the waters flowing, and the woods green md beautiful." " Why don't you speak of summer, papa?" said Eda, dio had been listening intently to this conversation. " Summer, my pet ! because — " " Allow me to explain," interrupted Frank, laying iown his knife and fork, and placing the fore-finger i)f his right hand in his left palm, as if he were about [o make a speech. 73 UNGAVA. " Because, Eda, because there is such a iihing as heat, long-continued, never-ending, sweltering heat. Because there are such reprehensible and unutterably detestable insects as mosquitoes, and sand-flies, an(i| bull-dogs ; and there is such a thing as being bitten, and stung, and worried, and sucked into a sort oil partial madness ; and I have seen such sights as men perpetuallj'^ slapping their own faces, and scratching the skin off their own cheeks with their own nails, and gettir^g no relief thereby, but rather making things worse ; and I have, moreover, seen men' J heads swelled until the eyes and noses were lost anjj the mouths only visible when opened, and their gene- ral aspect like that of a Scotch haggis ; and there isl a time when all this accumulates on man and beasti till the latter takes to the water in desperation, an] the former takes to intermittent insanity, and tliaij time is — summer. Another cup, please, Mrs. Stanleyj 'Pon my conscience it creates thirst to think of it," At this stage the conversation of the party in tliel tent was interrupted by a loud peal of laugliterl mingled with not a few angry exclamations from tlie] men. La Roche, in one of his frantic leaps to avoiJj a tongue of flame, which shot out from the Are witi a vicious velocity towards his eyes, came into violeDtj contact with Bryan while that worthy was in the acl o^ lifting a seeihing-kettle of soup and boiled porij .*^<.^. L'NGAVA. 79 rom the fire. Fortunately for the party whose sup- er was thus placed in jeopardy, Bryan stood his round ; but La Roche, tripping over a log, fell eavily among the pannikins, tin plates, spoons, and lives, which had been just laid out on the ground front of the canoe. "Ach! mauvais chien," pjrowled Gaspard, as he (eked up and threw away the fragments of his pipe ; you're always cuttin' and jumpin' about like a )nkey/' " Oil ! pauvre crapaud," cried Fran9ois, laughing ; ^on't abuse him, Gaspard. He's a useful dog in way" I "Tare an' ages! you've done it now, ye have. Id luck to ye ! wasn't I for iver tellin' ye that same. [lire, if it wasn't tliat ye're no bigger or heavier m a wisp o' pea straw, ye'd have di'uve me and soup into the fire, ye would. Be the big toe o' Patrick, not to mintion his riverince the Pope — " I" Come, come, Bryan," cried Miissan, " don't speak y the Pope, an' down wi' the kettle." ['The kittle, is it? Sorra a kittle ye '11 touch, san, till it's cool enough to let us all start fair at ice. Ye've got yer mouth and throat lined wi' ^s, I believe, an' would ate the half o't before a of us could taste it ! " 'Don't insult me, you red-faced racoon," retorted ' i hi 1:1 * 'f'' 80 UNGAVA. Massan, while he and his comrades circled round thsl kettle and began a vigorous attack on the scaldinjl mess ; " my throat is not so used to swallowin' fol as your own. I never know'd a man that payed inJ the grub as you do. Bah ! how hot it is. I sajl Oolibuck, doesn't it remember you o' the dogs o' ye own country, when they gits the stone-kettle to clea out?" Oolibuck's broad visage expanded with a chucklj as he lifted an enormous wooden spoonful of soupt his ample mouth. " Me tink de dogs of de Inniiiij make short work of dis kettle if 'e had 'im." " Do the dogs of the Huskies eat with tlifj masters?" inquired Fran9ois, as he groped in kettle with his fork, in search of a piece of pork, " Dey not eat tuid der masters, L;ut dey al'a clean liout de kettle/' replied Moses, somewhat id nantly. "Ha!" exclaim6v3 Massan, pausing for a f j minutes to recover breath; "yes, they always leti dogs finish off the feast. Ye must know, comn^ that I've seed them do it myself; — anyways, seed a man that knew a feller who said he liaJ comrade that wintered once with the Huskies, ^vlj is pretty much the same thing. An' he said sometimes when they kill a big seal, they bo| * Esquimaux, INGAVA. 81 whole an' have a riglar feast. Ye must understand, mes gardens, that the Huskies make thumpin* big kittles out o' a kind o' soft stone they find in them parts, an' some o' them's big enough to boil a whole seal in. Well, when the beast is cooked, thev take it out o' the pot, an' while they're tuckii' into it, ithe dogs come and sit in a ring round the pot to wait till the soup's cool enough to eat. They knows well that it's too hot at first, an' that they must Ihave a deal o' patience; but afore long, some o' the |yo\ing uns can't hold on, so they steps up somewhat jdesperate like, and pokes their snouts in. Of coorse they pulls them out pretty sharp with a yell, and sit lown to rub their noses for a bit longer. Then the old uns take courage an' make a snap at it now and Igain, but very tenderly, till it gits cooler at last, an' llien at it they go, worryin', an' scuftlin', an' barkin', p goUopin', just like Moses there, till the pot's as [lean as the day it wos made." Ha ! ha ! oh, ver' goot, tres bien ; — ah ! mon coeur, jst tres splendiferous!" shouted La Roche, whose Isibility was always easily tickled. "It's quite true though, isn't it, Moses?" said [a.?san, as he once more applied to the kettle, while ^me of his comrades cut up the goose ^hat Frank id shot in the afternoon. "Why, MoseS; what a capacity you have for grub !" F 82 UXGAVA. said Francois. " If your countiymen are anything like you, I don't wonder that they have boiled seals and whales for dinner." " It'll take a screamin' kittle for a whale/' splut- tered Bryan, with his mouth full, " an" a power o' dogs to drink the broth." "You tink you funny, Biyan," retorted Moses, | while an oily smile beamed on his fat, good-hum- oured countenance; "but you not; you most dreadful] stupid." " Thrue for ye, Moses ; I was oncommon stupid to I let you sit so long beside the kittle," replied thej Irishman, as he made a futile effort to scrape ar^otherj spoonful from the bottom of it. " Och ! out yeVej licked it as clane as one of yer own dogs could ha] done it." " Mind your eye," growled Gaspard, at the samft time giving La Roche a violent push, as that volatile worthy, in one of his eccentric movements, nearl] upset his can of water. " Oh ! pardon, monsieur," exclaimed L?. Roclie, pretended sorrow, at the same time making a tesque bow that caused a general peal of laughtci'. ^ " Why, one might as well travel with, a ?ici< as with you, Gaspard," said Francois, half angrily. ** Hold your jaw," replied Gaspaid. " Not at your bidding," retorted Francois, M UNGAVA. 83 '" i rising from liis reclining posture, while his colour heightened. Gaspard had also started up, and it seemed as if the little camp were in danger of becoming a scene of strife, when Dick Prince, who was habitually silent and unobtrusive, preferring generally to listen rather than to speak, laid his hand !on Gaspard s broad shoulder and pulled him some- Iwhat forcibly to the ground. " Shame on you, comrades l" he said, in a low, rave voice, that instantly produced a dead silence ; shame on you, to quarrel on our first night in the Dush. We've few enough friends in these parts, I think, that we should make enemies o' each other." " Thai's woll said," cried Massan, in a very decided 3ne. " It won't do to fall out when there's so few bf us." And the stout voyageur thrust his foot [.gainst the logs on the fire, cansing a rich cloud of parks to ascend, as if to throw additional light on fis rem:-Tk. " Pardon mo, mes comrades," cried Francois ; " I id not intend to quurrel ;" and he extended his \nd to Caspard, who took it in silence, and, drop- ing back again to his recumbent posture, resumed is pipe. This httle scene v/as witnessed by the party in the knt, who were neai enough to overhear all that was Itid by the men, and 3ver to converse with them if \4. ju. 84 t'NGAVA. they should desire to do so. A shade of anxiety crossed Mr. Stanley's countenance ; and, some time after, recurring to tie subject, he said, — " I don't feel quite easy about that fellow Gas- pard. He seems a sulky dog, and is such a Hercub that he might give us a deal of trouble if he \vere| high-spirited." A slight smile of contempt curled Frank's lip as I he said, "A strong arm without a bold heart is not of more value than that of my Eda here in the hour] of danger. But I think better of Gaspard than y< seem to do. He's a sulky enough dog, 'tis true ; butl he is a good hard worker, and does not grumble ; adl I sometimes have noticed traces of a better spirit tliaij usually meets the eye. As for his bulk, I think nol thing of it ; he wants high spirit to make it availj able. Fran9ois could thrash him any day." " Perhaps so," replied Stanley ; " I hope tliejj won't try their metal on each other sooner than n expect. Not that I care a whit for any of the meiJ having a round or two now and then and be doDi with it ; but this fellow seems to ' nurse his wrati to keep it warm.' On such an expedition as ours,i behoves us to have a good understanding and a kindljl feeling in the camp. One black sheep in the flod may do much damage." " He's only piebald, not black," said Frank, lauglj m UNGAVA. 85 ing, a.s he rose to quit the tent. '• But I must leave you. I see that Eda's eyes are refusing to keep open any longer, so good night to you all, and a sound sleep." Frank's concluding remarks in reference to him were overheard by Gaspard, who had risen to look at the night, and afterwards kneeled near the tent, in order to be at some distance from his comrades while he said his prayers ; for, strange though it may seem, many of the rough and reckless voyageurs of that country, most of whom are Roman Catholics, regu- jlarly retire each night to kneel and pray beneath a tree before lying do^vn on their leafy couches, and deem the act quite consistent with the swearing and quarrelling life that too many of them lead. Such lis human nature ! As Gaspard rose from his knees [Frank's words fell upon his ear, and when he drew [liis blanket over his head that night, tliere was a softer spot in his heart and a wrinkle less on his 310W. When Frank stepped over to the place where his moe lay, the aspect of the camp was very diflerent rom what it had been an hour before. The fire had 3urned low, and was little more than a mass of glow- ig embers, from which a fitful flame shot forth now bd then, casting a momentary glare on the forms of iie men, who. having finished their pipes, were all i I ' I ■ 86 UNGAVA. extended in a row, side by side, under tlie large canoe. As they possessed only a single green blanket each, they had to make the most of their coverings, by rolling them tightly around their bodies, and doubling the ends down under their feet and over their heads ; so that they resembled a row of green bolstera, all their feet being presented towards the fire and all their heads resting on their folded capotes. A good deal of loud and regular snoring proved that toil and robust health seldom court the drowsy god long in vain. Turning to his own canoe, Franlc ob- served that his Indian friends were extended out under it, with a wide space between them, in which his own bedding was neatly arranged. The grave sons of the forest had lain down to rest long before their white comrades, and they now lay as silent and motionless as the canoe that covered their heads Being a small canoe, it did not afford protection to their legs and feet ; but in fine weather this was of no | consequence, and for the morrow they cared not. Before lying down Frank kneeled to commend] himself and his comrades to the protection of God ; then stirring up the embers of the fire, he pulled out I a small Bible from his breast pocket, and sat down on a log to read. Frank was a careless, rollicking, kind-hearted fellow, and how much there was of triiel relisfion in these acts none but himself could teEl UNOAVA. 87 But tlie Jiahit of reading the word, and ot' prayer, had Ibeen instilled into him from infancy by a godly mother, and he carried it with him into the wilder- Iness. When he drew his blanket over him and laid Ihis head on his capote, the stars were still twinkling, land the moon still sailed in a clear sky and gave sil- jver edges to the ice '"".pon the sea. All was calm, and Bolemn, and beautiful ; and it seemed as if it could lever be otherwise in such a tranquil scene. But lature does not always smile. Appearances are often ieceitful. u 88 UNGAVA. CHAPTER Vlir. Brj'an'8 adventure with a polar bear, Ac Ice, ice, ice ! everything seemed to have been converted into ice when tlie day broke on the following morn- ing and awoke the sleepers in the camp. A sharp frost during the night, accompanied by a fall of snow had, as if by magic, converted spring into winter I Icy particles hung upon and covered, not only tliel young leaves and buds of the bushes, but the brancbesl also, giving to them a white and extremely airy ap- pearance. Snow lay on the upper sides of the canoeil and weighed heavily on the tent, causing its folds, omi seemingly so pure and white, to look dirty by contrasll Snow lay on the protruding legs of the men, and m circled the black spot where rested the ashes of kj night's brilliant fire. Ice grated on the pebbles the shore ; ice floated on the sea ; icy hummucks anij mounds rose above its surface; and ice-bergs raisei their pinnacles on the far off horizon, and cut shariiij into the bright blue sky. It was cold, but it was not cheerless, for when Ei put out her head at the curtain door- way of the teoj and opened her eyes upon the magic scene, the smj edge rose above the horizon, as if to greet her, aa UNGAVA. 80 sent a flood of light far and near through the spacious universe, convei-ting the sea into glass, with islands of frosted silver on its bosom. It was a gorgeous scene, worthy of its great Creator, who in his myster- ious working scatters gems of beauty oftentimes in places where there is scarce a single human eye to behold their excellence. Although the sea was covered with ice, there were, nevertheless, several lanes of open water not far from the shore, so that when Stanley called a council, com- posed of Frank Morton, Dick Prince, and Massan, it was agreed unanimously that they should attempt to proceed. And it was well that they did so ; for they had not advanced many miles, winding their way cautiously among the canals of open water, when they I doubled a promontory, beyond which there was little jor no ice to be seen, merely a few scattered frag- ments and fields, that served to eirhance the Ibeauty of the scene, by the airy lightness of their [appearance in contrast with the bright blue of the Isea and sky, but did not interrupt tlie progi-ess of Ithe travellers. The three canoes always maintained |tlieir relative positions during the journey as much IS possible. That is to say, Frank and the two In- lians went first in the small canoe, to lead the way, khih.' the two large canoes kept abreast of each other when the open water was wide enough to per- IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 Iffitt IIM I.I 1.25 ^ M III 2.2 us 1^ 12.0 1.8 U III 1.6 V] <^ /2 % / rff (9 * / /A HiOiDgraphic Sciences Corporation €3 rise at the rencounter. They both stood stock still, and opened their eyes to the utmost width. But the poor Irishman was evi- dently petrified by the apparition. He turned deadly pale, and his hands hung idly by his sides; while the bear, recovering from his surprise, rose on his hind legs, and walked up to him, — a sure sign that he was quite xmdaunted, and had made up his mind to give battle. As for La Roche, the instant he cast his eyes on the ferocious-looking quadruped, he uttered a frightful yell, bounded towards a neighbouring tree, and ceased not to ascend until its topmost branches were bending beneath his weight. Meanwhile the bear walked up to Bryan ; but, not meeting with the anticipated grapple of an enemy, and feeling some- what uneasy under the cataleptic stare of the poor man's eyes, — for he still stood petrified with horror, — it walked slowly round him, putting its cold nose on his cheek, as if to tempt him to move. But the five minutes of bewilderment that always preceded Bryan's recovery from a sudden fright had not yet expired. He still remained perfectly motionless, so that the bear, disdaining, apparently, to attack an BRTAN ENCOUNTERS A POLAR BKAK. J'sge loo. s III iuo dentiy pel • • r, for jutii H p<:)laT bear, .\ nether tlKj m^- •j.-jBcvi i(i'*.>i B.\jut«) '. stock suil, and opened their eyes tc * T>oor irishman was ev; ' Te tairned dure8ign that i.i. quite ui?daunted, und had made up his rnind_to gi\ battle. Afi for La- Roche, the instant he caat, his f'ti iTie ^erociuu£~lookij3g qaadnipcd, he uttered . Irjghtful yell, bounded to"svards a neighbonring tre- and (teased n >t to H«<;end untd its topmoat branch; fX;J'- •w^v;^ bon iiitu im hist ejk.|,. - that tt«5 '> ^,i3 weight. Meanwhile ^1 •v»fr meeting with v. aippu ' .: v/icuij^ i' feeling som< * ;' ■ : alaleptic blare of t! -tor iie still stood petniied with uo tud him. pitting its cold move. Bui ,1 alwp.ya precp'tf- .. triglit had n^.v ■ . vTftKttly motionless ,, ..^jjrviciitiy, to attack an — o> ^J^ .>A':.vf.- BRTAN ENCOUNTEUS A I'OI.AR BKAK. '•i M I'agc lUU. unresist!] difficult t^ known oj eye can ql stories, m| fact, but, vouch for the influei it may be retreated looking ov as if it hal We hav and that w displayed a of danger. shaggy ad" blood retur that cause( the large bursting, forward lil flung it vi always hun face to fai instantly a legs to re^ UNGAVA. 101 unresisting foe, dropt on his fore legs again. It is difficult to say whether there is any truth in the well- known opinion, that the calm, steady gaze of a human eye can quell any animal. Doubtless there are many stories, more or less authentic, corroborative of the fact, but, whether this be true or no, we are ready to vouch for the truth of this fact, — namely, that under the influence of the blacksmith's gaze, or his silence, it may be, the bear was absolutely discomfited. It retreated a step or two, and walked slowly away, looking over its shoulder now and then as it went, as if it half anticipated an onslaught in the rear. We have already said that Bryan was no craven, and that when his faculties were collected, he usually displayed a good deal of reckless valour on occasions of danger. Accordingly, no sooner did he see his shaggy adversary in full retreat, than the truant blood returned to his face with a degree of violence that caused it to blaze with fiery red, and swelled the large veins of his neck and forehead almost to bursting. Uttering a truly Irish halloo, he bounded forward like a tiger, tore the cap off" his head and flung it violently before him, drew the axe which always hung at his belt, and, in another moment, stood face to face with the white monster, which had instantly accepted the challenge, and rose on its hind legs to receive him. Raising the axe with both 102 UNGAVA. hands, the man aimed a blow at the bear's hoad, but with a rapid movement of its paw, it turned the weapon aside, and dashed it into the air. Another such blow, and the reckless blacksmitii's career would have been brought to an abrupt conclusion, when the crack of a rifle was heard. Its echo reverberated along the cliffs and floated over the calm water as the polar bear fell dead at Bryan'y feet. " Hurrah ! " sliouted Frank Morton, as he sprang from the bushes, knife in hand, ready to finish the work which his rifle had so well begun. But it needed not. Frank had hit the exact spot behind the ear which renders a second ball unnecessary,- the bear was already quite dead. A gform brc tTNOAVA. 103 CHAPTER IX. A storm brewing— It bursts and produces consequences —The party take to the water per forco — All saved. "Ah ! Bryan, ' a friend in need is a friend indeed/" said I rank, as he sat on a rock watching the black- smith and his two Indians while they performed the operation of skinning the bear, whose timely destruc- tion has been related in the last chapter, " I must say I never saw a man stand his groimd so well, with a brute like that stealing kisses from his cheek. I Were they sweet, Brj-^an ? Did they remind you of [the fair maid of Derry, hey?" " Ah ! thrue for ye," replied the blacksmith, as he stepped to a rock for the purpose of whetting his mife ; " yer honor was just in time to save me a DOwer o' throuble. Bad skran to the baste ! it would lave taken three or four rounds at laste to have inished him nately off, for there's no end o' fat on ^is ribs that would have kep' the knife from goin' ir in." Frank laughed at this free-and-easy way of look- ig at it. " So you think you would have killed im, do you, if I had not saved you the trouble?" " Av coorse I do. Shure a man is better than a 3te any day; and besides, had I not a frind at my I i ■ ,j- i\ 104 UNGAVA. back ridy to help me?" Bryan cast a comical leer at La Roche as he said this, and the poor Frenchman blushed, for he felt that his conduct in the affair had not been very praise-worthy. It ?s due to La Roche to say, however, that no sooner had he found him- self at the top of the tree, and had a moment to reflect, than he slid rapidly to the bottom again, and ran to the assistance of his friend, not, however, in time to render such assistance available, as he came up just at the moment the bear fell. In half an hour afterwards the two large canoes came up, and Bryan and his little friend had to imdergo a rapid fire of witticism from their surprised and highly amused comrades. Even Moses was stirred up to say that " Bryan, him do pratty well; he most good 'nuff to make an Eskimo ! " Having embarked the skin of the bear, the canoes once more resumed their usual order and continued on their way. The carcass of the bear, being useless for food, was left for the wolves ; and the claws, which were nearly as large as a man's finger, were given by Frank to the blacksmith, that he might make them into a necklace, as the Indians do, and keep it | in remembrance of his rencounter. But the weather was now beginning to change. Dick Prince, whose black eye was ever roving about I observantly, told Massan that a storm was bre^ng, III UNGAVA. 105 and that the sooner he put ashore in a convenient spot the better. But Stanley was anxious to get on, having a long journey before him, at the termination of which there would be little enough time to erect a sufficient protection against the winter of the north; so he continued to advance along shore until they came to a point beyond which there was a very deep bay that would take them jnany hours to coast. By making a traverse, however, in a direct line to the next point, they might cross it in a much shorter time. " How say you, Prince, shall we cross?" asked Stanley, as they rested on their paddles and cast furtive glances up at the dark clouds and across the still quiet bay. Prince shook his head " I fear we won't have time to cross. The clouds are driving too fast and growin' black." " Well then, we had better encamp," said Stanley. "Is there a proper place, Massan, hereabouts?" " No, sir," replied the guide. " The stones on the beach are the only pillows within six mile o' us." "Ho! then, forward boys, make a bold push for it" cried Stanley, "if it does begin to blow before we're over, we can run back again at all events." In another moment the canoes swept out to sea, and made for the point far ahead like race-horses. ! ■•:'■■ i >% 106 UNGAVA. '! ;, M IKfl Although the clouds continued to gather, the wind did not rise, and it seemed as though they would get over easily, when a sudden gust came off the shore, a direction whence, from the appearance of the clouds, it had not been expected ; ruffling the surface of the water for a few seconds, it passed away. " Give way, boys, give way," cried Massan, using his large steering paddle with a degree of energy that sent the canoe plunging forward. " We can't go back, an' if the storm bursts off the shore — " A loud peal of thunder drowned the remainder of the sentence, and in a few seconds the wind that had been dreaded came whistling violently off the shore and covered the sea with foam. The waves soon began to rise, and ere long the frail barks, which were ill calculated to weather a storm, were career- ing over them and shipping water at every plunge. It now became a matter of life and death with them that they should gain the point, for, deeply loaded as they were, it was impossible that they could float long in such a sea. It is true that a wind oft' the shore does not usually raise what sailors would consider much of a sea, but it must be remem- bered that, although it was off shore, the bay which they were crossing extended far inland, so that the gale had a wide sweep of water to act upon before it reached them. Besides this, as has already been TNGAVA. 107 explained, canoes are not like boats. Their timbers are weak, the bark of which they are made is thin, the , gum which makes their seams tight is easily knocked off in cold water, and in short, they cannot face a sea on which a boat might ride like a sea gulL , For a considerable time the men strained every nerve to gain the wished-for point of land, but with so little success that it became evident they would never reach it. The men began to show signs of flagging, and cast uneasy glances towards Stanley, as if they had lost aU hope of accomplishing their object, and waited for him to suggest what they should do. Poor Mrs. Stanley sat holding on to the gunwale with one hand and clasping Edith round the waist with the other, as she gazed wistfully towards the cape ahead, which was now almost lost to view under the shadow of a dark cloud that rolled towards them like a black pall laden with destruction. " God help us ! " murmured Stanley, in an under tone, as he scanned the sea- ward horizon, which was covered with leaden clouds and streaks of lurid light, beneath which the foaming sea leapt furiously. " Call upon me in the time of trouble, and I will deliver thee," said Mrs. Stanley, who overheard the exclamation. Stanley either heard her not or his mind was too deeply concentrated on the critical nature of their iip4 108 UNQAVA. position to make any reply. As she buried her fao6 in her hands, Edith threw her trembling arms round her mother and liid her face in her bosom. Even Chimo seemed to understand their danger, for he crept closer to the side of his young mistress and whined in a low tone, as if in sympathy. The waves had now increased to such a degree that it required two of the men to bale incessantly in order to pre- vent their being swamped, and as Stanley cast a hurried glance at the other canoes, which were not far off, he observed that it was as much as they could do to keep afloat. " Could we not run back, Mas- san?" asked Stanley, in despair. " Unposs'ble, sir," replied the guide, whose voice was almost drowned by the whistling of the wind " We're more nor half way over, an' it would only blow us farther out to sea if we was to try." While the guide spoke, Stanley was gazing ear- nestly in the direction of the horizon. " Round with you, Massan," he exclaimed sud- denly ; " put the canoe about and paddle straight out to sea. Hallo ! " he shouted to the other canoes, " follow us out to sea, — straight out." The men looked aghast at this extraordinary order. " Look alive, lads," continued their leader; " I see an island away there to lee-ward. Perhaps it's only a rock, but any way it's our only chance." UNOAVA. 109 The canoes' heads were turned round, and, in another moment, they were driving swiftly before the wind in the direction of the open sea. " Right, right," murmured Dick Prince, as they made towards this new source of hope — " mayhap it's only a bit o' ice, but even that's better than nothin'." " If 'tis only ice," cried La Roche, " ve have ver' pauvre chance at all." " Shure an' if we are to go ashore at all, at all," said Bryan, whose spirits had suddenly risen with this gleam of hope from fifty degrees below to fifty above zero — " if we are to go ashore at all, at all, it's better to land on the ice than on the wather." With such a breeze urging them on, the three canoes soon approached what appeared io be a low sand-bank, on which the sea was dashing in white foam. But, from the tossing of the waves between them and the beach, it was difficult to form a conjec- ture as to its size. Indeed, at times they could scarcely see it at aU, owing to the darkness of the day and the heavy rain which began to fall just as they approached ; and more than once Stanley's heart sank when he lost sight of the bank, and he began to think that he had made a mistake, and that they were actually flpng out to the deep sea, in which case all hope would be gone for ever. But :*';r-. f lit ' 110 UNQAVA. God's mercy was extended to them in this hour of peril. The ishmd appeared to grow larger as they neared it, and at last they were within a stone's throw of the shore. But a new danger assailed them here. The largest canoe, which neared tlie island first, had begun to leak, and took in water so fast that the utmost effoi-ts of those who baled could not keep it under, and from the quantitj' that was now shipped they made very little way. l| To add to the horror of the scene, the sky became very dark, and another crash of thunder pealed fort'a accompanied by a blinding flash of lightning. " Paddle, boys, paddle for your lives ! " cried Stan- ley, throwing off his coat, and seizing a tin dish with which he began to throw out the water. The canoe rose on a huge wave which broke all round it. This nearly filled it with water and car- ried it towards the shore with such velocity that it seemed as if they should be dashed in pieces ; but they fell back into the trough of the sea, and lay motionless like a heavy log, and in a sinking condi- tion. " Now, lads, look out for the next wave, and give way with a will," cried Massan. The worthy steers- man acted rather too energetically on his own advice, for he dipped his paddle with such force that it| snapt in two. UNGAVA. Ill " Be ready to jump out," cried Dick Prince, stand- ing up in the bow in order to give more power to his strokea As he spoke, Stanley turned to his wife and said, " Jessie, hold on by my collar, I'll take Eda in my arms/' At that instant the canoe gave a lurch, and, before Stanley coul 1 grasp his child, they were all struggling -n the sea ! At this awful moment, in- stead of endeavouring to do as her husband directed, Mrs. Stanley instinctively threw her arms around Edith, and, while the waves were boiling over her, she clasped the child tightly to her bosom with her left arm, while with her right she endeavoured to raise herself to the surface. Twice she succeeded, and twice she sank, when a box of merchandise providentially struck her arm. Seizing this, she raised herself above the water, and poor Edith gasped convulsively once or twice for air. Then the box was wrenched from her gi*asp by a wave, and, with a wild shriek, she sank again. Just then, a strong arm was thrown around her — her feet touched the ground, and, in a few seconds, she was dragged vio- lently from the roaring waves and fell exhausted on the beach. " Thanks be to God we are saved !" murmured Mrs. Stanley, as her husband assisted her to I rise and led her beyond the reach of the waves, » m li Vil.' i'- 41 /li 112 L^NGAVA. while Edith still clung with a deadly grasp to her mother's neck. "Ay, Jessie, thank God indeed. But for his mercy we should have all been lost. I was floun- dering about beside the canoe when your scream showed me where you were, and enabled me to save you. But rest here, in the lee of this bale. I can- not stay by you. ^ Frank is in danger still." Without waiting for a reply, he sprang from her side and hurried down to the beach. Here everything was in the utmost confusion. The two large canoea had been saved and dragged out of the reach of the waves, and the men were struggling in the boiling surf to rescue the baggage and pro^dsions, on which latter their very lives depended. As Stanley reached the scene of action, he observed several of the men watching the small canoe which contained Frank and his two Indians. It had been left some distance behind by the others, and was now approaching with arrow speed on the summit of a large wave. Sud- denly the top of the billow curled over, and in another moment the canoe was turned bottom up! Like a cork it danced on the wave's white crest; then, falling beneath the thundering mass of water, it was crushed to pieces and cast empty upon the beach But Frank and his men swam like otters,! and the party on shore watched them with anxioui looks Bi At last forward, rough en launched strugglin liave ba< know we on loose j ward int' Indians i struggled hausted, a who rusl rescued tli As the God, react undivided which we these had the spot w. shelter of brought up child, who tered from stiU fell ir tiiem, and H 1 1 UNGAVA. 113 looks as they breasted manfully over the billows. At last a towering wave came rolling majestically forward. It caught the three swimmers in its rough embrace, and carrying them along on its crest, launched them on the beach, where it left them struggling with the retreating water. Those who have bathed in rough weather on an exposed coast know well how difficult it is to regain a j&rm footing on loose sand while a heavy wave is sweeping back- ward into its parent ocean. Frank and the two Indians experienced this ; and they might have struggled there tUl their strength had been ex- hausted, were it not for Stanley, Prince, and Massan, who rushed simultaneously into the water and rescued them. As the whole party had now, by the goodness of God, reached the land in safety, they turned their undivided energies towards the bales and boxes which were rolling about in the surf Many of these had been already collected, and were carried to the spot where Mrs. Stanley and Edith lay under the shelter of a bale. As the things were successively brought up they were pUed around the mother and child, who soon found themselves pretty well shel- tered from the wind, though not from the rain, which still fell in torrents. Soon after Frank came to them, and said that all the things were saved, and ri } Ai ^-""% 114 TJNGAVA. that it was time to think of getting up some sort of shelter for the night. This was very much needed, for poor Edith was beginning to shiver from the wet and cold. " Now, then, Fran9ois, Massan," shouted Frank, " lend a hand here to build a house for Eda. We'll be all as snug as need be in a few minutes." Despite the cold and her recent terror, the poor child could not help smiling at the idea of building a house in a few minutes, and it was with no little curiosity that she watched the operations of the men. Meanwhile Mr. Stanley brought some wine in a pannikin, and made Edith and his wife drink a little. This revived them greatly, and as the rain had now almost ceased, they rose and endeavoui-ed to wring the water out of their garments. In less than half an hour the men piled the bales and boxes in front of the largest canoe, which was turned bot- tom up, and secured firmly in that position by an embankment of sand, '^ver the top of all, three oil- cloths were spread and lashed down, thus forming a complete shelter, large enough to contain the whole party. At one end of this curious house Mr. Stanley made a separate apartment for his wife and child, by placing two large bales and a box as a partition; and within this little space Edith soon became very busy m arranging things, and " putting the house to N UNGAVA. rights," as she said, as long as the day-light lasted, for after it went away they had neither candles nor fire, as the former had been soaked and broken, and as for the latter, no wood could be found on the island. The men's clothes were, of course, quite wet, so they cut open a bale of blankets, which had not been so much soaked as the other goods, having been among the first things that were washed ashore. At the time they were wrecked the dashing spray and the heavy rain, together with the darkness of ' the day, had prevented the shipwrecked voyageurs from ascertaining the nature of the island on which they had been cast ; and as the night closed in while they were yet engaged in the erection of their temporary shelter, they had to lie down to rest in ignorance on this point. After such a day of un- usual fatigue and excitement, they all felt more in- clined for rest than food, — so, instead of taking sup- per, they all lay doM'^n huddled together under the canoe, and slept soundly, while the angry winds whistled round them, and the great sea roared and lashed itself into foam on the beach, as if disap- pointed that the little band of adventurers had escaped, and were now beyond the reach of its impotent fury. 116 UNGAVA. CHAPTER X. The und-bank— ^^ismol prospects— Consnltatlons— Internal arrangementa exposed and detailed. Of all the changes th i constantly vary the face of nature, the calm that succeeds a storm is one of the most beautiful, and the most agreeable, perhaps, to the feelings of man. Few conditions of nature con- vey to the mind more thoroughly the idea of com- plete repose,— of deep rest after mortal strife, — of sleep after exhausting toil ; — and those who have passed through the violence of the storm and done battle with its dangers are, by the physical rest which they enjoy after it is over, the more fitted to appreciate and sjonpathize with the repose which reigns around them. When the sun rose, on the morning after the storm, it shone upon a scene so calm and beautiful, so utterly unconnected with anything like the sin of a fallen world, and so typical, in its deep tranquil- lity, of the mind of Him who created it, that it seemed almost possible for a moment to fancy that the promised land was gained at last, and that all the dark clouds, the storms and dangers, the weary joixrneyings and the troubles of the wilderness, were paijt and gone for ever. So glorious was the scene, UNGAVA. 117 that when Edith, rising from her rude couch and step- ping over the prostrate forms of her still slumbering companions, issued from the shelter of the canoe and cast her eyes abroad upon the glassy sea, she could not restrain her feelings, and uttered a thrilling shout of joy that floated over the waters and reverberated among the glittering crags of the surrounding icebergs. The island on which the travellers had been cast w£us a mere knoll of sand, — not more than a few hundred yards in circumference, that scarcely raised its rounded summit above the level of the water, and at full tide was reduced to a mere speck, utterly des- titute of vegetation. The sea around it was now smooth and clear as glass, though undulated by a long, regular swell, which rolled, at slow, solemn in- tervals, in majestic waves towards the sand-bank, where they hovered for a moment in curved walls of dark-green water, then, lipping over at their crests, fell in a roar of foam that hissed a deep sigh on the pebbles of the beach and left the silence greater than before. Masses of ice floated here and there on the surface of the deep, the edges and fantastic points of which were tipped with light. Not far from the northern extremity of the sand-bank a large iceberg had grounded, from the sides of which several pinnacles had been hurled by the shock and now lay stranded on the beach. ^^ ll i t srr iM' ill ilii, !!l! 118 IJNGAVA. The shout with which Edith had welcomed the monung roused the whole party, and in a few minutes they were all assembled outside of their little hut, some admiring the scene, others — of a less enthu- siastic and more practical turn — examining the cir- cumstances of their position and considering the best course that should be pursued in their difficulty. Mr. Stanley, Dick Prince, and Massan, as was their wont, held a council upon the existing state of things, and, after much gazing round at the sea and up at the sky, and considerable grunting of his deep voice and rubbing of his capacious chin, on the part of the latter, he turned to Dick Prince, as if ap- pealing to his superior sagacity, and said, — " WJl, ye see, my 'pinion's jist this : Yonder's the mainland there," (pointing to the eastward, where, about ten miles distant, the rocks and trees were seen distorted and faintly looming through a tremulous haze,) " an' there's our canoes there," (jerking his thumb over his shoulder in the direction of the large canoes, whose torn sides and damaged ribs, as they lay exposed on the sand, bore sad testimony to the violence of the previous night's storm) " and there's the little canoe yonder," (glancing toward the craft in question, which lay on the beach a hopelessly-destroyed mass of splinters and shreds of bark that projected and bristled in all directions, as if in uncontrollable amaze- UNGAVA. 119 ment at the suddenness and entii'ety of its own de- struction.) " Now, that bein' the case, an* the baggage all wet, an the day parfitly beautiful, an' the sun about hot enough to bile the sea, we can't do bet- ter nor stay where we are an' mend the canoes, dry the goods, an' start fair to-morrow mornin'." Stanley looked at Prince, as if expecting a remark from him ; but the grave countenance of the silent bowsman indicated that he was absorbed in contem- plation. " 'Tis quite evident, Massan," said Stanley, " that we must repair the canoes ; but a few hours could do that, and I don't like the idea of staying another night on a strip of sand like this, which, I verily believe, another stiff nor'-wester would blow away altogether. But what say you. Prince. Do you advise our remaining?" " Yes," replied Dick, " I do. Ye see there's no fear of another storm soon. 'Tis a good chance for diyin' the goods, so I vote for stoppin'." " Well, then, we shall stay," replied Stanley. " To say truth I agreed with you at first, Massan, but it's always advisable to look at both sides of a ques- tion—" "Yes, and ' in the multitude of counsellors there is I wisdom,' " said Frank Morton, coming up at the mo- ment, and tapping his friend on the shoulder. " If you 120 UNGAVA. -^ will include me in your confabulation you shall have 1 thebenefit of deep experienceand far-sighted sagacity." I " Come, then, Master Frank," replied Stanley, " what does your sagacity advise on the point of our staying on this sand-bank ? Shall we spend another night on it in order to dry the goods, or shall we up and away to terra firma as soon as the canoes are sea-worthy?" " Stay, of course," said Frank. " As to the sand- bank, 'tis firm enough, to my mind, after resisting the shock of the wave that dashed me ashore last night. Then, we have everything we need, — shelter and food, and even fuel." As Frank mentioned the last word, he glanced round with a rueful countenance and pointed to the bark and timbers of his broken canoe. , " True, Frank, we have wherewith to boil the kettle, and, as the water-cask was full when we started yesterday morning, there will be enough at least for one or two days." " By the way, that reminds me that Eda and your wife are particularly desirous of having break- fast," said Frank. " In fact they sent me specially to lay their* melancholy case before you — and I have great fears that Eda will lay violent hands on the raw pork if her morning meal is delayed much longer. As for Chimo, he is rushing about the| UNGAVA. 121 island in a state of ravenous despair ; so pray let us be going/' " Be it so, Frank/' said Stanley, taking his friend's arm, and sauntering towards the canoe, while Has- san and Prince went to inform their comrades of the determination of their leader. In an hour after the above discourse, breakfast was over, and the men, under Stanley's inspection, arranged and examined the baggage ; which, consider- ing that it had been rolled about by the surf for a considerable time, was not so much soaked as might have been expected. The two kegs of gun-powder were first inspected, being the most valuable part of the cargo, as on them depended much of their future livelihood. They were found to be quite dry, ex- cept a small portion of powder at the seams of the staves, which, having caked with the moistiu'e, saved the rest from da^^age. Some of the bales, how- ever, containing knives and other hardware, were very wet, and had to be opened out and their con- tents wiped and spread out to dry. Blankets too, and other woollen garments that had suffered, were also spread out on the sand, so that in a short time the little island was quite covered with a strange assortment of miscellaneous articles, that gave to it the appearance of a crowded store. The entire wealth of the fur traders was now exposed to view, and it I: ! t ■' -i ■■( i' r £ ,1 M 122 ONQAYA. may perhaps be interesting to enumerate the different articles, in order to give some idea of the outfit deemed necessary on such an expedition. And, first, there were two kegs of gun-powder, as before mentioned, containing each thu'ty pounds, with four bags of ball and three of shot of various sizes ; in all, about 250 pounds of lead. Six nets of four and a half inch mesh. A large quantity of twine for making nets — most of the men being able to construct these useful articles. A small bag of gun-flints. Sixty pounds of roll tobacco. Twelve large axes. Six augers. Seven dozen scalpiug- knives. Six pounds of variously-coloured beads. Two dozen fire-steels, and a pretty large assortment of awls, needles, thread, nails, and such like small articles, which, though extremely useful, were too numerous and comparatively insignificant to mention in detail. Besides these, there was a small bale containing gaudy ornaments and attractive articles, which were intended as propitiatory presents to the Esquimaux when they should be met with. Then, there were two runlets of salt pork, containing about ninety pounds each, and in the centre of each runlet were two hams. A barrel of flour and a barrel of oatmeal constituted all their provision, if we except a small cask of hard biscuit and a little tea and sugar, which were the private property of Stanley UNQAVA. 123 id Frank Morton. There was also a large deer- Bkin tent, capable of holding from twenty to thirty len, which was intended to be used while they were iged in building their winter residence at Un- gava. As to arms, each man had one of the long Lingle-barrelled fowling-pieces that are supplied by [he Fur Company to the natives, and are styled In- ian guns. Stamey had a double-barrelled flint Ibwling-piece ; and Frank had a rifle, besides a single run of a description somewhat finer than that sup- llied to the Indians. Of course each man carried scalping-knife and an. axe in his belt, not for the lurpose of self-defence, but for carving their food |nd cutting their fuel. It may be well to remark here, that the goods id provisions which we have detailed above, were lierely intended as a supply for their immediate (ecessities, and to enable them to commence active perations at once on amving at their desti- Eition, while the he .vy stores and goods necessary [r the year's trade were to be forwarded in a lall sloop from the depot direct through Hudson's baits to Ungava Bay. When the work of unpacking and exposing the ags to dry in the sun was accomplished, it was ig past noon, and high time for dinner, so a fire lighted by Bryan, who cut up another portion. 11 .1 i; -m Ifif li'' i Vm^ ^~-""- ' 1' R i . -JU-- in \ iTw 124 UNQAVA. of Frank's canoe for the purpose. A rasher of pork and a flour cake were disposed of by each of the| party in a surprisingly short time, and then the men bestirred themselves in mending the canoes. This was a more troublesome job than they expected, but, being accustomed not only to mend but to make| canoes, they worked with a degree of skill and gence that speedily put all to rights. In Hassan's | canoe there was a hole large enough, as Bryan re- marked, to stick his head through, though it was al "big wan, an' no mistake." Taking up a roll of I bark, which was carried with them for the purpose, Massan cut from it a square patch, which he senm over the hole, using an awl for a needle, and thel fibrous roots of the pine-tree, called wattape, fori thread. After it was firmly sewed on, the seanul were covered with melted gum, and the broken spoJ was as tight and strong as ever. There were iiextl found several long slits, one of them fully threi feet, which were more easily managed, as theyl merely required to be sewed and covered with gun Several broken ribs, however, were not so easily paired. Had there been any wood on the islani} Massan's quick knife would have soon fashioned nei ribs ; as it was, he had to make the best job h^ could, by splicing the old ones with several piec abstracted from Frank's little canoe. r ' p 1 1 t ! i 1 i } 11 11 of! '•"BWA^.4, m 08 .>':"pos*3. A roller •• pork • rsad of by ea^,' n ♦.ime, and then t^ 'i»{>n ^ in mending tbe eanot> Tli? ;;. .'■■ ' ^'tb thnn they expectf-ii \in\ t. vj mend but to m- ' u A degree of skill ar»d dii • 1 nj:(lifcs. In Mas^m large etiouf^b, aa Bryaa i '. head through, though it wa> :n, nn' no mistake." Taking up a rol' b&rk,. which was carried with tlicm for the purp' Massan mi from it a square patch, which be Wa over the bole, using au awl for a needle, ar'^ ♦ iibrous roots of tiie pine -tree, called watta^i, thread. Af^ ' xb ftnnly sewed on, the sen were covftT*»d w'.t1> > gjum. and the broken s There were d- of them f' liv tl ■i>i^iiy hi.-:uig':;d, ;^ ,; Lit ar-.ved and covered with v. iwever, were not so easily ; nny wood on the • soon fashioned v make the best job ,;,;,,, ,ru>a -x\ih several ^' abL;ti\ioucu iivm r ranK s little canoe. •n-'if^ w 5!- m V Kca' 'I-.; tl, r 1 O'i TIIK SANDIJANK. I'agr 130. It was I order, the j for a start s After all wi were conve tired and hi chat, while fatigable Bj day faded : until they g glare of th^ more intens strange, wi] the extremii low as to b( and seemed little busy \ ant in the r gem cast up UNGATA. 125 It was sunset before all was put in complete order, the goods repacked, and placed in readiness for a start at day-break on the following morning. After all was done, the remains of the small canoe were converted into a bonfire, round which the tired and hungry travellers assembled to smoke and chat, while supper was being prepared by the inde- fatigable Bryan and his friend La Roche. As the day faded away the stars came out, one by one, until they glittered in millions in the sky, while the glare of the fire became every moment more and more intense as the darkness deepened. It was a strange, wild scene, — especially when viewed from the extremity of the little sand-bank, which was so low as to be almost indiscernible in the dark night, and seemed scarce a sufiicient foundation for the little busy group of human beings who stood, radi- ant in the red light of their camp-fire, like a blaziug gem cast upon the surface of the great, cold sea. 126 UNGAVA. CHAPTER XL start afresh— Superstitious notions— The whirlpool— The Interior— Fishing In the old way on new ground, and what came of It— A cold bath — The rescue— Saved- Deeper and deeper into the wilderness. As if to make amends for its late outrageous con- duct, the weather, after the night of the great storm, continued unbrokenly serene for many days, enabUng our travellers to make rapid progress towards their destination. It would be both tiresome and un- necessary to foilow them step by step throughout their journey, as the part of it which we have al- ready described was, in many respects, tjrpical of the | whole voyage along the east coast of Hudson's Bay, Sometimes, indeed, a few incidents of an unusual] character did occur. Once they were very nearly being crushed between masses of ice; twice tliel larger canoe struck on a hummuck, and had to be landed and repaired ; and frequently mishaps of a slighter nature befell them. Their beds, too, varied! occasionally. At one time they laid them do^vn tol rest on the sand of the sea-shore ; at another, on tliel soft turf and springy moss of the woods. Sometimesl they were compelled to content themselves with al couch of pebbles, few of which were smaller than tj man's fist ; and, not unfrequently, they had to maka CNGAVA. 127 the best they could of a flat rock, whose unyielding surface seemed to put the idea of anything like rest to flight, causing the thin men of the party to growl, and the fat ones to chuckle. Bryan was one of the well-favoured, being round and fleshy, while his poor little friend La Roche possessed a frame-work of bones that were so sparingly covered with softer substance, as to render it a matter of wonder how he and the stones could compromise the matter at all, and called forth from his friend frequent impertinent allusions to " thrid-papers, bags o' bones, idges o' knives, half fathoms o' pump water," and such like curious sub- I stances. But, whatever the bed, it invariably turned out that the whole party slept soundly from the time they lay down till the time of rising, which was usu- jally at the break of day. Owing to the little Indian canoe having been I wrecked on the sand-bank, Frank and his men had Ito embark in .he smaller of the large canoes; a change hvhich was in some respects a disadvantage to the [party, as Frank could not now so readily dash away [in pursuit of game. However, this did not much patter, as, in a few days afterwards, they arrived at ^lie mouth of the river by which they intended to enetrate into the interior of the country. The name of the river is Deer River, and it flows into Rich- wnd Gulf, which is situated on the east shore of .^^= ^M *; ^ 128 UNGAVA. Hudson's Bay, in lat. 56° N. Kichmond Gulf is twenty miles long, and about the same in breadth, but the entrance to it is so narrow that the tide pours into it like a torrent until it is full. The pent-up waters then rush out on one side of this narrow inlet while they are running in at the other, causing a whirlpool which would engulf a large boat, and greatly endanger even a small vessel. Of course it was out of the question to attempt the passage of such a vortex in canoes, except at half flood or half ebbj tide, at which periods the waters become quiet. On I arriving at the mouth of the gulf, the travellers found the tide out, and the entrance to it curling and rolling in massive volumes, as if all the evil water spirits of the north were holding their orgies there Oostesimow and Ma-istequan, being by nature education intensely superstitious, told Stanley, — after! they had landed to await the flow of the tide, — thatl it was absolutely necessary to perform certain cere- monies in order to propitiate the deities of the place, otherwise they could not expect to pass such an awfulj whirlpool in safety. Their leader smiled, and toll them to do as they thought fit, adding, however, thaJ he would not join them, as he did not believe in ani deities whatever, except the one true God, who m not require to be propitiated in any way, and couli| not be moved by any other means than by prayer i the name prised a stoicism, ] expressioi Nevertj foith in tl: about a s( which it w unprofitab! to attach i ings, the cl of tobacco, of the gul peace whil« little on th been the h( so valuable row, the qi joy and cor had but liti While back to the black pipe ciously to combination closing of hi slow but ex( UNGAVA. 129 the name of Jesus Christ. The red men seemed sur- prised a little at this, but, with their proverbial stoicism, refrained from any further or more decided expression of feeling. Nevertheless, the Indians sufficiently showed their liiith in their own doctrines by immediately setting about a series of curious and elaborate ceremonies, which it was impossible to comprehend, and decidedly unprofitable to describe. They appeared, however, to attach much importance to their propitiatory offer- ings, the chief among Avhich seemed to be a few inches of tobacco, with which it was fondly hoped the deities of the gulf would condescend to smoke the pipe of peace while their red children ventured to trespass a httle on their domain; and hard indeed must have been the hearts of the said spirits had they refused so valuable an oflTering, for tobacco is the life and mar- row, the quintessence of terrestrial felicity, the very joy and comfort of a voyager, and the poor Indians had but little of it to spare. While this was going on, Bryan stood with his back to the fire, a remarkably short and peculiarly black pipe in his mouth, and his head inclined saga- ciously to one side, as if he designed, by dint of a combination of intense mental abstraction, partial closing of his eyes, severe knitting of his brows, and slow but exceedingly voluminous emission of smoke, l.i {■'■t 130 UNGAVA. I' V 1 1 r ;■■■■■'■ ; 1 ■ : ; ill 1 ~ •H '- 1 ™^r ' r ' ■ S i to come to a conclusion in regard to the unfathom- able subject of Indian superstition. La Roclie, steeped in unphilosophic indifference on such matters, and keenly alive to the gross cravings of hunger, busied himself in concocting a kettle of soup, while the rest of tlie party rambled about the beach, or among the bushes in search of eggs. In this latter search, Frank and Edith were very successful, and returned with pockets laden with excellent eggs of I the eider duck, which were immediately put into the | kettle, and tended not a little to increase the excel- lence of the soup and the impatience of the men. Meanwhile the tide rose, the power of the current I was gradually checked, and, towards noon, they passed! the dangerous naiTOws in safety. From the viewl that was now obtained of the interior, it became evi- dent that the worst of their journey yet lay before! them. On an-iving at the mouth of Deer River, tliel mountains were seen to rise abruptly and precipij tously, while, far away inland, their faint blue peat rose into the sky. Indeed, from this point, the realljl hard work of the voyage may be said to have com] menced ; for, scarcely had they proceeded a few mik up the river, when their farther progress, at least bjl water, was effectually interrupted by a rapid whicll came leaping madly down its rocky bed, as if tlij stream rejoiced to escape from the chasms and mounj UNGAVA. 131 kin gorges, and find rest at last on the ample bosom of the great deep. " What think ye of that, boy ? " said Stanley to Frank Morton, as they leaped fi-om their respective canoes, and stood gazing at the rugged glen from which the rapid issued, and the wild appearance of the hills beyond. " It seems to me that report spoke truly when it said that the way to Clear Water Lake was rugged. Here is no despicable portage to begin with ; and yonder cliffs, that look so soft and blue in the far distance, will prove to be dark and hard enough when we get at them, I wan'ant." "When we get at them!" echoed Mrs. Stanley, as she approached, leading Edith by the hand. " Get at them, George! Had any one asked me if it were possible to pass over these mountains with our canoes and cargoes, I should have answered, 'Decidedly not ! '" " And yet you were so foolish and reckless as to be the first to volunteer for this decidedly impossible expedition!" replied Stanley. " There you are inconsistent," said Mrs. Stanley, smiling. "If reckless, I cannot 'be foolish, according to I your own showing; for I have heard you give it as your opinion that recklessness is one of the most essential elements in the leaders of a forlorn-hope. But really the thing does seem to my ignorant mind [impossible. What think you, Eda ? " UNGAVA. Mrs. Stanley bent down and looked into the face of her child, but she received no reply. The expanded eyes, indeed, spoke volumes; and the parted lips, on which played a fitful, exulting smile, the heightened colour, and thick-coiiiing breath, told eloquently of her anticipated delight in these new regions, which seemed so utterly different from the shores of the bay, — but her tongue was mute. And well might Mrs. Stanley think the passage over these mountains impossible, for, except to men accustomed to canoe travelling in the American lakes and rivers, such an attempt would have appeared as hopeless as the passage of a ship through the ice- locked polar seas in winter. Not so thought the men. Already several of the most active of them were scrambling up the cliffs with heavy loads on their backs ; and, while Stanley and his wife were yet conversing, two of them ap- proached rapidly, bearing the large canoe on their shoulders. The exclamation that issued from the foremost of these proved him to be Bryan. "Now, bad luck to ye, Gaspard! can't ye go stidy? It's mysilf that'll be down on me blissid nose av ye go staggerin' about in that fashion. Shure it's Losh, the spalpeen, that would carry the canoe better than you." Gaspard made no reply. Bryan staggered on, growling i were hid fi "Whatc stare as eai week. WJ " A fish, pool, and ] "Very 1 some sort As agam, for your ro But Fra a few mini he was bus towards th< Now, F: mean to sa^ do we mere gentle art c cast when By no mea] He was a AValton; or to flee to tl and despite to fish whe: was he be| UXGAVA. 133 growling as lie went, and in another minute they were hid from view among the bushes. "What do you see, Frank?" inquired Stanley; "you stare as earnestly as Bryan did at the white bear last week. What is't man ? speak ! " " A fish," replied Frank. ** I saw him rise in the pool, and I'm certain he's a very large one." "Very likely, Frank; there ought to be fish of some sort there. I've been told — hist! there he's again. As I live, a salmon ! a salmon, Frank ! now for your rod, my boy." But Frank heard him not, for he was gone. In a few minutes he returned with a fishing-rod, which he was busily engaged in putting up as he hurried towards the rocks beside the pool. Now, Frank Morton was a fisher. We do not mean to say that he was a fisher by profession; nor do we merely affirm that he was rather fond of the gentle art of angling, or generally inclined to take a cast when he happened to be near a good stream. By no means. Frank was more than that implies. He was a steady, thorough-going disciple of Isaac Walton; one who, in the days of his boyhood, used to flee to the water side at all seasons, in all weathers, and despite all obstacles. Not only was it his wont to fish when he could, or how he could, but too often was he beguiled to fish at times and in ways that IH 184 UXGAVA. were decidedly improper; sometimes devoting those hours which were set apart expressly for the acquire- ment of Greek and Latin, to wandering by mountain stream or tarn, rod in hand, up to the knees in water, among the braes and woodland? ^ his own native country. And Frank's enthusia . did not depend entirely on his success. It was a standing joke among his school-fellows that Frank would walk six miles any day for the chance of a nibble from the ghost of a minnow. Indeed he was often taunted by his ruder comrades with being such a keen fisher that he was quite content if he only hooked ". drowned cat during a day's excursion. But Frank was good-natured; — he smiled at their jests, and held on the even tenor of his way, w' ")ing the streams more pertinaciously than his maatc- *vhipped hirti for playing truant; content alike to bear ignominy and chastisement, so long as he was rewarded by a nibble, and overjoyed beyond expression when he could return home with the tail of a two-pounder hanging over the edge of his basket. Far be it from us to hold up to ridicule the weakness of a friend, but we cannot help adding that Master Frank made the most of his tails. His truthful and manly nature, indeed, would not stoop to actual deception, but he had been known on more than one occasion to offer to carry a friend's water-proof fishing boots in his basket, when rXGAVA. 135 his doing so rendered it impossible to prevent the tiiila of his trout from protruding arrogantly, as if to insinuate that there were shoals within. Another of Frank's weaknes.ses was, upon the hooking of every tish, to assert, with overweening confidence and con- siderable excitement, that it was a tremendously big one. Experience had, during all his piscatorial career, contradicted him ninety-nine times out of every hundred; but Frank's firm belief in his last minnow being a big trout, — at least until it lay gasping on the bank at his feet, — was as unshaken after long years of mistaken calculation as Ayhen first lie sallied forth to the babbling brook with a willow branch, a fathom of twine, and a crooked pin ! Such untiring devotion of course could not fail to make Frank particu irly knowing in all the details and minutiae of his iich-lo\ >d sport. He knew every hole and corner oi the rivers and burns within fifteen miles of his father's house. He became mys- teriously wise in regard to the weather; knew prer •' lely the best fly for any given day, and, in the event of being unhappily destitute of the proper kind, could dress one to perfection in ten minutes. As he grew older and taller, and the muscles on his large and well-made limbs began to develop, Frank slung a more capacious basket on his back, shouldered " heavier rod, and, with a pair of thick shoes and a ¥ 1 m! 1 11 13G UNGAVA. home-spun shooting suit, stretched away over the Highland hills towards the romantic shores of the west coast of Scotland. Here he first experienced the wild excitement of salmon-fishing; and here the Waltonian chains, that had been twining and thicken- ing around him from infancy, received two or three additional coils, and were finally rivetted for ever. During his sojourn in America, he had happened to dwell in places where the fishing, though good, was not of a very exciting nature ; and he had not seen a salmon since the day he left home, so that it is not matter for wonder that his stride was rapid, and his eye bright, while he hurried towards the pool, as before mentioned. He who has never left the beaten tracks of men, or trod the unknown wilderness, can have but a faint conception of the feelings of a true angler as he stands by the brink of a dark pool, — which has hitherto reflected only the antlers of the wild deer, — whose dimpling eddies and flecks of foam have been disturbed by no fisher since the world began, except the polar bear. Besides the pleasurable emotions of strong hope, there is the additional charm of un- certainty as to wliat will rise, and of certainty that if there be anything piscatine beneath these fascinat- ing ripples it undoubtedly will rise — and bite too ! Then th^^^re is the peculiar satisfaction of catching UNGAVA. 137 now and then a drop of spray from, and hearing the thunder of, a cataract, whose free, surging bound is not yet shackled by the tourist's sentimental descrip- tion ; and the novelty of beholding one's image reflected in a liquid mirror whose geographical position is not yet stereotyped on the charts of man. Alas for these maps and charts ! Despite the wishes of scientific geographers, and the ignorance of un- scientific explorers, we think them far too complete already! and we can conceive few things more dreadful or crushing to the enterprising and romantic spirits of the world than the arrival of that time (if it ever shall arrive) when it shall be said that terra incognita exists no longer ! — when every one of tliose fairv-like isles of the southern seas, and all the hidden wonders of the polar regions, shall be put down, in cold blood, on black and white, exposed profanely on the school-room walls, and drummed into the thick heads of wretched little boys, who don't want to learn, by the unsympathizing hands of dominies, who, it may be, care but little whether they do or not ! But to return. While Frank stood on the rocks, attaching to the line a salmon-fly which he had selected with much consideration from his book, he raised his eyes once or twice to take a rapid glance at his position and the capabilities of the place. •' -iB ! f i ■ HflSi $ i i •** '.f u V ■ \ 138 CNUAVA. About fifty yards farther up the river the stream curled round the base of a large rock, and gushed into a pool which was encircled on all sides by an overhanging wall, except where the waters issued forth in a burst of foam. Their force, however, was materially broken by another curve, round which they had to sweep ere they reached this exit, so that, when they rushed into the larger pool below, they calmed down at once, and, on reaching the point where Frank stood, assumed that oily, gurgling surface, dimpled all over with laughing eddies, that suggests irresistibly the idea of fish not only being there, as a matter of course, but being there expressly and solely for the purpose of being caught ! A little farther down, the river took a slight bend, and mi- mediately after, recurring to its straight course, it dashed down, for a distance of fifty yards, in a tumultuous rapid, which swept into sudden placidity a few hundred yards below. Having taken all this in at a glance, Frank dropt the fly into the water and raised his rod to make a cast. In this act he almost broke the rod, to his amazement; for, instead of whipping the fly lightly out of the water, he dragged a trout of a pound weight violently up on the bank. " Bravo !" cried Stanley, laughing heartily at his friend's stare of mingled wonder and amazement, — UNGAVA. 139 " Bravo, Frank ! I'm no fisher myself, but IVe always understood that fish required a little play before being . landed. However, you have convinced me of my ignorance. I see that the proper way is to toss them over your head ! A salmon must be rather trouble- some to toss, but no doubt, with your strong arms, you'U manage it easily, hey?" " Why, what an appetite they must have ! " replied Frank, answering his friend's badinage \ni\\ a smile. " If the little fellows begin thus, what will not the bigs ones do?" As he spoke, he disengaged the fish and threw it down, and made the next cast so rapidly, that if another trout was waiting to play him a similar trick, it must have been grievously disappointed. The line swept lightly through the air, and the fiy fell gently on the stream, where it had not quivered more than two seconds when the water gurgled around it. The next moment Frank's rod bent like a hoop, and the line fled through the rings with whirring rapidity, filling these lonely solitudes for the first time with the pleasant " music of the reel." Almost before Frank had time to take a step in a downward direction, fifty yards were rmi out, the waters were suddenly cleft, and a salmon sprang like a bar of burnished silver twice its own height into the air. With a sounding splash it returned to its M I ■■• 140 UNGAVA. ;: *rx :. i i native element, but scarcely had its fins touched the water when it darted towards tlie bank. Beinfy brought up suddenly here, it turned at a tangent, and flashed across the pool again, causing the reel to spin with renewed velocity. Here the fish paused for a second, as if to collect its thoughts, and then coming, apparently, to a summary determination as to what it meant to do, it began steadily to ascend the stream, not, indeed, so rapidly as it had descended, but sufficiently so to give Frank some trouble, by means of rapidly winding up, to keep the line tight. Having bored doggedly towards the head of the rapid, the fish stopped and began to shake its head passionately, as if indignant at being foiled in its energetic attempts to escape. After a little time, it lay sulkily down at the bottom of the pool, where it defied its persecutor to move it an inch. " What's to be done now?" asked Stanlev, who stood ready to gaff the fish when brought near to the bank. " We must rouse him up," said Frank, as he slowly wound up the line. " Just take up a stone and throw it at him." Stanley looked surprised, for he imagined that such a proceeding would frighten the fish and cause it to snap the line ; but, seeing . that Frank was in earnest, he did as he was directed. No sooner had the stone sunk than the startled fish once more dashed TINGAVA. 141 across the river; then taking a downward course, it sped like an arrow to the brink of the rough water below. To have allowed the salmon to go down the rapid would have been to lose it, so Frank arrested the spinning of his reel and held on. For a second or two the rod bent almost in a circle, and the line became fearfully rigid. " You'll break it, Frank," cried Stanley, in some anxiety. " It can't be helped," said Frank, compressing his lips; "he must not go down there. The tackle is new; I think it will hold him." Fortunately the tackle proved to be very good. The fish was arrested, and after one or two short runs, which showed that its vigour was abated, it was drawn carefully towards the rocks. As it drew near, it rolled over on its side once or twice, — an evident sign of being much exhausted. " Now, Stanley, be careful," said Frank, as his friend stepped cautiously towards the fish and ex- tended the gaff. " I've seen many a fine salmon escape owing to careless gaffing. Don't be in a hurry. Be sure of your distance before you strike, and do it quickly. Now, then — there — give it him —hurrah !" he shouted, as Stanley passed the iron hook neatly into the side of the fish, and lifted it li and dry on the rocks. I 1 142 TNGAVA. I ' » !i' The clieer to which Frank gave vent, on this sue- cessful termination to the struggle, Avas re-echoed heartily by several of the men who, on passing the spot with their loads, had paused and become deeply- interested spectators of the sport. " Powerful big fish, sir," said Bryan, throwing down his pack and taking up the salmon by the gills. " Twinty pounds at laste, av it's an ounce." " Scarcely that, Bryan," said Stanley ; " but it's not much less, I believe." " Ah ! oui, 'tis ver' pritty. Ver' superb for supper," remarked La Roche. The little Frenchman was right in saying that it was pretty. Unlike the ordinary salmon, it was marked with spots like a trout, its head was small and its shoulders plump, while its silvery purity was exceedingly dazzling and beautiful. " 'Tis a Hearne-salmon," said Massan, approaching the group. " I've seed lots o' them on the coast to the south'ard o' this, an' I've no doubt we'll find plenty o' them at Ungava." While the men were discussing the merits of the fish, Frank had hooked another, which, although quite as large, gave him much less trouble to land; and before the men had finished carrpng the canoes and goods over the portage, he had taken three fish out of the same pool. Wishing, however, to try for UNGAVA. 143 a larger one nearer the sea, lie proceeded to take a cast below the rapid. Meanwhile, La Roche, whose activity had enabled him to carry over his portion of the cargo long before his comrades, came to the pool which Frank had just left, and, seating himself on a large stone, drew forth his tobacco pouch. With a comical leer at the water which had so recently been deprived of its denizens, he proceeded leisurely to fill a pipe. It is impossible to foresee, and difficult to account for, the actions of an impulsive human being. La Roche sat down to smoke his pipe, but instead of smoking it, he started to his feet and whirled it into the river. This apparently insane action was followed by several others, which, as they were successively performed, gradually unfolded the drift of his inten- tions. Drawing the knife which hung at his girdle, he went into the bushes, whence he quickly returned, dragging after him a large branch. From this he j stript the leaves and twigs. Fumbling in his pocket j for some time, he drew forth a piece of stout cord, [about four yards long, with a cod-hook attached to the end of it. This line had been constructed some weeks before when the canoes were wind-bound at a part of the coast where La Roche, desirous of re- plenishing the kettle, had made an unsuccessful attempt at sea-fishing. Fastening this line to tho p 144 rNGAVA. end of his extemporized rod, La Roche proceeded to dress his hook. This he accomplished by means of the feather of a duck which Frank shot the day before, and a tag from his scarlet worsted belt ; and, when finished, it had more the appearance of some hideous reptile than a gay fly. However, La Roche surveyed it for a moment or two with an expression of deep satisfaction, and then, hurrying to the brink of the water, made a violent heave. " Oh ! cent milles tonnerres I" he exclaimed, angrily, as the enormous hook caught in the leg of his trousers. The large and clumsy barb was deeply imbedded, so there was no help for it but to use the knife. The second throw was more successful and the hook alighted in the water with a splash that ought to have sent all the fish in the pool away in consternation. Instead of this, however, no sooner did the reptile trail upon the stream than a trout dashed at it in such violent haste that it nearly missed it altogether. As it was, it hooked itself very slightly, and the excitable Frenchman settled the matter by giving the line a violent tug, in his anxiety to land the fish, that pulled the hook entirely out of I its mouth. "Ah! c'est damage, ver' great; mais try it encore,! Kiy hoy," exclaimed the mortified angler. The next throw^ although well accomplished, produced nothing;! but at tJ on the salmon f was alm( " Hill( Bryan, as where th certain co " By tl it, boy, a running t( Just th ordinary v ped his fc feU headl Bryan's he and his e^ wondermen vanished, flung it do> paratory to liis arms W( TOe of Ma " Come, that you cai ■'Och! m ?o. ye blact K tr TNGAVA. 145 but at the third attempt, ere the reptile had settled on the water for a second, it was engulfed by a salmon fully six pounds weight, and La Roche's rod was almost drawn out of his grasp. " Hilloa, Losh! what have ye got there?" exclaimed Bryan, as, with several of the men, he approached to where the Frenchman and the salmon strove in un- certain conflict, " By the mortial, he's hucked a whale ! Out with it, boy, afore it pulls ye in," said the Irishman, ranning to the rescue. Just then the salmon gave a pull of more than ordinary vigour, at the same moment La Roche slip- ped his foot, and, ere Bryan could lay hold of him, fell headlong into the water and disappeared. Bryan's hands hung helplessly down, his jaw dropt, and his eyes opened wide, as he gazed in mute wonderment at the spot where his friend's toes had vanished. Suddenly he wrenched off his cap and flung it down, and proceeded to tear off his coat, pre- paratory to leaping into the river to the rescue, when liis arms were pinioned to his sides by the powerful gripe of Massan. "Come, Bryan," said he, "you know very well that you can't swim ; you'd only make things worse." •'Och! murder! he can't swim neither. Let me go, ye black villain. Thunder an' turf! will ye see K I'. ^1 146 UNGAVA. the poor lad drownded forenint yer two eyes?" cried the poor Irishman, as he made violent but unavail- ing struggles to get free. But Massan knew that to allow him to escape would only add to the number requiring to be saved, and as he himself could not swim, he saw at once that the only service he could render under the circumstances would be to hold the Irishman down. Clasping him, therefore, as in a vice, he raised his head and gave a shout for help that rolled in deep echoes among the overhanging cliffs. Another shout was uttered at the same instant. Edith, who happened to come up just as La Roche's head emerged from the water gasping for breath, uttered a wild shriek that made more than one heart among the absentees leap as they flew to the rescue. Meanwhile La Roche rose and sank several times in the surges of the pool. His face on these occasions exhibited a mingled expression of terror and mis- chievous wildness ; for although he could not swim a stroke, the very buoyancy of his mercurial tempera- ment seemed partially to support him, and a feeling of desperate determination induced him to retain a death-like gripe of the rod, at the end of which the salmon still struggled. But his strength was fast going, and he sank for the fourth time with a bub- "•"^'ucr cry, when a step was heard crashing through '^e adjacent bushes, and Dick Prince sprang down TT L'NOAVA. U7 ling in a the fast 3ub- )iigli .own the slope like a deer. He did not pause when the scene burst upon his view, but a smile of satisfaction played upon his usually grave face when he saw Edith safe on the banks of the stream. Another spring and an agile bound sent him headlong inJio the pool about a yard from the spot where La Roche had last sunk. Scarcely had he disappeared wh(m the dog Chimo bounded towards the scene of action, and, with what intent no one could tell, leapt also into the water. By this time Frank, Stanley, and nearly all the party, had assembled on the bank of the river, ready to render assistance. In a few seconds they had the satisfaction of seeing Dick Prince rise, hold- ing poor La Roche by the collar of his capote with Ills left hand, while he swam vigorously towards the shore with his right. But during the various struggles which had taken place, they had been gradually sucked into the stream that flowed towards the lower rapid; and it now became apparent to Prince that his only chance of safety was in catching hold of the point of rock tliat formed the first obstruction to the rush of water. Abandoning all effort, therefore, to gain the bank beside him, he swam with the current, but edged towards the shore as he floated down. "Hallo! La Roche!" he exclaimed, loudly. "Do you hear? do you understand me?" " Ah ! oui, vraiment. I not dead yit." ,;* 148 UNQAVA. " Then let go ihat rod and seize my collar, and mind, sink deep in the water. Show only enough o* your face to breathe with, or I'll di*own ye." The Frenchman obeyed to the extent of seizing Dick's collar and sinking deep in the water, so as not to overburden his friend, but nothing could induce him to quit the rod to which he had clung so long and so resolutely. Prince's arms being now free, one or two powerful strokes placed him beyond the influ- ence of the strong current, and as he passed the rocks before mentioned, he seized an overhanging branch of a small shrub, by which he endeavoured to drag himself ashore. This, however, he found to be im- possible, partly owing to the steepness of the shelv- ing rock, and partly to the fact that Chimo, in his ill- directed attempts to share in the dangers of his friends, had seized La Roche by the skirts of the coat in order to prevent himself from going down the stream. Those on shore, on seeing Prince make for the rock, ran towards the spot, but having to make a slight detour round the bend of the rivei, iliey did not reach it until he seized the ^ rnuch ; and when Frank, who was the firs+ rn he slope to the rescue, he found th and waving to and fro in the curr- lie se a itrous reptile, Dick holding on to tti brar h with both hands, La Roche holding on to Dick, Chimo hr 'ding rn by his tee holding scornec Afe the str( sooner i out his j hand. ' " Tis ing, as , wliile s( wring til round Li " 'Tis a 1 catch it.' "Thro rock sm( came to i throuble ( " Half Frank. " Mane why's bes A loud explanatic prevented the river. shelv- UNOAVA. 149 his teeth to La Roche, and the unfortunate salmon holding on to the line which its half-drowned capt;yr scorned to let go. A few seconds sufficed to drag them dripping from the stream ; and the energetic little Frenchman no sooner found his feet on solid ground than he hauled out his fish and landed it triumphantly with his own hand. " 'Tis a pretty fish, La Roche," said Frank, laugh- ing, as he busied himself in taking down his rod, while several of the men assisted Dick Prince to wring the water out of his clothes, and others crowded round La Roche to congratulate him on his escape. " 'Tis a pretty fish, but it cost you some trouble to catch it." "Throuble, indeed!" echoed Bryan, as he sat on a rock smoking his pipe; "troth it's more nor him came to throuble by that same fish; it guve me the throuble o' bein' more nor half choked by Massan." "Half choked, Bryan! what mean you?" asked Frank. "Mane? I just mane what I say; an' the raison why's best known to himself" A loud peal of laughter greeted Hassan's graphic explanation of the forcible manner in which he had prevented the Irishman from throwing himself into the river. * 1 150 UNGAVA, Tlie party now turned earnestly to tlie more serious duties of the journey. Already too much time had been lost in this " playing themselves with fish," as Stanley expressed it, and it behoved them to embark as speedily as possible. About a mile above the pool which had nearly proved fatal to La Roche, was the head of a series of insurmountable rapids, which extended all the way down to the water-fall. Beyond this was a pretty long reach of calm water, up which they proceeded easily ; but as they advanced the current became so strong that no head-way could be made with the paddles, and it was Tound necessary to send a party of the men ashore with a long line by means of which the canoes were slowly dragged against the current. At length tliey came to shallow water which necessitated another portage ; and as it was about sun-set when they reached it, Stanley ordered the tent to be pitched for the night, and the fire lighted, under the shadow of a stupendous moun- tain, the rocky sides of which were sprinkled with dwarf pine-trees, and partially covered vvith brush arid herbasfe. Here Edith and her mother discovered mill- titudes of berries, the most numerous being cloud and crow berries ; both of which were found to be good, especially the former, and a fragrant dish of these graced the towel that evening at supper. Thus, day by day, our adventurous travellers pene- trated d derness. - as they 1 rant and towards t of the di their chai the positi while Edi pair the t band and to the m( life in th( travelled, coloured I them were "ource of fishing-rod supplied th fish ; and, erable Iak( rein-deei or trotting and cool th abundant, ? "ot to be ti ^ixuriantly UNGAVA. 151 trated deeper and deeper into the heart of the wil- derness, which became more savage and mountainous as they left the coast. Stanley drew forth his quad- rant and compass, wherewith he guided the pai-ty towards their future home. At night, after the labour of the day was over, he and Frank would spread their charts in the blaze of the camp fire, and study the positions of the land so far as it was laid down ; while Edith sat beside her mother, helping her to re- pair the torn and way-worn habiliments of her hus- band and Frank, or listening with breathless interest to the men, as they recounted their experiences of life in the different regions through which they had travelled. Many of these tales were more or less coloured by the fancy of the narrators, but most of them were founded on fact, and proved an unfailing ".ource of deep interest to the little child. Frank's fishing-rod was frequently in requisition, and often supplied the party with more than enough of excellent tisli ; and, at every new bend and turn of the innum- erable lakes and rivers through which they passed, rein-deei were seen bounding on the mountain sides, or trotting down the ravines to quench their thirst and cool their sides in the waters : so that food was abundant, and their slender stock of provisions had not to be trenched upon; while the berries that grew I'lxiiriantly everywhere, proved a grateful addition to ]52 UNGAVA. their store. Tims, day by day, they slowly retreated farther and farther from the world of manVmd, — living in safety under the protection of the Almighty, and receiving the daily supply of all their necessities from His fatherly and bountiful hand ; thus, day by <^ay, they rose with the sun, and lay down at night to rest upon the mountain's side, or by the river's bank; and thus, day by day, they penetrated deeper and deeper into the heart of the unknown wilderness. A new Turn we wilder sc Straits th the super tory lyin^ and that Bay on t the appel] Caneapui The sc< tention ij of this ri spreads it of being hold clift's abrupt na: and surpa majestic n almost int more exp there a st sharp outl UNGAVA. 153 CHAPTER XII. A new scene— The Esquimaux— Deer slaying— Enemies In the bush. Turn we now to another, a more distant, and a wilder scene. Near the bleak shores of Hudson's Straits there flows a river which forms an outlet to the superfluous waters of the almost unknown terri- tory lying between the uninhabited parts of Labrador and that tract of desert land which borders Hudson's Bay on the east, and is known to the fur traders by the appellation of East Main. This river is called the Caneapusca, and discharges itself into Ungava Bay. The scene to which we would turn the reader's at- tention is upwards of twenty miles from the mouth of this river, at a particular bend, where the stream spreads itself out into a sheet of water almost worthy of being called a lake, and just below which two bold cliff's shut out the sea- ward view, and cause an abrupt narrowing of the river. The scene is peculiar, and surpassingly grand. On each side of the stream, majestic mountains raise their bald and rugged peaks almost into the clouds. Little herbage grows on the more exposed places, and nothing, save here and there a stunted and weatner-worn pine, breaks the sharp outline of the cliffs. But in the gorges and ■ I 1! i 1 ! .%»' 154 UNGAVA. dark ravines, — for there are no valleys — clumps of small-sized spruce-fir and larch trees throw a softness over some of the details of a spot whose general as- pect is one of sterility. The mountains rise in a suc- cession of irregular steps or terraces, whose faces are so precipitous that they cannot be ascended. To ac- complish the feat of scaling the mountain -tops, it would be necessary to clamber up a ravine until the first terrace should be gained, then, walking along that, ascend the next ravine, and so on. At the upper end of the lake (as we shall hereafter call this wide part of the river), lies a low island, fringed witli a scanty growth of willows; and, not far from this, on the eastern bank of the river, lies a small patch of level sand. This spot is somewhat peculiar, inas- much as it is backed by a low platform of rock, whose surface is smooth as a table. At the foot of this rock bubbles a little spring, which, meandering through a tangled spot of stunted shrubbery ere it mingles with the sand, gives unusual greenness and vitality to the surrounding herbage. On tlie edge of this rocky platform sat the figure of a man. It was evening. The declining sun shot its last few ra; "< over the brow of the opposite mountains, and batned him in mellow light, as he sat apparently con- templating the scene before him. The man's costume bespoke him a native of the savage region in the midst of A But althot physical p( long to tha he added i chest seldo favoured cl increased I giant, — no The said ( coat or shir a capacious but covered it from a si the gullies sides, dark( long seal-s thigh ; and hair outsid though thif of appeara frank, good firm, and In the lat known cha in appearai was done i UNGAVA. 155 midst of which he seemed the only human being. But although an Esquimaux, he exhibited sevf al physical peculiarities not commonly supposed to be- long to that people. To an altitude of six feet three he added a breadth of shoulder and expansion of chest seldom equalled among men of more highly favoured climes ; and his real bulk being very greatly hicreased by his costume, he appeared to be a very giant, — no unfitting tenant of such giant scenery. The said costume consisted of an extremely loose coat or shirt of deer-skin, having the hair outside ; and a capacious hood, which usually hung down behind, but covered his head at this time, in order to piotect it from a sharp nor'-west breeze that whirled among the gullies of the mountains, and, surging down their sides, darkened the surface of the water. A pair of long seal-skin boots encased his limbs from foot to thigh ; and a little wallet or bag of seal-skin, with the hair outside, hung from his shoulders. Simple al- though tins costume was, it had a bulky rotundity of appearance that harmonized well with the giant's frank, good-humoured countenance, which was manly, firm, and massive, besides being rosy, oily, and ffit. In the latter peculiarity he partook of the well- known characteristic of his tribe ; but the efleminacy in appearance that is produced by a round fat face, was done away in the case of our giant by a remark- 156 UNGAVA. !- i ■ i'v^ 1' i^'^S : i i ! ably black though as yet do^vny moustache and beard, of a length suitable to twenty-three wintera. His hair was long, straight, and black, besides being uncommonly glossy — an effect attributable to the pre- valence of whale oil in these regions. On the fore- head the locks were cut short, so as to afford free scope to his black eyes and sturdy-looking nose. By his side lay a long hunting spear, and a double- bladed paddle, fully fifteen feet long ; which latter belonged to a kayak, or Esquimaux canoe, that lay on the sand close to the water's edge. Sitting there, motionless as the rocks around him, the giant looked like a colossal statue of an Esquimaux. He was no figure of stone, however, but a veritable human being, as was proved by his starting suddenly from his reverie and hastening towards the spring before mentioned, at which he stooped and drank rapidly, like one who had to make up for lost time. After a few hurried gulps, the man strode towards his canoe, but as he went his restless eye became fixed on the branching antlers of a deer, that were tossed in the air on the summit of a neighbouring cliff. Like one who is suddenly paralyzed, the Esquimaux stood transfixed in the attitude in whicli he had been arrested. He did not even seem to breathe, as the antlers moved to and fro, clearly de- fined against the blue sky. At length they disap- peared, ar descended set free fi and swep ing point deer took however, j followed 1 the patch entered th But th( dreamed o ediv into t of the plac patiently t vantage of proceeded Esquimaux sharp-poini little more water and The fattest and driven started, wh Once or twi to rejoin it trated by tl UNGAVA. 157 peared, and the animal to which they belonged slowly descended a ravine towards the river. Then, as if set free from a spell, the man glided into his kayak, and swept rapidly but noiselessly behind a project- ing point of rock, where he waited patiently till the deer took to the water. He had not long to wait, however, for in a few minutes afterwards the deer, followed by several companions, walked out upon the patch of sand, snuffed the air once or twice, and entered the stream with the intention of crossing. But there was an enemy near whom they little dreamed of; — not an enemy who would dash excit- edly into the midst of them, or awaken the thunders of the place with his noisy gun, but a foe who could patiently bide his time, and take cool and quiet ad- vantage of it when it came. When the deer had proceeded about a hundred j^ards into the river, the Esquimaux dipped his paddle twice, and the narrow, sharp-pointed canoe, which, at a short distance, vseemed little more than a floating plank, darted through the water and ranged alongside of the startled animals. The fattest of the herd was separated from its fellows and driven towards the shore from which it had started, while the others struggled across the river. Once or twice the separated deer endeavoured to turn to rejoin its comrades ; an attempt which was frus- trated by the Esquimaux, who could paddle infinitely ir J 168 UNGAVA. faster over the water in his skin canoe than the deer could swim. As they neared the shore, the giant cast on it one or two glances, and, having made up his mind as to the most convenient spot for landing, he urged the point of his canoe between: the antlers of the deer, and steered it in this manner to the sand- bank. The deer, thus directed, had no resource but to land where its persecutor chose, but no sooner did its foot touch ground, than it sprang convulsively forward in the vain hope to escape. The same in- stant its captor's canoe shot beside it. Grasping the long lance before mentioned in his hand, he placed its glittering point on the deer's side, tickled it slowly to ascertain that it was between two ribs, and, with a quick thrust, stabbed it to the heart. A convul- sive shudder, as the deer's head sank in the stream, proved that, though cold-blooded in appearance, the action was more effective and less cruel than many other more approved methods of killing game. Our Esquimaux thought neither of the method of| slaying his deer nor of man's opinion regarding it His sole object was to procure supper, having tasted I nothing since early morning ; and the manner in which he ate showed at once the strength of his appetite and his total indifference to cookery, for lie ate it raw. There was a certain appearance of haste I in all his actions, which, however, seemed unaccountl !! * ' ITNOAVA. 159 tasted ner in of liis for lie )f haste iccount- able, considering the peaceful nature of the vast soli- tudes around him. Scarcely had he cut off and devoured a portion of the deer than lie hastened again to his canoe, and darted like an arrow from the shore. This is no exaggerated simile. The long, thin, sharp Esquimaux kayak is highly suggestive of an arrow in its form, and much more so in its extra- ordinary speed. It consists of an extremely light frame-work of wood covered with seal-skin parchment, wliich is stretched upon it all over as tight as a drum. The top of the canoe being covered as well as the bottom, it is thus, as it were, decked; and a small hole in the middle of this deck admits its occupant. The kayak can only hold one person. The paddle, as already said, is a long pole with a blade at each end. It is dipped alternately on each side, and is used not only to propel the kayak, but to prevent it from upsetting. Indeed so liable is it to upset, that nothing but the wonderful adroitness of its occupant [prevents it from doing so with every swing of his |bo(ly. Quick, how^ever, though the kayak sped over the [rippling wave, it could not have escaped the messenger [of death that seemed about to be despatched after it [by a dark-skinned, red-painted Indian, who, at the loment the vessel left the shore, leapt from behind rocky point, and, levelling a long gun, took a steady 1 "f .■J 160 UNQAVA. aim at the unconscious EsquimrvUx. A little puff of powder answered to the click of the lock, as the gun missed fire. With an exclamation of anger the savage seized his powder-horn to reprime, when a rude grasp was laid on his shoulder, and another Indian, who, from the eagle feather in his hair, and his general bearing, appeared to be a chief, exclaimed, — " Fool ! you have the impatience of a woman, and you have not yet shown that you have the heart of a man. Would the scalp of yon Eater-of-raw-flesh pay us for coming so far from our hunting grounds? If your gun had spoken among these mountains, we would have found the empty wigwams of his people instead of fringing our belts with their scalps." With a frown of anger the chief turned on his heel and retraced his steps into the ravine from which he had emerged, followed by his abashed and silent companion. Meanwhile the Esquimaux, ignorant of the fate| from which he had just escaped, continued to ply 1: paddle with right good- will. The little craft, obe- 1 dient to the powerful impulse, combined as it wm with the current of the ebb-tide, flew rather than floated toward the narrows, through which it passed, and opened up a view of the ice-encumbered watefi of Ungava Bay. Directing his course along the ^^1 1 UNGAVA. 161 western shores of the river, the Esquimaux speedily- reached the coast at a point where several low, rough- built summer huts clustered near the shore. Here lie ran his kayak into a little creek, and, having lifted it beyond tide mark, betook himself to his dwelling. ■A .*' :^ 162 UNOAVA. CHAPTER XIII. Sftvngc love— A wife pu; chB>ed— The attack— The flight— The escape— The wouiiJoJ mnn. SCARCELY had the stout Esquimaux proceeded a few steps along the shore, when he was met by a young gh'l who hiid her hand on his arm. Taking her gently by the shoulders, he drew her towards him, and kissed her on both cheeks, — an action which caused her to blush deeply, as, with a half smile half frown on her face, she pushed him away. Love is the same all the world over, whether it glows beneath the broad-cloth and spotless linen of a civilized gentleman, or under the deer-skin coat of a savage. And its expression, we suspect, is some- what similar everywhere. The coy repulse of pre- tended displeasure came as naturally from our plump little arctic heroine as it could have done from the most civilized flirt ; and was treated with well-simu- lated contrition by our arctic giant, as they walked siowly towards the huts. But the Esquimaux had other matters than love in his head just then, and the gii'l's face assumed a grave and somewhat anxious look as he continued to whisper in her ear. At the little hamlet they separated, and the maiden went to her grandfather's abode, while her lover, hfting the hut, enter was empt; to cheer i lay a pile and, takin hand, beg seconds it i putting hi ing axe, u tion. Now be Esquimau: about as e the reason entirely uf seals, walr procure th and cut th( stone mak( bit of iron, its size, ca valuable oj by Esquim into the m ing; prov necessity ii UNOAVA. 103 lifting the skin-cui'tain door of a rudely-consti*ucted hut, entered his own humble dwelling. The room was empty, and its owner did not seem as if he meant to cheer it with his presence long. In one corner lay a pile of miscellaneous articles, which he removed, and, taking the tusk of a walrus which lay near hia hand, began to dig with it in the sand. In a few seconds it struck a hard substance, and the Esquimaux, putting his hand into the hole, drew forth a glitter- ing axe, upon which he gazed with supreme satisfac- tion. Now be it known to you, reader, that, among the Esquimaux of the frozen north, iron is regarded with about as much delight as gold is by ourselves. And the reason is simple enough. These poor people live entirely upon the produce of the chase. Polar bears, seals, walruses and whales, are their staff of life. To procure these animals, spears are necessary; to skin and cut them up, knives are needful. But bone and stone make sorry knives and spears ; so that, when a bit of iron, no matter how poor its quality or small its size, can be obtained, it is looked ou as the most valuable of possessions ; and the ingenuity displaj^ed by Esquimaux in fashioning the rudest piece of metal into the most useful of implements is truly astonish- ing; proving, in the most satisfactory way, thai necessity is indeed the mother of invention. The I I I 164 UNGAVA. precious metal is obtained in two ways : By the dis- covery of a wreck, which is extremely rare ; and by barter with those tribes which sometimes visit the Moravian settlements of Labrador. But neither source is very productive. Even a nail is treasured as a blessing, while an axe is a fortune ! When our giant, therefore, drew forth the shining implement, and gazed with delight at its keen edge, he experi- enced as great satisfaction as a miser does when gloating over his banker's book ! Having satisfied himself i hat the axe was free from all approximation to rust, he stuck it into a belt of raw hide, which he put on for the express purpose of sustaining it, — as Esquimaux do not generally wear belts. He then sallied forth, and walked with the air of a man who wears the strand cross of the Legion of Honour. As he went to the hut in which lived the oldest man of the tribe, the shade of anxiety, which had clouded his brow more than once durin;] the day, again rested on his face. On entering, he observed the old Esquimaux listening with anxious countenance to the young giii whom we have already introduced to the reader. Now this girl — Aueetka by name — was by no means an angel in Esquimaux habiliments. Among ci^'-iEze- folk probably she would not have been deemed even pretty. Nevertheless in the eyes of her lover 8 and fat able! perhaps fears of father \ wife of and wh( from wh tages an she want matter si "The may the ^ as the y beside hii fire ? " This w Esquimai] " Yes, saw them took kay£ Varioui anger esci stalwart n hearing ^^T UNG>VA. 165 !S lover she was most decidedly beautiful, and round, and fat, and rosy, and young, awkward, and comfort- able! And the giant loved her, — never so strongly, perhaps, as when he saw her striving to allay the fears of her old grandfather. But this same grand- father was obstinate. He wanted her to become the wife of an Esquimaux who lived far to the westward, and who once had dealings with the fur traders, and from whom he expected to derive considerable advan- tages and gifts of bits of hoop-iron and nails. But she wanted to become the giant's wife, — so there the matter stood. "The spirits o' the wind and sea protect us, and may the god o' the mist cover us ! " said the old man, as the young Esquimaux sat down on a dead seal beside him. "Is it true that you saw the men of fire ? " This was, of course, said in the language of the Esquimaux, and we render it as literally as possible. "Yes, it is true," replied the young man. "I saw them at the rapid water in Caneapusca, and I took kayak to bring the news." Various exclamations of mingled surprise and anger escr.ped from the compressed lips of several stalwart natives, who had crowded into the tent oa hearing of the arrival of their comrade. "Yes," continued the young man, "we must go mm 166 UXGAVA. away this night. They had fire-tubes, and tliere were thirty men. We have only ten." Again a murmur ran through the listeners, but no one spoke for a few seconds. " Did they see you ? " asked the old man, anxiously. "No. I came on them suddenly, when I was chasing deer, and almost ran into their camp ; but I saw, and fell in the grass, I thought the chief raised his head quickly when I fell ; but he looked down again, and I crawled away." In this the young Esquimaux was mistaken. He knew little of the craft and the quickness of the red Indian, and easily fell into the snare of his savage enemy, who, having been momentarily startled by the sudden sound of the Esquimaux ap- proach, had endeavoured to throw him off his guard, by pretending that although I^e heard the sound he thought nothing of it. But no sooner had the Esquimaux retired than he was closely followed and watched by the whole party. They could have easily shot him, but refrained from doing so, that he might unwittingly be their guide to the habitations of his people. The rapid flight of his kayak dis- tanced his pm'suers at first, but they made up for| this during an hour or two in the night, when the] tired F-squimaux allowed himself a short season of repose \.o recruit his energies for the following days journey. ahead of day the\ "And "it is t; Allat* c( want to i away wh^ The yc ness and ^ made tht blank ; bu to flee for as his old of the dre his head a " What The yo from his Mm. Th( he surveyt " Good A seco] Qian arose hand, and towards hi UNGAVA. 167 journey. During this period the Indians shot far ahead of him, and when he arrived at the coast next day they were not much in the rear. " And now, old man," said our young Esquimaux, " it is time that I should have my wife. If the ALlat* come here to-night, as I know they will, I want to have a right to defend her, and carry her away when we flee. Are you willing ? " The young giant said this with a degree of rough- ness and decision that at any other time would have made the obstinate old grandfather refuse point blank ; but as there was every probability of having to flee for his life ere the break of another day, and as his old heart trembled within him at the t)iouQ:ht of the dreaded guns of the Indians, he merely shook his head and pondered a little. " What will you give me ? " he said, looking up. The young man answered by drawing the axe from his belt and laying it on the ground before liim. The old man's eyes glistened with pleasure as he surveyed the costly gift. " Good ; that will do. Take her and go." A second bidding was not needed. The young man arose hastily, took his blushing bride by the hand, and led her from the tent of her grandtather towards his own. Here she set to vvork instantly tc ♦ Eiqulmnux name for Tiv'i:in». 168 UNGAVA. assist her husband in hurriedly packing up their goods and chattels ; and, immediately afterwards, the little village became a perfect Babel of confusion, as the alarmed inhabitants, on learning the threatened danger, prepared for instant flight. In less than an hour the most of them were ready. The men launched their kayaks, while the women, having loaded their oomiaks with their goods, tossed their dogs and children on the top of them. The oomiak, or women's boat, is quite a different affrir from the kayak, in which the men travel singly. It is usually made large and capacious, in order to hold the entire houF.ehold of the Esquimaux, Like the kayak it is made of skin, but has no cover- ing above, and is propelled by means of shoi t single- bladed paddles, which are worked by the w^omen, upon whom devolves the entire care and management of the oomiak. It is a clumsy affair to look at, but like the boats of savages generally, it is uncommonly useful and a good sea-boat. While the Esquimaux were busied in completing their arrangements, one of the dogs rushed towards the bushes that lined the shore just behind the vil- lage, and barked vociferously. Instantly it was joined by the whole pack, and the Esquimaux, who. ever since they had heard of the proximity of their Indian foes, were in a state of the utmost trepida- UNGAVA. 1G9 tion, made a general rush towards their canoes. Before they reached them, however, a volley of musketry was fired from the bushes, and three of their number — a man and two women — filled the air with their death-shriek, as they fell dead upon the beach ; while the Indians sprang from their con- cealment, and, brandishing their knives and toma- hawks, rushed with a fearful yell upon the terror- stricken EsquimaujEv. Shrill and terrible though the Indian war-cry is proverbially known to be, it was excelled in appal- ling wildness by the shriek which arose from the Esquimaux, as they hurried tumultuously into their canoes and put off to sea. Tliese poor creatures were iiatmally brave, — much more so, indeed, than their assailanty ; but the murderous efiects of the terrible gub caused the sternest brow among them to blanch, and the stoutes^. heart to quail. The arrow and the spear, however rapid, could be avoided if observed in time; but this dreaded implement of destruction was so mysterious to them, and its death-dealing bullet s'^ quick, and the smoke, the fire, and the loud report, so awful, ohat they shuddered even when they ihought of it. ITo wonder, then, that they uttered a despairing cry when it actually sounded in their i ears. When the dogs first gave tongue, our tall Esqiii- ( !l-^ r: A 170 UNGAVA. maux was alone in his hut, having just sent his wife clown with a bundle to the oomiak ; when the vol- ley rang in his ears, he rushed towards the beach, supposing that she was there before him. This was not the case, however. Aneetka had gone towards her grandfather's hut, and when the Indians fired she rushed in to assist him to fly. But the old man was already gone. Turning instantly, she sprang nimbly towards the shore. At that moment a single shot was fired, and she saw her husband stumble for- ward and fall headlong to the earth, where he lay motionless. Her first impulse was to run towards the body and throw herself upon it ; but this inten- tion was effectually checked by a strong dark-skin- ned arm which encircled her Avaist, and, despite her cries and struggles, bore her away into the bushes. Her captor was the Indian whose gun once before on that day had been levelled at her lover's head. "When the young Esquimaux fell, as already re- lated, he was so close to the water, that he stumbled into it, and, fortunately, not a yard distant from an oomiak which the women were franticly thrusting] into the sea. They had no time to lift so heavy a weight on board, but, as the light craft darted from the shore, an old woman, who had often re- ceived kind attentions from the good-natured youth, leant over the stern and seized him bvthe hair. la I this mam they were and laid 1 the India] middle, in fleet, but: rage, they' a line aloi guns with maux kne^ every nervi the guns b went skipp Only one k that of the ball ripped upset, and been drown the oomiak old woman young giant Jiaud and liauled on placed the In the ''appointment tliem into th \ UNGAVA. 171 this manner he was dragged through the water until they were out of gun-shot, when he was lifted inside and laid beside the dogs and children. Meanwhile the Indians had rushed into the water up to their middle, in the hope of catching the last of the little fleet, but without success. Mad with disappointed rage, they waded back to the shore, and, standing in a line along the edge of the waves, reloaded their guns with the utmost rapidity. The poor Esqui- maux knew well what would follow, and strained every nerve to increase their distance. Once more the guns belched forth their leaden shower, which went skipping over the water towards the flotilla. Only one kayak was hit by the discharge. It was that of the old grandfather already mentioned. The ball ripped up the side of the canoe, which filled and upset, and the poor old man would certainly have been drowned, but for the opportune coming up of the oomiak containing his wounded grandson. The old woman who had already saved the life of the young giant of the tribe, again put forth her skinny hand and grasped the patriarch, who was soon hauled on board in safety. A few minutes more placed the whole party out of danger. In the meantime, the Indians, furious with dis- appointment, scalped the three dead bodies and tossed them into the sea; after which they went into the huts ..«'' 172 UNGAVA. in order to collect all the valuables that might have been left behind. Very little, however, was to be found, as the entire property of an Esquimaux is not worth much to a red man. The most useful thincr they laid hands on was the axe which the old grand- father had left behind in his hurried flight. Having taken all they could carry, the savages destroyed the rest, and then, setting fire to the village, they re- turned to the bush. Here a fire was made, and a council of war held. When the Indian who had captured the Esqui- maux girl led her forward towards the fire, there was a general yell of indignation. Tomahawks were grasped, and more than one knife was unsheathed. But the chief commanded silence. " What does White Heart mean to do with the Eater-of-raw-flesh?" he inquired, turning to the young man. " He will take her to the hunting-grounds of the Crees." " That cannot be," said the chief. " The girl must die, and White Heart must kill her." The young man made no reply. " If/' continued the chief, sarcastically, " White Heart is afraid to aee blood on his knife, another warrior wiU shew him how to do it !" As he spoke, a dark-visaged savage drew his scalp- \ ing-knif( tremblin savages, . intently Seizin; his knife reached ii and the si With dik man, not comrade, i " Did n. carry her i "Be it I ing to his ately. In a fe the way ir J^er captor «nd in sin to the far Indians. i^ ' t UNGAVA. 173 ing-knife, and, with one stride, stood beside the trembling girl, who, during the consultation of the savages, had stood silently beside her captor listening intently to the words which she did not compreliend. Seizing her by the shoulder, the savage plunged his knife at her bosom; but, ere the keen point reached it, the arm was caught by the young Indian, and the scowling savage was hurled violently back. With dilated eye and expanded nostril, the young man, not deigning to bestow a glance upon his fallen comrade, turned to his chief and said, — " Did not I take her? The girl is mine. I will carry her to my tent and make her my wife.*' " Be it so," replied the chief abruptly. Then turn- ing to his followers, he gave orders to start immedi- ately. In a few minutes all was ready. The chief led the way into the bush. The Esquimaux girl and her captor followed, and the whole band, silently and in single iGlle, commenced to retrace their steps to the far distant hunting-grounds of the Cree Indians. I' //' !.i iir 174 UNGAVA, CHAPTER XIV. The pursuit— Seal spearing— The Giant's despair. When the young Esquimaux began to recover from the lethargic state into which his wound had thrown him, he found himself lying at the bottom of the women's oomiak with his old grandfather by his side, and a noisy crew of children and dogs around him. Raising himself on his elbow, he brushed the clotted blood and hair from his temples, and endeavoured to recall his scattered faculties. Seeing this, the old crone who had saved his life laid down her paddle and handed him a seal-skin cup of water, which he seized and drank with avidity. Fortunately the wound on his forehead, although it had stunned him severely at first, was trifling, and in a few minutes after partaking of the cool water, he recovered suffi- ciently to sit up and look around him. Gradually his faculties returned, and he stc^rted up with a troubled look. Where are the Allat? Where is my wife?" he exclaimed, vehemently, as his eye fell on the prostrate form of his still insensible grandfather. " Gone," answered several of the women. " Gone!" repeated the youth, gazing wildly among UNGAVA. 176 the faces around him in search of that of his wife. "Gone! Tell me, is she in one of the other oomiaks?" The women trembled as they answered "No." "Have the Allat got her?" There was no reply to this question; but he did not need one. Springing like a tiger to the stem of the ooraiak, he seized the steering paddle, and turn- ing the head of the boat towards the shore, paddled with all his energy. Nearly two hours had elapsed since they had commenced their flight, and as all danger of pursuit was over the moment the Indians turned their backs on the sea, the Esquimaux had gradually edged in-shore again, so that a few minutes sufficed to run the prow of the oomiak on the shingle of the beach. Without saying a word, the young man sprang over the side, drew a hunting-spear from the bottom of the boat, and hurried back in the di- rection of the deserted village at the top of his speed The women knew that nothing could stop him, and feeling that he was quite able to take care of him- led up m^^> ^^^y C[ui6tly put to sea again, and continued their [Voyage. 1?" he ■ '^^^ limbs of the young Esquimaux, as we have istrate ■^^^'eady said, were gigantic and powerful, enabling Mm to traverse the country at a pace which few of Ms fellows could keep up with; and although a stem- iinon'^ »^'ase is proverbially a long one, and the distance ( • \ I .^'i # ^'>.■ '\^ "^7^1^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) ^ ^ .^ . '<■> V ^F >(^ Hiotogr^hic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 176 UNGAVA. I :S-', '•■■■' ■■ • •• : '* ■ between two parties travelling in opposite directions is amazingly increased in a short space of time, there is no doubt that he would have overtaken his Indian foes ere many hours had passed, but for the wound in his head, which, although not dangerous, compelled him more than once to halt and sit down, in order to prevent himself from falling into a swoon. Hunger had also something to do with this state of weakness, as he had eaten nothing for many hours. In his hasty departure from the boat, however, he had neglected to take any provisions with him, so that he had little liope of obtaining refreshment before arriving at the village, where some scraps might per- haps be picked up. Slowly, and with a reeling brain, he staggered on; but here no relief awaited him, for every scrap of food had been either taken away or destroyed by the Indians; and it was with a heavy sigh and a feeling akin to despair, that he sat down beside the blackened ruins of his late home. But Esquimaux, more than other men, are accus- tomed to reverses of fortune, and the sigh with which Le regarded the ruins of his hut had no reference whatever to the absence of food. He knew that about this time the mouth of the river would be full of ice, carried up by the flood-tide, and that seals | would, in all probability, be found on it; so he started UNGAVA. 177 jctiona , there Indian wound npelled )rder to Bunger jakness, In his he had so that b before ght per- ered on; scrap of d by the a feeling ackened up, and hastening along the beach soon gained the floes, which he examined carefully. A glance or two sufficed to show him that he was right in this conjec- ture. On a sheet of ice not more than a couple of hundred yards from shore were two seals fast asleep. These he prepared to stalk. Between the floe and the shore ran a stream of water twenty yards broad. Over this he ferried himself on a lump of loose ice ; and, on reaching the floe, he went down on his hands and knees, holding the spear in his right hand as he advanced cautiously towards his victim. The Esquimaux seal- spear is a curious weapon, and exhibits in a high degree the extraordinary ingenuity of the race. The handle is sometimes made of the horn of the narwal, but more frequently of wood. It has a movable head or barb, to which a long line of walrus hide or seal-skin is attached. This barb is made of ivory tipped with iron, and is attached to the handle in such a way that it becomes detached from it the instant the animal is struck, and remains firmly imbedded in the wound with the line fastened to it, while the handle floats away on the water or falls on the ice, as the case may be. When the Esquimaux had approached to within a hundred yards, he lay down at full length and slowly worked himself forward. Meanwhile the seals raised their heads ; but seeing, as they imagined, a companion M 4- 178 ▼JNGAVA. "pi m m r'fi ii coming towards them, they did not make for their holes, which were a few yards distant from them. Having drawn near enough to render the animals Suspicious, the young giant now sprang up, rushed forward, and got between one seal and its hole just as its more active companion dived into the water. In another moment the deadly lance transfixed its side and killed it. This was a fortunate supply to the Esquimaux, whose powers of endurance were fast failing. He immediately sat down on his victim, and cutting a large steak from its side, speedily made a meal that far exceeded the powers of any alderman whatsoever ! It requii'ed but a short time to accom- plish, however, and a shorter time to transfer several choice junks to his wallet ; with which replenished store he resumed his journey. Although the man's vigour was restored for a time, so that he travelled with great speed, it did not last long, owing to the wound in his head, which produced frequent attacks of giddiness, and at last compelled him, much against his will, to halt for a couple of hours' repose. Glancing round, in order to select a suitable camping ground, he soon observed such a spot ir* the form of a broad overhanging ledge of rock, beneath which there was a patch of scrubby underwood. Here he lay down with the seal blubber for a pillow, and was quickly buried in deep, un- UNGAVA. 179 troubled slumber. In little more than two hours he awoke with a start, and, after a second application to the contents of the wallet, resumed his solitary march. The short rest seemed to have quite restored his wonted vigour, for he now stalked up the banks of the river at a rate which neemed only to accelerate as he advanced. As has been already said, these banks were both rugged and precipitous. In some places the rocks jutted out into the water, forming promontories over which it was difficult to climb ; and frequently these capes terminated in abrupt pre- cipices, necessitating a detour in order to advance. In other places the coast was indented with sandy bays, which more than doubled the distance the tra- veller would have had to accomplish had he possessed a kayak. Unfortunately in his hasty departure he neglected to take one with him ; but he did his best to atone for this oversight by making almost super- human exertions. He strode over the sands like an ostrich of the desert, and clambered up the cliflfs and over the rocks — looking, in his hairy garments, like a shaggy polar bear. The thought of his young and pretty bride, a captive in the hands of hiu bitterest foes, and doomed to a life of slavery, almost maddened him, and caused his dark eye to flash, and his broad bosom to heave with pent-up emotion, while it spurred him on to put forth exertions that were far \ ?yond the Ir-'f^r if ili I 'I (<■ 1 M 5 4ii ISO UNGAVA. powers of any member of his tribe, and could not, under less exciting circumstances, have been performed even by himself. As to what were his intentions should he overtake the Indians, he knew not. The agitation of his spirits, combined with the influence of his wound, induced him to act from impulse ; and the wild tumult of his feelings prevented him from calculating the consequences or perceiving the hope- lessness of an attack made by one man, armed only with knife and spear, against a body of Indians who possessed the deadly gun. Alas ! for the sorrows of the poor human race. In all lands they are much the same, whether civi- lized or savage, — virtue and vice alternately tri- umphing. Bravery, candour, heroism, in fierce con- test with treachery, cowardice, and malevolence, form the salient points of the record among all nations, and in all ages. No puissant knight of old ever buckled on his panoply of mail, seized his sword and lance, mounted his charger, and saUied forth single-handed to deliver his mistress from enchanted castle, in the face of appalling perils, with hotter haste, or a more thorough contempt of danger, than did our Esqui- maux giant pursue the Indians who had captured his bride ; but, like many a daring spirit of romance, the giant failed, and that through no fault of his. On arriving at the rocky platform beside the TJNGAVA. 181 spring, where we first introduced him to the reader, the Esquimaux sat down, and, casting his spear on the ground, gazed around him with a look of despair. It was not a slight matter that caused this feeling to arise. Notwithstanding his utmost exertions, he had been unable to overtake the Indians up to this point, and beyond this point it was useless to follow them. The mountains here were divided into several distinct gorges, each of which led into the interior of the country, and it was impossible to ascertain which of these had been taken by the Indians, as the bare rocky land retained no mark of their light moccassined feet. Had the pursuer been an Indian, the well- known sagacity of the race in following a trail, how- ever slight, might have enabled him to trace the route of the party; but the Esquimaux are unpractised in this stealthy, dog-like quality. Their habits and the requirements of their condition render it almost unnecessary ; so that, in difficult circumstances, their sagacity in this respect is not equal to the emergency. Add to this the partial confusion created in the young giant's brain by his wound, and it will not appear strange that despair at length seized him, when, after a severe journey, he arrived at a spot where, as 'it were, half a dozen cross roads met, and he had not the most distant idea which he ought to follow. It is true the valley of the river seemed the \l 182 UNOAVA. most probable route ; but, after pursuing this for a whole day without coming upon a vestige of the party, he gave up the pursuit, and, returning to the spring beside the rock, passed the night there with a heavy heart. When the sun rose on the following morning he quitted his lair, and, taking a long draught at the bubbling spring, prepared to depart. Before setting out, he cast a melancholy glance around the amphitheatre of gloomy hills ; shook his spear, in the bitterness of his heart, towards the dark recesses which had swallowed up the light of his eyes, per- chance for ever ; then, turning slowly towards the north, with drooping head, and with the listless tread of a heart-broken man, he retraced his steps to the sea coast, and, rejoining his comrades, was soon far away from the banks of the Caneapusca River. UNGAVA. 183 ^or a f the the 7ith a swing long lepart. iround ►ear, in ecesses 3S, per- •ds the ss tread to the oon far CHAPTER XV. End of the yoyaga— Plans and prospects— Exploring parties sent out Three weeks after the departure of the Esquimaux from the neighbourhood of Ungava Bay, the echoes of these solitudes were awakened by the merry song of the Canadian voyageurs, as the two canoes of Stan- ley and his comrades swept down the stream and approached the spring at the foot of the flat rock. As the large canoe ran its bow lightly on the sand, the first man who leaped ashore was La Roche. He seemed even more sprightly and active than formerly, but was a good deal darker in complexion, and much travel-stained. Indeed, the whole party bore marks of having roughed it pretty severely for some time past among the mountains. Edith's face was decid- edly darker than when she left Moose, and her short frock considerably shorter in consequence of tear and wear. " Bad luck to ye, Losh ! Out o' the way, an' let yer betters land before ye," exclaimed Bryan, as he jumped into the water, and dragged the canoe towards the beach. The only marks that rough travelling had put on Bryan were, one or two additional wrinkles in his I battered white hat; as for his face, it was already ^1 184 UNGAVA. SO thoroughly bronzed by long exposure, that a week or two more or less made no difference in its hue, " Jump into my arms, Miss Edith," said Fran9ois, as he stood in the water beside the canoe. "Steady, boy, mind the gum," cried Massan, as Oolibuck strained the canoe roughly in shouldering a package. " Look out ashore, there," cried Dick Prince, throwing the tent poles on the beach as he spoke. Regardless of the warning, Gaspard did not " look out," and received a rap on the leg from one of the poles, whereat he growled savagely, and threw down a sack, which rested on his shoulder, so violently that it nearly knocked over Ma-istequan, who was passing at the time with the camp kettle in his hand. " What an ould buffalo it is ! " exclaimed Bryan, pushing Gaspard rudely aside with his left shoulder, and hitching off La Roche's cap with his right, as he sprang back to the canoe for another load. " Par- donay mwa, Losh, may garson," he exclaimed, with a broad grin. " Now thin, boys, out wid the fixins. Faix it's mysilf is plazed to git ashore anyhow; for there's nothin' gone into my intarior since brickfust this mornin'.'' i At this moment the bow of the other canoe grated on the sand, and Frank Morton leapt ashore. " Capital place to camp, Frank," said Stanley, who UNGAVA. 185 had just finished pitching tlie tent on the scrimp lierbage that forced its way through the sand. " There's a splendid spring of pure water below yonder rock. I've just left my wife and Eda busy with the tea cups, and La Roche preventing them from getting things ready, by \\.iy of helping them." " It does indeed seem a good place," replied Frank, "and might do for temporary head quarters, perhaps, while we make excursions to the coast to fix on a spot for our new home/' Stanley gazed contemplatively around him as his friend spoke. " Hand me the telescope, Frank ; it strikes me we are nearer the sea than you think. The water here is brackish, and yonder opening in the mountains might reveal something beyond, if magnified by the glass." After a lengthened survey of the surrounding hills, Frank and Stanley came to the conclusion that they could make nothing of it, at least that night ; and, as it was becoming gradually dark, they resolved to postpone all further consideration of the subject till the next day. Meanwhile, the men busied themselves in preparing supper, and Chimo unexpectedly lent them some assistance, by bringing into camp a ptarmigan which he had just killed. True, Chimo had,^ in his inno- cence, designed this little delicacy of the season for .^** l';J -' '; 1 1 ^^ MK.' \ 'it: h ! II* I iW" 1 ' ^Wfl if;- ' t'' ■■ i lit -"■ ^A t |: :, A,- f 1 1 i I 1 i: 1 4' ■■;j. 1 K ■ 5, ;■ ■ '4J i '■';. Hi ' f'l H ■ '/ lA ' -A 1 1 |- KJ .^ |! " ff 1 <: i I 1 -" ,1+4 11 ' ' 1 1 If ■/ Mm 1 |ii|L ^,^^M 186 UNGAVA. '' 'ill his own special table, but no sooner was he seen with the bird between his teeth, than it wtis snatched from him, and transferred to the pot forthwith. The following day was an era in the existence of the travellers. For the first time nee commencing their arduous voyage, the cargoes were left behind, and the canoes paddled away, light and buoyant, on a trip of investigation. Stanley had rightly judged that they were now near the sea, and the great breadth of the river led him to believe that there might be water sufiicient to float the vessel in which the goods for the station were to be forwarded. If this should turn out as he expected, there could not be a better spot for establishing a fort than that on which they had encamped, as it was situated just below the last rapids of the river; had a fine spring of fresh water in its vicinity ; and was protected from the cold blasts of winter, to some extent at least, by the surrounding mountains. " Now, Frank," added Mr. Stanley, after stating his opinion on this point, " what I mean to do is this : I shall take the large canoe, with Dick Prince, Francois, Gaspard, La Roche, and Augustus ; the last to interpret, should we fall in with Esquimaux, whom I am surpriaed not to have found hereabouts. With these I will proceed to the sea, examine the coast, observe whether there be any place suitable for build- ing on w UNOAVA. 187 ing on, and, if all goes well, be back to supper before sunset. You will take the other canoe, with Bryan, Massan, Oolibuck, and Ma-istequan, and proceed down the opposite side of the river a short way ; examine the shores there, and above the island ; see whether there be any place better than where we stand for a per- manent residence ; and at night we shall compare notes. My wife and Eda shall remain in camp under the care of Oostesimow and Moses." " And pray who is to defend your poor wife and innocent child in the event of an attack by a band of savage natives?" inquired Mrs. Stanley, as she joined her husband and Frank. " No fear of the wife and child," replied Stanley, patting his better half on the shoulder. " If Indians should find out the camp, Oostesimow can palaver with them; and should Esquimaux pay you a visit, Moses will do the polite. Besides, had you not interrupted, I was going to have given special instructions to Frank I regarding you. So, Master Frank, be pleased to take I Eda off your shoulder, and give ear to my instructions. While you are examining the other side of the water, you will keep as much as possible within eye-shot, and always within ear-shot, of the camp. In a still day like this, a gun-shot can be heard five or six miles off, and, should you see any sign of the natives having [been here recently, return instantly to the camp." I ^i" ♦ ^— T '\ ill 'M 188 UNGAVA. i 1. ■f Frank promised implicit obedience to these instruc- tions, and the whole party then set to work to pile the goods on a ledge in the steep cliffs behind the spring, so that a fortress was soon formed, which, with two such stout and courageous men as Moses and Oostesimcw, armed with two guns each, a brace of pistols, two cutlasses, and an ample supply of ammu- nition, could have stood a prolonged siege from much more practised enemies than Indians or Esquimaux, After having completed these defensive arrangements, and pro^dded occupation for those who remained in camp, by laying on them the duty of having the goods examined, in order to see that nothing had been damaged by wet or rough usage, the two canoes pushed from the shore, and bounded lightly away, while the men sang merrily at their easy labour ; for, now that the canoes were light, they might have bseu propelled by two men. Frank directed his coui-se obliquely up the river, towards the island already alluded to, and Stanley proceeded with the current towards the narrows beyond which he expected to catch sight of the sea. After passing above the island, which was found to be low and thinly covered with vegetation and a few scrubby bushes, Frank and his men pushed over to the other side and proceeded carefully to examine the coast. It was found to be much the same as that which and sh: river, ( the lak strip numero intersec the mo precipit side, fro succes8i< it was a be ascen luvines and zigz In the V ing part;] maux SI few stun in the f about in of having Another nude, — r fresh as t the ravini Massan, \ rr UNGAVA. 189 which they had just left. A narrow belt of sandy and shingly beach extended along the margin of the river, or, as it might be more appropriately termed, the lake, at least in as far as appearance went. This strip or belt was indented here and there with numerous bays and inlets, and, in many places, was intersected by rocky capes, which jutted out from the mountains. These mountains were bare and precipitous, rising abruptly, like those on the other side, from the edge of the sand, and ascending in a succession of terraces, whose faces were so steep that it was almost impossible to scale them. They could be ascended in succession, however, by means of the ravines and numerous gullies which rose in rugged and zigzag lines from the beach to the mountain tops. In the very first of these gullies in which the explor- ing party landed, they found the remains of an Esqui- maux summer encampment. These consisted of a few stunted trees, which appeared to have been built in the form of rude huts ; but they were throwxi about in some confusion, and altogether bore evidence of having remained in a state of ruin for many years. Another discovery of a more satisfactory kind was nude, — namely, the tracks of deer, which were so I fresh as to induce Frank to take his rifle and mount the ravine in search of the animals, accompanied by jMassan, whose natural temperament was exceedingly i- 190 UNGAVA. 4 ^5 prone to enjoy the excitement of the chase. So much, indeed, was this the case, that the worthy guide had more than once been on the point of making up his mind to elope to the backwood settle- ments of the States, purchase a rifle and ammunition there, don a deer-skin hunting-shirt, and " make tracks," as he styled it, for the prairies, there to dwell and hunt until his eye refused to draw the sight and his finger to pull the trigger of a Kentucky rifle. But Hassan's sociable disposition came in the way of this plan, and the thought of leading a solitary life always induced him to forego it. " It's m}^ 'pinion, sir," remarked the guide, as lie followed Frank up the ravine, — the sheltered parts of which were covered with a few clumps of stunted pines, — " It's my 'pinion that we'll have to cut our logs a long bit up the river, for there's nothin' fit to raise a fort with hereabouts." " True, Massan," replied Frank, glancing fi'om side to side, hunter fashion, as he walked swiftly j over the broken ground ; " there's not a tree that I I can see big enough to build a backwoods shanty | with." " Well, master, 'twill do for fire-wood, if it's I fit for nothin' else, and that's a blessin' that's not| always to be comed by everywhere. Let's be thank- ful for small matters. I see sticks growin' up thefflj UNGAVA. 191 e. So worthy oint of L settle- lunit.on " make to dwell ght and ky rifle, e way of itary life Lng from Id swiftly I tree that shanty Id, if it's Ihat's not |be thank- up them gullies that'll do for stakes for the nets, an' axe handles, an' paddles, an' spear shafts, an' — " The honest guide's enumeration of the various articles into which the small timber of the place might be converted, was brought to a sudden pause by Frank, who laid his hand on his shoulder, and, while he pointed with the butt of his rifle up the ravine, whispered, " Don't you see anything else up yonder besides trees, Massan?" The guide looked in the direction indicated ; and, by an expressive grunt, showed that his eye had fallen on the object referred to by his companion. It was a deer which stood on an overhanging ledge of rock, high up the cliffs, — so high that it might easily have been mistaken for a much smaller animal |by less .practised sportsmen. Below the shelf on hich it stood was a yawning abyss, which rendered |aiiy attempt to get near the animal utterly hopeless. " What a pity," said Frank, ^s he crouched behind projecting rock, " that it's out of shot. It would ike us an hour at least to get behind it, and there's little chance, I fear, of its waiting for us." "No chance whatever," replied Massan, decidedly. But he's big enough to cover from where we stand." "To cover ! Ay, truly, I could point straight at is heart easy enough ; indeed I would think it but ight boasting to say I could cover his eye from this 192 rXGAVA. the sun the he I WdS, whoJ an e, were from ' float £ spot : but the bullet would refuse to go, Massan ; it's far beyond shot." " Try, sir, try," exclaimed the gxiide, quickly ; for, as they spoke, the deer moved. " I've been huntin' on the Kocky Mountains afore now, an' I know that distance cheats you in sich places. It's not so far as you think — " He had scarcely finished speaking when Frank's rifle poure' forth its contents. The loud echoes of I the crags reverberated, as the smoke floated away to i leeward. The next instant, the deer sprang with one | '^urdei wild bound high into the air — over the cliff" — and, descending with lightning speed through the dark space, was dashed almost in pieces on the rocks below. Masson gave a low chuckle of satisfaction, as he walked up to the mangled animal, and pointing to a J^'^^'i^ej small round hole just over its heart, he said, " Thep^"^ sta old spot, Mr. Frank ; ye always hit them there ! " Having paid Frank this compliment, Massan bli the animal, which was in prime condition, with least two inches of fat on his flanks, and, havii placed it on his shoulders, returned with his companioi to the canoe. While Frank was thus engaged, Stanley descended towards the shores of Ungava Bay, whii he found to be above twenty-five miles distant fr( about deserte fore, hi !a hast} he ma "red t uence robabiJ e mista ight y, conspic ntainir me aw^ UNGAVA. 193 issan ; it's .ckly, for, gn huntin' know that )t so far as en Frank's i echoes of bed away to ing with one i cliff— and, crh the dark I n the rods I 'action, ask! lointingtoal [e said, " Thel |m there!" Hassan W' ^tion, with and, havii lis corapanio! Stanley ra Bay, wti( distant fr the encampment beside the spring. He made a rapid survey of the coast as they descended, and sounded the river at intervals. When he reached its mouth, he had made two important discoveries. T'^'e one was, that there did not seem to be a spot along the whole line of coast so well fitted in all respects for an establishment as the place whereon their tents were already pitched. The other was, that the river, from its mouth up to that point, was deep enough to float a vessel of at least three or four hundred tons burden. This was very satisfactory, and he was about to retm'n to the camp when he came upon the deserted Esquimaux village which, a few weeks be- fore., had been the scene of a murderous attack and ja hasty flight. On a careful examination of the place, he marks of a hasty departure were so apparent that tanley and hie men made a pretty near guess at the irue state of affairs ; and the former rightly conjec- iured that, having made a precipitate flight in conse- [uenee of some unexpected attack, there was little irobability of their returning soon to the same locality. bis was unfortunate, but, in the hope that he might le mistaken in these conjectures, and that the natives ight yet return before winter, he set up a pole on conspicuous place, and tied to the top of it a bag intaining two dozen knives, one dozen fire steels, •me awls and needles, several pounds of beads, and I -i N .-■ . m 194 UNGAVA. j-fi^^ a variety of such trinkets as were most likely to prove acceptable to a savage people. While Bryan was engaged in piling a heap of stones at the foot of this pole, to prevent its being blown down by the wind, the rest of the party re- embarked, and prepared to return home ; for, al- though the camp beside the spring was scarcely one day old, the fact that it was likely to become the future residence of the little party had already in- vested it with a species of home-like attraction, Man is a strange animal, and, whatever untravelled philosophers may say to the contrary, he speedily makes himself " at home " anywhere ! " Hallo ! Bryan," shouted Stanley, from the canoe, " look sharp ! we're waiting for you." "Ay, ay, yer honour," replied the Irishman, lifting I a huge mass of rock; " jist wan more, an' it'll be stifl an' stidy as the north pole himself." Then in an under-tone he added, " * Look sharp' is it ye say ? It's blunt ye are to spake that way to yer betters. Musha ! but it's mysilf wouldn't give a tinpinny fori all that bag houlds, twinty times doubled ; an ptj thim haythens, thim pork-faced Huskimos, '11 dance] round this here pole wi' delight till they're fit dhrop. Och ! but salvages is a quare lot ; an' Bryaii,| yer a cliver boy to come this far all the way to thim." UNGAVA. 195 ;o prove heap of ts being >arty re- fer, al- rcely one ;ome tlie ready in- .ttraction, [1 travelled i speedily the canoe, an, lifting I t'll be stiffj en in isay ? It's 3r betteisj ipinny m With this self-complimentary conclusion, Bryan resumed his place at the paddle, and the party re- turned to the camp. Here they found things in a most satisfactory state. Frank and his party had returned, and the deer, now cut up into joints and steaks, was impaled on a number of stakes of wood, and stuck up to roast round a large and cheering fire. The savoury steam from these, with the refreshing odour of the tea-kettle, produced a delectable sensation in the nostrils of the hungry explorers. Stanley's tent was erected with its back towards the mountains, and its open door towards the fire, which lighted up its snug interior, and revealed Mrs. Stanley and Edith immersed in culinary operations, and Chimo watching them with a look of deep, grave sagacity, — his ears very erect, and his head a good deal inclined to one side, as if that position favoured the peculiar train of his cogitations. La Roche was performing feats of agility round the fire, that led one to believe he must be at least half a salamander. At a respectful distance from Stanley's tent, but within the influence of the fire, the men were employed in pitching, for the first time, the large skin tent which was to be their residence until they should build a house for themselves ; and on a log, within dangerous prox- imity to the mercurial La Roche, sat Frank Morton, 196 UNGAVA. busily employed in entering in his journal the various events of the day. There was much talk and loud laughter round the fire that night, for the different parties had much to tell and much to hear regarding the discoveries that had been made, and discussions as to the pro- spects of the expedition were earnest and long. It was generally admitted that first appearances were, upon the whole, favourable, although it could not be denied that the place looked dreadfully barren and rugged Under the happy influence of this im- pression, and the happier influence of the savoury steaks on which they had supped, the entire party lay down to rest, and slept so profoundly, that there was neither sound nor motion to indicate the ^ pre- sence of human beings in the vast solitudes of Un- gava, save the fitful flame of the fire as it rose and fell, casting a lurid light on the base of the rugged mountains, and a sharp reflection in the dark waters. Resources There sure wl entire 1 that a c an unce and adv Ignoran* colours; knew nc tent wa would re — knew the coun the spot or a pr utterly i( cient to : been a pleasural their po-w When ^^'hole pa] UNGAVA. 197 CHAPTER XVI. Resources of the country begin to develop— Bryan distinguishes himself— Fishing extraordinary. There is a calm but deep-seated and powerful plea- sure which fills the heart, and seems to permeate the entire being, when one awakens to the conviction that a day of arduous toil is about to begin, — ^toil of an uncertain kind, perhaps connected with danger and adventure, in an unexplored region of the earth. Ignorance always paints coming events in glowing colours; and the mere fact that our adventurers knew not the nature of the country in which their tent was pitched, — knew not whether the natives would receive them as friends or repel them as foes, — knew not whether the nature and capabilities of the country were such as would be likely to convert the spot on which they lay into a comfortable home or a premature grave ; — the mere fact of being utterly ignorant on these points was, in itself, suffi- cient to fill the poorest spirit of the band (had there been a poor spirit among them) with a glow of pleasurable excitement, and a firm resolve to tax their powers of doing and suffering to the uttermost. When the sun rose on the following morning the whole party was astir, the fire lighted, and an early f? ■ .S4" ill f t iii'if , 198 UNGAVA. breakfast in course of preparation. Much had to be done, and it behoved them to set about it with energy and at once, for the short autumn of these arctic regions was drawing on apace, and a winter of great length and of the utmost severity lay before them. There was also one consideration which caused some anxiety to Stanley and Frank, although it weighed little on the reckless spirits of the men, and this was the possibility of the non-arrival of the ship with then* winter supply of provisions and goods for trade. Without such a supply a winter on the shores of Ungava Bay would involve all the hard- ships and extreme perils that too often fall to the lot of arctic discoverers, — and he who has perused the fascinating journals of those gallant men, knows that these hardships and perils are neither few nor light. The leaders of the expedition were not, in- deed, men to anticipate evils, or to feel unduly anxious about possible dangers ; but they would have been more, or less than human, had they been able to look at Mrs. Stanley and little Edith without a feeling of anxiety on their account. This thought, however, did not influence them in their actions, or, if it did, it only spmTed them on to more prompt and vigorous exertions in the carrying out of theiil undertaking. After breakfast Stanley assembled his men, and I gave the mc there \ much ( even t therefoi opposite an intei not em male mi The nex tain whi they we: nised hu gun and forth ov( Massan i moreover pany liin ticularly the timb( special at being de appointee Caneapus Esquimai ' thought J i. .. I UNGAVA. 199 gave each special directions what to do. One of the most important points to ascertain was whether there were many fish in the river. On this hung much of the future comfort and well-being, perhaps even the existence, of the party. Gaspard was, therefore, ordered to get out his nets and set them opposite the encampment. OoUbuck, being officially ail interpreter of the Esquimaux language, and, when not employed in his calling, regarded as a sort of male maid-of-all~work, was ordered to assist Gaspard. The next matter of primary importance was to ascer- tain what animals inhabited the region, and whether they were numerous. Dick Prince being the recog- nised hunter of the party, was directed to take his gun and a large supply of ammunition, and sally forth over the mountains in search of game ; and as Massan was a special friend of his, a good shot, and, moreover, a sagacious fellow, he was ordered to accom- pany liim. They were also directed to observe par- ticularly the state of the woods and the quality of the timber gi'owing therein ; but as this last required special attention, the style and size of the futm*e foi*t being dependent on it, Fran9ois, the carpenter, was appointed to make a journey of observation up the Caneapusca River, in company with Augustus the Esquimaux and Ma-istequan uhe Indian, — ^it being thought probable that if natives were to be met with if fit H ;4 ■ i- 200 UNGAVA. at all, they would be on the banks of the river rather than in the mountains. It was further ar- ranged that Frank Morton should ascend the moun- tains in company with Bryan, and ascertain if there were any lakes, and whether or not they contained fish. As for Mr. Stanley, he resolved to remain by the camp. On entering his tent after despatchhig the several parties, he said to his wife, — " I'm going to stay by you to-day, Jessie. All the men, except Moses, Oostesimow, Gaspard, and La Koche, are sent off to hunt and fish in the mountains, and I have kept these foui* to paddle about this neighbourhood, in order to take soundings and ex- amine the coast more carefully; because, you see, it would be an unfortunate thing if we began oiir establishment in a place not well suited for it." Mrs. Stanley and Edith were, of course, quite pleased with this arrangement ; and, while the males of the party were absent, the former employed her- j self in dressing the skin of the deer that had been shot the day before. She accomplished this after the Indian fashion, by scraping and rubbing it witli the animal's brains. Afterwards she smoked it over| a fire of green wood, and in this way produced feoft, pliant substance similar to chamois leather, but| coarser and stouter. As for Edith, she rambled will among the bushes of the nearest ravine, underl UNOAVA. 201 the faithful guardianship of Chimo, and hurried back to the camp ahnost every hour, laden with cloud- berries, cran-berries, blae-berries, and crow-berries, which grew in profusion everywhere. Opposite to the camp the water was found to be eight fathoms deep. ThJs was of great importance, as affording liicility for unloading the ship abreast of the establishment. Higher up the river the gi-ound was more favourable for building, both on ac- count of its being more sheltered and better wooded with timber fit for the construction of houses ; but the water was too shallow to float the ship, and the island before mentioned, which was named Cross Island, proved an effectual barrier to the upward progress of any craft larger than a boat. But as Stanley surveyed the spot on which the tent was pitched, and observed the sheltering background of laountains with their succession of terraces ; the creek or ravine to the right, with its growth of wil- lows and stunted pines ; the level parcel of green sward, with the little fountain under the rock ; and the fine sandy bay in which Gaspard and Oolibuck were busily engaged in setting a couple of nets ; — when he surveyed all this, he felt that although not the best locality in the neighbourhood, it was, neverthe- less a very good one, and well suited in many re- spects for the future establishment. I ../- v: 1* ■*• a I 202 tJNGAVA.. "Please, sir, the net him set/* shouted Oohbuck from the shore to his master, who floated in the bay at the distance of a hundred yards, busily engaged with the sounding-line. On receiving this piece of inforaiation, Stanley ran the canoe on the beach, and said to his follower, — " Oolibuck, I have been thinking much about that river which we saw yesterday, off the mouth of this one; and I cannot help fearing that the ship will run into it, instead of into this, for the land is very de- ceptive." " Me tink dat is true," answered the Esquimaux, with a look of gi-ave perplexity. " If de ship go into dat riv'r he tink we no arrive, and, so, he go 'way, and we all starve!" " Nay, Oolibuck, I trust that such would not be the sad result of the ship failing to find us; but in order to prevent this, if possible, I intend to send you down to the coast, with a few days' provisions, to keep a look-out for the ship, and light a fire if you see her, so that she may be guided to the right place. So, get a blanket and your gun as fast as you can, and be olf. I can only afford you four days' provi- sions, Oolibuck, so you will have to prove yourself a good hunter, else youll starve. Will four days' pro- visions do?" Oolibuck's eyes disappeared. We do not mean to UNGAVA. 203 say that they flew away, or were annihilated. But OoUbuck was fat, — so fat that, when he laughed, his eyes reduced themselves into two little lines s^^r- rounded by wrinkles ; a result which was caused by a physical incapacity to open the mouth and eyes at the same time. As a general rule, when Oolibuck's mouth was open his eyes were shut, and when his eyes were open his mouth was shut. Being a good- humoured fellow, and of a risible nature, the alterna- tiona were frequent. It was the idea of Stanley doubting the sufficiency of four days' provisions that closed the eyes of the Esquimaux on the present occasion. "Two days' grub more dan 'nuff," said Oolibuck. " Give me plenty powder and shot and me no starve, — no fear." " Very well," rejoined Stanley, laughing, "take as much ammunition as you require; but be careful of it; if the ship fails us we shall need it all : and don't be too eager after the deer, Oolibuck ; keep a sharp look- out sea- ward ; be on the liill tops as much as you can, and keep your eyes open." Oolibuck replied by closing the said eyes with a smile, as he hurried towards the tent to prepare for his expedition. In the meantime, Stanley directed Oostesimow and La Roche to set about building a small canoe out of the birch bark which they had m i ■'J, I " — "■ ( I - " ill ii n 204 L'NGAVA. carried with them for the purpose, the large canoes being too cumbrous for the purpose of overhauling the nets. The nets had been set by Gaspard in the usual way, — that is, with stones attached to the lower lines to act as sinkers, and floats attached to the upper lines to keep them spread ; and it was Avith no little impatience that the party in the camp awaited the issue. Indeed, they scarcely permitted an hour to pass without an inspection being ordered; but to their chagrin, instead of finding fish, they found the nets rolled up, by the conflicting currents of the river and the tide, into the form of two ropes. " Tiiis will never do," cried Stanley, as they brought the nets ashore, " We must set stake-nets immedi- ately. It is nearly low tide now, so, if we work hard, they may be ready to set up befoi-e the tide has risen much." In pursuance of this plan, Stanley and his men went to the ravine of whicli mention has been already made, and proceeded to cut stakes for the nets; while Oolibuck, having explained to Mrs. Stanley and Edith that he was " going to look houi for de ship," shoul- dered hi:- wallet and gun, and, ascending the ravine, speedily gained the first teiTace of the mountains, along which he hastened in the direction of the sea coast. chans sight in mu ward Fran! "DJ such sfl UNGAVA. 205 1 1 While the party in the camp were thus engaged, Frank Morton and Bryan instituted a thorough investigation of the country that lay directly in the rear of the camp; in the course of which investiga- tion they made sundry interesting discoveries. After ascending the ravine in which we left Stanley and his men cutting stakes for the nets, Frank and Bryan reached the first terrace, and proceeded along it in the opposite direction from that pursued by Oolibuck, A walk of a quarter of a mile, or less, brought them to another ravine, into which they turned ; and the first thing that greeted them as they pushed their way through the stunted willows that thickly covered this gorge in the mountains, was a covey of ptarmigan. These birds are similar in form and size to ordinary grouse, — perhaps a little smaller. In winter they are pure white, — so white that it is difficult to detect them amid the snow; but in summer their coats become brown, though there are a few of the pure white feathers left which never change their colour. Being unaccustomed to the sight of man, they stood gazing at Frank and Bryan in mute surprise, until the latter hastily threw for- ward his gun, when they wisely took to flight. But Frank arrested his follower's arm. " Don't waste your powder and shot, Br^'^an, on such small game. There may be something more .1^ ^'■ 206 UNGAVA. worthy of a shot among the mountains, and if you once raise the echoes among these wild cliffs, I fear the game will not wait to inquire the cause thereof" " Maybe not, sir," replied Bryan, as he fell back a pace, and permitted Frank to lead the way ; " but there's an ould proverb that says, * A bird in the hand's worth two in the buss;' an' I've great belaif in that same/' " Very true, Biyan, there is much wisdom in old proverbs, but there are exceptions to every rule, and this is a case in point, as you will admit if you cast your eyes over yonder valley, and observe the edge of the mountain top that cuts so clear a line against the sky." Frank pointed, as he spoke, to the shoulder or spur of one of the mountains which roso at a con- siderable distance in the interior, and from which they were separated by a dark glen or gorge ; for none of the ravines in this part of the country merited the name of valley, save that through which flowed the Caneapusca Kiver. The ravine np which they had been toiling for some time led into this darksome glen, and it was on rounding a bold precipice, which had hitherto concealed it from view, that Frank's quick eye caught sight of the object to which he directed the attention of his companion, " 'Tis a crow," said Bryan, after a gaze of five UNGAVA. 207 you fear reof." ack a "but land's 1 that in old e, and »u cast e edge against [der or a con- whicli e: for minutes, during which he had gone through a variety of strange contortions; — screwing up his features; shading his eyes with his hand; standing on tip-toe, although there was nothing to look over; and stoop- ing low, with a hand on each knee, though there was nothing to look under; in the vain hope to increase by these means his power of vision. Frank regarded him with a quiet smile, as he said, " Look again, Bryan. Saw you ever a crow with antlers? " " Anthlers ! " exclaimed the Irishman, once more wrinkling up his expressive face, and peering under his palm ; " anthlers, say you? Sorra a thing duv I see 'xcept a black spot on the sky. If ye see anthlers on it, ye*re nothin" more nor less than a waJkin' spy- glass." "Nevertheless I see them, Bryan; and they grace the head of a noble buck. Now, you see, it iz well you did not fire at the ptarmigan. Away with you, lad, down into that ravine, and clamber up the moun- tain through yonder gap with the fallen rock in the middle of it, — d'ye see? — and Wait there, lest the deer should turn back. In the meantime, I'll run round by the way we came, and descend to the water's edge, to receive him when he arrives there. Now, don't lose yourself, and take care not to fire at smaller game." ii" ! ! jA\ f **p 208 UNGAVA. As Frank concluded these orders, which he issued in a quick low voice, he threw his gun into the hollow of his left arm and strode rapidly away, leav- ing his companion gazing after him with an expres- sion of blank stupidity on his face. Gradually his cheeks and brow were overspread with a thousand wrinkles, and a smile took possession of his lips. "'Don't lose yersilf!' Faix, Master Franli, ye're free an' ais3^ Arrah, now, Bryan, dear, don't lose yersilf ; you that's crossed the salt saes, an' followed the Ked Injins to the prairie, and hunted in the Rocky Mountains, and found yer way to Ungava — not t"! mintion havin' comed oraginally from ould Ireland — which ov itsilf secures ye agin mistakes of every kind whatsumdiver. Lose yersilf! Musha! but ye had better git some wan to look after ye, Bryan, boy. Take care now ; go softly and kape yer eyes open, for fear ye lose yersilf!" As Bryan mumbled forth this bantering soliloquy, he lifted up a large bag which contained a couple of fishing lines and a few hooks, and throwing it across the stock of his gun, and both across his shoulder, he took his way down the rugged but well beaten deer-path which led to the ravine or glen. The idea of losing himself seemed to have taken such a hold of Bryan's mind, and afforded him so much amuse- ment and sucli scope for the continued flow of ban- UNGAVA. 209 ssued the , leav- xpres- ly his )usand :, ye're I't lose allowed in the gava — ■ m ould takes of Musha! fter ye, :ape yer tering soliloquy to which he was in truth much addicted, that he failed to note the fact that he was walking along the edge of a steep declivity, at the foot of which lay a small dark sheet of water, wliich was connected by a short river oi stiait with a larger lake whose wavelets rippled at the base of the mountain beyond. The scene was magnificently wild and lonely, and would have rivetted the attention and excited the admiration of any one less absent thaD Bryan. High, rugged, and to all appearance inaccessible mountains, surrounded the vale on all sides ; and although there were several outlets from it, these were so concealed by the peculiar formation of the wild mountains, that they could not be seen until they were actually entered. Had Bryan's eyes been more active he would have seen that the fringe of bushes by the side of the deer-track, along which he walked, concealed a de- clivity so steep that it almost merited the name of a precipice. But Bryan was lost in philosophic con- templation, and the first thing that awakened him to the fact was the slipping of a stone, which caused him to trip and fall headlong over the bank ! The Irishman grasped convulsively at the bushes to arrest his fall, but the impetus with which he had com- menced the descent tore them from his grasp, and after one or two unpleasant bounds and a good deal I u 1 210 UNQAVA. of crashing through shrubs that tore hLs garments sadly, he found himself stretched at full length on the margin of the river that connected the two lakes. So nearly had he been hurled into this strait by the violence of his descent, that his head was hanging over the bank ere he stopped! Being partially stunned by the fall, Bryan lay for a few seconds motionless. As his shaken faculties returned, how- ever, he became aware of the fact that a fish of fully two feet long lay at the bottom of the pool over which his head hung. Starting up, and totally for- getting his bruises, he turned to look for the bag con- taining the fishing lines, and observing it lying on the ground not far distant, still wrapped round the gun, he ran to pick it up. "Oh! wow! poor thing!" he exclaimed, on lifting up his gun, which, though fortunately not broken, was sadly bent, " ye're fit for nothin' but shootin' round the corner now! It's well for you, Bryan, ye spalpeen, that your back-bone is not in the same fix." While he thus muttered to himself, Bryan drew from the bag a stout cod-line, to which he fastened a Iwok of deadly dimensions, and dressed it into the form of a fly, much in the same manner as was for- merly done by La Roche. This line and fly hei fastened to the end of a short stout pole which he aents bh on lakes. )y the i-nging ,rtially econds I, how- 3f fully ol over illy for- 3ag con- ying on lund the UNOAVA. 211 cut from a neighbourmg tree, and approaching cau- tiously to the bank of the strait, — for there was too little motion in it to entitle it to be called a stream — he cast the fly with a violent splash into the water. The violence was unintentional, at least the exclama- tions of reproach that followed the cast would lead us to suppose so. The fish here were as tame as those caught in Deer River. In a few seconds the fly was swallowed, and Bryan, applying main force to the pole, tossed a beautiful trout of about two pounds weight, over his head. " Och ! ye purty crature," exclaimed the delighted Irishman, rubbing his hands with glee as he gazed at the fish after having unhooked it. " Shure ye'll make a beautiful fag^ire in the kittle this night. An' mush! there's wan o' yer relations to kape ye com- pany," he added, as, exerting an enormous degree of unnecessary force, he drew another trout violently from the water. The second trout was larger than the first, and Bryan soon became so excited in the sport that he totally forgot Frank's orders, and the deer, and everything else in the world for the time being. Having caught six or seven trout, varying [ from two to four pounds weight, he changed his posi- I tion a little, and made a cast over a deep pool nearer to the large lake. As heretofore the fly was en- gulfed the instant it fell on the water ; but Bryan I \ -1 212 UNGAVA. did not, as heretofore, haul it violently out of its native element. It is true he attempted to do so, but the attempt proved utterly futile; moreover, the fish darted with such velocity and strength towards the lake, that the angler, albeit entirely ignorant of his art, experienced an inward conviction that the thick cord would snap altogether if not eased of the enormous strain; he therefore followed the fish at the top of his speed, uttering incomprehensible sounds of mingled rage and amazement as he went, and tripping over rocks and bushes in his headlong career! After a smart run of half a minute the fish stopped, turned, and darted back so rapidly that Bryan tripped in turning, and fell into the water ! The place was shallow, but having fallen on his back, he was thoroughly di*enched from head to foot. He did not lose the grasp of his rod, however. Spluttering, and gasping, and dripping, he followed the fish in its wild career until 'it turned again at a tangent, and darted towards the bank on which he stood. There was a shelving bed of pebbles, where the water shoaled very gradually. Bryan sav this. Availing himself of the fish's impetus, and putting all his force to the rod, he dragged it into two inches water, when the line broke. Instantly the fish struggled towards deep water, but it was so large, and the place to which it had been dragged so shallow, that it afibrded of its do 80, I reXy the towards 3rant of ihat the 1 of the 5 fish at e sounds ent, and g career! stopped, n tripped place was he was e did not ring, and its wild id darted jre was a laled very imself of !e to the 'hen the towards place to afforded IJNGAVA. 213 the excited angler time to rush forward and throw himself bodily on the top of it ! The battle that now ensued was of an energetic and deadly character on the part of both man and fish. Those who have not grasped a live salmon in their arms have no conception of the strength of a fish; and perhaps it may be said with equal truth that those who have never wielded a fore-hammer have bat a faint conception of the strength of a blacksmith's knuckles. Bryan had thrown his whole weight on the fish, and grasped it, as with a vice, in both hands; but at every struggle of ^ts powerful frame he felt how uncertain was the hold he had of its slippery body. Once it almost escaped, and dashed the spray over its adversary's face with its tail, as it wriggled out of his grasp ; but, with a des- perate plunge, Bryan seized it by the head and suc- ceeded in thrusting his thumb under its gill and chok- ing it, while himself was well-nigh choked at the same moment by unintentionally swallowing a gulp of the muddy compound which they had stirred up in their struggles. Slowly and with caution Bryan rose on one knee, while he crushed the fish against the bottom with both hands, then making a last ex- ertion, he hurled it up the bank, where it fell beyond all hope of return to its native element. The fish thus captured was a beautifiil trout of If l^t'l '■I'i '!~^^E u I ■': '(■),..■■ .1H.^> <]• «Ti ' M» .' '' ' i f i^- i .L-J JH^ I 214 UNOAVA. Nil about twenty pounds weight. The lake trout of North America are, some of them, of enormous size, being not unfrequently taken of sixty pounds weight, so that as a specimen of those inhabiting these lakes this was by no means a large one. Nevertheless it •was a splendid fish, and certainly the largest that had ever been captured by the worthy son of Vulcan. The thick coat of liquid mud with which his face was covered could not entirely conceal the smile of intense satisfaction with which he regarded his prize, as he sat down on the bank before it. "Kape quiet, now, honey!" he exclaimed, as the trout made a last fluttering attempt to escape. " Kape quiet. Have patience, darlint. It's o' no manner o' use to hurry natur'. Just lie still an' it'll be soon over. With this consolatory remark, Bryan patted the fish on the head, and proceeded to wring the water from his up^per garments, after which he repaired his broken tackle, and resumed his spoilt with an eager- ness and zest that cold and water and mud could not diminish in the smallest degree. LNOAVA. 215 )Ut of IS size, veiglit, 8 lakes jless it Imt bad can. his face smile of lis prize, 1, as tlie :, "Kape lanner o' L be soon itted the be water aired his ,n eager- Icould not CHAPTER XVII. Successes and encouragement— Biyun lost und found. It was evening before the tide began to fall and un- cover the stake-nets, which were eagerly and earnestly watched by those who had remained in the camp. Mrs. Stanley and Edith were seated on an empty box by the margin of the sandy bay ; Mr. Stanley sat on a nail-keg beside them ; La Roche and the Indian were still working at the small canoe a few yards from the tent ; and Gaspard, with folded arms, and an unusual smile of good-humour playing on his coun- tenance, stood close behind Stanley. None of the hunting and exploring parties had re- turned, although the sun had long since disappeared behind the mountains, and the mellow light of even- ing was deepening over the bay. "There's a tail, sir," said Gaspard, as he hurried towards the net. "So it is!" cried Stanley, leaping up. "Come along, Eda, and take the first fish." Edith needed no second invitation, but bounded towards the edge of the water, which was now gra- dually leaving the nets. Gaspard had already disen- gaged a white-fish from the mesh, and, wading to ««■ ! I P 216 TNOAVA. ,' I I y. the beach, gave it to the little girl, who ran with it joyously to her mother. Meanwhile, another and another fish was left by the tide, and Stanley soon after brought up a splendid salmon of about twenty- five pounds weight, and laid it at Edith's feet. " Oh, how very beautiful ! " cried the child, as she gazed in delight at the silvery scales of the fish. " My mind is much relieved by this, Jessie," said Stanley, reseating himself on the keg, while Oostesi- mow and La Roche carried the fish ashore as Gas- pard freed them from the nets ; " I now see that there are plenty of fish in the river, and if the hunters bring in a good report to-night, our anxiety on the score of food will be quite removed." Although none of the party had ever set a net on stakes before, they had frequently heard of this manner of fishing, and their first attempt proved eminently successful. At low tide stakes had been driven into the sand, extending from the edge of the water towards high-water mark. On these the nets had been spread, and thus the misfo. ' ^ne which had attended the setting of the nets with floats and sinkers was avoided. The quantity of fish taken gave promise of an ample supply for the future. There were two Heame-salmon (i. e., spotted like trout), and one large common salmon, besides thirty white-fish, averaging between two to six pounds vith it »r and y soon wenty- • as she e," said Dostesi- as Gas- at there hunters <■ on the 31 net on of this proved lad been of the the nets hich had )ats and taken future, ted lil^'e es thirty pounds re rNGAVA. 217 weight each, all of which were in excellent condition. The white-fish is of the salmon species, but white in the flesh, and, being less rich than the salmon, is much preferred by those who have to use it constantly as an article of food. "This LS a most fortunate supply," remarked Stanley, " and will prevent the necessity of putting - the men on short allowance." " Short allowance !" exclaimed his wife ; "I thought we had more than enough of food to last us till the arrival of the ship." " Ay, so we have. But until now I did not feel at liberty to use it ; for if, through any accident, the ship does not come, and if there had chanced to be no fish in the river, the only course open to us would be to retrace our steps, and, as that would be a long and slow process, we would require to economize our focd. In fact, I had resolved to begin operations by putting the men on short allowance, but this haul of fish shows me that we shall have more than enough. "But who comes here?" he added, on observing the figure of a man approaching the camp. " He seems to carry a burden on his back, as far as I can make out in the uncertain light." "Did any of the men go out alone?" inquired Mrs. Stanley. " No ; but I suppose that this one must have fl 1 m T 1 il il 1 :i - ! ,1 i I j I .. *^ f. ' 1 218 UNGAVA. separated from his comrade. Hallo ! who goes there?" The man tossed the bundle from his shoulders, and, hastening forward, revealed the flushed counte- nance of Frank Morton. " What ! Frank ! why, man, you seem to have had a hard day of it, if I may judge by your looks." " Not so hard but that a good supper will put its effects to flight," replied Frank, as he rested his gun against a rock and seated himself on the keg from which Stanley had risen. " The fact is I have slain a noble buck, and, being desirous that the men should have as much of it as possible, I loaded myself rather heavily. The ground, too, is horribly bad ; but pray send Gaspard for the bundle. I should have been here sooner but for the time required to dissect the animal." "Where is Bryan, Frank?" inquired Mrs. Stanley. " You went away together." " Bryan ? I know not. He and I parted in the moimtains some hours ago, and as he failed to keep liis appointment with me, I concluded that he must have become foot-sore, and returned to camp." "He has not returned," said Stanley; "but I have no fear for the honest blacksmith. He's too old a nof'-wester to lose himself, and he's too tough to kill. But come, Frank, let us to our tent. I see that La UNGAVA. 219 Roche has abeady prepared our salmon for the kettle, and so — " " Salmon I " interrupted Frank. " Ay, lad, salmon ! a twenty-five pounder too ! But come, change your foot-gear, and then we shall have our supper, in the course of which we shall ex- change news." As they proceeded towards the camp the voices of some of the men were heard in the distance: it was now too dark to see them. In a few minutes, Frangois, followed by Augustus and Ma-istequan, strode into the circle of light around the fire, and, laying aside their guns, proceeded to light their pipes, while they replied to the questions of Franlc and Stanley. "You do not come empty-handed," remarked the latter, as Francois and his comrades threw down several fat ducks and a few grouse, which, after the fashiur* of hunters, they had carried pendent by the necks fr m their belts. " We only shot a few, monsieur," replied Francois, " to put in the kettle for supper. We might have loaded a canoe had we chosen." "That is well," said Stanley, "but the kettle is full already, and supper prepared; — see, Frank has shot a deer, so that we shall fare well to-night. Ah ! Prince, come along. What ! more game ? " he added, 'i ■•)'> It '•I / b 220 UNGAVA. as Diek and Massan entered the balo of light, and threw down the choice morcels of a fat deer which they had killed among the mountains. " Ah ! oui, monsieur," said Massan, chuckling as he laid aside his axe and gun ; " we might ha' killed three o' them if we had been so minded, but we couldn't ha' brought them into camp, an', as Dick said, 'tis a pity to kill deer to feed the wolves with." "Eight," exclaimed Frank; "but did any of you see Bryan ? He g ive me the slip in the inountains, and, I fear, has lost himself." To this the men replied in the negative, and some of them smiled at the idea of the blacksmith being lost. " No fear, vraiment ! He no lost," cried La Roche, with a laugh, as he lifted the huge kettle from the fire and placed it in the midst of the men, having previously abstracted the best portions for the special benefit of his master. " No fear ov Bryan, certain- ment; he like one bad shilling, — ^he come up toujours. Ah ! mauvais chien, him give me all de trouble ov get supper ready mylone," " I trust it may be so," said Stanley. " We are all here except him and Oolibuck, whom I have sent to the coast for a few days to watch for the ship. But let us have supper, La Roche, and spread ours nearer the fire to-night, — it is rather cold ; besides I want to hear the reports of the men." UNGAVA. 221 it, and which y as he kiUed but we LS Dick 1 with." of you untains, nd some iing lost, a Roche, In compliance with this order, the lively French- man spread the supper for his master's family close beside that of the men, and in a few minutes more a most vigorous attack was made on the viands, during the first part of which the hungry travellers mainlined unbroken silence. But as the cravings of nature began to be satisfied, their tongues found time to remark on the excellence of the fare. The salmon was superb. Even Edith, who seldom talked about what she ate, pronounced it very good. The white-fish were better than any of the party had ever eaten in their lives, although most of them had tra- velled over the length and breadth of the North American Wilderness. The ducks were perfect. Even the ptarmigan were declared passable ; and the venison, with an inch of fat on the haunches, — words were not found sufficiently expressive to describe it. Those who are philosophically inclined may suspect that some of this super-excellence lay in the keen appetites of the men. Well, perhaps it did. While the travellers were in the midst of this, and ere yet their tongues were fairly loosened, a loud unearthly shout rang with appalling reverberations among the surrounding cliffs, causing the entire party to start up and I'ush for their arms. Again the cry was heard. " Ah ! bad skran to ye, Losh ! Hould on, Moses, I 4 V, il ^ r" 222 UNGAVA. ye fat villain. Lave me wan mouthful, jist wan, to kape me from givin' up the ghost intirely." A shout of laughter greeted the advent of Bryan's voice, but it was nothing to the peals that burst forth on the appearance of that individual in 'projpria per- sona. To say that he was totally dishevelled would convey but half the truth. Besides being covered and clotted with mud, he was saturated with water from head to foot, his clothes rent in a most distress- ing manner, and his features quite undistinguish- able. " Why, Bryan, what ails you ? Where have you been V inquired Stanley in a tone of sympathy. " Bin, is it ? Sorra wan o' me knows where I've bin. It's mysilf is glad to be sartin I'm here, any how." " I'm glad you're certain of it," said Frank ; " for if it were not for the sound of your voice, I should doubt it." " Ah, monsieur ! " said La Roche, " make your mind easy on dat. No vou but Bryan ever regard de kettle dat way." "Taizy voo, ye petit varmint," said Bryan, ap- proaching the said kettle, and smiling i-apturously through the mud that encrusted his face, on behold- ing its contents. Without waiting to change his garments, the hungry blacksmith began supper, :?^.' ''"is»^a^ :i W'm UNGAVA. 223 n, to •yan's forth I per- wo\ild 3vered water istress- iguisli- ,ve you ere I've jre, any l; "for [ should :e your |r regard an, ap- turously beliold- lange his svippei', having first, however, directed attention to the bag which he had brought in. From this bag La Koche now extracted about a dozen trout, some of which were of great size — especially one, whose bulk ex- ceeded that of the large salmon. " There's plinty more where thim corned from," said Bryan, through a mouthful of venison ; " but I'll tell ye ov it afther supper/' " Ah, true ! don't let us interrupt him just now," said Stanley. " In the meantime, Francois, since you seem to be about done, tell us what you have seen, and let us hear what you have to say of the country." Fran9ois having lighted his pipe, cleared his throat and began. " Well, monsieur, after we had paddled a short bit beyond the point below the last rapid in Canea- pusca River, we shoved the canoe ashore, and landed Prince and Massan, who set off to look for game, leavin' Augustus, Ma-istequan, and me, to paddle up the river as well as we could. But we soon found that three men in a big canoe could not make much i ^^'i^y agin the strong current of the river, so we put [ashore again and took to our legs. " After making a long tramp up the banks o' the I liver, we fell in with some good- sized pines ; but, although they are big for this part of the country. p\ 'y { I ! i 224 UNGAVA. they are not big enough for building. Then we pushed into the gullies which are sheltered from the cold winds off the bay, and here we found the trees a good deal bigger. There are pines and larch in abundance, and some of the larch are even bigger than we require." " Are they far inland," inquired Stanley. " No, monsieur, they are only a few hundred yards from the banks of the river, and growin' on the edge of a small creek, which I noticed is deep enough to float them down." "Good, very good,-' said Stanley, filling his pipe with a fresh charge of tobacco ; " that is most fortun- ate, for it will save time, and take fewer men to bring them here. Go on, Fran9ois.'' " Bien, monsieur ; then I felled one or two o' the trees, to see what like they are ; and I found that they are very tough and good. The pines are firmer i and tougher than any I ever saw in the Indian] country ; owing, I suppose, to their stunted growth,. While I was thus employed, Augustus shot the grous« we brought home, and we saw a great many coveys] of them. In fact we might have shot many more, but as we did not know how far we should have to walk, we thought it best not to burden ourselves too much. We also saw a great many ducks, and shot] a few, as you see." tive in "AI: not; m tain, ii "Bi "I the] some m only in Many, cliiefly '•'An find ere of the t see trac ".\o UKGAVA. 225 len we ova. the le trees Larch in L bigger ed yards the edge nough to his pipe st fortun- jr men to wo o' tlie Qund that are firmer he Indian id growtl the grouse any coveys aany more, lid have tfl iirselvestool .9, and shot "Did you see goose?" inquired La Roche, whose mind had a natural tendency to culinary matters. " No," replied Fran9ois, " I saw no geese ; but I did not go out of my way to look for them. I was more taken up with the timber than replenish::, j the kettle." " Ah ! that ver' great pity. Oui, grande damage. De kittle toujour de most importance ting on de voyage. If you forget him — you goot for not'ing. Mais, Fran9ois, did you look into the deep clear pool at de foot of de rapid ?" Fran9ois emitted a cloud of smoke, with a nega- tive in the middle of it. "Ah!" said La Roche with a sigh, "I thought not ; mais it was pity. You see one goose for cer- tain, if you have look straight down into dat pool." " Bien," continued Fran9ois, turning to Stanley, " I then went into one or two more gullies, and saw some more sticks fit for building ; but after all, it is only in the gullies they grow, and there are not very many. The trees on the banks of the river are chiefly pines, and only fit for fire-wood." '•' And an important item is fire-wood, as we shall find ere long," remarked Stanley. " Your account of the timber is very satisfactory, Fran9ois. Did you see traces of Indians or Esquimaux ?" " No ; I saw none.'* r 226 UNGAVA. " Perhaps you did, Prince," continued Stanley, turning to that worthy, who was stretched, along with Massan, at full length before the blaze, and had been listening attentively to the conversation, while he solaced Iximself with his pipe. "Yes, sir, we seed the marks they left behind them," answered Prince, while he glanced towards Massan, as if to invite him to give the desired infor- mation. "Ay, we saw their marks, no doubt," said the guide, knocking the ashes out of his pipe, and raising himself from his reclining posture to that of a tailor, the more conveniently to re-charge that beloved im- plement. " Ay, we saw their marks, and they was by no means pleasant to look on. After we had landed above the p'int, as Fran9ois told ye, Dick Prince and me went up one o' the gullies, an' theu gettin' on one o' them flat places that run along tlie fiice of all the mountains hereabouts, we pushed straight up the river. We had not gone far when, on turnin' a pint we both clapped eyes at the same moment on the most iU-lookin' blackguard of a wolfj I ever saw. Up went both our guns at once, and I , believe we were very near puttin' a bullet in each of his eyes, when we noticed that these same eyes werej not lookin' at us, but starin', most awful earnest like, j up a gully in the mountains ; so we looked up, au, UNOAVA. 237 banley, , along nd bad I, while ■behind towards ;d intbr- said the d raising ' a tailor, oved im- they was we ha(l ye, Dick an' then along tbe e pushed far when, the same of a wolf nee, and I in each of eyes were irnest lik^' ed up, as- sure enough, there we saw a deer on the mountain top, tossin' its head and snuffin' round to see that the coast was clear before it came down to the water. We noticed that a regular beaten deer-track passed down this gully, and master wolf, who knowed the walk very well, was on the look-out for his dinner ; so we waited quiet till the deer came down, an' Dick put a bullet in its heart, an' I put one into the wolf's head, so they both tumbled down the cliffs together. The shot made another deer, that we had not seen, btait off mto the river ; but, before it got a few yards from the shore, Dick loaded again and put a bullet into its head too, an' it was washed ashore at the p'int below us. " Havin' fixed them off comfortably, we cut up the deer, and put aU we could cany on our shoulders, for we knowed that if we left them, we'd find nothin' but the bones when we came back. About an hour after this we came upon a deserted camp of Indians. It was so fresh that we think they must have passed but a few weeks ago. The whole camp was strewed with bones of deer, as if the red varmints had been havin' a feast. An' sure enough, a little farther on, we came upon the dead carcasses of ninety-three deer ! The rascals had taken nothin' but the tongues an' tit bits, leavin' the rest for the w^olves." " Ay, they're a reckless, improvident set," remarked *t0 1 R I! 228 L'NGAVA. Stanley. " I've been told that the Esquimaux are quite different in this re.^^>ect. They never kill what they don't require; but the red-skins slaughter the deer by dozens for the sake of t tongues." " We also found the broken head of an Esquimaux seal-spear, and this little bit of seal-skin." Massan handed these as he spoke to Stanley. "I fear," said Frank, "this lo^As as if they had made an attack on the Esquimaux very recently." " I fear it much/' said Stanley, examining the little shred of seal-skin, which had beautifully glossy hair on one side, and on the other, which was dressed, there were sundry curious mark"^ one of which bore a rude resemblance to an Ind vigwam, with an arrow pointing towards it. " I found the bit o' seal-skin hanging on a bush a little apart from the place where they camped, an from what I've seen o' the ways o' red-skins, it's my 'pinion that it was put there for some purpose or other." " Very likely ; take care of it, Jessie," said Stanley, throwing it to his wife ; " it may be explained some day. Well, Massan, did you see any other animals ?" " Yes, sir, lots o' them. We saw deer on the hill tops, and might ha' shot mora o' them if we could have bro^^ght them into camp. An' we saw porcupines in all the pine bluffs. An' we saw fish LNGAVA. 229 X are what 3r the iimaux !»Iassan ey had oly." ng the y glossy dressed, ich bore with an ill the lakes among the mountains. There are lots o' them hikes — small things some o' them — in all the gullies, and fish in most o' them ; but we had neither lines nor hooks, so we catched none." " Faix, if ye catched none, yer bettei*s catched pliiity," said liryan, who, having concluded supper and changed his garments, was now luxuriating in a smoke. The blacksmith pointed, as he spoke, to the bag of splendid trout which lay at a short distance flora the fire. " Tis mysilf 's the boy to catch them. I would have brought ye two times as much, if it wasn't that I lost my hook and line. I think it must have bin a fresh- water wha e, the last wan, bad luck to it! for it pulled me into ^he wather three times, an' wint off at last with tw^ fathom o' cod-line trailin' be- hind it." " So, then, Bryan," said Frank, " it must have been the yells with which you accompanied your fishing tnat frightened the deer I was after, and caused me to lose him. However, as I got another soon after- wards which must have been frightened towards me by these same halloos, I forgive you," Frank now gave the party an account of what he had seen ; but as his experience merely corroborated that of Dick Prince and Massan we will not trouble the reader with the details. The evidence of the ^ "-sj^ss--' ';:| tl , i^ ^;! H i I t I I i I rilil 230 UNGAVA. various exploring parties, wlien summed up, was undoubtedly most satisfactory, and, while it relieved the mind of the leaders of the band, it raised and cheered the spirits of the men. Timber, althougli not plentiful or very large, was to be had close to the spot where they proposed to erect tlieir fort; game of all kinds swarmed in the mountains in abundance ; and the lakes and rivers were well stocked with excellent fish : so that, upon the whole, they considered that they had made an auspicious com- mencement to their sojourn in the land of the Esquimaux. UNGAVA. 231 CHAPTER XYIir. Outpost-bulliling— Fort Chlino— An unexpected arrlvBl, which causes much joy. The band of fur traders now set earnestly about the erection of their winter dwelling. The season was so far advanced that the men could no longer be spared from the work to hunt or fish in the moim- tains, so that they lived chiefly on the produce of tho stake-nets in front of the camp, and a small allowance of the provisions with which they had started from Moose Fort. Occasionally Frank sallied forth and returned with the best parts of a deer on his shoul- ders; but these excursions were rare, as both he and Stanley worked with the men in tlie erection of the fort. No one was idle for a moment, from the time of rising, — shortly after daybreak, — to the time of going to rest at night. Even little Edith found full occupation in assisting her mother in the performance of a host of little household duties, too numerous to recapitulate. The dog Chimo was the only excep- tion to the general rule. He hunted the greater part of the forenoon, for his own special benefit, and f<'■>■- ' Nothing cor' ' ' ; rfuli' .ii;'., Fort Chimo," a; ley iilled hi ■ to tht* est-ablishment. Jn order tL,;. the peculiar appropriateness of ; I ! UNOAVA. 239 name may api)car to the reader, it may be as well to explain that Chimo (the i and o of which are sounded long) is an Esquimaux word of salutation, and is used by the natives when they meet with strangei-s. It signifies, Are you friendlij ? by those who speak first ; and seems to imply, We are friendly, when re- turned as an answer. So well known is the word to the fur traders who tiaffic with the natives of Hudson's Straits, that they frequently apply it to tliem as a name, and speak of the Esquimaux as Chinios. It was, therefore, a peculiarly appropriate name for a fort which was established on the confines of these icy regions, for the double purpose of enter- ing into friendly traffic with the Esquimaux, and of bringmg about friendly relations between them and their old enemies, the Muskigon Indians of East Main. After playing for some time beside the low wharf, Edith and her dog left the beach together, and rambled towards a distant eminence whence could be obtained a commanding bird's-eye view of the new foit. She had not sat many minutes here when her eye was arrested by the appearance of an unusual object in the distance. Frank, who w^as yet engaged in con- versation with Stanley on the beach, also noticed it. Laying his hand on the arm of his companion, he pointed towards the narrows, where a small, white. i 11 i| 240 tTNGAVA. triangular object was visible against the dark clitr. As they gazed, a second object of similar form came into view ; then a fore and top sail made- their ap- pearance ; and, in another second, a schooner floated slowly through the opening ! Ere the spectators of this silent apparition could give utterance to their joy, a puff of white smoke sprang from the vessel's bow, and a cannon-shot burst upon the mountains. Leaping on from cliff to crag, it awakened a crash of magnificent echoes, which, after prolonged repetitions, died away in low mutterings like distant thunder. It was followed by a loud cheer Irom the schooner's deck, and the H.B.C. flag was run up to the main, while the Union-Jack floated at the peak. " Now, Frank, give the word," cried Stanley, taking off his cap, while the men ran down to tlie beach en masse. " Hip, hip, hurrah ! " " Hurrah ! " echoed the men, and a cheer arose among the cliffs that moved to the very centre tlw hearts of those who heard and gave it. Again and again the stirring shout arose from the fort, and was replied to from the schooner. It was no matter of form, or cheer of ceremony. There wa.s a deep richness and a prolonged energy in the tone, which proved that the feelings and lungs of the men were roused to the uttermost in its delivery. I UNGAVA. 241 irk clitf. rm came blieir ap- jr floated jtatorf? of to their le vessel's aountains. a crash of epetitions, t thunder, schooner's the main, i Stanley, wn to tlie cheer arose centre the I It told of long gathering anxieties swept entirely away, and of deep joy at seeing friendly faces in a sterile land, where lurking foes might be more likely to appear. At all times the entrance of a ship into port is a noble sight, and one which touches the heart and evokes the enthusiasm of almost every human being ; but, when the ship arriving is almost essential to the existence of those who watch her snowy sails swelling out as they urge her to the land, — when her keel is the first that has ever ploughed the waters of their distant bay, — and when her departure will lock them up ill solitude for a long, long year, — such feel- ings are roused to their utmost pitch of intensity. Cheer upon cheer rose and fell, and rose again, among the mountains of Ungava. Even Edith's tiny voice helped to swell the enthusiastic shout ; and more than one clieei was choked by the rising tide of emotion that forced the tears down more than one bronzpi cheek, despite the iron wills that bade thein not to flow. n\ tngs a i i!-.^ » .nw" 14 ^mmm 242 UNGAVA. CHAPTER XIX. Bustle and business — A great feast, In which Bryan and La Roche are prime movei's — New Ideas in the art of cooking. The scene at Fort Chimo was more bustling and active than ever, during the week that followed the arrival of the schooner. The captain told Stanley, as they sat sipping a glass of Madeira in the hall of the new fort, that he had been delayed by ice in the straits so long, that the men were afraid of being set fast for the winter, and were almost in a state of mutiny when they fortunately discovered the mouth of the river. As had been anticipated by Stanley, the ship entered False River by mistake, unseen by Oolibuck, notwithstanding the vigilance of his look- out. Fortunately he observed it as it came out of the river, just at the critical period when the seamen began to threaten to take the law into their own hands if the search were continued any longer. Oolibuck no sooner beheld the object of his hopes than he rushed to the top of a hill, where he made a fire and sent up a column of smoke, that had the im- mediate effect of turning the vessel's head towards him. Soon afterwards a boat was sent ashore, and took the Esquimaux on board, who explained, in his broken English, that he had been watching for them dme movers [ng and lyed the Stanley, e hall of 36 in the of being I state of le mouth r Stanley, mseen by lis look- cie out of 16 seamen heir own longer, is hopes e made a d the im- towards ihore, and led, in his for them y hi UNGAVA. 243 for many days, and would be happy to pilot the vessel up to the fort. "You may be sure," continued the captain, "that I was too happy to give the ship in charge to the fellow, who seemed to understand thoroughly what he was about. He is already quite a favourite with the men, who call him Oilybuss, much to his own amusement ; and he has excited their admiration and respect by his shooting, having twice on the way up shot a goose on the wing." " Not an unusual exhibition of skill among fur traders," said Stanley ; " but I suppose your men are not much used to the gun. And now, captain, when must you start ? " " The moment the cargo is landed, sir," replied the captain, who was distinguished by that thorough self-sufficiency and prompt energy of character wliicli seem peculiar to sea-captains in general. " We may have trouble in getting out of the straits, and, after getting to Quebec, I am bound to cany a cargo of timber to England." " I will do my best to help you, captain. Your coming has relieved my mind from a load of anxiety, and one good turn deserves another, so I'll make my fellows work night ancl day till your ship is dis- charged." Stanley was true to his word. Not only did If,', , rJ?^ ,#- 244 UNGAVA. S'i'l the men work almost without intermission, but he and Frank Morton scarce allowed themselves an hour's repose during the time that the work was going on. Night and day "yo heave ho" of the Jack Tars rang over the water ; and the party on shore ran to and fro, from the beach to the store, with bales, kegs, barrels, and boxes, on their shoulders. There were blankets and guns, and axes and knives, powder and shot, and beads and awls, and nets and twine. There were kettles of every sort and size ; cloth of every hue ; capotes of all dimensions, and minute etceteras without end : so that, had it been possible to prevail on the spirits of the ice to cany to the Esquimaux intelligence of the riches contained in the store at Chimo, an overwhelming flood of visitors would speedily have descended on that esta- blishment. But no such messengers could be found, — although Bryan asserted positively that more than "wan o' them" had been seen by him since his ar- rival ; so the traders had nothing for it but to sum- mon patience to their aid and bide their time. When the work of discharging was completed, and ■vhile Stanley and the captain were standing on the beach watching the removal of the last boat-load to the store, the former said to the latter : " Now, cap- tain, I have a favour to requewt, wliich is that you and your two mates will dine with me to-morrow. } '' rNGAVA. 245 Your men will be the better of a day's rest after such a long spell of hard work. You could not /ell get aw^ay till the evening of to-morrow at anyrate, on account of the tide, and it will be safer and more pleasant to start early on the day after," "I shall be mosthappy," replied the captain, heartily. "That's right," said Stanley. "Dinner will be ready by four o'clock precisely ; and give my compli- ments to your crew, and say that my men will ex- pect them all to dinner at the same hour." Ten minutes after this, Stanley entered his private apartment in the fort, which, under the tasteful management of his wife, was beginning to look ele- gant and comfortable. " Wife," said he, " I will order La Roche to send you a box of raisins and an unlimited supply of flour, butter, &;c., wherewith you will be so kind as to make, or cause to be made, — on pain of my ut- most displeasure in the event of failure, — a plum- pudding large enough to fill the largest sized wash- ing-tub, and another of about quarter that size ; both to be ready boiled by four to-morrow afternoon." " Sir, your commands shall be obeyed. I suppose you intend to regale the sailors before they leave. Is it not so ?" " You have guessed rightly for once ; and take care that you don't let Eda drown herself in the 246 UNGAVA. compost before it is tied up. I must hasten to pre- pare the men." Two minutes later and Stanley stood in the midst of his men, who, having finished their day's work, were now busy with supper in their new house, into which they had but recently moved. " Lads/' said Stanley, *' you h ive stuck to your work so hard of late that I think it a pity to allow you to fall into lazy habits again. I expect you all to be up by break of day to-morrow." " Och ! musha ! " sighed Bryan, as he laid down his knife and fork with a look of consternation. " I have invited the ship's crew," continued Stanley, " to dine with you before they leave us. As the larder is low just now, you'll all have to take to the hills for a fresh supply. Make your arrangements as you please, but see that there is no lack of venison and fish. I'll guarantee the pudding and grog." So saying, he turned and left the house, followed by a tremendous cheer. '* Oh ! parbleu ! vat shall I do ?" said La Roche, with a look of affected despair. " I am most dead for vant of sleep already. C'est impossible to cook pour everj^body demain. I vill be sure to fall 'sleep over de fire, prehaps fall into him." " Och, Losh, Loah, when will ye larn to think notliin' o' yoursilf ? Ye'll only have to cook for the UNGAVA. 247 midst work, ;e, into your D allow you all d down ion. Stanley, le larder the hiUs ts as you ison and bourgeois, but tLink o' me ! All the min, an' tlie ship's crew to boot !" The blacksmith concluded by knocking La Roche's pipe out of his mouth, in the excess of his glee at the prospective feast ; after which he begged his par- don solemnly in bad French, and ducked his head to avoid the tin can that was hurled at it by the indig- nant Frenchman. At the first streak of dawn the followinof mom- ing, and long before the sun looked down into the ravines of Ungava, Massan and Dick Prince were seen to issue with noiseless steps from the fort, with their guns on their shoulders, and betake themselves to the mountains. Half an hour later Bryan stag- gered out of the house, — with a bag on his shoul- der, — scarcfely half awake, rubbing his eyes and mut- tering to himself in a low tone, as he plunged rather than walked into the ravine which led to the first terrace on the mountain. When the sun rose over the mountain tops and looked down upon the calm surfitce of the river, there was not a man remaining in the fort, with the ex- ception of Stanley and Frank, and their active ser- vant La Roche. A deep calm rested on the whole scene. The sailors of the vessel, having risen to despatch break- fa.st, retired to their hammocks again and went [ ,.^ 248 UNGAVA. to sleep ; Stanley, Frank, and their household, were busy within doors ; Chime snored in the sunshine at the front of the fort ; and the schooner floated on a sheet of water so placid, that every spar and delicate rope was clearly reflected. Notliing was heard save the soft ripple on the shore, the distant murmur of mountain streams, and, once or twice through the day, the faint reverberation of a fowling-piece. But as the day advanced, evidences of the ap- proaching feast began to be apparent. Early in the forenoon Massan and Prince returned with heavy loads of venison on their shoulders ; and, an houi- later, Bryan staggered into tKe fort bending under the weio'ht of a well filled bas of fish. He had been at his favourite fishing quarters in the dark valley, and was dripping wet from head to foot, ha,ving fallen, as usual, into the water. Bryan had a happy facility in falling into the water, that was quite unaccountable, — and rather enviable in warm weather. As the cooking operations were conducted on an extensive scale, a fire was kindled in the open air in the rear of the men's house ; round which fire, in the course of the forenoon, Bryan and La Roche performed feats of agility so extravagant, and, appa- rently, so super-human, that they seemed to involve an element of wickedness from their very intensity. Of course no large dinner ever passed through the UNGAVA. 249 ordeal of being cooked, witliout some accidents or misfortunes, more or less. Even in civilized life, where the most intricate appliances are brought ta bear on the operation by artistes thoroughly ac- quainted with their profession, infallibility is not found. It would be unjust, therefore, to expect that two backwoods-men should be perfectly successful, especially when it is remembered that their branch of the noble science was what might be techni- cally termed plain-cookery ; the present being their iiist attempt in the higher branches. Their first difficulty arose from" the larger of the two plum-puddings, wlii^h La- Roche had compounded under the directions of Mrs, Stanley and superin- tendence of Edith. " I say, Losh," cried Bryan to his companion, whose head was at the moment hid from view in a cloud of steam that ascended from a large pot over which he bent, apparently muttering incantations. "Veil, fat you want?" " Faix, and it's just fat that I don't want," said Bryan, pointing, as he spoke, to the large pudding, which, being much too large for the kettle, was standing on the rim thereof like the white ball of foam that caps a tp.nkard of double X. " It's more nor twice too fat already. The kittle won't hould it, no how." 1. i i 250 UNGAVA. i I I *'ISi " Oh, stuff him down, dat is de way," suggested La Roche. " Stuff it down, avic, an' what's to come o' the wather?" said Bryan. " Ah ! true, dat is perplexible, vraiment." At this moment the large pot boiled over and a cloud of scalding steam engulfed the sympathetic Frenchman, causing him to j'^ell with mingled pain and rage as he bounded backwards. *' Musha ! but ye'll come to an early death, Losb, if ye don't be more careful o' yer dried-up body." " Taisez vous, done," muttered his companion, half angrily. " Taisin' ye ? avic, sorrow wan o' me's taisin' ye, But since ye can't help me out o' me throubles I'll try to help mysilf " In pursuance of tliis noble resolve, Bryan went to the store and fetched from thence another large tin kettle. He then undid the covering of the unwieldy pudding, which he cut into two equal parts, and hav- ing squeezed them into two balls, tied them up in the cloth, which he divided for the purpose, and put them into the separate kettles with the air of a man| who had overcome a gi-eat difficulty by dint of un- 1 fathomable wisdom. It was found, however, that the smaller pudding, intended for Stanley's table, was also too large for its kettle; but the energetic black- f UNGAVA. 251 smith, wliose geniufa was now thoroughly aroused, overcame this difficulty by cutting off several pounds of it, and transfemng the pudding thus reduced to the kettle, saying in an under-tone as he did so, "There's more nor enough for the six o' ye yit, av yer only raisonable in yer appetites." But the superfluity of the pudding thus caused, became now a new source of trouble to Bryan. " What's to be done wid it, Losh? I don't like to give it to the dogs, an' it's too small intii'ely to make a dumplin' of" "You better heat him raw," suggested La Roche. "Faix, an' I've half a mind to; but it would spile my dinner. Hallo ! look out for the vaiiiison, Losh." "Ah, oui; olil misere!" cried La Roche, springing over the fire, and giving a turn to tlie splendid haunch of venison which depended from a wooden tripod in i front of the blaze, and, having been neglected for a few minutes, was beginning to singe. "What have ye in the pot there?' inquired Bryan. " Von goose ; two duck ; trois plovre, et von leetle [ bird, — I not know de name of, — put him in pour ex- jperiment." " Very good, Losh ; out wid the goose and we'll I cram the bit o' dumplin' into him for stuffin'." " All ! superb, excellent," cried La Roche, laughing o» M^- f 252 UNQAVA. '■ i '! ! ' i as he lifted out the goose, into which Bryan tlinist the mass of superfluous pudding; after which the hole was tied up and the bird re-consigned to the pot. Everything connected M'ith this dinner was strik- ingly suggestive of the circumstances under wliioh it was given. The superabundance of venison and wild fowl; the cooking done in the open air; the ab- sence of women, and the perfoi'uiance of work usually allotted to them by bronzed and stalwart voyageurs; the wild scenery in the mid«t of which it took place; and the mixture of Irish, English, French, Indian, Esquimaux, and compound tones, that fell upon the ear as the busy work went on, — all tended to fill tliel mind with a feelinfj of wild romance, and to su£riiest powerfully the idea of being, if we may so express it, far far-away ! As the proceedings advanced towards] completion, this feeling was rather increased than re- moved. Tables and chairs were a luxury that still remaineJI to be introduced at Fort Chimo, when the men fouiiil leisure from more urgent duties to construct them Therefore the dining-table in Stanley's hall was com- posed of three large packing-cases turned bottom upj There was no cloth wherewith to cover its rougll boards ; but this was a matter of little importaneej to the company which assembled round it, punctuall| at the hour of four. In place of chairs there wen n 1 t'NQAVA. 253 good substantial nail-kugs, rather low, it is true, and uncommonly hard, but not to be despised under the circumstances. Owing to the unusual demand for dishes, the pewter plates and spoons and tin di'inking- cnps, — for they had little crockery ,^ — were of every form and size that the store contained; and the floor on whi(;li it all stood was the beaten ground, for the intended plank flooring was still growing in the moimtain glens. But if the equipage was homely and rude, the fare was choice and abundant; and an odour that might have gladdened the heart of an epicure greeted the nostrils of the' captain and his two mates when they entered the hall, dressed in blue surtouts with bright I brass buttons, white duck trousers, and richly flowered vests. There was a splendid salmon, of twenty [pounds weight, at one end of the board; and beside it, on the same dish, a lake-trout of equal size and beauty. At the other end smoked a haunch of veni- Ison, covered with at least an inch of fat ; and beside lit a bowl of excellent cranberry jam, the handiwork lof the hostess. A boiled goose and pease pudding completed the catalogue. Afterwards, these gave place to the pudding which had caused Bryan so mcli perplexity, and several dishes of raisins and '^gs. Last, but not least, there was a bottle of wandy and two of port-wine; which, along Avith the :0<^ ' : ! 1 t I il u? ) ' 1 1 I 1(1! 254 UNGAVA. raisins and figs, formed part of the limited supply of luxuries furnished by the Hudson's Bay Company to Stanley, in common with all the gentlemen in the service, in order to enable them, now and then, on great occasions, to recall, through the medium of a feast, the remembrance of civilized life. The display in the men's house was precisely similar to that in the hall. But the table was larger and the viands more abundant. The raisins and tigs, too, w^ere wanting; and instead of wine or brandy, there was a small supply of rum. It was necessarily small, being the gift of Stanley out of his own dimin- utive store, which could not, even if desired, be re- plenished until the return of the ship next autumn. On the arrival of the guests a strange contrast! was presented. The sailors, in white ducks, blue jackets with brass buttons, striped shirts, pumps, anJ straw hats, landed at the appointed hour, and inl hearty good humour, swaggered ■'•.owards the men'sl house ; where they were politely received by tlie quiet manly-looking voyageurs, who, in honour of the occa- sion, had put on their best capotes, their brightest belts, their gayest garters, and most highly ornainon ted moccassins. The French Canadians and hall| ^ jeds bowed, shook hands, and addressed the tarsi messieurs. The sailors laughed, slapped their entcrJ tainers on the shoulders, and called them messmatd " 'I I I UNGAVA. 255 . supply of ompany to len in the d then, on edium of a s precisely 3 waB larger ins and figs, or brandy, s necessarily I own dimin- sired, be re- ixt autumn, jige contrast! ducks, blue I i, pumps, and lour, and in rds the men's L by the quiet ir of the occa-^ iieir brigbtesi •bly ornamenj ins and half] sed the tarsi ed tbeir entetj em niessmaU^ The Indians stood, grave and silent, but with looks of good humour, in the back-gi'ound ; while the Esqui- maux raised their fat cheeks, totally shut up tlieir eyes, and grinned perpetually, not to say horribly, from ear to ear. But the babel that followed is be- yond the powers of description; therefore we won't attempt it. Here, however, the characteristic peculiarity of our scene ceases. The actual demolition of food is pretty much the same among all nations that are not absolutely savage; and, however much contrast might have been observed in the strange mixture of human beings assembled under the hospitable roof of Fort Chimo, there was none whatever in the manner in which they demolished their viands. As the evening .advanced, a message was sent to Monsieur Stanley I for the loan of his violin, " Ay," said he, as the instrument was delivered to [Bryan, who happened to be the messenger and also jthe performer, "A}'', I thought it would come to that [ere long. Don't be too hard on the strings, lad. [Twill be a rough ball where there are no women." "Thrue, ytv honor," replied the blacksmith, as he Received the instrument, " there's a great want of fay- tnales in thim parts; but the sailors have consinted po ripresint the purty craytures on the present occa- ion ; which is but right, for, ye see, the most o' ift"*^' , • if^ m m 25 S UNGAVA. thim's shorter nor us, an' their wide breeches are more like the pitticoats than our leggins." Many were the stories that were told and re-told, believed, disbelieved, and doubted, on that memorable night; and loud were the songs, and long and strong the dancing that followed. But it was all achieved under the influence of pure animal spirits, for the rum supplied afforded but a thimbleful to each. The consequence was that there were no headaches the following morning, and the men were up by break of day as fresh and light as larks. A feeling of sad- ness, however, gradually crept over the band as the dawn advanced and the schooner prepared for her de- parture. By six o'clock the flood-tide turned, and a fc^vj minutes later all the sailors were aboard, hoisting the sails and anchor, while the men stood silently on the beach where they had just parted from their guests. " Good-bye once more, Mr. Stanley ; good-bye, Mr.j Morton," said the captain, as he stepped into boat ; " I wish you a pleasant winter and a gooi]| trade." " Thank you, thank you, captain," replied StanleyJ "and aon't forget us out here, in this lonely place] when j'ou drink the health of absent friends at Christ] mas time," In a few minutes the anchor was up, /ind tli K relies are d re-told, [lemoraUe md strong 1 achieved or tlie rim .cli. The daches the ly break of ng of sad- .and as the , for her de- and a few hoisting the I intly on the I leir guests. )od-bye, MrJ )ed into hisl and a gooJ UNGAVA. 257 schooner, bending round with a fair wind and tide, made for the narrows. "Give them a cheer, lads," said Frank. Obedient to the command, the men doffed their caps and raised their voices ; but there was little vigour in the cheer. It was replied to from the schooner's deck. Just as the flying-jib passed the point a gun was fired, which once more awakened the loud echoes of the place. When the smoke cleared away, the schooner was gone. Thus was severed the last link that bound the civihzed world to the inhabitants of Fort Chimo. '•' '{ jTisii'Dsiii; H ,0^ m -»'»»; a.: 11! m 258 UNGAVA. CHAPTER XX. winter approaches— Esquimaux arrive— Effect of a word- A sucking baby — Prospects of trade. For many days after the sliip'n departure, the work of completing the fort went forward with the utmost rapidity, and not until the houses and stores were rendered weather-tight and warm did Stanley con- sider it advisable to send out hunting and fishing parties into the mountains. Now, however, the frosts continued a great part of the day as well as during the night, so it w^as high time to kill deer and fish in order to freeze, and so preserve them for winter's consumption. Up to this time no further traces of Esquimaux had been discovered, and Stanley began to express his fears to Frank that they ^ad left the neighbour- hood altogether, in consequence of the repeated attacks made upon them by Indians. Soon after this, however, the fur traders were surprised by a sudden visit from a party of these denizens of the north. It happened on the afternoon of a beautiful day towards the close of autumn, that charming but brief season which, in consequence of its unbroken serenity, has been styled the Indian summer. The men had ^11^ UNGAYA. 259 all been despatched into the mountaii^o in various di- rections; some to fish, others to shoot; and none were left at the fort except its commandant with his wife and child, and Oolibuck the Esquimaux. Stanley was seated on a stone at the margin of the bay, ad- miring the vivid alterations of light and shade, as the sun dipped behind the mountains of the opposite shore, when liis eye was attracted towards one or two objects on the water near the narrows. Presently tliey advanced, and were followed by several others. In a few minutes he perceived that they were Esqui- maux canoes. Jumping hastily up, Stanley ran to the fort, and bidding his wife and child keep out of sight, put two pair of pistols in his pockets and returned to the beach, where he found Oolibuck gazing at the approac"'iing flotilla with intense eagerness, " Well, Oolibuck, here come your countrymen at last," said Stanley. " Do they look friendly, think "Me no can tell; they most too quiet," replied the interpreter. Esquimaux in general are extremely noisy and full of animated gesticuJai on on meeting with strangers, especially wlien they meeb on decidedly friendly terms. The silence, therefore, maintained by the natives as they advanced, v/as looked upoiA a^ a bad ..Aif*"!' f I ; 260 UNGAVA. sign. The fleet consisted of nine kayaks, and three large oomiaks full of women and children; and a curious appearance they presented at a distance, for the low kayaks of the men being almost invisible, it seemed as if their occupants were actually seated on the water. The oomiaks, being much higher, were clearly visible. On coming to within a quarter of a mile of the fort, the men halted to allow the women to come up, then, forming in a crescent in front of the oomiaks, the whole flotilla advanced slowly to- wards the beach. When within a hundred yards or so, Stanley said, " Now, Oolibuck, give them a hail." " Chimo ! Chimo ! Chimo-o-o !" shouted the inter- preter. The word acted like a talisman. "Chimo!" yelled the Esquimaux in reply, and the kayaks shot like arrows upon the sand, while the women followed as fast as they could. In another minute a loud chattering and a brisk shaking of hands was taking place on shore. The natives were dressed in the seal-skin garments with which arctic travellei's have made us all more or less acquainted. They were stout burly fellows, with fat, oily, and bearded faces. " Now tell them, Oolibuck, the reason of our coming here," said Stanley. Oolibuck instantly began, by explaining to theui L'NGAVA. 361 d three ; and a ince, for isible, it eated on ler, were brter of a e women L front of ilowly to- yards or n a hail." the inter- >r, and the while the :n another amking of that they had come for the purpose of bringing about peace and friendship between them and the Indians ; on hearing which the Esquimaux danced and shouted for nearly a minute with joy. But when the inter- preter went on to say that they intended to remain altogether among them, for the purpose of trading, their delight knew no bounds ; they danced and jumped, and whooped and yelled, tossed up their arms and legs, and lay down on the sand and rolled in ecstasy. In the midst of all this, Mrs. Stanley rushed out of the house, followed by Edith, in great terror at the unearthly sounds that had reached her ears ; but on seeing her husband and Oolibuck laugh- ing in the midst of the grotesque group, her fears vanished, and she stood an amused spectator of the scene. Meanwhile, Stanley went down and stept into the midst of one of the oomiaks, with a few beads and trinkets in his hands ; and while Oolibuck entertained the men on shore, he presented gifts to the women, who received them with the most childish demonstra- tions of joy. There was something irresistibly comic in the child-like simplicity of these poor natives. [Instead of the stiff reserve «nid haughty demeanour of their Indian neighbours, they danced and sang, and leaped and roared, embraced each other and wept, hvith the most reckless indifference to appearances, ' i iiii::, 262 UNGAVA. and seemed upon all occasions to give instant vent to the feelings that happened to be uppermost in their minds. As Stanley continued to distribute his gifts, the women crowded out of the other oomiaks into the one in which he stood, until they nearly sank it; some of them extending their arms for beads, oth( .i giving a jolt to the hoods on their backs, which had the effect of bringing to light fat, greasy-faced little babies, who were pointed to as being peculiarly worthy of attention. At length Stanley broke from them and leapt! ashore, where he was soon followed by the entire band. But here new objects — namely, Mrs. Stanley and Edith — attracted their wondering attention | Approaching towards the former, they began timidly to examine her dress, which was indeed very different from tlieirs, and calculated to awaken curiosity amlj surprise. The Esquimaux women were dressed verv much like the men, — namely, in long shirts of sealj skin or deer-skin with the hair on, short breeches the same material, and long seal-skin boots. TkB are hoods of the women v/ere larger than those of tlie men, and their boots much more capacious ; adB by while the latter had a short stump of a tail or peaiB was hanging from the hinder part of their shirts, tli^ women wore their tails so long that they traile along the ground as they walked. In some cases the.^ up UNGAVA. 263 tails were four and six inches broad, with a round flap at the end, and fringed with ermine. It was, therefore, with no little sui'prise that they found Mrs. Stanley entirely destitute of a tail, and observed that she wore her upper garment so long that it reached the ground. Becoming gradually more familiar, on seeing that the strange woman permitted theiu to handle her ^)retty freely, one of them gently lifted up her gown to see whether or not she wore boots; but receiving a somewhat prompt repulse, she began to caress her, and assured her that she did not mean to give offence. By this time Frank and some of the men had joined the group on the shore, and as it was getting late Stanley commanded silence. " Tell them I have somewhat to say to them, Ooli- buck." The interpreter's remark instantly produced a dead silence. " Now ask them if they are glad to hear that we are going to stay to trade with them." A vociferous jabbering followed the question, which, by Oolibuck's interpretation, meant that their joy was utterly inexpressible. " Have thej'' been long on the coast V " No ; they had just arrived, and were on their way up the river to obtain wood for building their kayaks." J. #1*1^ il1 i}.;jf I? 2Gi UNQAVA. " Did they see the bundle of presents we left for them at the coast ?" " Yes, they had seen it ; but not knowing whom it was intended for, they had not touched it." On being told that the presents were intended for them, the poor creatures put on a look of intense chagrin ; which, however, passed away when it was suggested to them that they might take the gifts on their return to the coast. " And now," said Stanley, in conclusion, " 'tis get- ting late. Go down to the point below the fort and encamp there for the night. We thank you for your visit, and will return it in the morning. Good night." On this being translated, the Esquimaux gave a general yell of assent and immediately retired, bound- ing and shouting and leaping as they went, looking, in their gleesome rotundity, like the infant progeny of a race of giants. " I like the look of tliese men very much," said Stanley, as he walked up to the house with Frank. " Their genuine trustfulness is a fine trait in their character." " No doubt of it," replied Frank. " There is much truth in the proverb, * Evil dreaders are evil doers.' Those who fear no evil intend none. Had they been Indians, now, we should have had more trouble with them." UXGAVA, 265 " I doubt it not, Frank. You would have been pleased to witness the prompt alacrity with which the poor creatures answered to our cry of Chimo, and ran their kayaks fearlessly ashore, although, for all they knew to the contrary, the rocks might have concealed a hundred enemies." "And yet," said Frank, with an air of perplexity, " the Esquimaux character seems to me a difficult problem to solve. When we read the works of arctic voyagers, we find that one man's experience of the Esquimaux proves them to be inveterate thieves and liars, while another speaks of them as an honest, truthful people, and that, too, being said of the same tribe. Nay, further ; I have read of a tribe being all that is good and amiable at one time, and all that is bad and vile at another. Now the con- duct of these good-natured fellows, in reference to the bundle of trinkets we left at the mouth of the river, indicates a degree of honesty that is almost too sensitive ; for the merest exertion of common sense would show that a bundle hung up in an exposed place to public view must be for the public good." " Nevertheless they seem both honest and friendly," returned Stanley, " and I trust that oiu- experience of them may never change. To-mori'ow I shall give them some good advice in regard to procuring furs, and show them the wealth of our trading: store." ,*.*<'i| [MAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) fc ^ A 1.0 I.I 150 156 112 m m (UO ll|M IM 2.0 1.8 , 1.25 1.4 1.6 ^ 6" — ► v^ 'c^l cr'jl c? ^;j / /A Photographic Sdences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 % I" 2G6 UNGAVA. When the morrow came the visit of the Esquimaux was returned by the entire force of Fort Chimo ; and the childish delight with which they were received was most amusing. This childishness, however, was only applicable to these natives when expressing their strong feelings. In other respects, particularly in their physical actions, they were most manly ; and the thick black beards and moustache that clothed the chins of most of the men seemed very much the reverse of infantine. The children were so exactly like to their parents in costume, that they seemed miniature representations of them. In fact, were a child viewed through a magnifying glass it would become a man, and were a man viewed through a diminishing glass he would become a child ; always, of course, excepting the beard. Bryan became a special favourite with the natives when it was discovered that he was a worker in iron ; and the presents with which he was overwhelmed were of a most extraordinary, and, in some cases, per- plexing nature. One man, who seemed determined to get into his good graces, offered him a choice morsel of broiled seal. " No, thankee, lad," said Bryan ; " I've had my brickfast." Supposing that the broiling had something to do with the blacksmith's objection, the Esquimaux has- UNGAVA. 267 I W uimanx no; and received ver, was ng their larly in ly ; and , clothed Quch the ) exactly r seemed b, were a it would lirough a ; always, le natives in iron ; rwhelmed oases, per- Btermined ice morsel tily cut off a slice of the raw blubber and tendered it to him. " D'ye think I'm a haythen ?" said Bryan, turning away in disgust, *' Ah, try it, Bryan," cried La Eoche, turning from an Esquimaux baby, in the contemplation of which he had been absorbed ; " try it ; 'tis ver' goot, I 'sure you. Ver' goot for your complaint, Bryan. But come here, vitement. Just regardez dat hinfant. Come here, queek ! " Thus mged, Bryan broke away from his host, who had just split open the shin-bone of' a ^eer, and offered him the raw marrow, but witho at <»uccess ; and, going towards La Roche, regarded the baby in question. It was a remarkably fine child, seemingly about ten months old, with a round, rosy, oily face, coal-black hair, and large, round, coal-black eyes, with which it returned the stare of the two men with interest. But that which amused the visitors most was a lump of fat or blubber, vn.th a skewer thrust through it, which its mother had given to the child to suck, and which it was endeavouring to thrust down its throat with both hands. " Come here, Oolibuck; pour quoi is de stick?" " Ho ! ho ! ho !" laughed Oolibuck. " Dat is for keep de chile quiet ; and de stick is for no let him choke ; him no can swallow de stick." 268 UNGAVA. 5^ if I'! \ I " Musha ! but it would stick av he did swallow it," said Bryan, turning away with a laugh. In the course of the day, Stanley and Frank con- ducted the natives to the fort; and, having given them all an excellent dinner, and a few gifts of needles, scissors, and knives, led them to the store, where the goods for trade were ranged temptingl}'^ on shelves round the walls. A counter encompassed a space around the entrance-door, within which the natives stood and gazed on wealth which, to their unsophisticated minds, seemed a dream of enchant- ment. Having given them time to imbibe a conception of the room and its treasures, Stanley addressed them through the interpreter ; but as reference to this worthy individual is somewhat hampering, we will discard him forthwith, — retaining his style and language, however, for the benefit of his fellow- countrymen. " Now, you see what useful things I have got here for you ; but I cannot give them to you for nothing. They cost us much, and gave us much trouble to bring them here. But I will give them for skins and furs and oil, and the tusks of the walrus ; and when you go to your friends on the sea-coast, you can tell them to bring skin's with them when they come. " Ve vill do vat you vish. Ve most happy you *n L'NGAVA. 269 come. Ve vill hunt very mush, and make your house empty of all dese tings if ve can." " That's well. And now I am in need of boots for my men, and you have a good many, I see ; so, if you can spare some of these, we will begin to trade at once." On hearing this, the natives despatched several of their number down to the camp, who soon returned laden with boots. These boots are most useful articles. They are neatly made of seal-skin, the feet or soles being of walrus hide, and perfectly water- proof They are invaluable to those who have to walk much in ice-cold water or among moist snow, as is the case in those regions during spring and autumn. In winter the frost completely does away with all moisture, so that the Indian moccassin is better at that season than the Esquimaux boot. For these boots, and a few articles of native cloth- ing, Stanley paid the natives at the rates of the regular tariff throughout the country ; and this rate was so much beyond the poor Esquimaux estimate of the relative value of boots and goods, that they would gladly have given all the boots and coats they pos- sessed for what they received as the value of one pair. Overjoyed at their good fortune, and laden with treasure, they returned to their camp to feast, and to sing the praises of the Kuhlunat, as they termed the fur traders. I I i 270 UNO A V A. ij' -- ;' II i CHAPTER XXI. Silent conversation— Raw food— Female tails— A terrible battle terminated by the Interposition of a giant Of all the people at Fort Chimo, no one was more interested in the Esquimaux than little Edith. She not only went fearlessly among them, and bestowed upon them every trinket she possessed, but, in her childlike desire for the companionship and sympathy of human beings of her own age and sex, she took forcible possession of two little girls who happened to be cleaner, and, therefore, prettier than the others, and led them away to her own ravine, where she introduced them to her favourite berries and to her dog Chimo. At first the dog did not seem to relish the intrusion of these new favourites ; but seeing that they did not induce his mistress to caress him less than before, he considerately tolerated them. Be- sides, the Esquimaux had brought their dogs along with them ; and Chimo, being of an amicable disposi- tion, had entered into social fellowship with his own kind. We have said that Chimo was sagacious, and it is quite possible he may have felt the propriety of granting to Edith that liberty which he undoubtedly claimed for himself. But Edith's intercourse with her little Esquimaux if; i l!|. UNGAVA. 271 ed by the s more . She jstowed in her mpathy lie took Etppened i others, ^ere she to her relish prot6g§s was necessarily co^ifined to looks, the lan- guage of the eye making up for the absence of that of the tongue. There were many things, however, in which language was not required as a medium of communication between the children. When the berries were good, the brightening eyes and smack- ing lips spoke a language common to all the human race. So, also, when the berries were sour or bitter, the expression of their faces was peculiarly emphatic. The joyous shout, too, as they discovered a new scene that pleased their eyes, while they roved hand in hand through the ravines, or the shrinking glance of fear, as they found themselves unexpectedly on the edge of a precipice, were sufficiently intelligible to the trio. The little friends presented a striking and grotesque contrast. It would have been difficult to say whether the little Esquimaux were boys or girls. If anything, the costume seemed more to indicate the former than the latter. Like their mothers, they wore loose deer-skin shirts with the hair on outside; which gave them a round, soft, burly appearance, — an appearance which was increased by their little boots, which were outrageously wide, and quite as long as their legs. The frocks or shirts had hoods and tails, — which latter, according to fashion, were 80 long that they trailed on the ground. The incon- venience of the tail is so great that the women, while i \.^ I ! I' 272 UNQAVA. <■-',■ travelling on a jouraey, get rid of it by drawing it between their legs, and, lifting up the end, fasten- ing it in front to a button sewed to their frock for the purpose. In traveuing, therefore, Esquimaux women seem to be destitute of this appendage ; but, on arriving at camp, they undo the fastening, and walk about with flowing tails behind them ! Edith's costume consisted of a short frock made of dark blue cloth, and a head-dress peculiar to the Indian women among the Crees. It was preferred by the little wearer to all other styles of bonnet, on account of the ease with which it could be thrown off and on. She also wore ornamented leggins and moccassins. Altogether, with her graceful figure, flaxen curls, and picturesque costume, she presented a strong contrast to the fat, dark, hairy little crea- tures who followed her by brook and bush and pre- cipice the live-long day. One morning, about two weeks aft( the amval of the Esquimaux, Edith went down to the camp after breakfast, and found her two companions en- gaged in concluding their morning meal. The elder, whose name was Arnalooa, was peering with earnest scrutiny into the depths of a marrow-bone, from which she had already extracted a large proportion' of the raw material. The younger, Okatook, seized] a lump of raw seal's flesh, as Edith entered their hut ^t zing it fasten- ■ock for uimaux ;e-, but, Ing, and made of : to the preferred )nnet, on 3 thrown ygins and il figure, presented le ai-rival the camp mions en- The elder, ith earnest Done, from proportion ook, seized their hut, UNGAVA. 273 and, cutting therefrom a savoury morsel, put it into her mouth as she rose to welcome her visitor. " Oh! how can you ?" said Edith, with a look of disgust at this ravenous conduct on the part of her friend. But Edith had said, " Oh ! how can you ?" and " Oh ! shocking," and " Oh ! why don't you give up eating it raw V and " Oh ! why won't you have it cooked," nearly every day for the last two weeks, without producing any other effect than a gleeful laugh from the little Esquimaux ; for, although they did not comprehend her words, they clearly under- stood her looks of disapproval. But although they would not give up the habit of eating raw flesh, which they had been accustomed to from their in- fancy, they were prevailed on so far to break through the habits of their people as to wash their hands and faces before going out to play. This they did because Edith positively refused to go with them unless they did so. Lifting up the end of her tail and wiping her mouth therewith, Arnalooa smiled at Edith's look of reproach, and ran laughing towards the shore, where she and Okatook washed their hands, after which they followed Edith and Chimo to their favourite ravine. Although she knew that they did not un- derstand a word of what she said, Edith invariably kept up a running fire of small talk, in reference, m 274 UNGAVA. il i I ill chiefly, to the objects of nature by which they were 8un*ounded, To this the little hauy creatures lis- tened intently with smiling faces, and sometimes they laughed prodigiously, as though they understood what was said, so that their companion felt as if she were really conversing with them, altliough she was sadly perplexed at the utter impossibility of obtaining an intelligible reply to a question when she chanced to put one. " Oh, what a lovely glen ! " cried Edith, her eyes beaming with delight, as, on turning the point of a projecting crag, she and her companions found them- selves in a spot which they had not before seen during their rambles. It was a wild, savage gorge, fuU of fallen rocks, hemmed in with high cliffs, fringed here and there with willows and mosses, among which were a few brilliant wild flowers. The lights and shadows of the spot were thrown into poM'erful contrast by a gleam of sunshine which flashed down among the rugged masses, light- ing up peaks and sharp edges in some spots, while in others they were thrown into the profoundest gloom. "Oh ! is it not a delightful place?" cried Edith, as she bounded up the rugged path, followed by Chimo, while the two Esquimaux girls buttoned up their tails, and followed her as fast as their more cumbrous habiliments would permit. J were es Us- es they erstood i if she jhe was )taining chanced her eyes )int of a id them- •ore seen ?e gorge, gh cliffs, I mosses, flowers. |e thrown sunshine [ses, light- .ots, while [est gloom, ^ed Edith, [lowed hy Ittoned up heir more UNQAVA. 275 For a quarter of an hour the party toiled up the steep ascent, pausing now and then to pluck a flower, or to look back on the wild path by which they had come, until they reached a ridge of rock, beyond which lay a small lake or pool. So dark and still did it lie within the shadow of the overhanging cliffs, that it resembled a pool of ink. Here the adven- turous explorers sat down to recover breath, and to gaze in childish delight, not unmixed with awe, at the wild scene around them. The peculiar wildness of the spot seemed to exer- cise an unusual influence over the dog ; for, instead of lying down, as it was wont to do, at the feet of its young mistress, j* moved about uneasily, and once or twice uttered a low '^wl. " Come here, Chim^ " said Edith, when these symptoms of restlessness h v i attracted her attention ; " what is the matter with you, my dear dog ? Surely you are not frightened at the appearance of this wild piace ! Speak, dog, — see, Arnalooa is laughing at you." Edith might have said with more p."opriety that Arnalooa was laughing at herself ; for the; little Esqui- maux was much amused at the seriois manner in which her Kublunat friend spoke to lier dog. But Chimo refused to be comforted. He raised his snout, snuffed the air once or twice, and then, descending IIP iiiT 0^^ l- -rt U :,SI «'■ 'i \ • 111 276 L'NGAVA. the gorge a short distance, put his nose close to the ground and trotted away. " That is very odd of Chinio," said Edith, looking into Arnalooa's face wit an expression of perplexity. As she spoke Okatook pointed, with an eager glance, up the ravine. Turning her eyes hastily in the direction indicated, Edith beheld a deer bounding towards them. It was closely followed by a savage wolf. The deer seemed to be in the last stage of exhaustion. Its flanks were wet with moisture, its eyes starting from their sockets, and its breath issued forth in deep sobs, as it bounded onwards, seemingly more by the force of its impetus than by any volun- tary exertion. More intent on the danger behind than on that which lay before it, the deer made straight for the pass in which the three girls stood, and scarcely had they time to spring up the sides of the cliff, when it swept by like an arrow. Instantly after, and ere it had taken two bounds past them, the wolf sprang forward, caught it by the throat, and dragged it to the groimd, where, in a few seconds, it worried the noble animal to death. It is probable that the chase now terminated had begun at early dawn that day; for, deer being fleeter than wolves, they prolong the chase until overcome by the superior strength and dogged perseverance of their ravenous enemies. Over mountain and hill they had UNOAVA. 277 to the ooking jlexity. L eager ,stily in Dunding b savage stage of jture, its bli issued eemingly ly voluri- fr behind jer made rls stood, sides of Instantly ast them, LToat, and leconds, it probable |n at early i,n wolves, by the ■e of their | |l they had I bounded along together, tlirough glen and gorge, across river and lake ; bursting headlong through bush and brake, or under the shadow of frowning cliffs, and toiling, at a foot pace and with panting sides, up the steep hills in the fierce blaze of the sun, — the one impelled by hunger, the other by fear, until at length the scene closed in the wild pass, almost at the feet of the three children. But retribution was in store for the savage de- stroyer. Ere yet the life's blood had ceased to flow from the throat of the dying deer, and while the wolf's fangs were still dripping with its gore, a fierce bark, followed by a terrific growl, rang among the cliiFs, and Chimo, with his ears laid back and his for- midable row of teeth exposed, rushed up the gorge and seized the wolf by the neck ! Thus assailed, the wolf returned the bite with interest, and immediately a fight of the most energetic character ensued. The wolf was much larger and more powerful than Chimo, but was greatly exhausted by its long chase, while the dog was fresh and vigorous. Once or twice Chimo tossed his huge adversary by main strength, but as often he was overturned and dread- fully shaken, while the long fangs of the wolf met in his neck, and mingled the blood of the deer, which bespattered his black muzzle, with the life's blood that began to flow copiously from Chimo's veins. I'' ' 1 ,'i I i f* 278 UNGAVA. ■^!- '111 1 At this moment a shout was heard farther up the ravine. The three girls turned hastily, and saw, on a point of rock which projected from the mountaia side and overhung the dark pool, the figure of a man, of such immense proportions that they instinctively shrank back wiioh terror. The position in which he stood made him appear larger than he really was. The scattered gleams and slant rays of sunshine that played around the spot invested him as with a supernatural halo, while a bright glow of light on the cliff behind detached him prominently from the surrounding shadows. He poised a spear in his right hand, and, while Edith gazed at him in terror, the weapon flew whistling through the air and was buried in the side of the wolf ! But so close did the spear pass, that Edith involuntarily stepped back as she heard it whiz. In doing so she lost her balance, and fell over the cliff. Fortunately Arnalooa caught her by the dress and partially broke her fall ; but the descent was sufficiently steep and rugged to ren- der the child insensible. When Edith recovered consciousness, her first emotion was that of terror, on beholding a large daik bearded face bending over her ; but a second glance showed her that the eyes of the stranger gazed upon her with a look of tenderness, and that Arnalooa and Okatook were kneeling beside her with an expression ip the aw, on luntain a man, Lctively hich he ly was. .ne that with a ight on rom the liis right :ror, the md was did the back as balance, ,a caught \i\\ ; but Id to ren- Iher first irsre dark id glance [,zed upon ilooa and kpression UNGAVA. 279 of anxiety. Had anything farther been wanting to allay her fears, the sight of Chimo would have done it. It is true the sturdy dog panted heavily, and occasionally licked his wounds, as he sat on his haunches at her feet ; but he was wonderfully calm and collected after his recent mortal conflict, and regarded his young mistress from time to time with an air of patronizing assurance. As Edith opened her eyes, the stranger muttered some unintelligible words, and, rising hastily, went to a neighbouring spring, at which he filled a rude cup with water. In doing this, he revealed the huge proportions of the gigantic Esquimaux whom we introduced to our reader in a former chapter. He was dressed in the same manner as when we first saw him, but his face was somewhat altered, and his black eye-brows were marked by that peculiar curve which is expressive of deep melancholy. Returning quickly from the spring, he kneeled beside the little girl, and, raising her head on his broad hand, held the goblet to her lips. " Thank you," said Edith, faintly, as she swallowed a few drops ; ** I think I had better go home. Is Chimo fcafe ? Chimo ! " She started up as the re- collection of the fight witli the wolf flashed upon lier, but the fall had stunned her rather severely, and scarcely had she risen to her feet when she vfe- M 1' I I I n 280 UNGAVA. staggered and fell back into the anns of the Esqui- maux. Seeing that she was quite unable to walk, he raised her in his powerful arm as if she had been a young lamb. Catching the dead wolf by the neck as he passed, and springing from rock to rock with cat-like agility, he bore his burden down the ravine, and strode towards the fort under the guidance of Okatook and Amalooa. UNGAVA. 281 CHAPTER XXII. Maxlmus— Deer spearing— A surprisingly bad shot— Ciiaracter of the natives. " Hallo ! what have we here ?" exclaimed Stanley, starting from his seat in amazement, as the giant entered the hall of Fort Chimo, — his left hand grasp- ing a blood-stained wolf by the throat, and Edith resting in his right arm. At first the startled father imagined his child must have been wounded, if not killed by the savage ani- mal ; but his mind was immediately relieved on this point by Edith herself, who was no sooner laid on her bed than she recovered sufficiently to naiTate the circumstances attending her fall. " Well, Maximus," said Stanley, returning to the hall and applying to the bulky savage the term that seemed most appropriate to him, " shake hands with me, my good fellow. You've saved Chimo's life, it seems ; and that's a good turn I'll not forget. But a — , I see you don't understand a word I say. Hallo ! Moses, Moses ! you deaf rascal, come here ! " he shouted, as that worthy passed the window. " Yis, mossue," said Moses, entering the hall. " Oh, me ! what a walrus amd is ? Me do b'lieve him most high as a tree an' more broader nor ivery- ting!" i ...MM imi';""i| 'f i t 'I m 1 282 UNGAVA. "Hold thy tongue, Moses, and ask the fellow where he came from ; but tell him first that I'm obliged to him for saving Chimo from that villanous wolf" While Moses interpreted, Arnalooa and Okatook, being privileged members of the tribe, crossed over to Edith's room. " Well, what says hfe ?" inquired Stanley, at the end of a long address which the giant had delivered to Moses. " Him say, he heered we have come to trade, from Eskeemo to west'ard, and so him come for to see us. Has ** A most excellent reason," said Stanley, he brought any furs ?" " Yis; him brought one two fox, and two free deer, No have much furs in dis country, him say." "Sorry to hear that. Perhaps his opinion may change wlien he sees the inside of our store. But I would like him to stay about the fort as a hunter, Moses ; he seems a first-rate man. Ask him if be will consent to stay for a time." "P'raps he fuss-rate, p'raps not," muttered Moses, in a disparaging tone, as he turned to put the ques- tioa " Him say yis." . " Veiy good ; then take him to yoiu- house, Moses, fellow hat I'm 'illanou3 Ikatook, 1 over to T, at the delivered ide, from or to see UNGAVA. 283 and give him some food and a pipe, and teach him English as fast as you can, and see that it is gram- matical. D'ye hear ? " " Yis, mossue, me quite sure for to teach him dat." As Moses turned to quit the hall, Stanley called him back. " Ask Maximus, by-the-by, if he knows anything of a party of Esquimaux who seem to have been attacked, not long ago, by Indians in this neigh- bourhood." No sooner was this question put than the face of Maximus, which liad worn a placid, smiling expression, (luring the foregoing conversation, totally changed. His brows lowered, and his lips were tightly com- pressed, as he regarded Stanley for a few moments ere he ventured to reply. Then, in a deep, earnest tone, he related the attack, the slaughter of his people, their subsequent escape, and the loss of his bride. Even Moses was agitated as he went on, and showed his teeth like an enraged mastiff when the Esqui- maux came to speak of his irreparable loss. " Stay one moment," said Stanley, when Maximus concluded. " I have something to show you ;" and, hastening into his room, he quickly returned with tlie little piece of seal-skin that had been found at the deserted Indian camp. " Do you know anything of this, Maximus ? Do you understand these marks ? " !|liilii ■ ■ I' 1 1 r 284 UNGAVA. The Esquimaux uttered a ciy of surprise, when his eye fell on the piece of skin, and he seemed much agitated, while he put several quick, earnest questions to Moses, who replied as earnestly and quickly ; then, turning rapidly on his heel, he sprang through the door- way, and was soon lost to view in the stunted woods of the ravine above the fort. *•' That fellow seems in a hmry," exclaimed Frank Morton, entering the room just as the savage made his exit. Who is he, and wherefore in so great haste?" " As to who he is," answered Stanley, " I'll tell you that after Moses has explained the cause of his sudden flight." " He say that him's wife make dat skin, and de arrow on him skin show dat de Injuns take her to deir tents." ** But did you not tell him that we found the skin long ago, and that the Indians must be far far away by this time, — nobody knows where?" demanded Frank. " Yis, me tell him. But he go for to see de spot. jTink him find more tings, p'raps." " Oh, messiem*s, voila ! " shouted La Roche, pointing towards the river, as he rushed, breathless with haste, into the hall ; " les Esquimaux, dem kiU all de deer dans le kontry. Oui, voila ! dans les kayak. Two dozen at vonce — vraiment ! " Without waiting a •I- UNGAVA. 285 when his 3d much ]|^uestiou3 quickly ; ; through e stunted ed Frank made his ,t haste?" " I'U tell use of his n, and de ike her to the skin far away I demanded [e de spot. reply, the excited Frenchman turned round and rushed out of the house, followed by Stanley and Frank, who seized their guns, which always hung ready loaded on the walls of the apartment. On reaching the water's edge, the scene that met their eye was indeed sufficient to account for the excitement of La Roche. A herd of perhaps fifty or sixty deer, on their way to the coast, — and ignorant of the foes who had so recently invaded their soli- tudes, — had descended the ravine opposite the fort, with the intention of crossing the river. The Esqui- maux had perceived this ; and keeping themselves and their kayaks concealed until the most of the animals were in the water, and the leaders of the herd more than two-thirds over, they then gave chase, and, getting between the deer and the opposite shore, cut off their retreat, and drove them towards their encampment. Here the slaughter commenced, and Stanley and Frank arrived at the scene of action while they were in the midst of the wholesale destruction. In all directions the kayaks, with their solitary occu- pants, were darting about hither and thither like arrows in the midst of the affrighted animals ; none of which, however, were speared until they were driven quite close to the shore. In their terror, the deer endeavoured to escape by swimming in different K 1 H ''FCv--- H-- Ugt -i-J It ■-•«": I : 286 UNGAVA. directions; but the long double-bladed paddles of the Esquimaux sent the light kayaks after them like lightning, and a sharp prick on their flanks turned them in the right direction. There were so many deer, however, that a few succeeded in gaining the land ; but here the guns of the traders awaited them. In the midst of this wild scene, Frank's attention was arrested by the cool proceedings of an Esquimaux, whose name was Chacooto. He had several times exhibited a degree of shrewdness be- yond his feUows, during his residence near the fort, and was evidently a man of importance in the tribe. Chacooto had collected together a band of the herd, amounting to fifteen, and, by dint of cool decision and quick movements, had driven them to within a few yards of the shore, exactly opposite the spot whereon his tent stood. One young buck, of about two years old, darted away from the rest more than once, but, with a sweep of the paddle and a prick of the lance, Chacooto turned it back again, while a quiet sarcastic smile played on his coimtenance. Having driven the herd close enough in for his pur- pose, the Esquimaux ended the career of the refractory buck with a single thrust of his lance, and then pro- ceeded coolly to stab them all one after another. "Och, the spalpeen!" said a voice at Frank's ear. " 'Tis himsilf knows how to do it, an' no mistake. UNGAVA. 287 s of tlie em like 3 turned 50 many aing the awaited Frank's igs of an He had iness be- : the fort, the tribe. the herd, 1 decision within a the spot , of about more than a prick of I, while a ttenance. ►r his pur- refractory then pro- lother. [rank's ear, mistake. Musha ! his lance goes out and in like a thailor's needle ; an' he niver strikes more nor wance, the hay then!" " He certainly does know how to do it, Bryan," replied Frank ; " and it's a comfort to know that every thrust kills in a moment. I like to see as httle of the appearance of ciTielty as possible in work of this kind." " Arrah ! there's wan that'll chate 'im, any how," cried Bryan, throwing forward his gun in nervous haste, as one of the deer gained the land, despite Chacooto's rapidity, and bounded towards the hills. Frank smiled at the eager haste of his companion, who was one of the poor shots of the party, and, con- sequently, always in a huiTy. " Now, Bryan, there's a chance. Take 3'^our time. Just behind the shoul- der; a little low, for that gun kicks horribly." "Murder and blazes, she won't go off!" cried the exasperated Irishman, as, after a wavering effort to take aim, he essayed unsuccessfully to pull the trigger. " Half-cock, man ! Cock it !" said Frank, quickly. "So 'tis, be the mortial! Och! Bryan, yer too cliver ; ye are I" he exclaimed, rectifying his error mth a force that nearly tore off the dog-head. At that instant there was a sharp crack, and the deer, hounding into the air, feU dead on the sand at the I edw of the willows. ||iM«- ■■ it 288 UNGAVA. " Forgive me, Bryan," said Massan, chuckling and reloading his piece as he walked up to his comrade. " I would not ha' taken't out o' yer teeth, lad, if ye had been ready; but one bound more would ha' put the beast beyond the reach, o' a bullet." " Faix, Massan, ye desarve to be hanged for mur- ther. Shure I was waitin' till the poor crayture got into the bushes, to give it a chance o' its life, before I fired. That's the way that gintlemen from the ould country does when we're out sportin'. We always put up the birds first, and fire afterwards; but you salvages murther a poor brute on the sand, whin it's only two fathoms from ye. Shame on ye, Massan." " See, Massan," cried Frank, pointing to another deer, which, having escaped its pursuers, had gained the heights above. " That fellow is beyond us both, I fear. Be ready when it comes into view beyond the cliff" there." But Massan did not move ; and when Frank threw forward his gun, he felt his arm arrested. " Pardon me, monsieur," said Massan, respectfully; " there's a sure bullet about to start for that deer." As he spoke, he pointed to Dick Prince, who, ignorant of the fact that the deer had been seen by Frank, was watching its re-appearance from behind a neighbouring rock, at some distance from where ii; ':,&i UNGAVA. 289 ling and comrade, ad, if ye 1 ha' put for mur- yture got ife, before from the Jin\ We [terwards; the sand, me on ye, another ad gained us both, w beyond ank threw pectfally; at deer." mce, who, n seen by |)m behind cm where they stood. In a second it came into view, — the bullet sped, — and the deer bounded lightly into the bushes, evidently unhurt ! It is difficult to Siiy whether Dick Prince or his comrades exhibited n^ost imazement in their looks at this result. That the crack shot of the party — the man who could hit a button in the centre at a hundred yards, and cut the head off a partridge at a hundred and fifty — should miss a deer at ninety yards, was utterly incomprehensible. " Is it yer own gun ye've got?" inquired Bryan, as the discomfited inarksman walked up. " No ; it's yours," replied Prince. A smile, which resolved itself into a myriad of wrinkles, flitted over the blacksmith s face, as he said, — " Ah, Prince ! ye'U requare long practice to come to the parfect use o' that wipon, I've always fired three yards, at laste, to the left, iver since we fell over the hill togither. If it's a very long shot, it requares four to take the baste in the flank, or four an' a half if ye want to hit the shoulder, besides an allowance o' two feet above its head, to make up for the twist I gave it the other day in the forge, in tryin' to put it right ! " This explanation was satisfactory to all parties, especially so to Prince, who felt that his credit was -w if!ll ! I; 290 UNOAVA. saved ; and if Prince had a weakness at all, it was upon this point. The deer were now all killed, with the exception of those of the band that had been last in entering the river. These, with a few stragglers, had re- turned to the shore from which they started. The remainder of the evening was devoted to skinning and cutting up the carcasses- --an operation requiring considerable time, skill, and labour. While the people at the fort were thus employed, Maximus (who adopted at once the name given to him by Stanley) returned from his fruitless journey to the Indian camp, and assisted the men at their work. He made no allusion whatever to his visit to the deserted Indian camp; but, from the settled expression of deep sadness that clouded his coun- tenance, it was inferred that what he had seen there had not tended to raise his hopes. The supply of deer obtained at this time was very seasonable, for the frost had now begun to set in so steadily that the meat could be hung up to freeze, and thus be kept fresh for winter's consumption. Some of it, however, was dried and stored away in bales, while a small quantity was pounded after being dried, made into pemican, and reserved for future journeys. As for the Esquimaux, they gave themselves up, it was Lception ntering had re- i. The jkinmng equiring mployed, given to i journey at their , his visit 16 settled Ihis coun- leen there was very set in so I to freeze, Isumption. away in ifter being (for future Iselves up, UNOAVA. 291 during the first night, to feasting and rejoicing. During the short time that tliey had been at the fort, they had converted the promontory on which they were encamped into a scene of the utmost confusion and filth. A regard for truth constrains us to say, that although these poor creatures turned out to be lioncst, and simple, and kind-hearted, they did not by any means turn out to be cleanly. Quite the re- verse. They had erected four summer tents on the beach, which were composed of skins sewed together, and supported on poles in such a way as to afford ample room for the accommodation of their families. The entrance to each tent was through a passage, which was also made of skins, hung over a line fastened to a pole at the distance of twelve or fifteen feet from the tent. Each side of this entrance was lined with piles of provision, — seals, fish, ducks, and venison, in various stages of decay, which rendered the passage into the interior a trying operation. True, it was intended that the frost should prevent this decay; but, unfortunately, the frost did not always do its duty. The manner in which they cut up their deer and prepared them for future use was curious. After cutting the animals into two, without skinning them, they pinned up the front half with the heart and liver in the cavity. The other half they treated in Ir I ,#«|M|i;# 292 UNGAVA. a similar way, minus the heart and liver, and then put them out to freeze until required. When frozen, they were frequently used in their tents as seats, until the gradual diminution of the larder demanded that they should be appropriated to their proper use. The tribe of Esquimaux who resided near Fort Chimo at this time, were possessed of an enormous stone kettle, in which they boiled an entire deer at one time ; and, while the good people luxuriated on the flesh of the animal in their tents, the dogs assembled round the boiler to await the cooling of the soup ; — thus verifying the assertion formerly made by Massan on that head. The dogs resembled those of the Newfoundland breed in some respects, but were scarcely so large or good-looking, and had erect instead of pendent ears. There were about a dozen of them ; and it was won- derful to observe the patience with which they sat in a circle round the kettle, gazing earnestly at the soup, licking their chaps the v/hile, in anticipation of the feast. The successful hunt was regarded as worthy of being specially celebrated by the distribution of a glass of grog to the men, and also to the Esquimaux ; for at the time we write of, the Hudson's Bay Com- pany had not yet instituted the wise and humane regulation which has since become a standing order then •ozen, seats, mded r use. Fort rmous .eer at ted on J dogs ling of f made .ndland arge or it ears. s won- ley sat at the ition of cthy of m of a limaux ; Com- lumane lor order UNGAVA. 293 throughout all parts of the country, except where there is opposition, namely, that ardent spirits shall not be given to the natives. However, Stanley's natural disposition led him to be very circumspect in giving spirits to the men and nati/es; >nd the supply now issued was very small. In the men it produced a desire for the violin, and created a tendency to sing and teU stories. In the Esquimaux it produced at first dislike, and after- wards wild excitement, which, in the case of Cha- cooto, ended in a desire to fight. But his comrades, assisted by his wives, overpowered him, tied him in a sack made of seal-skin, and left him to roar and kick till lie fell asleep ! The honesty of these natives was exhibited very strikingly in all their dealings with the fur traders. Although iron tools of every description were scattered about the fort, while the men were engaged in erect- ing the several buildings, not one was missed ; and even the useless nails and scraps of metal that were thrown away, when they were found by chance by the Esquimaux, were always brought to the house, and the question asked, " Were they of any use ? " before being appropriated. They were great beggars, however ; which was not surprisinn^, considerino; the value of the articles possessed by the traders, and their own limited means of purchasing them. Their IC-. ■;!• i i 294 UNGAVA. chief wealth at this time lay in boots and deer skins, which the women were constantly employed in pre- paring; but Stanley urged them to go into the inte- rior and hunt, as, although deer skins and boots were useful, furs were infinitely more valuable. But the Esquimaux had much too lively a dread of the Indians to venture away from the coast, and seemed inclined to hang about the place in comparative idle- ness, much longer than was desirable. > CNGATA. 295 CHAPTER XXIII. More aiTivals— Honesty— Indians come upon the scene— The tribes reconciled— DUk ease and death change the aspect of things— Philosophic discourse. A DAY or two after the successful deer-hunt above related, several bands of Esquimaux arrived at Fort Chimo, and encamped beside their comrades. This unusual influx of visitors soon exhausted the venison that had been procured; but hunting parties were constantly on the alert, and, as game of all kinds was plentiful, they lived in the midst of abundance. To all of these Stanley made small presents of beads and tobacco, and recommended them strongly to go and hunt for furs. But they seemed to like their quarters, and refused to move. The new arrivals, along with those who had first come, formed a band of about three hundred, and were found, almost with- out exception, to be a quiet, inoffensive, and honest people. As a proof of this latter quality, we may mention a circumstance that occurred a few days after the arrival of the last band. Being desirous of taking some additional soundings, Stanley launched his boat by the help of the Esquimaux, for his own men were all absent hunting and fishing. The boat referred to had been sent to the fort in the ship, and was a most il ,> ng. b seems a , in onier be a good principles i difference, ar traders, ,. It does rrank, ener- '« that men, e for years merica and laving name t those who ianity, but leem to be 's -word,— lis no name "vve can he know and ing without I |he worhi,-- ,t the Chris- iul as a code! ation nnle^' there be in the heart the special love of Jesus Clirist ; — men who admit and profess to believe all this, yet never speak of Christ to the natives, — never mention the name that can alone save them from eternal de- struction." " Be not hasty, Frank," replied Stanley. " I agree with you, that it is strange indeed we do not see and hear more of this missionary spirit among the traders, and I, for one, take your words as a deserved rebuke to myself ; but if there are, as you say, many among us who are deeply impressed with the truths of God's word, how know you that we never mention our Saviour's name to the Indians? Although fur traders do not mount the pulpit, they may, in private, make mention of that name, and do an amount of good that wUl only be fully known when the trader, the trapper, and the Indian, shall stand side by side before the judgment-seat of Christ. Ob- serve, I do not say that this is actually the case ; I only suggest that it is possible, — may I not add, probable ? " " It may be so," returned Frank, " it may be so, and God forgive me if I have judged the men of the fur-trade unjustly ; but I certainly know one who has made somewhat of a profession of Christianity in his day, and yet has done next to nothing, — and that one is Frank Morton." UNGAVA. " I'll not gainsay that, Frank," said Stanley, witli a quiet smile ; " and I think we are not likely to err much when we apply censure to ourselves. It is curious that you and I should have been thinking of the very same subject. A few days ago, while my wife and I were conversing together about the Esquimaux, we agreed to devote a good deal of our leisure time next winter to reading and explaining the Bible to our Esquimaux interpreters, in the hope that they may afterwards be the means of much good among their poor countrymen." Whether or not the good resolutions made at this time were ever put in practice we cannot say. Let us hope that they were. Not long after the sudden flight of the Esquimaux, the Indians struck their tents and took their de- parture for the interior, with the intention, a^ they I said, of hunting for furs, but more probably, as Mi-| istiquan suggested, to hunt the deer. During all time of their residence at the fort, Maximus had kept! out of their way as much as possible. He seldoml met them without a frown of hatred, for he regarded! them as the representatives of a race which had robbedl him of his bride ; and there were times when the giant i spirit chafed so fearfully at the sight of the red men] that nothing but the remembrance of his promise Stanley, to offer them no injury, prevented him frou M^ ikelyto I tbinking ^0, \vhile \)Out the ial of our explaining 1 tbe hope J of much ,ade at this , say. ^et UNGAVA. 309 stimng up his tribe to overwhelm and destroy them. It was, therefore, with a feeling of relief that Maxi- mus beheld them march single file over the roqky platform, and disappear in the ravine that led into the mountains. The traders of Ungava were once more left in solitude, and from this time forward, until the win- ter set in, they devoted all their energies to laying up a stock of provisions sufficient to last till spring. Dick Prince and Massan were sent after the deer in company. Augustus and Bryan were despatched to a small lake to establish a fishery; in which they were very successful, and soon caught a large supply of excellent white-fish, trout, and carp, which they gutted and hung up by their tails to dry and freeze. Frank and Moses went to another small lake, about ten miles down the river, and built a hut of willows, in which they dwelt while engaged at the fishery. As tliere was still much to be done in the way of completing the fort, and making furniture, Stanley retained La Roche, Oolibuck, and the two Indians, to j assist him in this, as well as in the performance of the miscellaneous minor duties about the station, — such as cutting up fire-wood, covering the roofs of the stores with tarpaulin, shooting such birds and lanimals as came near the fort, constructing rude [chairs and tables, cooking, &c., &c., — while Fran9oi8 1 1 ; ■.!.■ ■■ 'Ml i 310 UNGAVA. and Gaspard were sent up the river to fell trees, for the purposes both of building and fire-wood. Edith and her mother found ample occupation; the latter in the use of her needle and the cares of the house- hold; the former in learning her lessons, visiting her berry-ravine, dressing her doll (for she had a doll, as a matter of cour e), ^nd in holding long and frequent converse with Chimo. Thus they spent their time, — too busily occupied to take much note of its rapid flight, and scarce noticing the lengthening nights and shortening days, until needles of ice began with slow and silent pro- gress to shoot across and solidify the waters of the bay. f i „i|^ ,ii' trees, for L Edith the latter he house- siting her a doll, as d frequent y occupied and scarce 3ning days, silent pro- ters of the UNGAVA. 311 CHAPTER XXIY. Effect of snow on the feelings, not to mention tlie landscape— A wonderful dome of ice. There are times and seasons, in this peculiar world of ours, when the heart of man rejoices. The rejoicing to which we refer is not of the ordinary kind. It is peculiar; and, whether its duration be long or short, its effect powerful or slight, it is quite distinct and emphatic. We do not intend to enter into a detail of the occasions that call forth this feeling of exulta- tion. Far be it from us to venture into such peril- ous depths of philosophy. Our sole reason for making these preliminary observations is, that we may, with proper emphasis, introduce the statement, that one of these occasions of rejoicing is, when man arises from his couch, on a brilliant, sunny, sparkling morning, gazes forth from his window, and beholds the landscape, — which yesterday was green, and red, and brown, and blue, — clad in a soft mantle of whitest snow! What! you don't agree with us? You shudder at the preposterous idea of such a sight being jB.tted to rejoice the heart of man in any degree whatever? Well, well; do not sneer at our weakness. If we cannot sympathize with each other on this subject. ^^^ WKffT M li • 1; ii ■ '■W ' ;.n th 1 4i * w ^jlfcr- IfF^^ 312 UNGAVA. perchance there are other things in which we can. But, whatever be our opinion in regard to this, the point that we have to deal with at present is, the opinion of Edith Stanley, who, on rising hastily one morning, and looking forth from her little window, evinced the rejoicing of her heart most emphatically, by her loud exclamation of delight and the sparkling of her bright blue eyes. Independently of the cheerful lightness and the virgin purity of the mantle, which, in itself, tended to awaken emotions of gladness in Edith's heart, there was something in its sudden appearance that carried her back violently and vividly to by-gone days. The winter garb had no associations, yet, with Ungava; but it had with Moose Fort and the dear companions she used to play with there.* It recalled the time when she and her little friends sall^'ed forth, each with her small wooden sledge drawn after her by a line, to slide thereon down the banks of the frozen river with headlong speed, and upset at the bottom amid shouts of laughter. It recalled the time when she made the first attempt to walk in snow shoes, upon which occasion she tripped and fell into the snow, as a matter of course, and was advised to wait till she was older. It recalled tlie memory of her father's team of dogs, and the delightful drives she used to have over the frozen river; which drives 'rl UNGAVA. 818 often resulted in an upset, perhaps several, and always resulted in fun. It recalled the house in the old fort that used to be her home ; the row of houses belong- ing to the men, to which she often went, and was always welcomed as a great favourite; the water- hole on the river from which the old Canadian drew his dail}- supply; and the snow-house in the yard which she built in company with Frank Morton, and which stood the whole winter through, but gave way at last before the blazing sun Df spring, and fell, — as ill luck would have it, — when she and Chimo were sitting there, so that she and the dog together had a hard struggle ere they got free. All these, and manj'' more thick-coming memories of other days, were aroused by the vision of snow that met Edith's gaze that morning, and caused her heart with peculiar fervour to rejoice. Winter had now descended with iron grasp upon Ungava. For some weeks the frost had been so in- tense that every lake and pool was frozen many inches thick, and the salt bay itself was fringed with a thick and ever accumulating mass of ice. The snow which now fell was but the ceremonial coronation of a king whose reign had commenced in reality long before. But the sunshine did not last long. The rolling fogs and vapours of the open and ice-laden sea beyond, ascended over the wild mountains, obscured the bright ^\ ■ JJii»»-« i1 UIB 314 UNGAVA. ll ! m i ill sky, and revealed the winter of the north in all its stem, cold reality. Every cliff and crag and jagged peak had its crown of snow ; and every corrie, glen, and gorge, its drifted shroud. In places where the precipices were perpendicular the gray rocks of the mountains formed dark blotches in the picture; but, dark although they were, they did not equal in black- ness the river, on which floated hundreds of masses of ice and several ponderous icebergs, which had been carried up from the sea by the flood-tide. Over this inky expanse the frost-smoke hung like a leaden pall — an evil spirit, as it weie, which never left the spot till protracted and intense frost closed the waters of the river altogether, and banished it farther out to sea. But this entire closing of the river very seldom happened, and never lasted long. Fort Chi mo itself, at least as much of it as re- mained unburied, w^as a mere speck on the edge of the white plain at the mountain's foot, scarce dis- tinguishable, at a short distance, from the straggling black pines and willo^r bushes that seemed thrust out into the waste from the ravines above and be- low the fort. But on a nearer approach, the fort assumed an air of greater importance ; the influences, too, of the cold, cheerless scene we have described, were broken and dissipated by the sights of comfort and sounds of cheerfulness within. The shout of the UNGAVA. 815 water-drawer, aa he roused the dogy and went forth with his empty cask, hauled on a little sledge, to draw from the bubbling spring behind the fort ; the sounds of the hammer, the chisel, and the axe, in the carpenter's shop ; the meiTy clank of Bryan's hammer, and the bright flame that gleamed from the window of the forge ; — all bore evidence of the fact, that however powerful the influence of winter might be without, it had little power within the wooden walls of Fort Chimo, and could not check the life, or heart, or industry of man. The only other human being visible in the open air, besides the water-drawer, was La Roche, who, with a fur cap covering his head and ears, and leathera mittens on his hands, hewed and hacked the billets with which he purposed to replenish the fire for cooking the mid-day meal. Pausing in his labour, and dusting off the hoar- frost that covered his eye-brows and whiskers, he looked at the edge of his hatchet for a few seconds with an expression of contempt. Then, throwing the implement on his shoulder, he crossed the yard and entered the blacksmith's shop. " Bryan," said he, seating himself on the edge of the forge and filling his pipe, while Vulcan's votary scattered a shower of gems from a white-hot bar of iron at every blow of his hammer. " Bryan, you IF 9B i ll '< ■n ' il I: '^S^j 5 _ is I 816 LNOAVA. no fit for not'ing. Dat axe is blont encore. Oui c'est vrai. Now dat is tres mal. How you not can temper him edge better?" " Timper it better, is it ?" answered Bryan, putting the iron bar in the fire, and regarding his companion earnestly while he blew the bellows. " Faix, 'tis mysilf I'd need to timper better, in order to put up wi' the likes o' you, ye wretched crature. How can ye expict it to kape its idge when ye lave it for iver lyin' among yer pots and kittles?" " Dat is not it," replied La Roche, applying a glowing coal to his pipe. " 'Tis de mauvais steel. But I not com for to fight wid you. Your tongue trop long pour dat. I com for ax you to give me turn ov de grindstone, s'il vous plait." " Ye don't desarve it, Losh, but wait till I've finished this job and I'll lind ye a hand." " Be-the-by," resumed Bryan, when the metal was cooled, " has Fran9ois finished that sled for Miss Edith?" " Oui," replied La Roche, seating himself at the grindstone. (" Ah ! pas si vite, a leet more slow, Bryan.) Oui, him make it all ready; only want de ring-bolts,' " Thin it won't want thim long. Ye can take thim over to the shop when ye go across. There they are on the binch." UNQAVA. 317 Bryan continued to turn the handle of the stone for some time in silence. " D'ye know, Losh/' he resumed, " whin Mister Frank is goin' to the fishery ?" " He go domain, I b'lieve, and Mademoiselle Edith go too." " None o' the min goin* ? " inquired the blacksmith. " Non. Monsieur Frank just go for to try if dere be any fish to be cotch by de hook ; and I tink he go more for to give Edith one drive dan dat." " Very likely, Losh. The poor pui*ty little cray- ture. She's very fond o' sledgin' and walkin' in snow-shoes. 'Tis well for her, bekase there's a want o' companions for her here intirely." "Ah ! mercy, dat is superb, magnifique !" said the Frenchman, feeling the edge of the axe with his thumb. " It sharp 'nuff to shave de hair off your ogly face, Bryan." " Thin be off wid ye, an' don't kape me longer from my work, — an' shut the door quick behind ye ; there's could enough in the place already." So saying, Bryan resumed his hammer, and La Roche, following the snow-track across the yard, recommenced liis labour of chopping fire-wood. Next day, Frank and Edith made preparations for the excursion alluded to in the foregoing conversa- tion. 818 cngava. j-i- •■•"Kih'i n 1 ( «il f# nil ' . f i H fir The object for which this excursion was under- taken was two-fold ; — first, to ascertain if there were any fish in a large 1 about ten miles distant from the fort ; and, seconaiy, to give little Edith a drive for the good of her health. Not that her health was bad, but several weeks of bad weather had confined her much to the houb"^ and her mother thought the change Avould be beneficial and agreeable; and ten- derly did that mother's heart yearn over her little child, for she felt that, although she was all to Edith that a mother could be, nature had implanted in her daughter's mind a V '^ing desire for the companion- ship of little ones er own age, which could not be satisfied by any substitute, — not even that of a tender mother, who sought, by all the means in her power, to become a child again for Edith's sake. Immediately after breakfast that day, Frank took Edith by the hand, and led her round by the back of the fort, towards the kennel where the dogs were kept, intending to release Chimo, who was to have the honour of hauling the sledge of his young mis- tress. In passing the spring, Edith paused, as she had often done before during the winter, to gaze with wonder on the transformation that had taken place in the appearance of the once green and fertile spot. Not only was it covered with deep snow, but over the spring there was formed a singular dome of ice. UNGAVA. 319 IS under- [lere were tant from \\ a drive lealth was X confined ought the ; and ten- her little 11 to Edith ited in her jompanion- 1 could not that of a cans in her Is sake, rank took the hack of dogs were as to have ^oung mic- ised, as she lo gaze with laken place [fertile spot, 7, but over lome of ice- This dome was a subject of continual astonishment to every one at Ungava. It had commenced to rise soon after the first hard frosts had sealed up tlie little fountain from the open air. As time passed by, the covering became thick ice, and was bulged gradually up above the surrounding waste, until it reached an elevation of not much less than twelve or thirteen feet. Inside of this the spring bubbled up as of yore. "What think you, Edith?" said Frank, as a sud- den thought occurred to him ; " shall I cut a door- way into that crystal house, and see if the spirit of the s^)ring dwells there?" Ea 'h clapped her hands with delight at the idea, and urgi 1 her companion to begin at once. Then, checking him as he was about to commence the work with his hatchet, she said, earnestly, — " Do spirits really dwell in the springs, Frank ?" " Why, Eda, we must send to England for a lot of fairy tales to teach you what I mean. I do but jest when I speak of spirits living there. But many books have been written about pretended spirits and fau'ies, which tell us of their wonderful adventures, and what they said and did long ago. I shall teU you some of these stories one of these days. But I daresay there are no spirits in this spring." " Faix, an' it would be a rale misfortune if there tJ. I m 320 LNGAVA. *t %.., was, sir," remarked Bryan, who came up at this moment, and touched his cap ; " for it would be only sperits and wather, which wouldn't kape in this cowld climate. I've finished the ring-bolts for the sled, sir, an' came to see when ye would have tliem fixed." " Put them in your pocket, Bryan, for a few minutes, and lend a hand here to cut a hole through this dome." As Frank spoke he drew his small axe from his belt, and began to lay about him so vigorously that the icy splinters flew in all directions like a shower of broken crystal. Bryan seconded his eflforts, and in less than half an hour a block of solid ice, about four feet high and two broad, was cut out and de- tached from the side of the dome. " That'll do, Bryan," said Frank, when their work was nearly completed ; " I'll finish it myself now. Go to the carpenter's house, and Fran9ois will show you what to do with the sled." As Bryan walked away, Frank dealt the mass of ice a blow that split it into several pieces, which lie quickly removed, — revealing to the astonished and eager gaze of his young companion, a cavern of a most beautiful light blue colour. Taking Edith by | the hand, he led her into this icy cave. Its walls i ■were quite luminous and delicately blue, except in ii !: p at this IJ be only e in this ts for the bave tliem for a few le through e from his rously that e a shower efforts, and L ice, about ut and de- their work [lyself now. is will show the mass of js, which he onished and cavern of a ag Edith by J, Its walls I 16, except in } t THE nOMR OF lOK. Huge ;i30. lilt! ixed -Hf yari, wiio cdiiie up a ■. ti;- "cheti Ivt;. cap ; " for it would be oil' ■ ■ vvhkh woukin't kape m tlu- \ 1 the ringr- bolts for tly 'M to see wik^n ye would have the.; . |M..i;kc'i, Bryan, for a fn'^'- l.r. - f>,it a hole tliro; • u- "J>VA uimutea, and thi« dome." As Ffdiiik. >[ uke lie drew his small axe from belt, laxd bet;aji to lny about him so vigorousl}' th** the icy splinters flew iu all directions like a slw^ r.f bioken cryHtal. Bjyan seconded hia efforts, i- u aiti* tlu^ MJed." ■ > Flank d*iidt the miL^ lee Ur I • several pieces, which n ii"^- ; the aatonisheu air^ -mpanion, a cavern of '' r:MV«t '. ,. 4our. Taking Edith bv the hand, he K > this icy r.Mve Fts < Wore quite lummous and delicately blue, except in tvill ^^^^■'- e, except THK POMK OF lOK. Hage :<30. UNOAVA. 321 places where the gi-een moss and eailh around the spring had been torn from the ground, and lifted up along with the dome. Icicles hung in various places from the roof, and the floor was hard and dry, except in the centre, where the spring bubbled up through it, and cut a channel across towards one side of the icy wall, where it disappeared under the snow. " Oh ! what a beautiful palace ! " cried Edith, with delight, after she had gazed around her for a few minutes in silent wonder and admiration. " I shall come and live here, Frank. Oh ! do come, and let us get chairs and a small table, and make it our sit- ting-room. We can come every day when the sun shines and read, — or you can tell me the tales about spirits and fairies you spoke of !" " A good idea, Eda ; but I fear we would need a stove to keep us warm. It strikes me it will make a capital ice-house in spring to keep our fresh meat in. It will last long after the snow is melted." " Then we shall make a palace of it in winter and a meat-store in spring," cried Edith, laughing, as she j walked round this newly discovered house, examining 1 its blue walls and peeping into the cold black spring. [Meanwhile Frank examined it with a view to the utili- [tarian purpose, aiiJ, after both of them had gone round ft several times, they continued on their way towards the dog-kennel. X ■HI 822 UNGAVA. ! The sledge which Fran9ois had constructed for Edith was made after the model of those used by the Esquimaux. There were two stout runners, or skates, made of wood, for sliding over the snow. These were slightly turned up, or rather rounded up, in front, and attached to each other by means of cross bars and thin planks of wood ; all of which were fastened, not by nails (for iron-work snaps like glass in such a cold climate as that of Ungava), but by thongs of undressed seal-skin ; which, although they held the fabric very loosely together in appearance, were, nevertheless, remarkably strong, and served their purpose very well. Two short upright bars behind served as a back to lean against. But the most curious part of the machine was the substance with which the runners were shod, in order to pre- serve them. This was a preparation of mud and water, which was plastered smoothly on in a soft condition, and then allowed to freeze. This it did in a few minutes after being exposed to the open air, and thus became a smooth, hard sheathing, which was much more durable, and less liable to break, than iron, or indeed any other sheathing that could be devised. This substance is of course easily re- paired, and is always used by the Esquimaux in winter. Esquimaux sledges being heavy, and meant fori UNGAVA. 823 icted for ed by the or skates, r. These ed up, in s of cross hich were I like glass i), but by lough they ippearance, md served pright bars But the e substance der to pre- )f mud and n in a soft his it did in le open air, hing, which le to break, that could se easily re- gquimaux in] carrying a number of people, requii-e large teams of dogs. But Edith's sledge, — or sled, as the men caUed it, — was little. Moreover, Edith herself was little and light, therefore Chimo was deemed sufficiently powerful to draw it. So thoroughly con'ect were they in this supposition, that when Edith was seated in her sledge for a trial trip and Chimo harnessed, he ran away with her, and gave Frank a chase of half a mile over the river ere he condescended to stop in his wild career. But the intended excursion was suddenly inter- rupted and postponed, by an event which we shall relate in the next chapter. ii 824 UNGAVA. 'rf ^ r '.'•ill ' I CHAPTER XXV. Buried alive— Bat not killed— The giant in the snow-storm. The event which prevented the excursion referred to in the last chapter, was neither more nor less than a snow-storm. "Was that all?" say you, reader? Nay, that was not all. Independently of the fact that it was a snow-storm, the like of which you have never seen, unless you have travelled in northern climes, — it was a snow-storm that produced results. Of these, more hereafter. The storm began with a sigh, — a mysterious sigh, that swept over the mountains of Ungava with a soft, mournful wail, and died slowly away in the dis- tant glen of the Caneapusca, as if the spirit of the north wind grieved to think of the withering desola- tion it was about to launch upon the land. The gathering clouds that preceded and accom- panied this sigh induced Frank Morton to counter- mand his orders for the intended journey. In order to console Edith for the disappointment, he went with her into the hall, and, drawing a low stool to- wards the blazing stove, placed a draft-board upon it. Then he placed another and a lower stool beside the first, on which he seated Edith. Spreading a deer- •m. •eferred to ess than a 1, reader? >f the fact 1 you have a northern ;ed results. erious sigh, i,va with a in the dis- irit of the ring desola- and accom- to counter- In order it, he went ow stool to- ard upon it >1 beside the ing a deer- imGAVA. 325 skin robe upon the ground, he stretched himself thereon at full length, and began to arrange the men. The hall, which was formerly such a comfortless apartment, was now invested with that degree of comfort which always gathers, more or less, round a place that is continually occupied. The ceiling was composed of a carpet of deer-skin stretched tightly upon the beams. The walls were hung all round with the thick heavy coats and robes of leather and fur belonging to the inmates, and without which they never ventured abroad. The iron stove in the centre of the apartment, with its pipe to conduct away the smoke, and its radiant fire of logs, emitted a cheerful glow in its immediate vicinity ; which glow, however, was rot intense enough to melt the thick ice, or rather hoar-frost, an inch deep, with which the two windows were encrusted, to the almost total exclu- sion of the view, and the serious diminution of the light. The door was padded all round its edges with fur, which tended to check the bitter wind that often blew against it, and tempered the slight draft that did force its way through. Altogether the hall at Fort Chimo was curious and comfortable, — rather shaggy in its general appearance, but sound and trust- worthy at bottom. A small rough table, the work of Frank Morton, U '1 1*. '1' 820 UNGAVA. Stood close to the stove ; and beside it was seated Mrs. Stanley, with a soft yellow deer-skin before her, which she was carefully transforming into a hunting coat for her husband. On another and a larger table was spread the tea equipage. Tliose who would understand this aright, must for tea read supper. Among fur traders the two are combined. Candles — dips made at the fort — had been brought some time ago by La Roche, who entered the hall by a back door, which comrnunicated with a passage lead- ing to the kitchen behind. "What can have become of papa, I wonder?" Mrs. Stanley designated her husband by this epithet, in consequence of her desire to keep up the fiction of her being Edith's little sister or play-fellow. Frank looked up from the board. " I Icnow not," said he. "I left him giving some orders to the men. We have been getting things made snug about the fort, for wo expect a pretty stiff breeze to night. Take care, Eda; your crown's in danger." " Oh ! so it is," cried Edith, snatching back her piece, and looking with intense earnestness at the board. Frank might have observed, had he not been too deeply engaged with his game, that the expected stiff breeze had already come, and was whistling | round the fort with considerable visfour. UNGAVA. 327 r'"> yas seated before her, a hunting arger table «rho would ad supper. Candles lught some hall by a tssage lead- wonder?" ihis epithet, le fiction of w. know not," to the men. y about the ;e to night. g back her ness at the ot been too he expected IS whistling " You'll beat me, Eda, if you play so boldly," said Frank with a smile. " There, give me another crown," " And me too," said Edith, pushing up her piece. As .she spoke, the door burst open, and Stanley sprang into the room. " Wliew ! what a night ! " he cried, shutting the door with a forcible bang, in order to keep out the snow-drift that sought to enter along with him. Two moves would have made Frank the conqueror, but the gust of wind upset the board, and scattered the men upon the floor. Stanley looked like a man of white marble, but the removal of his cap, coat, and leggins, produced a speedy and entire metamorphosis. "Ho! La Roche!" " Oui, monsieur." " Here, take my coat, and shake the snow off it, and let's have supper, as speedily as may be. The drafts without, Frank, are a little too powerful for the drafts within, I fear. What ! wife, making another coat ? One would think you had vowed to show your affection for me by the number of coats you made. How many have you perpetrated since we were married ?" "Never mind; go and put on one now, and come to supper while it is hot." mi; i :r'; 828 UNGAVA. " I'm glad it is hot," cried Stanley from liis bed- room." One needs unusual heat within to make up for the cold without. The thermometer is 30 below. While the party in the hall were enjoying their evening meal, the men were similarly employed be- side the stove in their own habitation. There was not much difference in the two apartments, save that the confusion in that of the men was much greater, in consequence of the miscellaneous mass of capotes, caps, belts, discarded moccassins, axes, guns, and seal- spears, with which they saw fit to garnish the walls. The fumes of tobacco were also more dense, and the conversation more uproarious. " 'Tis a howlin' night," observed Massan, as a gust of more than usual violence shook the door on its hinges. " Me tink de snow-drift am as tick in de sky as on de ground," said Oolibuck, drawing a live coal from the fire and lighting his pipe therewith. " Hould on, boys ! " cried Bryan, seizing his chair with both hands, half in jest and have in earnest, as another blast shook the build u- to its foundation. The two Indians sa* ing their cal' net^ Prince roF' u, ? frozen m >e on their seemg out. statues of bronze, smok- ice, while Gaspard and he window. But the ^ .iues effectually prevented H his bed- make up below, ing their oyed be- 'here was save that h greater, f capotes, and seal- the walls, e, and the , as a gust oor on its or his chair UNGAVA. 829 It was indeed an awful night, — such a night as had not, until now, visited the precincts of Fort Chimo. Viewed from the rocky platform on the hill, the raging of the storm was absolutely sublime. The wind came, sometimes in short, angry gusts, some- times in prolonged roars, through the narrows, sweep- ing up clouds of snow so dense that it seemed as though the entire mass had been uplifted from the earth, hurling it upwards and downwards and in circling eddies, past the ravines, and round the fort, and launching it with a fierce yell into the valley of the Caneapusca. The sky was not altogether covered with clouds, and the broken masses, as they rolled along, permitted a stray moonbeam to dart down upon the turmoil beneath, and render darkness visible. Sometimes the wind lulled for a second or two, as if to breathe ; then it burst forth again, spht- ting through the mountain gorges with a shriek of intensity; — the columns of snow sprang in thousands from every hollow, cliff, and glen; mingled in wild confusion; swayed, now hither, now thither, in mad uncertainty, and then, caught by the steady gale, pelted on, like the charging troops of ice-land, and swept across the li'ozen plain. Could human beings face so wild a storm as this? Ay they could, — at least they could dare to try I There was one traveller out upon the hills on that ii,.t it I nrr^ ■^r=^ i i i' m; 330 UNGAVA. tremendous night. The giant was in the midst of it; but weak as the bukush were the mighty limbs of Maximus before the rushing gale. Several days previous to this the Esquimaux had been sent down to his brethren at False River, to procure some seal- meat for the dogs, and to ascertain the condition of the natives, and their success in fishing. On arriv- ing, he found that they had been so far successful, that starvation (their too frequent guest) had not yet visited their dwellings of snow. But Maximus found the old woman, who had fonnerly saved his life, very ill, and apparently about to die. Having learned from experience the elficacy of Stanley's medicines, he resolved to procure some for the old woman, whom he had tenderly watched over and hunted for ever since the eventful day of the attack. His dogs were exhausted and could not return. But the bold Esquimaux was in the prime of life, and animated by the fire of vigorous youth. The storm was be- ginning to mutter in the distance. What then? Had he not faced the blasts of the frozen regions many a time before ? Without saying a word, lie threw a junk of seal -flesh into his wallet, and, strid- ing back upon his track at the mountain s base, lie disappeared in the driving snow. Before reaching the fort, however, the full fury of the storm had burst upon him. It cast iiim head- UNGAVA. 831 midst of ity limbs eral days ent down 5ome seal- ndition of On arriv- successful, ad not yet mua found s life, very ng learned medicines, nan, whom id for ever 5 dogs were t the bold i animated -m was be- hat then? zen regions a word, lie ,, and, strid- n s base, he ^ long into the snow ; but he rose and staggered on. Again it burst forth, and again he fell before it like a stately pine. Rising to his knees, Maximus drew the hood of his hairy garment clos'i round his head and face, and tried to peer through the driving snow ; but he could not see until a slight luU came; then he observed a hummuck of ice at a short distance, and, rising, made towards it. The lulls were short-lived, however. The storm threw him down again ; in- stantly he was drifted over with snow ; another blast came, lifted the drift into the air, and left the Esqui- maux exposed to all its fury. But Maximus was not. conquered. He rose again, panting, it is true, but sturdy as ever, and ready to take advantage of the next lull. It came soon ; and he saw a rock, or, it might be, the base of a cliff, close at hand. With a quick run he reached it; and, going down on his knees, began with his gloved hands to scrape a hol- low in the snow. Having made a hole big enough to contain his body, he lay down in it, ard, pulling the superincumbent snow down upon him, was almost buried in the ruin. Scarcely had" he drawn the hood of his coat well over his face, when another burst of the storm dashed a column of curling drift upon the rock, and the place where he lay was covered up ; not a wrinkle in the drift remained to mark the spot where he was buried ! Ait S' lift i 332 UNGAVA. All that night the storm roared among the moun- tains with bitter fury; but next day the wind was subdued, and the sun shone bro-htly on the gray rocks and on the white wreaths of snow. It shone in aU the lustre of an unclouded winter sky. Not only did the sun smile upon the scene, but two mock suns or parhelia, almost as bright as himself, shone on either side of him. Yet no ray of light illumi- nated the dwellings of the fur traders. All was darkness there, until Stanley rose from his couch and lighted a candle, for the purpose of examining his watch. " Hallo ! Frank, Frank !" he cried, entering the hall, while he hastily threw on his garments ; " turn out, man ; there's something wrong here. 'Tis past noon, and dark as midnight. Bring your watch ; perhaps I'm wrong." Frank yawned vociferously, and sprang from his bed. In two seconds more he made his appearance in his trousers and shirt. " Past twelve, no doubt of, — ^yea — o — ow ! That accounts for my waking three times, and going off again ; but — " " Hey ! what have we here ?" cried Stanley, as he opened the front door, and disclosed to view a solid wall of snow. " Snowed up ; dear me ! eh ! that's odd," said T UNGAVA. 833 Frank, beginning to comprehend the state of mat- ters. Snowed up they were, undoubtedly ; so thoroughly snowed up, that there was not a ray of day-light within their dwelling. Had Frank been above the snow, instead of below it, he would have seen that the whole fort was so completely buried that nothing was visible above the surface except the chimneys and the flag-staff. After the first few moments of surprise had passed, it occurred to Stanley that they might ascend to the regions above by the chimney, which was wide enough, he thought, to admit a man ; but, on looking up, he found that it also was full of drifted snow. This, however, could have been easily removed ; but there was a bar of iron stretching across, and built into the clay walls, which rendered escape by that passage impossible. " There's nothing for it, Frank, but to dig ourselves out ; so the sooner we begin the better." By this time they were joined by Edith and her mother, who, although much surprised, were not at all alarmed; for rough travelling in a wild land had taught them to regard nothing as being dangerous imtil it was proved to be so. Besides, Stanley had assured them that they had nothing to fear, as the only evil he anticipated would be the trouble they were sure Lo have in getting rid of the superabun- :' ■ ( 334 UNGAVA. dant snow. While they were talking, the back door was opened violently, and La Roche, in a state of dishabille, burst into the room. " Oh, messieui's, c'est fini ! Oui, le world him shut up tout togedder. Oh, misere ! Fat shall ve to do V " Hold your tongue, La Roche," said Frank, " and bring the kitchen shovel." The cook instantly turned to obey; and as he rushed towards the kitchen, his voice was heard ex- claiming in the passage — " Ah, c'est terrible ! Mais, I ver' moshe fear, de shovel be out in de neige. Ah, non ; here it is. C'est bien." Returning in haste to the hall, he handed a much dilapidated iron shovel to Frank ; who threw off his coat, and set to work with vigour. The tables and chairs, and all the furniture, were removed into the inner apartments, in order to afford room for the snow which Frank dug from the open door- way, and shovelled into the centre of the room. As only one at a time could work in the narrow door-way, the three men wrought with the shovel by turns; and while one was digging the tunnel, the other two piled the debris in a compact mound beside the stove. As no fire had yet been kindled, the snow, of course, did not melt, but remained crisp and dry upon the floor. Meanwhile Edith looked on with UNGAVA. 335 cjk door state of lim shut to do ?" k, " and d as lie leard ex- s fear, de is. C'est i a much w off his be tables )ved into m for the ■way, and As only door-way, by turns; other two leside the the snow, ) and dxy on with deep interest, and occasionally assisted in piling the snow; while her mother, seeing that her presence was unnecessary, retired to her own room. " There," cried Frank, pausing arid s . veying an immense cavern which he had dug into the drift ; "that's a good spell. Take a turn now, La Roche, and dig upwards ; we should see daylight soon." " Ah, vraiment, it be time ; for it am von o'clock," repUed La Roche, as he plied the shovel. The tunnel was cut in such a way as that, while it ran outwards, it also sloped upwards; and, from the angle at which it lay, Stanley calculated that thhty feet or thereabouts would bring them to the surface. In this he was correct, for when La Roche had worked for half an hour, the snow above be- came slightly luminous. But the labour of convey- ing it from the end of the tunnel into the hall became, of course, greater as the work advanced. At length the light penetrated so clearly that La Roche was in- duced to thrust his shovel upwards, in the expecta- tion of penetrating the mass. The effect of this action was striking and unexpected. Instantly the roof fell in, and a flood of sunshine poured into the tunnel, revealing the luckless Frenchman struggling amid the ruins. " Oh, pull me hout ! " he spluttered, as Frank and Stanley stood laughing heiirtily at his misfortune. -a^t Maalii !S 336 UNOAVA. ,11^ One of his legs happened to protrude from the mass as he made this earnest request ; so Frank seized it, and dragged the poor man by main force from his uncomfortable po^^ition. Immediately afterwards they all three scrambled through, the aperture, and stood in open day. The sight that met their eyes was a curious though not a satisfactory one. All that remained visible of Fort Chimo were, as we have said, the chimneys and the flag-staff. In regard to the general aspect of the neighbourhood, however, there was little alteration; for the change of position in the drifts among the mountain gorges, and the addition to their bulk, made no striking alteration in the rugged landscape. In some places the gale had cleared the sides of the mountains, and left their cliffs exposed to view ; in other spots the gorges and ravines were choked up, and the pine tops nearly covered ; and the open water in the lake was more encumbered than usual with icebergs. "Now, La Boche," said Stanley, after they had surveyed the desolate scene for a few minutes in silence, " go fetch the shovel, and we'll dig out the men. I daresay, poor fellows, they're beginning to j wonder at the length of the night by this time." La Roche prepared to descend into the tunnel, I when their attention was arrested by a strange sound BRTAN AND HIS COMRADES DISKMTOMBKD. I'ngt va. 336 On* . ' ta^ le*. ai\fl dr. all th . in o|.t«3Ct my. The «ugiit ' Fort Cb'jmo k ".tt-'if. LHOAVA. i>eT^«d U) 'protnide ^Voin the in*- .'S.nioKf- rM{ue8b ; so Fmnk seized r u\Mi by main force from I ; . taediat ely afterwards t\ii^\ ilii'ougU the aperture, and st<^ y< •tf-. il»»4v iii ' . s way a cuiioua thv ; fchat remained visible' "i W6 bAve said,^ the chimneys and regard to the general atjpect of ^^'^ ucj^iiiX/uiiiood, however, there was little alteratiuu for the change of p<»aitiou iu the drifts among tL- mountain genres, and the: addition to their bulk- made BO striking alteration in the mgged landacap In tjome places the gale ho^l cleared tue sides of tht- mquntainis, and I'.>ft 11 .Ir f.'ifld exposed to view . other Ji>/'^- ti .c. iuvines were choked u; ar * '- riNi; and ^he open wate ■Mhtiivd than usual wii' saiii Stanley, after they hs yv;ene for a few minutt^w i' .shoyel, and we^U dig out tb ' •lo'SAr-'., they're beginainy ■ uv Ui,jfht bv this time. to descend into the -LUi -J ■ V -J' r >K' 'it r Itixvhe prepii.!' vviicu uitJii" aiieui/iuu vvas aneoieu. uy a oi/iaiigc owiauui ' ' -'iii BRTAN AND HIS COMRADES DISUMXUHBED. I'«lt»'«7. m ^¥^ UNOAVA. 337 beneath the snow. In a few minutes the crust be- gan to crack, at a spot not more than two yards from where they stood ; then there was a sudden rupture, accompanied by a growl, and followed by the ap- pearance of the diSihevelled head and arms of a man. "Musha, boys, bat I'm out!" Bryan coughed the snow from around his mouth, and winked it from his eyes, as he spoke. The first sight that met his bewildered gaze was three pair of expanded eye- balls and three double rows of grinning teeth, a few feet from his face. Uttering a cry of terror, he fell back into the hole, the snow closed over him, and he was gone ! It need scarcely be added that Frank and Stanley commenced to dig into this hole with as much vigour as their frequent explosions of laughter would allow. In a few minutes it was re-opened, and the men issued one by one from durance vile. " Och, sirs, ye gave me a mortial start i" exclaimed Bryan, as he rose to view the second time. " I thought for sartin ye were all polar bears. Faix we've had a job o't down there. I'll be bound to say there's twinty ton o' snow — bad luck to it — in the middle o' the floor." " There's work for us here that'll last two weeks, I guess," said Massan, as he and several of the others stooped down and gazed into the tunnel leading to ~\T 338 UNGAVA. the hall, at the end of which Edith's laughing face met their view. " When did you awake, and begin to suspect that something was wrong?" inquired Stanley of Dick Prince. " Awake ! " cried Bryan, answering the question, " we awoke at laste p dozen times. I suppose it must have bin the time for brikfast ; for, ye see, although we could ha' slept on long enough, our inta- riors couldn't, be no manes, forgit their needcessities." " We shall have to work a bit vet ere these neces- sities are attended to, I fear," said Stanley. " Go, Fran9ois, and one or two of you, and open up the dog-kennel. The rest of you get all the shovels you can lay hands on, and clear out the houses as fast as you can." " Clear out de chimbleys fust, mes gar^ons," cried La Roclie, looking up from the tunnel. " Den ve vill git dejeuner ready toute suite." " That will we, lad," said Bryan, shouldering a I spade and proceeding towards the chimney of the hall, while the rest of the party, breaking up into several groups, set to work, with spades, shovels, andl such implements as were suitable, to cut passages! through the square of the fort towards the doors ofj the several buildings. As Massan had said, it provedl to be no light work. The nor '-west gale had launcliedl J.-!| ling face pect that of Dick question, suppose it ,v, ye see, L, our inta- dcessities." Kese neces- iey. " Go, )pen up the shovels you s as fast as r^ons," cried " Den ve louldering a nney of the iing up into I , shovels, and! cut passages! , the doors oil said, it provedl . had launcWl UNOAVA. 330 the snow upon the exposed buildings of Fort Chimo until the drift was fifteen or sixteen feet deep, so that the mere cutting of passages was a matter of considerable time and severe labour. Meanwhile, Maximus awoke, and sought to raise liimself from his lair at the foot of the rock. But his first effort failed. The drift above him was too heavy. Abandoning, therefore, the idea of freeing himself by main force, he turned round on his side, and began to scrape away the snow that was directly above his head. The masses that accumulated in the course of this process he forced down past his chest; and, as his motions tended to compress and crush the drift around him in all directions, he soon made room enough to work with ease. In ten minutes he approached so near to the surface as to be able, with a powerful effort, to burst it upwards, and step out of his strange dormitory into the sun- shine. This method of spending the night has been re- soi'ted to more than once by arctic travellers who had lost their way ; and it is sad to think that many who have perished might have saved their lives had they known that burrowing could be practised with safety. The Esquimaux frequently spend the night in this manner, but they prefer building a snow-house to burrowing, if circumstances will permit. i7r hi •hi ll 310 UNGAVA. Cutting a slice of seal-meat, and eating as he went, Maxim us resumed his journey, and soon after- wards arrived at the fort, where he found the men busied in excavatinof their buried dwellino-s. Here he stated the case of the old woman, and received such medicines as Stanley, in his amateur medical wisdom, saw fit to bestow. With these he sta''ted immediately to retrace his steps, having been directed to proceed, after administering them, to the lake where Frank meant to try the fisliing under the ice. A family of Esquimaux had been estab- lished on another lake not so ftir distant from the fort ; and, having been taught by the fur traders how to set nets under the ice, they succeeded in pro- curing more than enough for their subsistence. It was hoped, therefore, that the larger lake would afford a good supply ; and, the weather having be- come decidedly fine, Frank prepared to set out on the following day. X . UNGAVA. 341 CHAPTER XXYI. An excursion— Igloe building, and flslilng under llie Ico— A snow table and a good feast— Edith spends the niglit under a snow roof for the first but xuit the last time. " Now, then, Edith," cried Frank, looking in «>. the door of the hall, " your carriage waits, and Chimo is very restive." " Coming, coming," exclaimed a treble voice within; " Tin getting new lines put to my snow-shoes, and will be ready in two minutes." Two minutes, translated into female language, means ten, sometimes twenty. Frank knew this, and proceeded to re-adjust the sash that secured his leathern capt)te, as he walked towards the little sledge in front of the fort. He then tied down the eai- pieces of his fur ca]i more carefully, for it was very cold, though clear and sunny. The frost had set fiusfc the lake opposite the fort, and, by tluis removing the frost-cloud that overhung the open water farther out to sea, relieved the fort from the mists in which it was usually enveloped. By this time fifteen out of iW "two" minutes having elapsed, he re-examined the locks of his gun, and adjusted the warm deer-skin robe on Edith's little sledge, patted Chimo on the head, looked up at the clouds, and began to whistle. "Now, Frank, here I am,' cried Edith, running .i!; 111 illfiii^ 342 l:ngava. towards him with her snow-slioes in her hand, fol- lowed by her father and mother. " Quiet, Chimo, — down, sir,*' said Frank, restrain- ing the dog as it sought to bound towards its mistress. Being harnessed to the sledge, this was a very im- proper proceeding, and was rebuked accordingly ; so Chimo was fain to crouch on the siiow and look back at Edith as Frank placed her in the sledge, and arranged the deer-skin robes round her. Edith wore a long fur cloak and cloth leggins. Her feet were protected from the cold by two pair of blanket socks, besides very thick moccassins of deer-skin. The usual head-dress of civilized females in these regions is a round fur cap, but Edith had a peculiar affection for the Cree Indian head-dress, and, upon the present occasion, wore one which was lined with fur and accommodated with ear-pieces, to defy the winter cold. The child's general appearance was somewhat rotund. Painters would probably have said there was a little too much bread tli, perhaps, in the picture. Her pointed cap, however, with the I'ttle bow of ribbon on the top, gave her a piquant air, and did away with the heavy appearance of her -^ostume to some extent ; in fact, Edith looked like a fat little witch. But if she looked fat before being wrapped up in the sledge furs, she looked infinitely fatter when thus placed, and nothing of her visible id, fol- 2strain- listresa. ery im- •dingly ; ,iid look 1 sledge, leggins. iwo pair assins of I females til had a ress, and, vvas lined , to defy ance was bly have irhaps, in with the a piquant ce of her oked like fore being infinitely ler visible UNGAVA. 843 except her two twinkhng eyes. So grotesque was she that the wliole party burst into a loud laugh as they surveyed her. The laugh made Chimo start off at fuU gallop, which caused Frank to grasp the line of the sledge that trailed behind, and hurry over the snow at a most undignified pace. " Take care of her," cried Mr. Stanley. " Ay, ay," shouted Frank. " Softly, Chimo, — softly, you rascal ! " In ten minutes the travellers were round the point and fairly out of sight ; but the shouts of Frank, and an occasional howl from Chimo, floated back on the hi'eeze as Stanley and his wife returned leisurely to the hall. The road, or rather the ground, over which Frank Morton drove Edith that day, was exceedingly rough and rugged, — so rough that we will not try the en- durance of the reader by dragging him over it. We v/ill merely Indicate its general features. First of all, thev drove about three miles along: the level snow at the foot of the mountains. So far the road was good ; and Chimo went along merrily to the rnusic of the little thimble-like brass bells with which his harness was garnished. Then they came to a ravine, and Edith had to get out, put on her snow- shoes, and clamber up, holding by Fr.ink's hand ; while Ciiimo followed, dragging the sledge as he best could. ii! r'i 344 UNGAVA. Having gained one of the terraces, Edith shpped her feet out of the snow-shoe lines, jumped into the sledge, and was swept along to the next ravine, where she got out again, resumed her snow-shoes, and ascended as before. Thus they went up the ravines and along the terraces until the summit of the first mountain range was reached. Having rested here a few minutes, Edith once more got into the sledge, and Chimo set off. But as there was now a long piece of level ground over which for some miles they could trave'i in the direction of the coast, Frank took the sled-line in his hand, and held the dog at a quick walking pace. Afterwards they turned a little farther inland, and came into a more broken country, where they had sometimes to mount and sometimes to descend the hills. There were many gorges and narrow fissures in tho ground here, some of which weie covered over anJ so concealed with snow that the travellers ran some risk of falling into them. Indt-ed, at one place, so narrow was their escfcpe tha;, Oliimo fell ilu-ough the crujt of snow, and disappeared into a fissure which descended a hundred feet ^.lieer down; and the sledge would certainly have followed had not Frank held it back by the line ; and Chimo was not hauled up again without great difficulty. After tliis, Frank went in front with a pole, and sounded the enow in dangerous-looking places af he went along. UNGAVA. 345 ippeJ into the :t ravine, low-shoes, it up the summit of i'mg rested b into the was now a gome miles )ast, Frank ie dog at a Qed a little pn country, sometimes gorges and which were w that the n. Indeed, tha-. Chimo )peared into ;;heer down; yed had not mo was not After this, 5ounded the ^reut along. Towards the afternoon they arrived at the lake where they intended to encamp, and, to their gi'eat delight, found Maximus there already. He had only arrived a few minutes before them, and was just going to commence the erection of a snow house. •' Glad to see you, Maximus," cried Frank, as he drove up. " How's tlie old woman, eh ?" " She small better," replied Maximus, assisting Edith to alight. '* Dis goot for fish." Maximus was a remarkably intelligent man, and, although his residence at the fort had been of short duration as yet, he had picked up a few words of English. " A good lake, I have no doubt," replied Frank, looking round. " But we need not search for camp- ing ground. There seems to be very little wood, so you may as well build our hut on the ice. We shall need all our time, as the sun has not long to run." The lake, on the edge of which they stood, was about a mile in circumference, and lay in a sort of natural basin formed by savage-looking hills, in which the ravines were little more than narrow fiasures, entirely devoid of trees. Snow encompassed and buri d everything, so that nothing was to be seen except, here and there, crags and cliffs of gray rock, which were too precipitous for the snow to rest on. G4G UXGAVA. " Now, Eda, I will take a look among these rocks for a ptarmigan for supper ; so you can amuse your- self watching Maximus build our house till I return." " Very well, Frank," said Edith ; " but don't be long. Come back before dark ; Chimo and I will weary for you." In a few minutes Frank disappeared among the rocks upon the shore ; and Maximus, taking Edith by the hand, and dragging her sledge after him, led her a couple of hundred yards out on to the ice, or, more properly speaking, the hard beaten snow with which the ice was covered, Chimo had been turned loose, and, being rather tired after his journey, had coiled himself up on a mound of snow and fallen fast asleep. " Dis place for house," said Maximus, pausing near a smooth, level part of the lake. " You stop look to me," lie added, turning to the little girl, who gazed up in his large face with an expression half of wonder and half of fun. " When you cold, run; when you hot, sit in sled and look to me." In compliance with this request, Edith sat dowTi in her sledge, a,nd from this comfortable point of view watched the Esquimaux while he built a snow hut before her. First of all, he drew out p long iron knife, which had been constructed specially for him by Bryan, UNGAVA. 317 v/ho looked upon the giant with special favour. With the point of this he drew a circle of about seven feet in diameter, and so well accustomed was he to this operation, tliat his circle, we believe, could not have been mended even by a pair of compasses. Two feet to one side of this circle he drew a smaller one, of about four feet in diameter. Next, he cut out of the snow a number of hard blocks, which were so tough that they could not be broken without a severe blow, but were as easily cut as you might have sliced a soft cheese w^ith a sharp knife. These blocks he arranged round the large circle, and built them above each other, fashioning them, as he proceeded, in such a manner that they gradually rose into the form of a dome. The chinks between them he filled com- pactly with soft snow, and the last block, introduced into the top of the structure, was formed exactly on the principle of the key-stone of an arch. When the large dome was finished, he commenced the smaller, and in the course of two hours both the houses — or, as the Esquimaux call them, igloes — were com- pleted. Long before this, however, Frank had returned, from an unsuccessful hunt, to assist him ; and Edith had wondered and wearied, grown cold and taken to running with Chimo, and grown warm and returned to her sledge several times. Two holes were left in 348 UNGAVA. the igloes to serve as doors ; and, after they were finished, the Esquimaux cut a square hole in the top of each, not far from the key-stones, and above the en- trances. Into these he fitted slabs of clear ice, whicli formed windows as beautiful and useful as if they had been made of glass. There were two door- ways in tlie large igloe, one of which faced the door-way of the smaller. Between these he built an arched pas- sage, so that the two were thus connected, and the small hut formed a sort of iniier chamber to the larger. "Now, dem done," said Maximus, surveying his work with a satisfied smile. " And very well done they are," said Frank. " See I here, Eda, our snow foi*t is finished. This big one is to be the grand hall and banqueting- room, and yonder little hut is j^our private boudoir." " Mine ! " exclaimed Edith, running away from I Chimo, with whom she had been playing, and ap- proaching the new houses that had been so speedily I put up. " Oh, how nice ! what fun ! only think !— a snow bed-room 1 But won't it be cold, Frank !| And is the bed to be of snow too ?" The black moustache of the giant curled with a| smile at the energy with which tins was said. " We will make the bedsteads of snow, Eda," re-l plied I'rank, " but I think we shall manage to final UNGAVA. 349 they were in the top ove the en- r ice, whicli if they bad ways in tlie •way of the arched pas- sed, and the nber to the irveying liis rank. "See rhis big one and g-room, away from ing, and ap- 1 so speedily nly think 1— | cold, Frank! ;urled with »| IS said. ,ow, Eda," re-1 anage to fii^«| blankets of a warmer material. Now, Maximus, get the things put inside, and the lamp lighted, for we're all tired and very hungry." The lamp to which Frank referred was one which Maximus haH brought, along with a few other articles, from the Esquimaux camp. It was made of soft stone, somewhat in the form of a half moon, about eight inches long and three broad, and hollowed out in the inside. Esquimaux burn seal fat in it ; and, in winter, have no other means of warming their houses or cooking their food. But for both purposes it is quite sufficient. The heat created by these lamps, combined with the natural warmth of the inhabitants, is frequently so great in the igloes of the Esquimaux, ' that they are fain to throw off a great portion of their upper garments, and sit in a state of partial nudity ; yet the snow walls do not melt, owing to the counteracting influence of the intense cold without. Maximus) had brought some seal fat, or blubber, along with him. A portion of this he now put into the lamp, and, placing the latter on a snow shelf prepared expressly for it, he set it on fire. The flame, although not very steady, was bright enough to illuminate the large igloe, and to throw a strong gleam into the smaller one. Over this lamp Frank placed a small tin kettle, filled with snow, which was 850 UNGAVA. speedily converted into water; and while this was being boiled, he assisted Edith in spreading out the bedding. As we have already said, the floor of this snow house was of the same material as the walls. But one half of it was raised about a foot above the other half, according to Esquimaux rules of architec- ture. This elevated half was intended for the bed, which consisted of a large deer-skin robe, spread entirely over it, with the soft hair upwards. Another large robe was placed above this for a blanket, and a smaller one either for a pillow or an additional I covering if required; but both of these were tossed] down in a heap at the present time, to form a luxu- rious seat for Frank and Edith. As their legs hung I over the edge of the elevated couch, they were thus seated, as it were, on an ottoman. A mat of inier- laced willows covered the floor, and on this satj Maxim us, towering in his hairy garments like a huge! bear, while his black shadow was cast on the purej white wall behind him In the midst stood a smal table, extemporized by Frank out of a block of snoAvl and covered with the ample skirt of his leatheml top-coat, which the increasing temperature of the aiij inside the igloe rendered too warm. Beside Edith, on the most comfortable portion ol the ottoman, sat Chimo, with an air of majestic so lemnity, looking, as privileged dogs ahvays do looij UXCJAVA. 351 lile this was ,ding out the 3 floor of this as the walls. foot above the [es of architec- id for the bed, n robe, spread ards. Another a blanket, and : an additional lese were tossed to form a luxu- p their legs hung , they were thus A mat of inier- ^nd on this sati nents like a luige| ,ast on the pure' idst stood a small a block of sno^v,| of his leathenl .erature of the ali fortable portion ol ur of majestic s Icrs always do lool under like circumstances, as if the chief seat belonged to him as a matter, not of favour, but of right. On the table was si:)read a solid lump of excel- lent pemican ; — excellent, because made by the fair hands of Mrs. Stanley. It stood vis-a-vis to a tin plate whereon lay three large steaming cuts of boiled fresh salmon ; — fresh, because, although caught some months before, it had been frozen solid ever since. There was a large tin kettle of hot tea in the centre of the board, — if under the circumstances we may use the term, — and three tin cups out of which to drink it; besides a plate containing broken pieces of ship-biscuit and a smaU quantity of sugar wrapped up in a morsel of paper. Also a little salt in a tin box. All these things, and tempting delicacies, had up till now been contained within the compass of a small, compact, insignificant-looking parcel, which during the journey had occupied a retiring position in the hinder part of Edith's sledge, — so true is it jthat the really great and the useful court concealment mtil duty calls them forth and reveals their worth nd their importance to an admiring world. The drairing world on the present occasion, however, onsisted only of Frank, Edith, Maximus, and Chimo; nless, indeed, we may include the moon, who at that oraent poured her bright beams throuqjh the ice ,u !rii SilM 3.6 2.2 (40 2.0 1.8 Li- 11116 V) <^ /. w A 'c^l c^l ^s. ^ w Photographic Sciences Coiporation O l-'^N % s ^^■L 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 fe^^' I 352 UNGAVA. window of the hut and flooded the centre of the snow table with light. "Aren't we snug, Eda?" cried Frank, as he filled her tin with tea. " What a charming house ! and so cheap, too ! There's sugar beside you. Take care you don't use salt by mistake. Maximus, hold out you pannikin. That's the true beverage to warm your heart, if you take it hot enough." " Tankee, sur," said the giant, extending his cup with one hand, while with the other he forced into his capacious mouth as much pemican as it could hold. " Frank," said Edith, " we must build an igloe at the fort when we return." " So we will, now that I know how to do it, — hand me the salt, please, and poke Chimo's nose away from the salmon; — ^yes, and we'll invite papa and mamma to come and take supper at our house. Maximus, is this the exact way your friends build their winter houses ?" " Yis, sur," answered the Esquimaux, looking up from the cut of salmon which he lifted with his fingers in preference to a fork or knife. "Dey always buir um so. But not dis ting," he added, touching the snow table. " No, I suppose not," said Frank; " I flatter myself that that is a recent improvement." IB itre of the IS he filled ise ! and so Take care s, hold out warm your ng his cup forced into IS it could an iojloe at to do it, — limo's nose nvite papa our house, lends build looking up i with his Dey alwa3's d, touching itter myself CNGAVA. 353 " We do great many igloe sometime," continued Maximus, "vid two, free, four, — plenty pass'ges goin* into von a-doder/' " What does he mean by that?" inquired Edith, laughing. " I suppose he means that they connect a number of their igloes together by means of passages. — And do they keep them as clean and snug as this, Maxi- mus?" The Esquimaux replied by a loud chuckle, and a full display of his magnificent teeth ; which Frank understood to signify a decided negivtive. When supper was ended, Chimo was permitted to devour the scraps, while Frank assisted Edith to ar- range her little dormitory. It was much the same in its arrangements as the larger apartment, and was really as comfortable and warm as one could de- sire. Returning to the large apa.rtment, Frank spread out the couch on which he and Maximus were to repose, and then, sitting down beside the stone lamp, he drew forth his Bible, as was his wont, and began to read. Soon after lying down, Edith heard the deep voices of her companions engaged in earnest con- versation ; but these sounds gradually died away, and she fell asleep to dream of her berry ravine at Fort Chimo. As the night wor> eatirely covered over with a crust of snow, through which there was a large gap immediately above the spot where Frank lay, revealing at once the cause of his present sad condition. He had evidently been crossing the ravine by means of the deceptive plat- form of snow, unaware of the danger of his position, and had been suddenly precipitated to the bottom. In descending, his head had struck the side of the cliff, which cut it severely ; but the softness of the snow into which he fell saved him from further in- jury, except the stunning effect of the fall. How long he had lain in this state Edith had no means of knowing ; but it must have been a considerable time, as Chimo could not have left him until after his fall. Fortunately the wolf had not touched him, and the wound in his head did not appear to be very deep. Observing that parts of his face were slightly frost- bitten, Edith commenced to rub them vigorously, at the same time calling upon him in the most ear- nest tones to speak to her. The effect of this roused him a little. In a few minutes he opened his eyes, and gazed languidly into the child's face. "Where am I, Eda?" he said, faintly, while a gentle smile played about his lips, " You are in the mountains, Frank. Dear Frank, do open your eyes again. I'm so glad to hear your voice. Are you better now V IF ^ ' l[l 'I UNGAVA. 373 I!' The sound of his voice attracted Chimo, who had long ago abandoned the pursuit of the wolf, and was seated beside his master. Rising, he placed his cold nose on Frank's cheek. The action seemed to rouse him to the recollection of recent events. Starting up on his knees, with an angry shout, Frank seized the gun that lay beside him, and raised it as if to strike the dog ; but he instantly let the weapon fall, and exclaiming, " Ah, Chimo, is it you, good dog ?" he fell back again into the arms of his companion. Edith wept bitterly for a few minutes, while she tried in vain to awaken her companion from his state of lethargy. At length she dried her tears hastily, and, rising, placed Frank's head on her warm cloak, which she wrapped round his face and shoulders. Then she felt his hands, which, though covered with thick leather mittens, were very cold. Making Chimo couch at his feet, so as to imbue them with some of his own warmth, she proceeded to rub his hands, and to squeeze and, as it were, shampoo his body all over, as vigorously as her strength enabled her. In a few minutes the efi'ect of this was appa- rent. Frank raised himself on his elbow, and gazed wildly round him. " Surely I must have fallen. Where am I, Edith ?" Gradually his faculties returned. " Edith, Edith ! " he exclaimed, in a low, anxious voice, " I must get I: ¥i t 1 874 UNOAYA. back to the igloe. I shall freeze here. Fasten the lines of my snow-shoes, dear, and I will rise." Edith did as she was desired, and immediately Frank made a violent effort and stood upright ; but he swayed to and fro Hke a drunken man. " Let me lean on your shoulder, dear Eda," he said in a faint voice. " My head is terribly confused. Lead me ; I cannot see well." The child placed his hand on her shoulder, and they went forward a few paces together — Edith bend- ing beneath the heavy weight of her companion. "Do I lean heavily?" said Frank, drawing his hand across his forehead. '' Poor child." As he spoke, he removed his hand from her shoul- der ; but the instant he did so, he staggered and fell with a deep groan. " Oh, Frank ! dear Frank ! why did you do that?" said Edith, anxiously. " You do not hurt me. I don't mind it. Do try to rise again." Frank tried, and succeeded in walking, in a sort of half- sleeping, half- waking condition, for about a mile — stumbling as he went, and often unwittingly crushing his little guide to the ground. After this, he fell once more, and could not again recover his upright position. Poor Edith now began to lose heart. The utter hopelessness of getting the wound- ed man to advance more than a few yards at a time, m •viMM W \ LNGAVA. 375 and her own gradually increasing weakness, induced the tears once more to start to her eyes. She ob- served, too, that Frank was sinking into that state of lethargy which is so dangerous in cold climates ; and she had much difficulty in preventing him from falling into that sleep which, if indulged in, is indeed the sleep of death. By persevering, however, she succeeded in rousing him so far as to creep a short distance, now and then, on his hands and knees — sometimes to stagger a few paces forward ; and at length, long after the cold moon had arisen on the scene, they reached the margin of the lake. Here Frank became utterly powerless, and no exertion on the part of his companion could avail to rouse him. In this dilemma, Edith once more wrapped him in her warm cloak, and, causing Chimo to lie at his feet, hastened over the ice towards the igloe. On arriving, she lighted the lamp, and heated the tea which she had made in the morning. This took at least a quarter of an hour to do ; and during the interval she endeavoured to allay her impatience by packing up a few mouthfuls of pemican and bis- cuit. Then she spread the deer-skins out on the couch ; and when this was done, the tea was thoroughly heated. The snow on the river being quite hard, she needed not to encumber herself with snow-shoes; but she fastened the traces of her own little sledge over ' 1 ? i I ^ I r \ L, I i 876 UNOAVA. her shoulders, and, with the kettle in her hand, ran as fast as her feet could carry her to the place where she had left Frank and Chimo, and found them lying exactly as they lay when she left them. " Frank ! Frank ! here is some hot tea for you. Do try to take some." But Frank did not move, so she had recourse to rubbing him again, and had soon the satisfaction of seeing him open his eyes. The instant he did so, she repeated her earnest entreaties that he would take some tea. In a few minutes he revived suffi- ciently to sit up and sip a little of the warm beverage. The effect was almost magical. The blood began to course more rapidly through his benumbed limbs, and in five minutes more he was able to sit up and talk to his companion. " Now, Frank," said Edith, with an amount of de- cision that in other circumstances would have seemed quite laughable, " try to get on to my sled, and I'll help you. The igloe is near at hand now." Frank obeyed almost mechanically, and creeping upon the sled with difficulty, he fell instantly into a profound sleep. Edith's chief anxiety was past now. Harnessing Chimo to the sled as well as she could, she ran on before, and a very few minutes brought them to the snow hut. Here the work of rousing Frank had again to be accomplished ; but the vigour UNQAVA. 377 which the warm tea had infused into his frame ren- dered it less difficult than heretofore; and soon after- wards Edith had the satisfaction of seeing her com- panion extended on his deer-skin couch, under the sheltering roof of the igloe. Replenisliing the lamp and closing the door- way with a slab of snow, she sat down to watch by his side. Cliimo coiled himself quietly up at his feet, while Frank, under the influ- ence of the grateful warmth, fell again into a deep slumber. As the night wore on, Edith's eyes became heavy, and she too, resting her head on the deer- skins, slept till the lamp on the snow shelf expired and left the hut and its inmates in total darkness. Contrary to Edith's expectations, Frank was very little better when he awoke next day; but he was able to talk to her in a faint voice, and to relate how he had fallen over the cliff, and how afterwards he had to exert his failing powers in order to defend himself from a wolf. In all these conversations his mind seemed to wander a little, and it vras evident that he had not recovered from the effects of the blow received on his head in the fall. For two days the child tended him with the affectionate tenderness of a sister, but as he seemed to grow worse instead of better, she became very uneasy and pondered much in her mind what she should do. At last she formed , a strange resolution. Supposing that Maximus must V 'i \m\ — ■ 378 TJNGAVA. ,^ still be at tlie Esquimaux village at the mouth of False River, and concluding hastily that this village could not be very far away, she determined to set out in search of it, believing that, if she found it, the Esqui- maux would convey her back to the igloe on the lake, and take Frank up to Fort Chimo, where he could be prop3rly tended and receive medicine. Freaks and fancies are peculiar to children, but the carrying of theii* freaks and fancies into effect is peculiar only to those who are precocious and daring in character. Such was Edith, and no sooner had she conceived the idea of attempting to find the Es- quimaux camp, than she proceeded to put it in exe- cution. Frank was in so depressed a condition that she thought it better not to disturb or annoy him by arousing him so as to get him to comprehend what she was a,bout to do ; so she was obliged to commune with herself, sometimes even in an audible tone, in default of any better counsellor. It is due to her to say, that, in remembrance of her mother's advice, she sought the guidance of her heavenly Father. Long and earnest was the thought bestowed by this little child on the subject, ere she ventured to leave her companion alone in the snow hut. Frank was able to sit up and to assist himself to the articles of food and drink which his little nurse placed within UNGAVA. 879 I mouth of this village to set out in , the Esqui- on the lake, re he could hildren, but nto effect is 1 and daring sooner had and the Es- iit it in exe- >ndition that r annoy him comprehend s obliged to a an audible It is due her mother's ter heavenly bestowed by ventured to hut. Frank io the articles laced within his reach, so that she had no fear of his being in want of anything during the day, — or two at most —that she expected to be absent; for in her child- like simplicity she concluded that if Maximus could travel thither in a few hours, she could not take much longer, especially with such a good servant as Chimo to lead the way. Besides this, she had ob- served the way in which the Esquimaux had set out, and Frank had often pointed out to her the direction in which the camp lay. She knew also that there was no danger from wild animals, but detennined, nevertheless, to build up the door of the igloe very firmly, lest they should venture to draw near. She also put Frank's loaded gun in the spot where he was wont to place it, so as to be ready to his hand. Having made all her arrangements, Edith glided noiselessl}'' from the hut, harnessed her dog, closed the door of the snow hut, and jumping into the fiu's of her sledge, was soon far away from the mountain lake. At first the dog followed what she thought must be the track that Maximus had taken, and her sphits rose when, after an hour's drive, she emerged upon a boundless plain, which she imagined must be the shores of the frozen sea where the Escjuimaux lived. Encouraging Chimo with her voice, she flew over the level suiface of the hard frozen snow, and looked round eagerly in all directions for the ex- 1- H ifi S80 UNGAVA. pected signs of natives. But no such signs appeared, and she began to fear that the distance was greater than she had anticipated. Towards the afternoon it began to snow heavily. There was no wind, and the snow fell in large flakes, alighting softly and without any sound. This prevented her seeing any great distance, and, what was worse, rendered the ground heavy for travelling. At length she came to a ridge of rocks, and sup- posing that she might see to a greater distance from its summit, she got out of the sledge and clambered up, for the ground was too rough for the sledge to pass. Here the view was dreary enough : nothing but plains and hummucks of ice and snow met her view, except in one direction, where she saw, or fancied that she saw, a clump of willows and what appeared to be a hut in the midst of them. Running down the rugged declivity, she crossed the plain and reached the spot; but although the willows were there she found no hut. Overcome with fatigue, fear, and disappoint ment, she sat down on a wreath of snow and wept. But she felt that her situation was much too serious to permit of her wasting time in vain regrets, so she started up and endeavoured to retrace her steps. This, however, was now a matter of difficulty. The snow fell so thickly that her footsteps were almost obliterated, and she could not see ten yards before IS appeared, was greater afternoon it ind, and the and without y any great the ground ks, and sup- istance from ilambered up, [edge to pass, ng but plains • view, except ied that she sared to be a \m the rugged hed the spot; le found no i disappoint w and wept. ;h too serious egrets, so she !e her steps, culty. The were almost yards before UNGAVA. 881 her. After wandering about for a few minutes in uncertainty, she called aloud to Chimo, hoping to hear his bark in reply. But all was silent. Chimo was not, indeed, unfaithful. He heard the cry and responded to it in the usual way, by bound- ing in the direction whence it came. His progress, however, was suddenly arrested by the sledge, which caught upon, and was jammed amongst the rocks. Fiercely did Chimo strain and bound, but the har- ness was tough and the sledge immovable. Mean- while the wind arose, and although it blew gently, it was sufficient to prevent Edith overhearing the whining cries of her dog. For a time the child lost aU self-command, and rushed about she knew not whither, in the anxious desire to find her sledge ; then she stopped and restrained the pantings of her breath, while with both hands pressed tightly over her heart, as if she would fain stop the rapid throbbing there, she listened long and intently. But no sound fell upon her ear except the sighing of the cold breeze as it swept by, and no sight met her anxious gaze save the thickly falling snow-flakes. Sinking on her knees, Edith buried her face in her hands and gave full vent to the pent-up emotions of her soul, as the conviction was at length forced uptn her mind that she was a lost wanderer in the midst of that cold and dreary waste of snow. i 'll S82 L'NGAVA. CHAPTER XXIX. A dark cloud of soiTO envelops Fort Chimo. Three days after the events narrated in the last chapter the fort of the fur ^ 'aders became a place of weeping, for on the morning of that day Maximus arrived with the prostrate form of Frank Morton, whom he had discovered alone in the igloe on the lake, and with the dreadful news that little Edith Stanley was nowhere to be found ! It may be more easily imagined than described, the state of mind into which the parents of the child were thrown ; but after the first burst of emotion was past, Stanley felt that a thorough and immediate search was the only hope that remained to him ofj finding his little one alive. Still, when he considered | the intensity of the cold to which she must have been exposed, and the length of time which had already elapsed^ since she was missed, his heart sank and he could scarcely frame words of comfort to his prostrated partner. Maximus had examined the im- mediate neighbourhood of the lake, in the hope ofj finding the tracks of the lost one, but a heavy fall ofj enow had totally obliterated these, and he wiseljl judged that it would be better to convey the sickl "I ['J. UNGAVA. 383 man to the fort as quickly as possible and give the alarm, so that parties might be sent out to scour the country in all directions. Frank was immediately put to bed on his arrival, and everything done in order to restore him. In this attempt they succeeded so far as to obtain all the infor- mation he could give concerning his fall, but he remem- bered nothing further than that Edith had been the means of bringing him to the snow hut, where he lay in a deep, torpid slumber, until the voice and hand of Maximus awakened him. When Frank was told that Edith was lost, he sprang from his bed as if he had received an electric shock. The confusion of his faculties seemed swept away, and he began to put on his garments with as much vigour as if he were well and strong ; but ere he belted on his leather coat his cheek grew pale, his hand trembled, and he feU in a swoon upon the bed. This convinced him of the impossibility of doing anything in the search, and he was prevailed on, after two or three similar failures, to leave the work to others. MeanwhUe the mountains and valleys of Ungava were traversed far and near by the agonized father and his men. The neighbourhood of the lake was the first place searched, and they had not sought long ere they discovered the little sledge sticking fast among the recks of the sea-coast, and Chimo lying Km • i 884 UNGAVA. in the traces almost dead with cold and hunger. The dog had kept himself alive by gnawing the deer-skin of which the traces were made. Around this spot the search was concentrated, and the Esqui- maux of the neighbouring camp were employed in traversing the country in all directions ; but, although scarce a foot of ground escaped the eager scrutiny of one or other of the party, not a vestige of Edith was to be seen, — not so much as a foot-print in the snow. Days and nights flew by, and still the search was continued. Frank quickly recovered under the affectionate care of the almost heart-broken mother, who found some relief from her crushing sorrow in ministering to his wants. But the instant he could walk without support, and long before it was pru- dent to do so, Frank joined in the search. At first he could do little, but as day after day passed by, his strength returned so rapidly that the only symp- toms that remained to tell of his late accident were his pale cheek and the haggard expression of his countenance. But tlie mysterious disappearance of Edith had more to do with the latter than illness. Weeks passed away, but still the dark cloud of sorrow hung over Fort Chimo, for the merry young voice that was wont to awake the surrounding echoes was gone. The systematic search had now been 't VNOAVA. 385 given up, for every nook, every glen, and gorge, and come, within fifteen miles of the spot where they had found the little sledge, had been searched again and again without success. But hope clung with singular tenacity to the parents' hearts long after it had fled from those of the men of the fort and of the Esquimaux. Everj'" alternate day Stanley and Frank sallied forth with heavy steps and furrowed brow to explore more carefully those place where the child was most likely to have strayed, expecting, yet fear- ing, to find her dead body. But they always re- turned to the bereaved mother with silent lip and downcast look. They frequently conversed tog';ther about her, and always in a hopeful tone, each endeavouring to conceal from the other the real state of his own mind. Indeed, except when necessity required it, they seldom spoke on any other subject. One day Stanley and Frank were seated by the blazing stove in the hall conversing as usual about the plan of the search for that day. Mrs. Stanley was busied in preparing breakfast. " 'Tis going to blow hard from the north, Frank,** said Stanley, rising and looking out of the window; " I see the ice-bergs coming into the river with the tide. You will have a cold march, I fear." Frank made no reply; but rose and approached 2 B 1 M «"3 9^H 886 UNGAVA. ^ the window. The view from it was a strange one. During the night a more than usually severe frost had congealed the water of the lake in the centre, and the ice-bergs, that sailed towards the Caneapusca Kiver in stately grandeur, went crashing through this young ice as if it had been paper — their slow but steady progress receiving no perceptible check from its opposition. Some of these bergs were of great size, and in proceeding onwards they passed so close to the fort that the inliabitants feared more than once that a falling pinnacle might descend on the stores, which were built near to the water's edge, and crush them. As the tide gradually rose it rushed with violence into the cavities beneath the solid ice on the opposite shore, and, finding no escape save through a few rents and fissures, sent up columns or spouts of white spray in all directions, which roared and shrieked as they flew upwards, as if the great ocean were maddened with anger at finding a power strong enough to restrain and curb its might. At intervals the main ice rent with a crash like the firing of artillery ; and, as if nature had designed to carry on and deepen this simile, the shore was lined with heaps of little blocks of ice which the constantly recurring action of the tide had moulded into the shape and size of cannon balls. But such sights were common to the inhabitants UNGAVA. 887 of Fort Chimo, and had long ago ceased to call forth more than a passing remark. " May it not be possible," murmured Stanley, while he leant his brow on his hand, ** that she may have gone up False River?" " I think not," said Frank. " I know not how it is, but I have a strange conviction that she is yet alive. If she had perished in the snow we should certainly have found her long ago. I cannot explain my feel- ings or give a reason for them, but I feel convinced that darling Eda is alive." " God grant it," whispered Stanley, in a deep voice, while his wife has'^ned from the room to con- ceal the tears which she could not restrain. While Frank continued to gaze in silence on the bleak scene without, a faint sound of sleigh-bells broke upon his ear. " Hark ! " he cried, starting and opening the door. The regular and familiar sound of the bells came floating sweetly on the breeze. They grew louder and louder, and in a few seconds a team of dogs galloped into the fort, dragging a small sled behind them. They were followed by two stalwart Indians, whose costume and manner told that they were in the habit of associating more with the fur tradei"s than with their own kindred. The dogs ran the sled 388 UNOAVA. Hii' .fji briskly into the centre of the fort, and lay down panting on the snow, while the two men approached the hall. " Tis a packet," cried Stanley, forgetting for the moment his sorrow in the excitement of this unex- pected arrival. In a moment all the men at the fort were assem- bled in the square. "A packet! Where come you from?" "From Moose Foi*t," replied the elder Indian, while his comrade unfastened from the sled a little bundle containing letters. "Any news? Are all well?" chorused the men. " Ay, all well. It is many day since we left. The way is very rough, and we did not find much deer. We saw one camp of Indian, but they 'fraid to come. I not know why. But I see with them one fair flower which grow in the fields of the Esqui- maux. I suppose the Indian pluck her and dare not come back here." Stanley started, and his cheek grew pale. " A fair flower, say you? Speak literally, man; was it a little white girl that you saw?" " No," replied the Indian, " it was no white girl we saw. It was one young Esquimaux woman." Stanley heaved a deep sigh and turned away, muttering — " Ah ! I might have known that she 1(1 I >f this unex- were assem- CNGAVA. 389 could not have fallen into the hands of Indians so far to the south." " Well, lads, take care of these fellows," he cried, crushing down the feelings that had been for a brief .noment awakened in his heart by the Indian's words, " and give them plenty to eat and smoke." So saying, he went off with the packet, followed by Frank. " Niver fear ye ; come along honey," said Bryan, grasping the elder Indian by the arm, while the younger was carried off by Massan, and the dogs taken care of by Ma-istiquan and Gaspard. On perusing the letters, Stanley found that it I would be absolutely necessary to send a packet of despatches to head quarters. The difficulties of his [position required to be more thoroughly explained, land erroneous notions corrected. " What shall I do, Frank ? " said he, with a per- I plexed look. " These Indians cannot return to Moose, having received orders, I find, to journey in la ditferent direction. Our own men know the way, but I cannot spare the good ones among them, and the second-rate cannot be depended on without a leader." Frank did not give an immediate reply. He I seemed to be pondering the subject in his mind. At [length he said, " Could not Dick Prince be spared ? " " No, he is too useful here. The fact is, Frank, I [think I must send you. It will do you good, my i I 890 UNUAVA. ',»" dear boy, and tend to distract your mind from a sub- ject which is now hopeless." Frank at first objected strongly to this plan, on the ground that it would prevent him from assisting in the forlorn search for Edith ; but Stanley pointed out that he and the men could continue it, and that, on the other hand, his (Frank's) personal presence at head quarters would be of great importance to the interests of the Company. At length Frank was constrained to obey. The route by which he purposed to travel was overland to Richmond Gulf on snow-shoes ; and, as the way was rough, he determined to take only few days* provisions and depend for subsistence on the hook and gun. Maximus, Oolibuck, and Ma-is iiquan, were chosen to accompany him ; and three better men he could not have had, for they were stalwart and V-rave, and accustomed from infancy to live by the chase, and traverse trackless wastes, guided solely by that power of observation, or in- stinct, with which savages are usually gifted. With these men, a week's provisions, a large sup ply of ammunition, a small sledge, and three dogs, of whom Chimo was the leader, Frank one morning as- cended the rocky platform behind the fort, and, bid- ding adieu to Ungava, commenced his long journey over the interior of East Maine. !V UNO A V A. 391 nd from a sub- CHAPTER XXX. An old firlend amid new ft-iends and novelties— A desperate battle and a glorious victory. The scene of our story is now changed, and we re- quest our patient reader tu fly away with us deeper into the north, beyond the regioES of Ungava, and far out upon the frozen sea. • Here is an island which, for many long years, has formed a refuge to the roe-deer during the win- ter, at which season these animals, having forsaken the main-land in autumn, dwell upon the islands of the sea. At the time of which we write the island in question was occupied by a tribe of Esquimaux, who had built themselves as curious a village as one could wish to see. The island had little or no wood on it, and the few willow bushes that showed their heads above the deep snow were stunted and thin. Such as they were, however, they, along with a ledge of rock over which the snow had drifted in a huge mound, formed a sort of protection to the vil- lage of the Esquimaux, and sheltered it from the cold blasts that swept over the frozen sea from the regions of the far north. There were about twenty igloes in the village, all of which were built in the form of a dome, exactly similar to the hut constructed by •T. jilC I ' III'!.' 392 UNGAVA. I."' ! Maximus on the lake. They were of various sizes, and while some stood apart, with only a small igloe attached, others were congregated in groups, and con- nected by low tunnels or passages. The door-ways leading into most of them were so low, that the natives were obliged to creep out and in on their hands and knees ; but the huts themselves were high enough to permit the tallest man of the tribe to stand erect, and some of them so capacious that a family of six or eight persons could dwell in them easily. We may remark, however, that Esquimaux ideas of roominess and comfort in their dwellings differ very considerably from ours. Their chief aim is to create heat, and for this end they cheerfully submit to what we would consider the discomfort of crowding and close air. The village at a little distance bore a curious re- sem.blance to a cluster of white bee-hives ; and the round, soft, haiiy natives, creeping out and in con- tinually, and moving about amongst their were not unlike (with the aid of a little imagination) to a swarm of monstrous black bees, — an idea which was further strengthened by the continuous hum that floated on the air over the busy settlement. Kayaks and oomiaks lay about in several places, supported on blocks of ice ; and seal -spears, paddles, dans, lances, coils of walrus-line, and other implements, HP' arious sizes, 1, small igloe ps, and con- e door-ways V, that the in on their 38 were high ribe to stand at a family ihem easily. LUX ideas of differ very is to create mit to what pwding and curious re- js ; and the md in con- were not ation) to a L which was 5 hum that t. Kayaks J, supported idles, dans, implements, DNGAVA. 393 were intermingled in rare confusion with sledges, seal-skins, junks of raw meat, and bones, — on which latter the numerous dogs of the tribe were earnestly engaged. In the midst of this village stood a hut which dif- fered considerably from those around. It was built of clear ice instead of sjow. There were one or two other igloes made of the same material, but none so large, clean, or elegant as this one. The walls, which were perpendicular, were composed of about thirty large square blocks, cemented together with snow, and arranged in the form of an octagon. The roof was a dome of snow ; a small porch or passage, also of ice, stood in front of the low door-way, which had been made high enough to permit the owner of the mansion to enter by stooping slightly. In front and all around this hut the snow was carefully scraped, and all offensive objects — such as seal and whale blubber — removed, giving to it an appearance of cleanliness and comfort which the neighbouring igloes did not possess. Inside of this icy residence, on a couch of deer-skin, was seated Edith Stanley ! On that tenible night when the child lost her way in the dreary plain, she had wandered she knew not whither, until she was suddenly arrested by coming to the edge of the solid ice on the shores of Ungava Bay. Here the high winds had broken up the ice. m i ?.' — r *- '' l! i- n J' f* i t J 894 UNGAVA. and the black waters of the sea now rolled at her feet and checked her progress. Terrified at this unex- pected sight, Edith endeavoured to retrace her steps, but she found to her horror that the ice on which she stood was floating, and that the wind, having shifted a point to the eastward, was driving it across to the west side of the bay. Here in the course of the next day it grounded, and the poor child, be- numbed with cold and faint with hunger, crept as far as she could on to the firm land, and then lay down, as she thought, to die. But it was otherwise ordained. In less than half an hour afterwards she was found by a party of Esquimaux. These wild creatures had come from the eastward in their dog-sledges, and, having passed well out to the sea- ward, in order to avoid the open water off the mouth of False River, had missed see- ing their countrymen there, and therefore knew no- thing of the establishment of Fort Chimo. In bend- ing towards the land again after passing the bay, they came upon Edith's tracks, and, after a short search, they founu her lying on the snow. Words cannot convey an adequate impression of the unutterable amazement of these poor creatures, as they beheld the fair child, so unlike anything they had ever seen or imagined ; but, whatever may have been their thoughts regarding her, they had UNGAVA. 395 sense enough to see that she was composed of flesh and blood, and would infallibly freeze if allowed to lie there much longer. They therefore lifted her gently upon one of the large sleighs, and placed her on a pile of furs in the midst of a group of women and children, who covered her up and chafed her limbs vigorously. Meanwhile, the drivers of the sledges, of which there were six, with twenty dogs attached to each, plied their long whips energetically; the dogs yelled in consternation, and, darting away with the sledges as if they had been feathers, the whole tribe went hooting, yelling, and howling, away over the frozen sea. The surprise of the savages when they found Edith, was scarcely if at all superior to that of Edith when she opened her eyes and began to comprehend, somewhat confusedly, her peculiar position. The sava^^s watched her movements, open-mouthed, with intense ( iriosity, and seemed overjoyed beyond ex- pression >vhen she at length recovered sufficiently to exclaim feebly, — " Where am I ? where are you taking me to ? " We need scarcely add that she received no reply to her questions, for the natives did not undei*stand a word of lier language; and, with the exception of the names of one or two familiar objects, she did not un- derstand a word of theirs. Of how far or how Ions: '!'#" \\ n 4 __ I 1 1 396 UNGAVA. they travelled Edith could form no idea, as she slept profoundly during the journey, and did not thoroughly recover her strength and faculties until after her arrival at tht camp. For many days after reaching the Esquimaux vil- lage poor Edith did nothing but weep : for, besides the miserable circumstances in which she was now placed, she was much too considerate and unselfish in her nature to forget that her parents would ex- perience all the misery of supposing her dead ; and added to this was the terrible supposition that the natives into whose hands she had fallen micjht never hear of Fort Chimo. The distracted child did her ut- most, by means of signs, to make them understand that such a place existed; but her efforts were of no avail. Either she was not eloquent in the language of signs, or the natives were obtuse. As time abated the first violence of her grief, she began to entertain a hope that ere long some wandering natives might convey intelligence of her to the fur traders. As this hope strengthened she became more cheerful, and re- solved to make a number of little ornaments with her name inscribed on them, which she meant to hang round the necks of the chief men of the tribe, so that, should any of them ever chance to meet with the fur traders, these ornaments might form a clew to her strange residence. UNGAVA. 397 A small medal of whalebone seemed to her the most appropriate and tractable material, but it cost her many long and weary hours to cut a circular piece of this tough material with the help of an Esquimaux knife. When she had done it, however, severs! active boys, who had watched the operation with much curiosity and interest, no sooner under- stood what she wished to make than they set to work and cut several round pieces of ivory, or walrus tusk, which they presented to their little guest, who scratched the name EDITH on them and hung them round the necks of the chief men of the tribe. The Esquimaux smiled and patted the child's fair head kindly as they received this piece of attention, which they flattered themselves, no doubt, was entirely dis- interested and complimentary. Winter ^."^ore gradually away, and the ice upon the sea began to show symptoms of decay opposite to the camp of the Esquimaux. During the high winds of spring the drift had buried the village so completely that the bee-hives were scarcely visible, and the big black bees walked about on the top of their igloes, and had to cut deep down in order to get into them. For some time past the natives had been unsuccess- ful in their seal hunting, and as seals and walruses constituted their chief means of support they were reduced to short allowance. Edith's portion, how- \v n !'! 1 I' ' ' A f \ ' J jh 398 UNGAVA. ever, had never yet been curtailed. It was cooked for her over the stone lamp belonging to an exceed- ingly fat young woman, whose igloe was next to that of the little stranger, and whose heart had been touched by the child's sorrow, — afterwards it was more deeply touched by her gratitude and affection. This woman's name was Kaga, and she, with the rest of her tribe, having been instructed carefully by Edith in the pronunciation of her own name, ended in calling their little guest Eeduck ! Kaga had a stout burly husband, named Annatock, who was the best hunter in the tribe ; she also had a nephew about twelve or fourteen years old, named Peetoot, who was very fond of Edith and extremely atten- tive to her. Kaga had also a baby, — a mere bag of fat, — to which Edith became so attached that she almost constituted herself its regular nurse, and when the weather was bad, so as to confine her to the house, she used to take it from its mother, carry it off to her own igloe, and play with it the whole day, much in the same way as little girls play with dolls, — with this difference, however, that she considerately re- strained herself from banging its nose against the floor or punching out its eyes ! It was a bright, clear, warm day. Four mock suns encircled, and emulated in brilliancy, their great original. The balmy air was beginning to melt the UNGAVA. 399 surface of the snow, and the igloes that had stood firm for full half a year were gradually becoming dangerous to walk over and unsafe to sit under. Considerable bustle prevailed in the camp, for a general seal-hunting expedition was on foot and the men of the tribe were preparing their dog-sledges and their spears. Edith was in her igloe of ice, seated on the soft pile of deer-skins which formed her bed at night and her sofa by day, and worrying Kaga's baby, which laughed vociferously. The inside of this house or apartment betokened the taste and neatness of its occupant. The snow roof having begun to melt, had been removed, and was replaced by slabs of ice, which, with the transparent walls, admitted the sun's rays in a soft bluish light, which cast a fairy-like charm over the interior. On a shelf of ice, which had been neatly fitted into the wall by her friend Peetoot, lay a rude knife, a few pieces of whalebone and ivory, (the remains of the material of which her medals had been made,) and an ivory cup. The floor was covered with willow matting, and on the raised half of it were spread several deer-skins with the hair on. A canopy of willow boughs was erected over this. On another shelf of ice, near the head of the bed, stood a small stone lamp, wliich had been allowed to go out, the weather being warm. Tlie only other 400 UNQAVA. ,> I (T^ 1' 11 1 i articles of furniture in this simple apartment were a square table and a square stool, both made of ice- blocks and covered with seal-skins. While Edith and her living doll were in the height of their uproarious intercourse, they were interrupted by Peetoot, who burst into the room, more like a hairy wild-man-o'-the-wood than a human being. He carried a short spear in one hand, and with the other pointed in the direction of the shore, at the same time uttering a volley of unintelligible sounds which terminated with an emphatic — " Eeduck !" Edith's love for conversation, whether she made herself understood or not, had increased rather than abated in her peculiar circumstances. " What is it, Peetoot ? Why do you look so ex- cited ? Oh, dear 1 I wish I understood you, indeed I do ; but it's of no use your speaking so fast, — (be quiet, baby, darling,) — I see you want me to do or say something : what can it be, I wonder ! " Edith looked into the boy's face with an air of perplexity. Again Peetoot commenced to vociferate and gesti- culate violently; but seeing, as he had often seen be- fore, that his young friend did not appear to be much enlightened, he seized her by the arm, and, as a more summary and practical way of explaining himself, dragged her towards the door of the hut. r UNGAVA. 401 oaent were a nade of ice- n the height J interrupted more like a a being. He ith the other at the same ounds which iT she made rather than I look so ex- you, indeed so fast, — (be me to do or 3r!" th an air of te and gesti- ■ten seen be- r to be much ad, as a more ling himself, "Oh! the baby!" screamed Edith, breaking from him and placing her charge in the farthest and safest part of ^e couch, " Now, I'll go with you, though I don't understand what you want ; well ! I suppose I shall find out in time, as usual." Having led Edith towards the beach, Peetoot pointed to his uncle's sledge, to which the dogs were already harnessed, and made signs that Edith should go with them. " Oh ! I understand you now. Well, it is a charming day, I think I will. Do you tliink Anna- tock will let me ? Oh ! you don't understand. Never mind ; wait till I put on my hood and return the baby to its mother." In two minutes Edith re-appeared in her fur cloak and Indian hood, with the fat baby sprawling and laughing on her shoulder. That baby never cried. It seemed as though it had resolved to sub- stitute laughing in its stead. Once only had Edith seen tears in its little black eyes, and that was when she had given it a spoonful of soup so hot that its mouth was scalded by it. Several of the sledges had already left the island and were flying at full speed over the frozen sea, de- viating ever and anon from the straight line in order to avoid a hummuck of ice, or a gap of open water caused by the sepai'ation of masses at the falling of 20 li. 402 UNGAVA. h >■ the tide, while the men shouted, and the dogs yelled as they observed the flourish of the cruelly long and heavy lash. ^ " Shall I get in?" said Edith to Annatock, with an inquiring look, as she approached the place where the sledge was standing. The Esquimaux nodded his shaggy head, and showed a row of remarkably white teeth environed by a thick black beard and moustache, by way of reply to the look of the cliild. With a laughing nod to Kaga, who stood watch- ing them, Edith, stepped in and seated herself on a deer-skin robe ; Annatock and Peetoot sat down be- side her ; the enormous whip gave a crack like a pistol shot, and the team of fifteen dogs uttering a loud cry bounded away over the sea. The sledge on which Edith was seated was formed very much in the same manner as the little sled which had been made for her at Fort Chimo. It was very much larger, however, and could have easily held eight or ten persons. The runners, which were shod with frozen mud, (a substance that was now be- coming nearly unfit for use, owing to the warm weather,) were a perfect wonder of ingenuity, — ^as, indeed, was the whole n-ichine, — being pieced and lashed together with lines of raw hide in the most complicated manner, and very neatly. The dogs UNGAVA. 403 were each fastened by a separate line to the sledge, tlie best dog being placed in the centre and having the longest line, while the others were attached by lines proportionably shorter according to the distance of each from the leading dog, and the outsiders being close to the runners of the sledge. All the lines were attached to the front bar of the machine. There were many advantages attending this mode of har- nessing, among which were, the readiness with which any dog could be attached or detached without af- fecting the others, and the ease with which Anna- took, when so inclined, could lay hold of the line of a refractory dog, haul him back without stopping the others, and give him a cuffing. This, however, was seldom done, as the driver could touch any mem- ber of the team with the point of his whip. The handle of this terrible instrument was not much more than eighteen or twenty inches long, but the lash was upwards of six yards ! Near the handle it was about three inches broad, being thick cords of wah*us hide platted; it gradually tapered towards the point, where it terminated in a fine line of the same mate- rial. While driving, the long lash of this whip trails on the snow behind the sledge, and by a peculiar sleight of hand its serpentine coils can be brought up for instant use. No backwoodsman of Kentucky was ever more m i .t ■ fi -tv 404 UNGAVA. perfect in the use of his pea-rifle, or more certain of his aim, than was Annatock with his murderous whip. He was a dead shot, so to speak. He could spread intense alarm among the dogs by -"ing the heavy coil to whiz over them within a hai. breadth of their heads ; or he could gently touch the extreme tip of the ear of a skulker, to remind him of his duty to his master and his comrades ; or, in the event of the warning being neglected, he could bring the point down on his flank with a crack like a pistol shot, that would cause skin and hair to fly, and spread yelping dismay among the entire pack. And how they did run ! The sledge seemed a mere feather behind the powerful team. They sprang fortl full gallop, now bumping over a small hummuck or u^ . verging to avoid a large one ; anon springing across a narrow gap in the ice, or sweeping like the snow-drift over the white plain ; while the sledge sprang and swung and bounded madly on behind them, and Annatock phouted as he flourished his great whip in the excite- ment of their rapid flight, and Peetoot laughed with wild delight, and Edith sat clasping her hands tightly over her knees, — her hood thrown back, her fair hair blown straight out by the breeze, her cheeks flushed, her lips parted, and her eyes sparkling with emotion, as they whirled along in their mad and Bwifb career ! ^^ UNGAVA. 405 In half an hour the low village was out of sight, and in half an hour more they arrived at the place where a number of the Esquimaux were scattered in twos and threes over the ice, searching for seal-holes and preparing to catch them. " What is that man doing?" cried Edith, pointing to an Esquimaux who, having found a hole, had built a semicircular wall of snow round it to protect him from the light breeze that was blowing, and was sitting, when Edith observed him, in the attitude of one who listened intently. The hood of his seal-skin coat was over his head, so that his features were con- cealed. At his feet lay a stout barbed seal-spear, the handle of which was made of wood, and the barb and lower part of ivory. A tough line was at- tached to this, and th* )ther end of it was fastened round the man's waist, for, when an Esquimaux spears a seal, he prepares to conquer or lo die. If he does not haul the animal out of the hole, there is every probability that it will haul him into it. But the Esquimaux has laid it down as an axiom, that a man is more than a match for a seal ; therefore he ties the line round his waist, — which is very much like nailing the colours to the mast. There seems to be no allowance made for the chance of an obstreperously large seal allowing himself to be harpoon'^d by a preposterously small Esquimaux ; % 406 LNGAVA. "'PM but we suppose that this is the exception to the rule. As Edith gazed, the Esquimaux put out his hand with the stealthy motion of a cat and lifted his spear. The next instant the young ice that covered the hole was smashed, and, in the instant after, tlie ivory barb was deep in the shoulder of an enraged seal, which, had thus fallen a sacrifice to his desire for fresh air. The Esquimaux immediately lay back almost at full length, with his heels firmly imbedded in two notches cut in the ice at the edge of the hole ; the seal dived, and the man's waist seemed to be nearly cut in two. But the rope was tough and the man was stout, and, although the seal was both, it was conquered in the course of a quarter of an hour, hauled out, and thrown exultingly upon the ice. This man had only watched at the seal-hole a couple of hours, but the natives frequently sit be- liind their snow walls for the greater part of a day, almost without moving hand or foot. Having witnessed this capture, Annatock drove on until the most of his countrymen were left behind Suddenly he called to the dogs to halt, and spoke in a deep, earnest tone to his nephew, while both of them gazed intently towards a ^articular quarter of the sea, Edith looked in the same direction, and Boon saw the; object that attracted their attention, UNGAVA. 407 ption to the out his hand id lifted his that covered mt after, tlie f au enraged to his desire fcely lay back ily imbedded 3 of the hole ; eemed to be ough and the was both, it of an hour, he ice. seal-hole a ently sit he- art of a day, ock drove on left behind, and spoke in lile both of ir quarter of irection, and ir attention. but the only thing it seemed like to her was an enor- mous cask or barrel. "What is it?" said she to Peetoot, as Annatock selected his largest spear and hastened towards the object. Of course Edith received no reply save a broad grin; but the little fellow followed up this remark, if we may so call it, by drawing his finger through his lips, and licking them in a most significant manner. Meanwhile Annatock advanced rapidly towards the object of interest, keeping carefully behind hummucks of ice as he went, and soon drew near enough to make certain that it was a walrus, apparently sound asleep, with its blunt snout close to its hole, ready to plunge in should an enemy appear. Annatock now advanced more cautiously, and, when within a hundred yards of the huge monster, lay down at full length on his breast, and began to work his way towards it after the manner of a seal. He was so like a seal, in his hairy garments, that he might easily have been mistaken for one by a more intellectual animal than a walrus. But the walrus did not awake, and he approached to within ten yards. Then, rising suddenly to his feet, Annatock poised the heavy weapon and threw it with full force against the animal's side. It struck, and, as if it had fallen on an adamantine rock, it bounded off and fell If * 408 UNGAVA. upon the ice, with its hard point shattered and its handle broken in two. For one instant Annatock's face blazed with sur- prise, the next, it relapsed into fifty dimples, as he roared arid tossed up his arms with dehght at the discovery that the walrus had been frozen to death beside its hole ! This catastrophe is not of unfrequent occurrence to these elephants of the northern seas. They are in the habit of coming up occasionally through their holes in the ice to breathe, and sometimes they crawl out in order to sleep on the ice, secure, in the protec- tion of their superabundant fat, from being frozen, — at least easily. When they have had enough of sleep, or when the prickling sensation on their skin warns them that nothing is proof against the cold of the Polar Seas, and that they will infallibly freeze if they do not make a precipitate retreat to the compara- tively warm waters below, they scramble to their holes, crush down the new ice with their tusks and thick heads, and plunge in. But sometimes the ice which forms on the holes when they are asleep is too strong to \)y. thus broken, in which case the hapless monster lays him down and dies. Such was the fate of the walrus which Annatock was now cutting up with his axe into portable blocks of beef For several days previous to the thaw UNGAVA. 409 -tered and its -zed with sur- limples, as he lelight at the ozen to death b occurrence to They are in through their nes they crawl in the protec- ting frozen, — lad enough of on their skin nst the cold of Uibly freeze if the compara- e to their holes, isks and thick the ice which p is too strong apless monster hich Annatock )ortable blocks to the thaw which had now set in, the weather had been intensely cold, and the walrus had perished in consequence of its ambitious desire to repose in the regions above. Not far from the spot where this fortunate disco- very had been made, there was a large sheet of re- cently formed black ice, where the main ice had been broken away and the open water left. The sheet, although much melted by the thaw, was still about three inches thick, and quite capable of supporting a man. While Annatock was working with his back to this ice, he heard a tremendous crash take place behind him. Turning hastily round, he observed that the noise was caused by another enormous wal- rus, the glance of whose large round eyes, and whose loud snort, showed clearly enough that he was not frozen like his unfortunate companion. By this time the little boy had come up with Edith and the sledge, so Annatock ordered him to take the dogs behind a hummuck to keep them out of sight, while he selected several strong harpoons and a lance from the sledge. Giving another lance to Peetoot, he signed to Edith to sit on the hummuck while he attacked the gi'isly monster of the deep. While these preparations were being made, the walrus dived, and while it was under water, the man and the boy ran quickly forward a short distance, and then lay down behind a lump of ice. Scarcely 410 UNGAVA, ^« had they done so when the walrus came up again with a loud snort, splashing the water with its broad heavy flippers, — which seemed a sort of compromise between legs and fins, — and dashing waves over the ice, as it rolled about its large unwieldy carcass. It was truly a savage-looking monster, as large as a small elephant, and having two tusks of a foot and a half long. The face bore a horrible resemblance to that of a man. Its crown was round and bulging, its face broad and massive, and a thick, bristling moustache, — rough as the spines of a porcupine, — covered its upper lip, and depended in a shaggy drip- ping nxttoS over its mouth. After spluttering about a short time it dived again. Now was Annatock's time. Seizing a harpoon and a coil of Hne, he muttered a few words to the boy, sprang up, and, running out upon the smooth ice, stood by the edge of the open water. He had not waited here more than a few seconds when the black waters were cleft by the blacker head of the monster, as it once more ascended to renew its elephantine gambols in the pool. As it rose the Esquimaux threw up his arm and poised the harpoon. For one instant the surprised animal raised itself breast-high out of the water, and directed a stare of intense astonishment at the man. That moment was fatal. Annatock buried the harpoon deep under its left H le up again th its broad compromise ves over the carcass. It large as a ? a foot and emblance to md bulging, )k, bristling >orcupine, — shaggy drip- bering about harpoon and to the boy, smooth ice, Se had not n the black le monster, elephantine Esquimaux For one breast-high of intense was fatal, ler its left UNGAVA. 411 flipper. With a fierce bellow the brute dashed itself against the ice, endeavouring in its fury to reach its assailant ; but the ice gave way under its enormous weight, while Annatock ran back as far as the line attached to the harpoon would permit him. The walrus, seeing that it could not reach its enemy in this way, seemed now to be actually endued with reason. It took a long gaze at Annatock, and then dived. But the Esquimaux was prepared for this. He changed his position hastily, and played his line the meanwhile, fixing the point of his lance into the ice, in order to give him a more effective hold. Scarcely had he done so than the spot he had just left was smashed up, and the head of the walrus appeared, grinning and bellowing as if in disappoint- ment. At this moment Peetoot handed his uncle a harpoon, and, ere the animal dived, the weapon was fixed in his side. Once more Annatock changed his position ; and once again the spot on which he had been standing was burst upwards. It was a terrible sight to see that unearthly -looking monster smashing the ice around it, and lashing the blood-stained sea into foam, while it waged such mortal war with the self-possessed and wary man. How mighty and strong the one ! how comparatively weak and seem- ingly helpless the other ! It was the triumph of mind over matter, — of rv^ason over blind brute force. rt 4 'V »: ' -|M ~aH|H 1:: ;l-i 'mI * "^^^^H i 1 1 412 UNGAVA. But Annatock fought a hard battle that day ere he came off conqueror. Harpoon after harpoon was driven into the wahnis, — again and again the lance pierced deep into its side, and drank its life-blood ; but three hours had passed away before the dead carcass was dragged from the deep by the united force of dogs and man. Dm-ing this terrible combat Edith had looked on with such intense interest, that she could scarcely believe her eyes when she found, from the position of the sun, that the day was far advanced. It was too late now to think of cutting up the carcasses with- out assistance ; so Annatock determined to return home and tell his coimtrymen of his good fortune. It is a custom among the Esquimaux to consider every animal that is killed as the common property of all, — the successful hunter being entitled to all the tit-bits, besides his portion of the equal dividend ; so that Annatock knew he had only to give the signal, and every able-bodied man in the village, and not a few of the women and children, would descend like /vultures on the spoil. Jumping into his sledge, he stretched out his exhausted frame at full length beside Edith, and committed the whip to Peetoot. " I'm so glad," cried Edith, with a beaming face, " that we have killed this beast. The poor people will have plenty to eat now." re'""^ I UNGAVA. 413 b day ere he larpoon was in the lance s life-blood ; »re the dead jr the united i,d looked on )uld scarcely the position 3ed. It was ■rcasses with- id to return d fortune. £ to consider ion property ed to all the dividend ; so e the signal, ;e, and not a descend like is sledge, he ength beside ot. jaming face, popr people "Ha! ha! ha!" roared Peetoot, giving increased emphasis to each successive shout, and prolonging the last into a yell of delight, as he cracked the ponderous whip from side to side like a volley of pistohy. " Oh, Peetoot ! " exclaimed Edith, in a remonstra- tive tone, as the sledge swayed to and fro with the rate at which they were sweeping over the plain, " don't drive so fast ; you will kill the poor dogs ! " " Ho ! ho ! ho-o-o ! Eeduck ! " roared the boy, aim- ing a shot at the leader's left ear, and bringing the thick end of the vrhip down on the flanks of the six hindmost dogs. Thus, amid a volley of roars, remonstrances, yells, yelps, and pistolry, Edith and her friends scoured over the frozen sea, and swept into the Esquimaux camp like a whirlwind. III ffsli"'^ I 1 i: I'ji 4U UNGAVA. CHAPTER XXXI. Another desperate battle, and a decided victory— The Esquimaox suffer a severe loss. V The night that followed the day of which we have ' given an account in the last chapter, was a night of rest to Edith, but not to the Esquimaux. Scarx^ely allowing themselves time to harness their dogs, after the news reached them, they set oflf for the scene of action in a body. Every sledge was engaged ; every able-bodied male and female started. None were left in camp except the sick, of waom there were few — and the aged, of whom there were fewer. While engaged in the hurried preparations for departure the women sang with delight, for they had been living on very short allowance for some weeks past, and starvation had been threatening them ; so that the present success diffused among these poor creatures a universal feeling of joy. But their preparations were not numerous. A short scene of excited bustle followed Annatock's arrival, a few yells from the dogs at starting, and the deserted camp was so silent and desolate, that it seemed as if human beings had not been there for centuries. It did not continue long, however, in this state. UNGAVA; 415^ maux suffer a ich we have IS a night of • harness their y set off for ■y sledge was male started. 3k, of wiom n there were preparations Lght, for they ace for some L threatening ffused among of joy. But s. A short ,ock's arrival, ing, and the olate, that it »een there for in this state. Two or three hours later, and the first of the return parties arrived, groaning under the burdens they car- ried and dragged behind them. The walrus-flesh was packed on the dog-sledges ; but as for the few seals that had been caught, they were sledges to themselves, — cords being tied to their tails, to which a dozen natives attached themselves, and dragged the carcasses over the snow. Peetoot, whose spirit that night seemed to be in- toxicated with success, and who felt that he was the Hon of the night (after Annatock !), seated himself astride of one of the dead seals, and was dragged into camp on this novel sledge, shouting a volley of unintelligible jrrgon at the top of his voice, in the midst of which " Eeduck" frequently resounded. At length the last lingerer arrived ; and then began a feast of the most extraordinary kind. The walrus- flesh was first conveyed to the igloe of Annatock, where it was cut up, and distributed among the natives. The women seemed quite frantic with joy, and went about from hut to hut embracing one another, by way of congratulation. Soon the lamps of the village were swimming with oil, the steaks stewing and roasting, the children provided with pieces of raw blubber to keep them quiet while the larger portions were being cooked, and the entire community gormandizing and rejoicing as savages 7W UNGAVA. f are wont to do when suddenly visited with plenty in the midst of starvation. During all this scene Edith went about from hut to hut enjoying herself. Nay, reader, be not hor- rified ; thou knowest not the pliable and accommo- dating nature of humanity. Edith did not enjoy the filth by which she was surrounded, — far from it; neither did she enjoy the sight of raw blubber being sucked by little babies, especially by her own favourite ; but she* did enjoy the sight of so much plenty where, but a few hours ago, starvation had begun to threaten a visit ; and she did enjoy and heartily sympathize with the undoubted and great happiness of her hospitable friends. A very savoury dish, with a due proportion of lean to the fat, cut specially to suit her taste, smoked on Eeduck's table that night, and Peetoot and the baby helped her to eat it. Really it would be a matter of nice calcula- tion to ascertain whether Peetoot or the baby laughed most on this jovial occasion. Undoubtedly the former had the best of it in regard to mere noise ; neverthe- less the pipe of the latter was uncommonly slirill, and at times remarkably racy and obstreperous. But as the hours flew by, the children throughout the camp generally fell asleep, while their seniors sat quietly and contentedly round their kettles and lamps, eat- ing and slumbering by turns. The amount of food UNGAVA. 417 consumed was enormous, and quite beyond the belief of men accustomed to the appetites of temperate zones ; but we beg them to remember that arctic frosts require to be met with arctic stimulants, and of these, an immense quantity of unctuous food is the best. Next moniing the Ksquimaux were up and away by day-break, with their dogs and sledges, to bring home the remainder of the wah'u»- meat ; for these poor people are not naturally improvident, and do not idle their time in luxurious indolence until neces- sity urges them forth again in search of food. In this respect they are superior to Indians, who are notoriously improvident and regardless of the morrow. This day was signalized by another piece of suc- cess on the part of Annatock and his nephew, who went to the scene of yesterday's battle on foot. Edith remained behind, having resolved to devote herself entirely to the baby, to make up for her ne- glect of the previous day. On reaching the place where the walrus had been slain, Annatock cut off and bound up a portion with which he intended to return .to the camp. While he wa,s thus employed, along with a dozen or more of his countrymen, Peetoot came running towards him, saying that h< thought he saw a seal lying on the ice far ahead Having a harpoon and two spears with them, Anna- i^, f U it I:: -f Hi li 1 > 1 i — 1 ! 418 UNGAVA. tock left his work and followed his nephew to the spot where it was supposed to be lying. But on reaching the place they found that it was gone, and a few bells floating at the surface of the hole showed where it had made its descent to the element below. With the characteristic indifference of a man accustomed to the vicissitudes and the disappoint- ments of a hunter's life, the elder Esquimaux uttered a giiint and turned away. But he had not proceeded more than a few paces when his eye became rivetted on the track of some animal on the ice, which ap- peared to his practised eye to be quite fresh. Upon examination this proved to be the case, and Anna- tock spoke earnestly for a. ±cw minutes with his nephew. The boy appeared from his gestures to be making some determined remarks, and seemed not a little hurt at the doubting way in which his uncle shook his head. At length Peetoot seized a spear, and, turning away, followed the track of the animal with a rapid and determined air ; whil'^ Ajinatock, grasping the other spear, followed in +1\! boy's track. A brisk walk of half an hf>^ ^v^v the .oe and hummucks of the sea ^ of sight of their companions, bu< lem up with the animal of which tt y were ai chaae. At length Peetoot halted, and stooped o scrutinize the track more attentively. As he did so an enui'mou.'^ white ^phew to the ng. But on s gone, and a hole showed the element jnce of a man e disappoint- maux uttered not proceeded came rivetted Lce, which ap- fresh. Upon je, and Anna- ites with his gestures to he seemed not a lich his uncle ized a spear, of the animal ii]*> Annatock, .) boy's track, the .ce and of sight of lem up with e. At length ize the track vj/mouf -vhite UNOAVA. 419 bear stalked out from behind a neighbouring hum- muck of ice, and, after gazing at him for a second or two, turned round and walked slowly away. The elder Esquimaux cast a doubtful glance at his nephew, while he lowered the point of hi.s spear and seemed to hesitate ; but the boy did not wait. Levelling his spear, he uttered a wild shout and ran towards the animal, which instantly turned towards the approaching enemy with a look of defiance. If Annatock had entertained any doubts of his nephew's courage before, he had none now ; so, casting aside all further thought on the subject, he ran forward along with him to attack the bear. This was a mat- ter attended with much danger, however, and there was some reason in the man feeling a little uncer- tainty as to the coui'age of a youth who, he was aware, now faced a bear for the first time in his life. At first the two hunters advanced side by side towards the fierce-looking monster, but as they drew near they separated, and approached one on the right, the other on the left of the bear. As it was deter- mined that Annatock should give the death wound, he went towards the left side and hung back a mo- ment, while Peetoot advanced to the right. When about three yards distant the bear rose. The action had a powerful and visible effect upon the boy ; for, as poLar bears are comparatively long-bodied and 420 TNGAVA. short-legged, their tnie proportions are not fully dis- played until they rear on their hind legs. It seemed as if the animal actually grew taller and more enor- mous in the act of rising, and the boy's cheek blanched while he shrank backwards for a moment ; — it was only for a moment, however. A quick word of en- courag'iment from Annatock recalled him ; he stepped boldly forward, as the bear was glancing savagely from side to side, uncertain which enemy to attack first, and, thrusting his lance forward, pricked it sharply on the side. This decided the point. With a ferocious growl the animal turned to fall upon its insignificant enemy. In doing so its left shoulder was fully exposed to Annatock, who, with a dart like lightning, plunged his spear deep into its heart. A powerful shudder shook the monster's frame as it fell dead upon the ice. Annatock stood for a fevv minutes leaning on his spear, and regarding the bear with a grim look of satisfaction, while Peetoot laughed, and shouted, and danced around it like a maniac. How long he would have continued these wild demonstrations it is diffi- cult to say, — probably until he was exhausted, — but his uncle brought them to a speedy termination by bringing the butt-end of his spear into smart contact with Peetoot's flank. With a howl, in which con- Bternation mingled with his glee, the boy darted UNGAVA. 421 Lot fully dis- It seemed more enor- iek blanched nt ; — it was word of en- ; he stepped ng savagely ly to attack , pricked it oint. With 'all upon its eft shoulder h a dart like ■jS heart. A frame as it |,ning on his rim look of shouted, and ng he would s it is diffi- usted, — but mination by ;nart contact which con- boy darted away over the ice like a rein -deer to convey the glad news to his friends, and to fetch a sledge for the bear's carcass. On returning to tlie village there was immediately instituted another royal feast, which continued from day to day, gradually decreasing in joyous intensity as the provender decreased in bulk, until the walrus, the bear, and the seals, were entirely consumed. Soon after this the weather became decidedly mild, and the power of the sun's rays were so great, that the snow on the island and the ice on ^he sea began to be resolved into water. During this period several important clianges took place in the manners and customs of the Esquimaux. The women, who liad worn deer-skin shoes during the winter, put on their enormous water-proof summer boots. The men, when out on the ice in search of seals, used a pair of wooden spectacles, with two narrow slits to peep through, in order to protect their eyes from the snow-blindness caused by the glare of the sun on the ice and snow, — a complaint which is apt to attack all arctic travellers in spring if not guarded ngainst by some such appliance as the clmusy wooden spectacles of the Esquimaux. Active preparations were also made for the erection of skin summer tents, and the launching of kayaks and oomiaks. More- over, little boys were forbidden to walk, as they Imd trs ' I'r r ■ - 422 UNGAVA. been wont to do, on the tops of tlie snow houses, lest they should damage the rapidly decaying roofs ; but little boys in the far north inherit that tendciicy to disobedience which is natural to the children of Adam all the world over, and on more than one occasion, having ventured to run over the igloes, were caught in the act by the thrusting of a leg now and then through the roofs thereof, tc the indignation of the inmates below. A catastroplie of this sort happened to poor Pee- toot, not long after the slaying of the polar bear, and brought the winter camp to an abrupt termination. Edith had been amusing herself in her house of ice all the morning with her adopted baby, and was in the act of feeding it with a choice morsel of seal fat, — partially cooked, to avoid doing violence to her own prejudices, and ve/vy much under-done in order to suit the Esquimaux baby's taste, — when Peetoot rushed violently into the hut, shouted Eeduck with a boisterous smile, seized the baby in his arins, and earned it off to its mother. Edith was accustomed to have it thus torn from her by the boy, who was usually sent as a messenger when Kaga happened tu desire the loan of her offspring. The igloe in which Kaga and her relations dwelt was the largest in the village. It was fully thirty leet in diameter. The passage leading to it was a houses, lest roofs ; but tendciicy to en of Adam 16 occasion, tvere caught vv and then ttion of the ;o poor Pee- ar bear, and rmination. ler house of by, and was )rsel of seal )lence to her B in order to len Peetoot 2educk with is arins, and I accustomed 3y, who was liappened to ations dwelt I fully thirty to it was a UNGAVA. 423 hundred yards long, by five feet wide and six feet high, and from this passage branched several others of various lengths, leading to different storehouses and to other dwellings. The whiteness of the snow of which this princely mansion and its ofuces were composed was not much altered on the exterior, but in the interior a long winter of cooking and stewing and general filthiness had turned the walls and roofs quite black. Being somewhat lazy, Peetoot preferred the old plan of walking over this palace to going round by the entrance, which faced the south. Ac- cordingly, he hoisted the fat and smiling infant on his shoulder and bounded over the dome-shaped roof of Kaga's igloe. Alas for the result of disobedi- ence ! No sooner had his foot touched the key-stone of the arch than down it went. Dinner was being cooked and consumed by twenty people below at the time. The key-stone buried a joint of walrus beef, and instantly Peetoot and the baby lay sprawling on the top of it. But this was not all. The roof, imable to support its own weight, cracked and fell in with a dire crash. The men, women, and children, struggled to disentomb themselves, and in doing so mixed up the oil of the lamps, the soup of their kettles, the black soot of the w^alls and roof, the dogs that had sneaked in, the junks of cooked, half-cooked, and raw blubber, and their own hairy-coated persons, IP t ■•! 424 UNGAVA. into a conglomerate so atrocious to behold, or even think upon, that we are constrained to draw a cur- tain over the scene and spare the reader's feelings. This event caused the Esquimaux to forsake the igloes, and pitch their skin tents on a spot a little to the southward of their wintering ground, which, being more exposed to the sun's rays, was now free from snow. They had not been encamped here more tlian three days when an event occurred which threw the camp into deep grief for a time. This was the loss of their great hunter, Annatock, the husband of Kaga, One of those tremendous nor '-west gales, which now and then visit the arctic seas and lands with such de- vastating fury, had set in while Annatock was out on the ice-floe in search of seals. Many of his comrades had started with him that day, but, being a bold man, he had pushed beyond them all. When the gale came on the Esquimaux hunters prepared to return home as fast as possible, fearing that the decaying ice might break up and drift away with them out to sea. Before starting they were alarmed to find that the sea-ward ice was actually in motion. It was on th^s ice that Annatock was employed ; and his countrymen would fain have gone to warn him of his danger, but a gap of thirty feet already separated the floe from the main ice ; and, although they could )lcl, or even draw a cur- t's feelings, forsake the )t a little to ind, which, as now free more than h threw the IS the loss of id of Kaga. , which now dth such de- c was out on lis comrades a bold man, le gale came eturn home lecaying ice hem out to to find that It was on I ; and his v^arn him of iy separated h they could UNOAVA. 425 perceive their friend in the far distance, busily em- ployed on the ice, they could not make their voices heard. As the gale increased the floe drifted faster out to sea, and Annatock was observed running anxiously towards the land ; but before he reached the edge of the ice-raft on which he stood, the increasing distance, and the drifting clouds of snow, hid him from view. Then his companions, fearful for their own safety, hastened back to the camp with the sad news. At first Kaga seemed quite inconsolable, and Edith exerted herself as a comforter without success ; but as time wore on the poor woman's grief abated, and hope began to revive within her bosom. She recollected that the event which had befallen her husband had befallen some of her friends before in exactly similar circumstances, and that, although on many occasions the result had been fatal, there were not a few instances in which the lost ones had been driven on their ice- raft to distant parts of tlie shore, and after months, sometimes years, of hardship and 8ufferin2r, had returned to their families and homes. Still this hope was at best a poor one. For the few instances there were of return from such dangers, there were dozens in which the poor Esquimaux were never heard of more ; and the heart of the woman sank within her as she thought of the terrible m::- : Mm 426 UNGAVA. niglit on which lier husband was lost, and the great, stormy, ice-laden sea, over whose surging bosom he was drifted. But the complex machinery of this world is set in motion and guided by One whose power and wisdom infinitely transcend those of the most exalted of his creatures ; and it is a truth well worthy of being reiterated and re-impressed upon our memories, that in His hands th(. e events that seem most adverse to man often turn out to be for his good. UNGAVA. 427 d the great, g bosom he lery of this One whose those of the a truth well jed upon our s that seem ) be for hib CHAPTER XXXII. Kilith waxes melancholy, but lier sadness is suddenly turned into Joy; and the Esquimaux receive a surprise, and find a friend, and lose one. The sea ! How many stout hearts tlirill, and manly bosoms swell, at the sound of that little word ; or, rather, at the thought of all that it conveys ! How many there are that reverence and love thy power and beauty, thy freedom and majesty, sea ! Wherein consists the potent charm that draws man- kind towards thee with such irresistible affection? Is it in the calm tranquillity of thy waters, when thou liest like a sheet of crystal, with a bright refulgent sky reflected in thy soft bosom, and the white ships resting there as if in empty space, and the glad sea-mews rippling thy surface for a brief moment and then sailing from the blue below to the deeper blue above, and the soft song of thy wavelets as they slide upon the chingly shore or lip among the caves and hollows of the rocks ? Or is it in the loud roar of thy billows, as they dash, and fume, and lash, in fury on the coast that dares to curb thy might? — that might which, commencing, mayhap, in the torrid zone of the south, has rolled and leaped in majesty across the waste of waters ; tossed levia- thans, as playthings, in its strength ; rushed impetu- 428 UNGAVA. ously over half the globe ; and burst at last in helplessness upon a bed of sand ! Or does the charm lie in the yet fiercer strife of the tempest and the hurricane, when the elements, let loose, sweep round the shrinking world in fury ; — or, in the ever-changing aspect of thy countenance, now bright and fair, now ruffled with the rising breeze, or darkened by the thunder-cloud that bodes the coming storm ? Ah, yes ! methinks, not one, but all of these combined do constitute the charm which draws man- kind to thee, bright ocean, and fills his soul with sympathy and love. For in the changeful aspects of thy visage there are talismans which touch the varied chords that vibrate in the hearts of men. Perchance, in the bold whistle of thy winds, and the mad rolling of thy waves, an emblem of freedom is recognised by crushed and chafing spirits longing to be free. They cannot wall thee round. They cannot map thee into acres and hedge thee in, and leave us nought but narrow roads between. No ploughshare cleaves thee save the passing keel ; no prince or monarch owns thy haughty waves. In thy hidden caverns are treasures surpassing those of earth ; and those who dwell on thee in ships behold the wonders of the mighty deep. We bow in adoration to thy great Creator ; and we bow to thee in love, and rever- ence, and sympathy, — O sea ! t at last in es the charm pest and the sweep round ver-changing .nd fair, now ened by the rm ? all of these draws man- is soul with ;eful aspects ih touch the -rts of men. nds, and the f freedom is /S longing to rhey cannot nd leave us ploughshare prince or thy hidden earth ; and the wonders tion to thy !, and rever- UNGAVA. 4291. Edith sat on the sea-shore. The glassy waves were no longer encumbered with ice, but shone like burnished gold in the light of the summer sun. Here and there, liowever, a lai'ge ice-berg floated on the deep, — a souvenir of winter past, — a guarantee of winter yet to come. At the base of these blue islands the sea, calm though it was, broke in a continual roar of surf, and round their pinnacles the circling sea-birds sailed. The yellow sands on which the child sat, the green willows that fringed the back- ground of brown rocks, and the warm sun, contrasted powerfully with the vestiges of winter on the sea, while a bright parhelia in the sky enriched and strengthened these chara,cteristics of an arctic summer. There was busy life and commotion in tlie Esqui- maux camp, from which Edith had retired to some distance to indulge in solitude the sad reveries of home, which weighed more heavily on her mind as the time flew by and the hope of speedy delivery began to fade. "Oh! my own dear mother!" sighed the child aloud, while a tear trickled down each cheek, " shall I never see you more ? My heart is heavy with wishing, always wishing. But no one comes. I never see a boat or a ship on that wide wide sea. Oh ! when, when will it come !" She paused, and, as she had often done before, laid ^'••» 430 UNGA^A. iJ her face on her hands and wept. But Edith soon recovered. These bursts of grief never lasted long, for the child was strong in hope. She never doubted that deliverance would come at last; and she never failed to supplicate at the throne of mercy, to which her mother had early taught her to fly in every time of trouble and distress. Soon her attention was attracted from the sea, over whose wide expanse she had been gazing wist- fully, by the loud voices of the Esquimaux, as a number of them prepared to embark in their kayaks. "Several small whales had been descried, and the natives, ever on the alert, were about to attack them. Presently Edith observed Peetoot running along the beach towards her with a seal-spear or haipoon in his hand. This youth was a remarkably intelligent fellow, and had picked up a few words and sentences of English, of which he made the most. " Eeduck ! Eeduck ! " he cri6d, pointing to one of the oomiaks which the women were launching, "you go, -^Miill whale, — funny, yes, Eeduck." " I don't think it will be very funny," said Edith, laughing ; " but I'll go to please you, Peetoot." " Goot, Eeduck, you is goot," shouted the boy, while he flourished his harpoon, and, seizing his companion by the hand, dragged her in the direction of the kayaks. UNGAVA. 431 , Edith soon lasted long, 3ver doubted id she never 'cy, to which n every time •om the sea, gazing wist- imaux, as a their kayaks. ed, and the it to attack toot running seal -spear or I remarkably jw words and the most. to one of the ng, "you go, ," said Edith, ?etoot." he boy, while is companion iction of the In a few minutes Edith was ensconced in the centre of the oomiak amid a pack of noisy Esquimaux women, whose tongues weie loosed and spirits raised by the hope of a successful hunt. They went merely for the purpose of witnessing the sport which was to be prosecuted by twelve or thirteen men, each in his arrow-like kayak. The women sat round their clumsy boat with their faces to the bow, each wield- ing a short broad paddle, with which they propelled their craft at good speed over the glassy wave ; but a few alternate dips of the long double-bladed paddles of the kayaks quickly sent the men far ahead of them. In the stern of the oomiak sat an old gray- headed man, who filled the office of steersman ; a duty which usually devolves upon old men after they become unfit to manage the kayak. Indeed, it re- quires much vigour as well as practice to paddle the kayak, for it is so easily \ipset that a man could not sit in it for a minute without the long paddle, in the clever use of which lies the security of the Esquimaux. When the flotilla had paddled out a short distance a whale rose, and lay as if basking on the surface of the water. Instantly the men in the kayaks shot towards it, while the oomiak followed as fast as possible. On drawing near, the first Esquimaux prepared his harpoon. To the barb of this weapon 432 UNGAVA. 3S I 1 \f i I ! ! k stout line, from eight to twelve fathoms long, was attached, having a dan, or float, made of a seal-skin at the other end of it. The dan was large enough to hold fifteen gallons or more. Having paddled close to the whale, the Esquimaux fixed the harpoon deep in its side, and threw the dan overboard. The whale dived in an agony, carrying the dan down along with it, and the Esquimaux, pick- ing up the liberated handle of the harpoon as he passed, paddled in the direction he supposed the whale must have taken. In a short time the dan re-appeared at no great distance. The kayaks, as if shot from a bow, darted towards the spot, and, before the huge fish could dive a second time, it received two more harpoons and several deep stabs from the lances of the Esquimaux. Again it dived, carrying tv/o additional dans down with it. But the dragging tendency of these three large floats, combined with the deep wounds it had received, brought the fish sooner than before to the surface, where it was instantly met and assailed by its relentless pursuers, who, in the course of little more than an hour, killed it, and dragged it in tri- umph to the shore. The natives were still occupied in towing the cap- tured fish, when one of the men uttered a wild shout, and ppinted eagerly out to sea. At first Edith imagined that they must have seen another whale in UNQAVA. 433 IS long, was f a seal-skin arge enougli 3 Esquimaux irew the dan •ny, can-ying imaux, pick- as he passed, whale must -appeared at from a bow, ige fish could larpoons and Esquimaux, dans down these three nds it had efore to the assailed by se of little it in tri- ng the cap- wild shout, first Edith er whale in the distance, but this opinion was quickly altered when slie observed the eager haste witli which they paddled towards the land, and the looks of surprise with which, ever and anon, they regarded the object on the horizon. This object seemed a mere speck to . Edith's unaccustometl eyes, but as she gazed long and earnestly at it, a thought flashed across her mind; — slie sprang up; her sparkling eyes seemed as though they would bm'st from their sockets in her eager de- sire to make out this object of so great interest. At this moment the oomiak touched the land. With a bound like a gazelle, Edith sprang on shore and ran panting with excitement to the top of a rocky emi- nence. Here she again directed her earnest gaze out to sea, while her colour went and came as she pressed her hands upon her chest in an agony of hope. Slowly, but surely, the speck came on; the wind shifted a point, which caused a gleam of sunlight to fall upon a sail. It was a boat! there could be no doubt of it, — and making directly for the island ! Unable to contain herself, Editii, uttering a piercing cry, sank upon the ground, and burst into a passion- ate flood of tears. It was the irresistible impulse of hope, long deferred, at length realized ; for the child did not entertain a doubt that this was at length the answer to her prayers. * Meanwhile the Esquimaux ran about in a state of 2E 'nm. 434 UNGAVA. extraordinary excitement. These people had veiy probably heard of the ships which once a-year pass through Hudson's Straits on their way to the depots on the shores of Hudson's Bay, but they had nevei met with them, or seen a kubkmat (white face) before that great day in their annals of discover}' when they found little Edith fainting in the snow. Their sharp eyes had at once detected that the ap- proaching boa^ was utterly different from their own kayaks or oomiaks. And truly it was ; for as she drew neai with lier white sails bending before the evening breeze that had recently sprung up, and the Union-Jack flying from her peak, and the foam curl- ing before her sharp prow, — she seemed a very model of grace and symmetry. There were cnly three figures in the boat, one of whom, by the violent gesticulations that he made as they approached, bespoke himself an Esquimaux ; the other two stood erect and motionless, the one by the tiller, the othei by the sheet. "Let go," said a deep soft voice, when the boat wa^i within a stone's-cast of tlie shore. The sheet flapped in the wind as the peak fell, and in another instant the keel grated on the sa^id. For one moment a feeling of intense disappoint- ment fllled Edith's heart, as she sought in vain for the lace of her father or Frank; then, with a cry of n the boat wa> UNGAVA. 435 joy, she sprang forward and Hung herself into the arms of her old enemy, Gaspard ! " Thank God," said Dick Prince, with a tremulous voice, as he leaped lightly from the boat and clasped the child in his arms ; " thank God we have found you, Miss Edith. Tliis will put new life into your poor mother's heart." " Oh ! how is she ? Why did she not come with you?" sobbed Edith, while Dick Prince, seating him- self on a rock, drew her on his knee and stroked her fair head, as she wept upon his shoulder. Meanwhile Annatock was being nearly devoured by his wife and child and countrymen, as they crowded round him to obtain information, and to heap upon him congratulations : and Gaspard, in order to restrain, and at the same time relieve his feelings, assayed to drag the boat out of the water ; in which attempt, giant though he was, bting single-handed, he utterly failed. After the first eager questions were answered on both sides, the natives were informed by their com- rade of the nature and objects of the establishment at Uiigava, and they exhibited the most extravagant signs of joy on hearing the newo. When their ex- citement was calmed down a little, they conducted the party to their principal tent, and set before them the choicest viands they possessed, talking vehemently '-"fw-pfff it us two or three days to have gone back to Fort Chimo ; and, after all, we thought it might turn out a false scent, and only raise your pocr mother's hopes for nothin'. Besides, we were sent away for a week or two, so we knew they wouldn't wonder at our absence , so we thought, upon the whole, it would be best to some at once, 'specially I since it was sich a short distance." "A short distance !" repeated Edith, starting \ip. " I thought we must be miles aixl miles, oh ! ever po far away! Is the distance really short?" "Ay, that it is, little one," said Prince, pattin^; the child on the head. "It is not more than three days' rowing from this island, and a stiff breeze on the quarter would carry us there in less than two." rxGAVA. 439 "And Frank, where is Frank?" said Edith, uith a look of eager ii\quiry. " Ah ! Miss," replied Prince," he has been away almost as long as yourself. Soon after you were lost, a packet came from the south, and he was obleeged to give up the sarch after you, — though he was loath to do it, — and set out with three o' the men for Moose. From that day to this we've heer'd nothin' of him. But the journey he had to make was a long one, — havin' to go round all the way to York Fort, so we didn't expect to hear o' him afore now. But I'll tell ye move about all your old friends when we git tilings ready for a start to-morrow." The remainder of that day was spent in making preparation for setting sail on the following morning. The first intmiation of the existence of the new trading fort had thrown the child-Hke natives into rapturous delight; but when Prince told them he in- tended ^>) go off the next day with the child who had been as a blight spirit in their camp so long, ihey fell into the depths of grief Indeed there was manifested a slight desire to offer forcible opposition to this ; ])ut when Edith told them, through the medium of Peetoot, who acied as her mterpreter, that the distal? ce to her ather's fort v/as not great, and that she would expect them to come often there, and stay long, thoy became reconciled to her departure; ifi if i - '">>.* . .- ' 440 UNGAVA. and when she sought to turn their minds (a work of no great difficulty at any time) away from that sub- ject, by describing to them the treasures of the trad- ing store, they danced, and laughed, and sang, like very children. Even Kaga's baby crowed with a racy richness of feeling, and smiled with an oily bril- liancy of expression, compared to which all its for- mer exhibitions were mere child's play. But when the hour of departure really came, and Edith bade farewell to her kind friends, whose rude but warm hospitality she had enjoyed so long, they were again plunged into the deepest distress ; and when the little boat finally put to sea, there was not a tearless eye among the tribe, while Edith was Swiftly borne from their island shore before a strong and favouring breeze. UNGAVA. 441 3 (a work of im that sub- of the trad- d sang, like wed with a an oily bril- i all its for- ty came, and , whose rude 30 long, they listress ; and liere was not li was Swiftly I. strong and CHAPTER XXXIII. The clouds are broken, the sun bursts through, and once more Irradiates Fort Chimo —Hopes and fears for Maximus. The wings of time moved slowly and heavily along at Fort Chimo. Hope long deferred, expectation frequently reviving and as often disappointed, crushed the spirits of the little party. The song, and jest, and laugh, seldom sounded from the houses of the men, who went through their daily avocations almost in silence. Not only had the loss of Edith, — the bright spirit of the place, the tender rosebud in tha-t savage wilderness, — cast an overwhelming gloom upon the fort, but the failure of the trade, to a great extent, had added to the general depression; and now, fresh anxiety was beginning to be felt at the non-appearance of Frank Morton. "Jessie," said Stanley one day, as he rose from the desk at which he had been writing, and put on his cap with the intention of taking a stroll along the beach, "will you come with me to-day? I know not how it is, but every time I go out now, I expect to hear the ship's gun as it comes through the nar- rows." ]!klrs. Stanley rose, and throwing on a shawl and hood, accompanied her husband in silence. Wm i 1 \k' B iiii 1 1; f 442 UNGAVA. " Perhaps," she said, at length, " you expect to hear the giin because the vessel ought to be here by this time," As she spolce, La Koche came up and touched his cap, "Please, madame, vat you vill have pour dinner?" " Whatever you please, La Roche, Repeat yes- terday's," answered Mrs. Stanley, with the air of one who did not wish to be troubled further on the sub- ject. But La Roche was not to be so easily put down, " Ah ! madame, pardonnez moi, Dat is impos- sible, Ve have fresh fish yesterday, dere be no fresh fish to-day. More de pity, C'est damage — dat Gaspard him gone away^— " La Roche was interrupted by a sudden exclama- tion from his master, who pointed, while he gazed earnestly, tow^ards the narrows of the river. It seemed as if the scene of last year were repeated in a vision. Against the dark rock appeared the white triangular sail of a vessel. Slowly, like a phantom, it came into view, for the wind w^as very light, while the three spectators on the beach gazed with beating hearts, scarcely daring to credit their eyes. In a few seconds another sail appeared, — a schooner floated into view; a white cloud burst from her bows, and once again the long silent echoes of Ungava were awakened by the roaring of artillery. The men of LI expect to ) be liere by iiid touched 1 have pour Repeat yes- le air of one on the sub- ly put down, .t is impo3- j be no fresh lamage — dat en exclama- le he gazed river. It repeated in ed the white a phantom, light, while >\'ith beating i. In a few oner floateil r bows, and ^ngava were The men of UNGAVA. 443 the fort left their seveial employments and rushed to the beach to welcome the vessel with a cheer ; but, although it was heartfelt and vigorous, it was neither so prolonged nor so enthusiastic as it was on the first occasion of the ship's arrival. As the vessel dropped anchor opposite the fort, Frank Morton leaped on her bow, and, along with the crew, returned the cheer with a degree of energy that awakened memories of other days. " There's Frank ! " cried Stanley, turning on his wife a glance of joy. " Bless the boy ! It warms my heart to see him. He must have picked up some Indian woman by the way. I see the flutter of a petticoat." As he spoke, the boat pushed off fi-om the vessel's side, and a fe\\ rapid strokes sent it bounding to- wards the shore. "Eh! what's this?" exclaimed Stanley, as his wife broke from him, and, with a wild shriek, rushed into the lake. The figure of a child stood on the boat's bow, with her arms extended to the shore. "Hurrah! lads, give way," shouted Frank's deep voice. " Mother ! mother ! " cried the child. In another moment Frank bounded over the boat's side and placed Edith in her mother's arms ! ij urn 11 I: .^^ 444 UNGAVA. Reader, tliere are incidents in the histories of men which cannot be minutely described without being marred. Such an one was the meeting between the father and mother and their long lost child. We re- frain from attempting to draw aside the curtain far- ther than to say, that the joy and gratitude in more than one heart at Ungava found vent that night in thankserivinor to Him who can bring light out of darkness, and turn sorrow into joy. The greater part of the day was spent at the fort in that feverish excitement which cannot calm down to steady conversation, but vents itself in eager, rambling questions and abrupt replies. Meanwhile, the necessity of discharging the cargo of the vessel, and preparing the furs for shipment, served to dis- tract the attention and occupy the hands of the whole party. As evening advanced. La Roche, true to his duty, placed supper on the table; and Stanley and his wife, along with Edith and Frank, while they partook of the meal, continued their inquiries. "Whereabouts was it, Frank, that you fell in with the boat?" said Stanley. " Not more than five miles from tlie mouth of the river, at about six this morning. We observed the boat beset by a pretty solid j^ack of ice, and you may UNGAVA. 41.-) :ories of men ithout being: between the ild. We re- ) curtain far- bude in more lat night in light out of it at the fort t calm down If in eager, Meanwhile, >f the vessel, irved to dis- ands of the to his duty, md his wife, 'J partook of you fell in Qouth of the bserved the nd you may he sure we were not a little surprised when we saw the Union-Jack run up to her peak ; so I ordered our boat to be lowered, intending to go to her assistance. While the men were doing this, I examined her with the glass, and then it was that I found, to my amaze- ment and inexpressible joy, that the boat contained Prince, Gaspard, and Edith." "Ah! Frank," said Mrs. Stanley, "was it not a strange providence, that you, who were so sad at being compelled to give up the search, should be the one appointed to find our beloved child, and bring her back to us?" " Nay," replied Frank, " it was not I who found lier; let me not rob Dick Prince and Gaspard of the honour and gratitude which they have nobly woil" "And what do you think of the non-arrival of Maximus?" said Stanley, whose feelings were still too much perturbed to allow him to dwell for more than a few minutes at a time on any subject. Frank shook his head. " I know not what to think," said he. " As I have told you already, we left him at Moose Fort with his recovered bride, and we got the missionary to marry them there in due form. Next day they started ia a small canoe on their r^prn voyage to Ungava, and the day following I left for Lake Superior. I fully expected to find tMr here on my return." WAGE FVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 i.l 1.25 «50 "'"^^ K15 M || 2j_ 2.0 i.8 U i 1.6 — 6" VJ m. '<^. e: em ^^' >m / # ^ '•y '/ Photographic Sciences Corporation ,-v 4> ^^ ^1,^ ri? 446 UNGAVA. Stanley looked grave. " I fear much," said he, " that some mischance has hefallen IJie good-hearted Esquimaux. He was well armed, you say, and amply supplied with provisions?" " Ay, most certainly. He took two guns with him, saying that his wife was as good a shot as him- self" " The men wish to know where the heavy goods are to be put," said Massan, as he opened the door, and stood, cap in hand, awaiting orders. Stanley rose to leave the room. " I'll be with you in a minute, Massan. Then, Frank, we'll expect an account of your journey to- night. Eda is very anxious that we should be told aU about your wonderful adventures in the mountains. Meanwhile I shall be off to look after the men." , When the sun had set that night, and the song of the sailors had ceased, and most of the wearied in- habitants of Fort Ghimo were enjoying a fragrant pipe after the labours of the day, Frank and Stanley seated themselves, one on either side of the fire-place, with Mrs. Stanley and Edith in front of the hearth between them. An extra pine-knot was thrown on the fire, which, in a^ few minutes, rendered the candle on the table unnecess«§. Stanley lit his pipe, and after drawing one or t^ would keep alight, said, hiffs to make sure that it UNQAVA. 447 " Now Frank, my boy, we're ready for you ; fire away." » Frank fired away, literally, for he applied a piece of glowing charcoal to his pipe, and fired ofif half a dozen rapid puffs in reply, as it were, to his friend opposite. Then he began : — 1 1 M, |l|li!'# > iii\ 4 f fit •t 448 UNQAVA. CHAPTER XXXIV. Rough and tumble— A polar bear made useful— Fishing, and floondering, and narrow escapes— An unexpected discovery, productive of mingled perplexity and Joy. " You remember, I daresay, that the day on which I left XJngava, last spring, was an unusually fine one ; — just such a day, Eda, as those on which you and I and Chimo were wont to clamber up the berry glen. But the clambering that we went through there was nothing to the work we went through on our third day from the fort. Maximus and Oolibuck were first rate climbers, and we would have got over the ground much faster than we did, but for the dogs, which could not travel easily over the rough ground with their loaded sled. Chimo, indeed, hauled like a hero ; and if the other dogs had been equal to him we would have been here before to-day. Well, as I said, our third day was one of considerable toil. Leaving the river we struck into the mountains ; but, after nearly breaking oiu* sled to pieces, and en- dangering our necks more than once, we found it necessary to return to the river and follow its wind- ings into the interior. " After many days of as rough travelling as I ever experienced, we came to the lake district on the height of land, and travlBed for some time more ii '' )anclering, and narrow perplexity and Joy. ay on which I lally fine one ; lich you and I he berry glen, ugh there was on our third )olibuck were J got over the t for the dogs, rough ground d, hauled like 1 equal to him Well, as I isiderable toil lountains; but, ieces, and en- we found it )iiow its wind- lling as I ever listrict on the ne time more UNQAVA. 449 rapidly, and with much greater ease. There were plenty of ptarmigan here, so that we saved our provisions, — a matter of importance, as you know, in a country where we might have found nothing fit for food One evening, towards sunset, as we were crossing a large lake, it came on to snow heavily, and ere long we could not see the land. '"What shall we do, Maximus?' said I; ' it seems to me that if we go on we may wander out of our course and lose much time ere we find it ag&in. Shall we turn back?' " ' Better go on,' replied Maximus. " Oolibuck seemed to be of the same opinion, so I gave my whip a flourish to urge on the dogs, which were beginning to flag, owing to the difficulty of drawing the sled through the deepening snow. But the two rear dogs could hardly be prevailed on to move. Even Chimo was knocked up. In this dilemma Maximus came to my aid. He hung one of the ptarmigan at his belt, and letting the dogs smell it walked on before. The hungry animals brightened up instantly, and went forward for a con- siderable distance with alacrity. " But after trudging on for two or three miles, the snow fell so thickly that we thought proper to call a halt and hold another council of wai*. " 'Now,' said Ij *it is jay opinion that we should 2F 460 UNGAVA. encamp on the ice ; there is no use in wearying the dogs, and ourselves in uncertainty : what think you, lads?" " ' Me tink so, too/ said Oolibuck. " Maximus nodded his head by way of assent, so wie immediately set to work to make our encamp- ment. You recollect the hut we built on the lake when I was so badly hurt, and when you were lost, Eda ? Well, we made a snow house just like that one ; and as we v;^orked very hard, we had it up and were all snug under its shelter in little more than two hours. Meanwhile, the dogs were fed ; and a small piece of wood, that we fortunately brought with us on the sled, was cut up, and a fire kindled. But this only served long enough to boil the kettle, and then it went out, leaving us to eat our supper in the dark, for by this time the sun had set. How- ever, we did not mind that much ; aiid when we had finished, and were stretched out side by side on the snow, smoking our pipes, while the dogs lay at our feet and kept us warm, I thought that a palace could not have been more comfortable than our snow house. " As we had no wood wherewith to make another fire, and so could not procure water except by the tedious process of digging through the ice, I resolved to try an experiment which I had once heard had UNOAVA. 451 rear3ring the b think you, of assent, so Dur encamp- on the lake )u were lost, list like that ad it up and e more than i fed ; and a tely brought fire kindled. )il the kettle, t our supper d set. How- td when we e by side on dogs lay at that a palace lan our snow nake another xcept by the ue, I resolved 36 heard had been attempted with success. This was, to fill a bottle with snow and take it to bed with me. During the night the heat of my body melted the snow, and in the morning we had sufficient water to give us each a draught at breakfast. " When morning came we found that it was blow- ing and drifting so hard that we could not venture to move; so we made up our minds to remain where we were until the weather should moderate. " ' Maximus,' said I, after our breakfast of cold boiled ptarmigan was over, ' set to work outside and dig a hole through the ice. I have no doubt we shall find fish in this lake. If we do, they will form an excellent addition to our fare. I will pre- pare the lines and hooks.' " Maximus, whose huge body was stretched out at full length, while he enjoyed his pipe, rose to obey ; but as he was about to leave the hut Oolibuck said a few words to hira. " * Please, sir,' said Oolibuck, with his usual oily smile, ' my councr>-men fish in igloe when blow hard. Pr'aps ve make hole here, if you like.' " ' Very good,' said I ; ' make the hole where you please, and look sharp about it, else I shall have my lines prepared before you reach the water.* " The two Esquimaux immediately set to work, and in less than an hour a hole about six feet deep w ^ I : 452 CNGAVA. was yawning in the middle of our floor. Through this we set two lines, and our usual luck attended us immediately. We caught five or six excellent white- fish, and one or two trout, in the first half hour, so that we were enabled to give the dogs a capital feed. Moreover, we froze as martv as we could carry along with us for future use ; but we had not the satisfac- tion of having a good dinner of them that day, as we had no wood wherewith to make fire. You would have been greatly amused had you peeped in at the ice-window of our igloe that day, as we sat round the hole in the floor with eager, excited looks. I confess, however, that I left the work principally to the two men, who seemed to relish it amazingly. Maximus was earnest and energetic, as he always is; but the expression of Oolibuck's face underwent the most extraordinary transformations. Now beaming with intense hope, as he felt, or thought he felt, a tug. Anon, blazing with excitement, while his body jerked as if a galvanic shock had assailed it, under the influence of a decided pull. Then his visage was elongated as the fish escaped, and was again con- vulsed by another pull, or shone in triumph as he hauled the wriggling captive into the light of day. " Towards evening the wind fell, and we resumed our journey. We were not again interrupted by weather for more than a week after this, but were IJNOAVA. 453 •. Through attended us ellent white- half hour, so capital feed, carry along the satisfac- that day, as i fire. You ou peeped in ly, as we sat ixcited looks, k principally it amazingly, he always is; nderwent the Tow beaming 3fht he felt, a hile hia body iled it, under lis visage was s again con- iumph as he ght of day. i we resumed iterrupted by this, but were much perplexed by the chains of small lakes into which we came. At last we reached Clear-water Lake, and had a long consultation as to the best course to pursue, becarase it was now a question whether we should follow the chain of lakes by which we came up to Ungava in our canoes, or make a straight cut for the coast, and take our chance of finding it. While we were yet uncertain what to do, our course was decided by a polar bear !" " A polar bear?" cried Edith, in surprise. " Ay ; a polar bear and her cub settled the ques- tion for us, as you shall hear presently," replied Frank ; " but first hand me papa's tobacco-pouch, please, as my pipe is exhausted." "There now," continued Frank, re-lighting his pipe, and throwing a fresh log on the fire, " that's comfortable. Well, as I said, we were somewhat perplexed as to what we shoidd do, when, in wander- ing about the lake endeavouring to find the outlet, I came upon the track of a polar bear ; and by the side of it were little foot-prints, which showed me that it was a she-bear with her cub. I observed that the tracks were quite fresh. " * Now, then, Maximus,' said I, pointing to the tracks, which went to the westward, * there is a sure guide who will conduct us by the quickest route to the coast.' I could tell this, Eda, because I knew \.'B f 454 UNOAVA. that the bear had found food rather scarce in those high regions, and would descend Clear-water River in order to fish in the open water at the falls, which are very numerous in that river. On reaching the coast it would find plenty seals in the sea. In the meantime I had nothing to do but follow its track to be conducted by the shortest route to Clear-water Biver, the commencement of which was difficult to find owing to the flatness of the margin of the lake at this end. Away we went then, and, as I had ex- pected, were soon led to the river, down the banks of which we scrambled, over rocks and crags, through bushes and snow, until we came to the coast at Rich- mond Gulf. " But it took us many weeks to accomplish the jour- ney which I have briefly sketched thus far, and when we reached the coast, worn with hard travel, and our clothing uncomfortably ragged, the spring was well advanced; rivers were breaking up, ducks and geese were passing to the north, and there were thousands of deer ; so that we found ourselves suddenly in the midst of abundance. Just before reaching the gulf, I witnessed the breaking up of a river; which was one of the grandest sights I ever saw. "The river was not a very large one. On reach- ing it we were much struck with a curious barrier of ice that was jammed across it. On examination UNOAYA. 455 irce in those water River falls, which reaching the sea. In the 1 its track to Clear-water 3 difficult to L of the lake as I had ex- m the banks rags, through joast at Ricli- )lish the jour- ar, and when avel, and our ing was well is and geese re thousands Idenly in the ling the gulf, hich was one On reach- rious barrier examination I saw that the ice had given way some time before we arrived there, and an enormous cake, of many yards surface and fully six feet thick, had, while being hurled along by the swelling water, caught upon the rugged rocks and been tilted upon end. Thus it formed a temporary barrier, against which other masses were forced until the outlet was com- pletely checked, aud the water began to rise with great rapidity. As we stood on the high cliff, look- ing down on the wild ravine in which this was going on, I heard a loud crack. In another instant the obstructing barrier burst like a thunder-clap, and the pent-up waters leaped with one mighty roar into their accustomed channel ! The devastation created was inconceivably grand. Rocks of many tons weight were torn up, cast like playthings on the rushing ice, and hurled on the cliffs below ; while trees, and ice, and water, swept down the gorge in a mad whirl, that made my brain reel as I gazed at it. In an hour the worst of this awful scene was over, but the unutterable desolation that was left will remain for centuries, I believe, to tell of the mighty rush that happened there. " Our first experience of Richmond Gulf was not by any means pleasant. When we anived, it was covered with ice ; but we did not know that, although it appeared to be solid enough, it was in reality httle ill iW'. iiiiijii 456 UNGAVA. better than frozen sludge or foam. Oolibuck happened ta be walking first, with the line of his little sled over his shoulder. For a short distance we plodded on, intending to cross the gulf, but I was suddenly aroused from a reverie by a shout from Maximus. Looking hastily up, I beheld nothing of Oolibuck ex- cept his head above the i , while Maximus was try- , ing to pull him out by hauling at the tail-line of the sled. Luckily Oolibuck had kept fast hold of the line which was over his shoulder, and after much trouble we succeeded in dragging him out of the water. A sharp frost happened to have set in, and before we got back to the shore, the poor fellow's garments were frozen so stiff that he could not run. " * This is a bad job, Maximus,' said I; * we must carry him. Do you lift his head, and I'll take the feet.' " ' O be queek ! I is frizzen up,* cried Oolibuck, casting a rueful look through his tangled locks, which were a mere mass of icicles ! " Maximus gave a loud chuckle, and before I could assist him, he seized his comrade in his powerful arms, heaved him over his shoulder like a sack, and ran towards the shore as lightly as if his burden were a child instead of a big over-fed Esquimaux ! " Arrived at the woods, we wrapped Oolibuck in our blankets ; then we kindled a fire, and in two hours UNOAVA. 457 ick happened is little sled e plodded on, ''as suddenly im Maximus. Oolibuck ex- nus was try- il-line of the Id of the line nuch trouble e water. A d before we trments were [ ; ' we must I'll take the ed Oolibuck, locks, which fore I could lis powerful a sack, and jurden were ux! ibuck in our two hours after, his clothes were dried and himsei." ready to pro- ceed. This might have turned out a more seriout accident, however, and we felt very thankful when we had our damp companion steaming beside a good fire. The lesson was not thrown away, for we coasted round Richmond Gulf instead of attempting to cross it " And now," continued Frank, stirring the fire and re -lighting his pipe, which invariably went out at the interesting parts of his narrative, "now I come to that part of my story which bears on the fate of Maximus, " As I have said, we had arrived at the coast, and began to look forward to Moose Fort as the first resting-place on our journey. By far the greater part of the journey lay before us, Eda; for, according to my calculation, I have travelled, since last spring, a distance of three thousand miles ; nearly a thousand of which have been performed on foot, upwards of a thousand in boats and canoes, and a thousand by sea; and in the whole distance I did not see a civilized spot of ground or a single road, — not so much as a bridle path. As Bryan's favourite song has it — * Over mountains and rivers 1 was pelted to shivers.' But I*m happy to say I have not, as the same song continues, * met on this land with a wathery grave.' I was very near it once, however, as you shall hear. " Well, away we went along the coast of James's Urn m : i 458 UNGAVA. lib Bay, much, relieved to think that the mountains were MOW past, and that our road henceforth, whatever *^lse it might be, was level. One evf^ning as we were plodding wearily along, after a hard day's march over soft snow alternated with sandy beach — for the spring was fast advancing — we came suddenly on a camp of Indians. At first I thought they must be some of the Moose Indians, but on inquiry I found that they wero a party of Muskigons, who had wandered all over East Maine, and seemed to be of a roving, imsettled disposition. However, we deter- mined to encamp along with them for that night and get all the information we could out of them in re- gard to their hunting grounds. " We spent a great part of the night in the leathern wigwam of the principal chief, who was a sinister- looking old rascal, though I must say he received us hospitably enough, and entertained us with a good deal of small- talk, after time and the pipe had worn away his reserve. But I determined to spend part of the night in the tent of a solitary old woman who had recently been at Moose Fort, and from whom I hoped to hear some news of our friendij< there. You know I have had always a partiality for miserable old wives, Eda; which accounts, perhaps, for my liking for you! This dame had been named Old Moggy by the people at Moose; and she was the most shrivelled, U'' UNGAVA. 459 Lountains were )rth, whatever Vv^.ning as we d day's march )each — for the suddenly on a they must be iquiry I found )ns, who had oaed to be of a ^er, we deter- that night and 3f them in re- in the leathern ras a sinister- he received us 8 with a good :)ipe had worn to spend part Id woman who from whom I .« there. You for miserable I, for my liking Did Moggy by lost shrivelled, dri-^d up, wrinkled old body you ever aaw. She was testy too ; but this was owing to the neglect she eai^ perienced at the hands of her tribe. She was good- tempered by nature, hov/ever ; a fact which became apparent the longer I conversed with her. " ' WeU, Old Moggy,' said I, on entering her tent, * what cheer, what cheer?' " * There's no cheer here,' she replied peevishly, in the Indian tongue. "'Nay, then,' said I, 'don't be angry, mother; here's a bit o' baccy to warm your old heart. But who is this you have got beside you?' I asked, on observing a good-looking young girl, with a melan- choly cast of countenance, seated in a dark corner of the wigwam, as if she sought concealment. I ob- served that she was whiter than Indians usually are, and supposed at first that she was a half-breed girl, but a second glance convinced me that she had Httle if any of the Indian blood in her veins. " * She is my only friend,' said Old Moggy, her dark eye brightening as she glanced towards the girl. * She was to have been my son's wife ; but the Great Spirit took my son away. She is all that is left to me now.' " The old woman's voice trembled as she spoke the last few words, and she spread her skinny hands over the small fire that smouldered in the centre of the floor. |l| I iii|| m "■I ! I 460 UNOAVA. " I was proceeding to make further inquiries into iiiis girl's history when the curtain-door of the tent was laised and Oolibuck thrust in his shaggy head. " * Please, sir, de ole chief, him wants baccy. I have smoke all mine. Vill you give some?' " * Here you are,' said I, throwing a lump to the Esquimaux. * Send Maximus to me ; I want to speak with him.' " * I is here,' said Maximus, outside the tent. " * Ah ! that's right. Now, Old Moggy, I'll be back in a few minutes, so don't go to sleep till I retura.' " As I was about to issue from the tent, the young girl passed me hastily, and, drawing the hood over her head and face, darted through the opening. I found Maximus gazing after her in surprise. " * Hallo, Maximus ! what's wrong? Do you think the girl's a witch?' " 'No; but I tink she be funny. She look close into my face, and fly 'way when you come hout o' tent.' " ' That's odd. Did you ever see her before?' " * I not see her yet. She keep face covered up.' " * Well, come along, it doesn't signify. I want you to go with me to the chiefs wigwam, to ask where we are to put the dogs for the night, and to see about our own quarters.' " Old Moggy's wigwam stood at the distance of i!f r- ' ; 5 E UNGAVA. 461 inquiries into ir of the tent haggy head, its baccy. I )me?' lump to the 3; I want to the tent. fy, 111 be back ill I return.' ent, the young the hood over e opening. I prise. Do you think She look close come hout 0' 3r before?' s covered up.' . I want you to ask where d to see about le distance of several hundred yards from the other tents of the village, from which it was separated by a belt ol stunted trees and willows. Through this copse-wood Maximus and I took our way, following one of the many beaten tracks made by the Indians. The night was clear, and we found no difficulty in picking our steps among the low shrubs. When we were about half way through this wood, I observed a female form gliding among the bushes. She ran towards Maxi- mus, who walked in advance and concealed me with his bulky form. But a slight bend in the road re- vealed my figure, and the woman paused, as if uncer- tain what to do. " * Surely that is your unknown friend again,' said I, as we both halted. Then I beckoned her to ap- ' proach. At first she appeared unwilling to do so, but suddenly she seemed to change her mind, and walking boldly up to Maximus, she threw back her hood and stood before him. I observed that she was Moggy's young friend, but a wondrous change had come over her. The pale cheeks were now covered with a bright blush, and the sad eyes were spark- ling with animation, as she gazed intently into the face of the Esquimaux, For a few seconds Maxi- mus looked like one thunder-struck. * Aneetka ! ' he exclaimed vehemently, and, striding forward with a suppressed ciy, clasped the girl in his arma il "4 ii m 462 UNGAVA. "You may easily conceive my surprise at this scene. Immediately the recollection of the attack by Indians on the Esquimaux camp, and of Maximus's young bride having been carried off, flashed upon me, and I had no doubt that the Esquimaux girl now stood be- fore me. Indeed, the fact of the broken exclamations uttered by the pair being in the Esquimaux tongue put this beyond a doubt. A feeling of great delight fiUed my heart as I looked upon the couple thus unexpectedly re-united ; while they, quite oblivious of my presence, poured out a flood of question and re- ply, in the midst of which they ever and anon em- braced, to make sure, no doubt, of their physical identity. Then it suddenly occurred to me that I was behaving very ill, so I wheeled about and sauntered away to a little distance in the direction of the shore, in order to take some astronomical obser- vations of the sky, and gaze inquiringly up at the moon, which at that moment broke through a bank of clouds, tipping the icebergs on the sea and the branches of the overhanging trees with silver light. "•In quarter of an hour Maximus came to me and presented his long-lost bride, Aneetka, whose pretty face beamed with joy ; while her Ic^^r's frame ap- peared to expand with felicity untU he looked like an exaggerated Hercules. But we had no time to waste in talking of the past. The present required ;u UNGAVA. 463 ie at this scene. Mjk by Indians ximus's young ipon me, and I now stood be- n exclamations limaux tongue f great delight e couple thus ite oblivious of lestion and re- and anon em- their physical to me that I ed about and he direction of nomical obser- ngly up at the irough a bank sea and the I sUver light. Lme to me and , whose pretty "r's frame ap- le looked like id no time to :esent required our instant and earnest attention ; so we sat down on the stem of a fallen tree to consult as to how we were to get Aneetka out of the hands of her Indian captors. Her brief history, after she was captured at Ungava, was as follows : — " ' The Indian who had intended to make her his bride found her resolved rather to die than to marry him ; but, hoping that time would overcome her objection, he placed her under the care of his widowed mother, Old Moggy, on returning to his viUage in the interior. Soon afterwards this Indian was killed by a brown bear, and the poor mother became a sort of outcast from the tribe, having no relations to look after her. She was occasionally assisted, however, by two youths, who came to sue for the hand of the Esquimaux girl. But Aneetka, true to her first love, would not listen to their proposals. One of these lovers was absent on a hunting expedition at the time we discovered Aneetka ; the other, a surly fel- low, and disliked by the most of his comrades, was in the camp. From the day of her son's death, a feeling of sympathy had sprung up between Old Moggy and the Esquimaux girl, and this had gra- dually strengthened into affection.' "Thus matters stood when we fell in with her. After much deliberation, it was resolved that I should go to the old chief and tell him that Old Moggy and iii ir 464 UNGAVA. r H V'- 1 1 her adopted child wished to quit the tribe, and go to Moose "with us, to live there ; while Aneetka should go and acquaint her old protector with our plans and her own altered circumstances. " ' Adieu, then, Aneetka,' said I, as the girl pushed her lover away and boimded into the woods. * Now, Maximus, nothing wiU do for it but stout hearts and strong arms. Come along, lad.' " I found, to my surprise, that the old chief had no objection to the arrangement I proposed. A few of the others did not seem inclined to part with their captive ; but I explained to them the advp.ntage it would be to them to have friends at court, as it were ; and said that the fur traders would be glad to support Moggy in her old age, — which was true enough, for you all know as well as I do that there is not a post in the country where there are not one or more old or otherwise helpless Indians supported gratuitously by the Hudson's Bay Company. Tlie only man who resolutely opposed the proposal was Meestagoosh, the rejected lover ; but I silenced him in a novel manner. He was a tall, powerful feUow, of about my own size. " ' Come,' said I to his assembled comrades, in the Indian language, for I found they understood my bad mixture of Cree and Sauteaux very well. * Come, friends, let us deal fauly in this matter. My man If 111 be, and go to leetka should Dur plans and le girl pushed oods. * Now, •ut hearts and i chief had no id. A few of irt with their advp.ntage it ■j court, as it [lid be glad to ich was true io that there •e are not one ms supported mpany. The proposal was silenced him w^erful fellow, nrades, in the stood my bad ell. * Come, |er. My man UNGAYA. 465 there has taken a fancy to the girl, — let Meestagoosh and Maximus wrestle for her.' " A loud laugh greeted this proposal, as the Indians curveyed the huge proportions of my Esquimaux. " * Well, then,' I continued, * if Meestagoosh is afraid of the Esquimaux, I have no objections to try him myself.' The Indian looked at me with an angry glance, and seemed, I thought, half inclined to accept the challenge ; so, to cut the matter short, I took him by the throat and hurled him to the ground, — a feat which was evidently enjoyed by his countrymen. " Meestagoosh rose and retired with a savage scowl on his face, and I saw no more of him. Indeed, I believe he left the camp immediately. " After this no opposition was offered, and I made the matter sure by distributing a large quantity of powder, shot, and tobacco, to the chiefs. Old Moggy made no objection to our plan ; so we. set out the next day with an additional dog j)urchased from the Indians in order to make our team strong enough to haul the old woman when she got knocked up with walking. Six days brought us to Moose Fort, just as the ice on the river was breaking up. Here, as I have already told you, Maximus and Aneetka were married in due form by the Wesleyan mission- ary, after they, had received some instruction and so ^; 466 UNGAVA. fcl hi ; ^ f i.v I, >■ ^- i'. 't ij' f if expressed their desire to become Christians. Then they were supplied with a canoe and all necessary provision, and sent off to go round the coast to Ungava, accompanied by our good dog Chimo, for whom we had now no further use, and by Old Moggy, who would not consent to be separated from her friend Aneetka. They started along the coast on a fine spring day, and the back of his seal-skin coat, shining in the sun's rays like velvet, as the canoe swept out to sea, and disappeared behind a low point, was the last that I saw of Maximus. " I will not weary you just now," continued Frank, " with the details of my subsequent journeyings, as, although full of incidents, nothing of a very thrilling character occurred except once. At Moose I remained till the rivers were clear of ice, and then set off into the interior of the country with a small canoe and five men, Oolibuck being bowsman. For many days we voyaged by rivers and lakes, until we arrived at the Michipicoton River, which is a very rough one, and full of tremendous falls and rapids. One day, while we were descending a rapid that rushed through a dark gorge of frowning rocks, and terminated in a faU, our canoe was broken in two, and the most of us thrown into the water. We all swam ashore in safety, with the exception of one man, who clung to the canoe, poor fellow, and was carried along with it : I istians. Then d all necessary I the coast to log Chimo, for by Old Moggy, ated from her the coast on a seal-skin coat, t, as the canoe nd a low point, ontinued Frank, journeyings, as, a very thrilling !oose I remained ;hen set off into ;mall canoe and For many days il we arrived at very rough one, pids. One day, lb rushed through terminated in a md the most of swam ashore in m, who clung to ed along with it UNQAVA. 467 over the fall. We never saw him more, although we searched long and carefully for his body. " We now found ourselves in a very forlorn condi- tion. We were dripping wet, without the means of making a fire, and without provisions or blankets, in the midst of a wild, uninhabited country. How- ever, we did not lose heart, but set off on foot to follow the river to its mouth, where we knew we should find relief at Michipicoton Fort. The few days that followed were the most miserable I ever passed. We allayed the cravings of hunger by scraping off the inner bark of the trees, and by a few of last year's berries, which had been frozen and so prv^served. Once or twice we crossed the river on rafts of drift-wood, and at night lay down close to each other under the shelter of a tree or cliff. At length we arrived at the fort on Lake Superior, quite worn out with fatigue and starvation. Here we waited until the canoes from Canada passed; and, after a somewhat similar voyage, through woods, rivers, and lakes, arrived at length, about the begin- ning of autumn, at York Fort, on Hudson's Bay. " Here I spent some weeks in recalling to memory and recording on paper the contents of my despatches, which had been lost, along with our canoe and bag- gage, in Michipicoton Kiver ; and when these were finished and delivered, I embarked, along with our 468 ' UNQA.VA. outfit of goods, in tlie 'Beaver,* and sailed for Un- gava. I need scarcely add that the voyage was a prosperous one, and that the brightest day in it all was that on which we found the boat, with our dear little Edith, beset among the ice near the entrance to Ungava Bay." While Frank was thus occupied in narrating the events of his long journey in the hall of Fort Chimo, Oolibuck was similarly employed in entertaining the men. After the day's toil of unloading the ship was over, he was placed in the middle of the circle, directly in front of the blazing fire, by Dick Prince and Massan; wliile Moses, Oostesimow, Gaspard, and Ma-istequan, sat on his right; and Bryan, La Roche, Francois, and Augustus, supported him on the left, — all having pipes in their mouths, which were more or less blackened by constant use. A pipe was then handed to Oolibuck, and the order given, generally by Bryan, to " blaze away." This the oily-visaged Esquimaux did with right good will ; and the shouts of laughter which issued from the house occasionally, as he proceeded with his interminable narration, proved that the spirit and humour of the stout voyageur had not been crushed by the trials and dangers of his long, eventful journey. UNGAVA. 469 L sailed for TJn- ! voyage was a st day in it all b, with our dear ar the entrance n narrating the I of Fort Chime, entertaining the [ng the ship was e of the circle, by Dick Prince iw, Gaspard, and Jryan, La Roche, m on the left, — ch were more or pipe was then given, generally did with right ter which issued oceeded with his ) the spirit and not been crushed eventful journey. CHAPTER XXXV. A stln-ing period In the life of Maxlmna. Intermingled joy and sorrow is the lot of man ! Thus it has ever been, — thus, no doubt, it shall con- tinue to be, until the present economy shall have reached its termination. " Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" is a sufficient reply to those who would fain have it otherwise. But, inde- pendently of this view of the subject, may we not, with the painter's eye, regard joy as the light, sorrow as the shade, in the picture of life ? And who would have a painting all light or all shadow? Maximus found it so in his experience. The sha- dows in the picture of his life had of late been broad and dark ; but a flash of vivid brilliancy had crossed it when he found his bride. Afterwards the light and shade were chequered, as we shall see. On leaving Moose, Maximus proceeded a day's journey along the coast, and at night, as the weather was fine, he encamped, with his wife and Old Moggy and Chimo, on the open sea-shore. Here he held a consultation as to their future proceedings. As long as they were on the shore of James's Bay they were in danger of being found by Indians ; but once be- II : ii \ i i iiii 470 UNOAVA. yond Richmond Gulf, they would be comparatively safe, and in the land of the Esquimaux. After ma- ture deliberation, it was resolved that they should travel during the night, and rest and cook their food during the day-time, when a fire would not be so likely to attract attention, if kindled in sequestered places. This plan answered very well ; and they passed stealthily along the coast, when the Indians, if there were any there, were buried in repose. On approach- ing the camp of the tribe, however, from whom Aneetka had been taken, Maximus deemed it advis- able to paddle far out to sea, — the weather being fortunately calm, — and to rest for a day and a night as well as they could in their frail bark. Maximus sat in the stern of the canoe and steered ; his wife sat in the bow and paddled day after day as vigor- ously as if she had been a man. As for poor Old Moggy, she sat in the middle and paddled a little when she felt cold ; but she slept during the greater part of the journey. Chimo conceived it to be his duty to enjoy himself, and did so accordingly, at all times and in every possible way. During that live-long day and night, and all the following day, the giant's arm never flagged; Aneetka, too, rested only once or twice at the earnest request of her husband; but the little bark never UNQAVA. 471 comparatively IX. After ma- at they should cook their food )uld not be so in sequestered ad they passed Indians, if there On approach- 2r, from whom ieemed it advis- weather being lay and a night ark. Maximus eered ; his wife T day as vigor- b for poor Old paddled a little ing the greater ired it to be his accordingly, at night, and all never flagged; 3 at the earnest tie bark never once slackened its speed vmtil the second night. Then Old Moggy was awakened. " Mother," said Aneetka, who acted as interpreter between her husband and the old woman, " we want to sleep for an hour or two. You seem to have rested well. Will you wake and watch V The old woman yawned, rubbed her eyes, and assented, after the question had been twice repeated. Then, laying their heads on opposite sides of the canoe, without otherwise changing their positions, the husband and wife sank into repose. Two hours afterwards, the old Indian woman, who had remained motionless as a dark statue all tlie time, uttered a slight sound. Instantly the sleepers awoke, for those who are in the midst of danger sleep lightly. ** It is time to go on," said the old woman, as she lay back again in her lair, rolled herself up into a bundle, and went to sleep. Maximus and his wife resumed theii* paddles, and the light craft glided swiftly on its way to the far north. As the sun rose they neared the land, and, soon after, they were seated, not far from a high cliff", eat- ing their breakfast beside a small fire, which sent so thin a column of smoke into the air that it was al- most dissipated ere it reached the tree tops. It was < 472 UNGAVA. hoped that the Indians had been now so far overshot chat there was no danger of even a straggler being near them. But they took the precaution to load their two guns with ball, and lean them against a tree within reach of their hands. When the meal was over, Maximus retired from the fire a few paces, and, thro^dng himself at full length on the green moss beneath a tree, he fell into a sound sleep. He had not lain thus more than quarter of an hour when he was startled by the report of a gun, which was followed by a wild scream and a chorus of un- earthly yells. At the same instant, and ere he could attempt to rise, his legs and arms were pinioned to the ground by four powerful Indians. For an instant Maximus was paralyzed. Then the terrible reality of his position, the scream of Aneetka, and the sight of the thong with which his captors were about to bind him, caused his spirit to rebound with a degree of violence that lent 1 im for the momeiit the strenorth of a giant. With a 5hout, in which a tone even of contempt seemed to mingle, the Esquimaux hurled his captors right and left, and sprang to his feet. The Indians fled; — but one, who was a moment later in rising than the others, received a blow that felled him instantly. !RIaximus glanced quickly round in search of his wife, and observed her being hurried away by two Indians. As the arrow leaps ^ UNGATA. 473 > far overshot 'aggler being ition to load em against a tien the meal i a few paces, on the green d sleep, ter of an hour a gun, which chorus of un- i ere he could e pinioned to For an instant rible reality of md the sight vere about to with a degree t the strength tone even of imaux hurled to his feet, as a moment d a blow that meed quickly ,^ed her being le arrow leaps from the bow the Esquimaux sprang forward in pursuit. The Indians saw him coming. In bitter anger they prepared to let her go and lly ; for, having dropped their gims in the scuffle, they were unable to fire upon their approaching litfe. But there were other Indians in the bush whose weapons were levelled at the breast of Maximus, and the next moment would have b"3n his last, but for a stone thrown from the cl'ffs above, which struck hnn on the forehead, and stretched him bleeding and insen- sible upon the ground. "When Maximus recovered from the effects of the blow, he found himself lying on the cold earth in total darkness, and firmly bound hand and foot. It is impossible to describe the agony of that bold spirit as he lay writhing on the ground, in the vain effort to burst the cords that bound him. He thought of Aneetka and his own utter helplessness, while she was, no doubt, in urgent need of his strong arm to deliver her. The thought maddened him, and again he strove in vain to burst liia fetters, and yelled aloud in despair. The echoing rocks gave back his cry, and then all was silence. The dreadful thought now flashed across him, that the Indians had bixied him alive in some dark cavern; and, brave though he was, he trembled in every limb with agony. II I .1 ; 474 UNGTXVA. Thus Maximus lay until the gray dawn shone in upon him, and showed that he was in a cave. Scarcely had he noted this fact, when the figure of a man darkened the cave's mouth and approached him. As the Indian bent over his helpless foe, he revealed the savage features of Meestagoosh. For an instant he cast a look of mingled hatred and triumph on his enemy; then, drawing a scalping-knife from his girdle, he stooped, and cut the thong that bound his feet, at the same time signing to him to rise, for he knew that Maximus did not understand Indian. The Esquimaux obeyed, and was led by the Indian tlirough the woods towards the cliff where the struggle of the previous night had taken place. Here they came suddenly into view of the Indian camp. There were no tents: several green blankets that lay on the moss under the trees indicated where the party had lain during the night ; and, at a consider- able distance apart from these sat Old Moggy, v.ith her face buried in her skinny hands. Beside her stood Aneetka, with a calm but slightly anxious ex- pression on her pale countenance. Chimo was held in a leash by an Indian. From thu fact of the Indians being without tents or women, and liaving their faces daubed with red paint, besides being armed with knives, guns, and tomahawks, Maximus concluded that they composed a war party. UNGAVA. 475 twn shone in in a cave, le figure of a roached hiin. , he revealed )r an instant umph on his fe from his at bound his > rise, for he and Indian. y the Indian where the place. Here iian camp, ilankets that id where the b a consider- ^oggy, vith Beside her anxious ex- no was held fact of the and having jsides beinsr M, Maximus On seeing her husband, Aneetka uttered a sup- pressed cry, and bounded towards him ; but ere she had proceeded two paces, an Indian laid his hand on her arm, and led her back to where the old woman sat. Meestagoosh led Maximus to the same spot, and, having confronted him with his wife, he said to the latter, — "Now, she-bear of the north, translate between us. If I think you teU lies, the dogs shall have your bones to pick." Aneetka replied meekly, "You cannot hurt one hair of our heads unJess the Great Spirit permit you." "We shall see," retorted the Indian, with a scorn- ful laugh. "Tell the polar bear," continued Meestagoosh, in a contemptuous tone, " that I did not expect to catch him so soon. I have been fortunate. It was kind of him to come in my way, and to bring his she-bear with him. Tell him that I and my braves are going to pay a visit to his nation, to take a few scalps. I let him know this piece of good news be- cause he will never know it from his friends, as he shall be food for dogs very soon." On this being translated, the face of Maximus assumed an expression of deep gravity, mingled witli sadness. His mind flew to the far north, and he !;ii li II ■\ ! I 476 UNGAVA. thought of the midnight assault and the death-cry of women and children. The nature of the Esquimaux was too noble and generous to be easily ruffled by the contemptuous tone of such a man as Meestagoosh ; but his heart sank within him when he thought of the power as well as the will that the Indian had to put his threat in execution. ** Tell him," said Maximus, quietly, " that I have no wish to talk with him, but remind him that Indians are n^*' gods ; they are men." „ " Yes, he says truly," retorted Meestagoosh, " the Indians are men; but Esquimaux are dogs." While this conversation was going on, and the Indians were intent upon the scene, Old Moggy, who was not deemed worthy of being noticed, contrived unobserved to possess herself of a knife, and, spring- ing suddenly towards Maximus, with an agility of which she seemed utterly incapable, she endeavoured to cut the thongs that bound his arms. Her hand was caught, however, by Meestagoosh, in time to frustrate her intention. Without deigning a word of remark, the Indian struck her a heavy blow on the cheek with the back of his open hand, which nearly stunned her. Staggering backward she fell upon the ground with a low wail. The bosom of Maximus felt as if it would burst with rage. Before any one could prevent him, he BNGAVA. 477 death-cry of e Esquimaux Lly ruffled by Meestagoosh ; thought of ndian had to that I have id him that igoosh, " the on, and the Moggy, who d, contrived and, spring- n agility of endeavoured Her hand in time to ing a word vy blow on and, which Lrd she fell vould burst nt him, he raised his foot and struck Meestagoosh so violently on the chest that he fell as if he had been shot. In a moment he recovered, drew his knife, and, spring- ing like an infuriated tiger at his enemy, drove it with deadly force at his throat. Fortunately the arms of Maximus were tied in front of him, so that by raising them he was enabled to guard his chest and receive the stab on his wrist. The knife passed quite through the fleshy part of his left arm, but in doing so it severed one of the cords that bound him. Thought is not quicker than the mighty wrench with which the Esquimaux burst the remaining cord and dashed his opponent to the ground. Before the astonished Indians could level their guns, Maximus had seized Aneetka in his arms and was bounding madly towards the cliff, which was not more than fifty yards distant. Every gun poured forth its deadly contents before he gained it ; but his very nearness to the Indians seemed to contribute to his safety, and the suddenness of his flight rendered their hasty aim uncertain. In another moment he was round the point and behind the sheltering cliff", while the Indians uttered a terrific yell and darted forward in pursuit. Just about thu'ty paces beyond the point of the cliff* that hid him for a few moments f. om view, was the cave in which Maximus had spent the night. -Quick as thought he sprang up the 478 UNQAVA. Bteep short ascent that kd to its narrow entrance and darted ia Scarcely had he placed Aneetka behind a projec- tion that formed an ample shelter at the mouth of the cave, when Chimo, who had broken from his captors, also darted in and crouched at his master's feet. Meanwhile the Indians came sweeping round the point, and seeing, by the entrance of the dog, where the fugitives had taken shelter, they bounded up the ascent. The first who reached the cave's mouth rashly passed the entrance. Ere he could fire his piece he received a blow from the fist of the Esquimaux that fractured his skull, hurled him down the steep ascent, and dashed him against his com- rades in the rear. This sudden repulse efiectually checked the Indians, who are notoriously bad at storming. Indeed, they would never have ventured to enter the cave in this manner had they not known that Maximus was totally unarmed. Withdrawing to a distance of about forty yards, the Indians now formed in a line, and, loading* their guns, fired volley after volley into the cave's mouth. But Maximus and his wife crouched with the dog behind the ledge of rock at tlie entrance, and re- mained there in perfect safety. In a few minutes the Indians ceased firing, and one of their number cautiously approached the cave, supposing, no doubt, row entrance lind a projec- ihe mouth of ien from his ; his master's eeping round ! of the dog, they bounded id the cave's J he could fire e fist of the led him down nst his com- se efiectually )usly bad ^ at ave ventured ey not known forty yards, loading' their 3ave's mouth, ^ith the dog ince, and re- few minutes their number og, no doubt, UNGAVA. 479 that the fusillade must have wounded if it had not killed those within ; but the instant he passed the entrance, knife in hand, he was caught in the power- ful arms of Maximus and hurled down the slope. A yell" of indignation from the Indians followed this feat, and another volley was fired into the cave, but without effect ; and the savages, seeing that it was impossible in this way to dislodge their foe, assembled in a group to consult. Meanwhile Old Moggy had made good use of the opportunity thus afforded her to effect her escape. She darted into the bushes and made for the rocky ground in the rear of the camp. In doing so she happened to pass the tree against which leaned the two guns belonging to her friends. They had escaped notice during the melee of the previous day, and, with the shot -belts and powder-horns, remained where they had been pbced when she and her com- panions landed. The old woman eagerly seized these, and clambered with them over the rocks at a rate that would have done credit to more youthful limbs. On reaching a ridge of rock that overlooked the cave where Maximus was sheltered, Old Moggy became aware of how matters stood. She could also see, from her elevated position, that a track, or the bed of a dried up water-course, led through the bushes towards the cave. Without a moment's delay she I tel 48 « 480 UNGAVA. descended it ; but, on drawing near to the cave, she found that there was a barren spot of about thirty yards in extent between the place of refuge and the edge of the bushes. This open space was completely exposed to the view of the natives ; who at that time were firing across it into the cavern ; for, after their consultation, they had changed their position and re- newed the fusillade. Moggy was now in despair.. She knew that it would be impossible to pass the open ground without being shot, and she also felt certain that, when the Indians found their pre- sent attempts were fruitless, they would resort to others, in prosecuting which they would in all pro- bability discover her. While she meditated thus, she looked earnestly towards the cave, and observed the astonished gaze of Maximus fixed upon her ; for, from his position behind the ledge of rock, he could see the old woman without exposing himself to the Indians. While they gazed at each other a thought occurred to Old Moggy. She made a series of com- plicated signs, which, after frequent repetition, were understood by Maximus to mean that he was to ex- pose himself to the view of the Indians. Instantly comprehending her meaning, the Esqui- maux stepped boldly from his place of concealment and shook his fist contemptuously in the face of his enemies. A shower of bi:illets and a yell of UNQAVA. 481 the cave, she r about thirty efuge and the v&a completely at that time For, after their Dsition and re- »w in despair., e to pass the . she also felt ad their pre- Duld resort to Id in all pro- leditated thus, and observed ipon her ; for, rock, he could limself to the her a thought series of com- petition, were he was to ex- ng, the Esqui- >f concealment in the face of and a yell of 9. rage followed the act. This wiis just what Old Moggy had expected and desired. Not a gun re- mained undischarged, and, before they could re-load, she passed quickly over the open ground and bounded into the cave, where she turned and shook aloft the two guns with a hoarse laugh of triumph ere she sought the shelter of the ledge of rock. • The Indians were so iilled with fury, at being thus outwitted by an old woman, that they forgot for a moment their usual caution, and rushed in a body up the slope ; but ere they had accomplished half the distance two of their number fell to rise no more. This was sufficient to check their career. Howling with baffled rage : and without waiting to pick up their fallen comrades, they darted right and left to seek the shelter of the bushes; for they could no longer remain in the open ground now that their enemies were armed. For nearly an hour after this all was silence. Maximus and his companions could only form con- jectures as to the movements of the Indians, for none of them were to be seen. However, as they had no resource but to remain in their retreat until night-fall, they endeavoured to make the place as comfortable as possible, and busied themselves in cleansing of their arms. It happened that from the cave's mouth they 2H 482 UNGAVA. could see their canoe, which still lay on the beach where they had originally left it ; and, while they were looking at it, they perceived one of the Indians stealing down towards it. Fortunately Maximus had a gun in his hand ready loaded, and the in- stant the Indian appeared he fired and shot him. No second Indian dared to venture towards the little craft, although it lay only a few yards distant from the edge of the forest ; for they knew that the watchful eye of the Esquimaux was upon them, and that instant death would be the fate of him who should make the attempt. The little canoe now became an object of intense interest to both parties. The Indians knew that if their foe should succeed in reaching it he could easily escape. This, of course, he could not hope to do as long as daylight lasted ; nor even when night should aiTive, unless it were a very dark one. But, on the other hand, they knew that they did not dare to venture near it so long as there was sufficient light to enable Maximus to take aim at them with his deadly gun. Both parties, therefore, remained silent and apparently inactive during the remainder of the day. But the busy brains both of Indians and Esqui- maux were, during this weary interval, employed in planning how to circumvent each other. As* the shades of night deepened, each became more watch- on the beach J, while they [)f the Inclianw ,e\y Maximus and the in- jhot him. No rds the little distant from ,t the watchful id that instant )uld make the le an object of Indians knew ing it he could d not hope to 3n when night rk one. But, y did not dare was sufficient at them with 'ore, remained the remainder IS and Esqui- 1, employed in bher. As' the 3 more watch- UNGAVA. 483 ful. Once only did Maximus move from his post, in order to go to the farther end of the cave, where the large powder-horn had been placed for safety. As he did so, Chimo, who was tied to a rock, tried to fol- low him, and on finding that he was restrained, uttered a loud, mournful howl. This crv sent a thrill to the heart of Maximus, for it immediately occurred to him that any attempt to leave the cave stealthily would instantly be intimated to the watchful foe by the dog, and to take Chimo with them was impos- sible. " The dog must die," said Old Mo(;gy, who divined at once what was passing in the man's mind. Maximus shook his he'.d, sadly. " I cannot kill Chimo," he said to Aneetka ; " he is Edith's dog." Aneetka made no reply, for she felt the power of her husband's objection to injure the dog of his little favourite ; yet she could not but perceive that the cry,-^-which was invariably repeated when any of the party moved away from the animal, — would betray them in the moment of danger. Nothing further was said for some time, but Old Moggy, who had no tender reminiscences or feelings in regard to the dog, proceeded quietly and significantly to con- struct a running-noose on the stout thong of leather that encircled her waist and served as a sash. fi u 484 UNQAVA. While she was thus engaged the sun's last rays faded away and the night began to deepen around them. To the satisfaction of botli parties the sky was draped with heavy clouds, which gave promise of a night of intense darkness, Tliis was abso- lutely essential not only to the Indians but to Maxi- mus, who had at length formed a plan by which he hoped to turn the dreaded cry of the dog to good ac- count, although he had little hope of saving it from the Indians should he succeed in escaping with the women. As the night grew darker he began to put this plan in execution. Taking his station at the entrance of the cave, he took a long and steady aim at the bow of the canoe, which could now be only seen dimly. Having ad- justed the gim to his satisfaction he marked its posi- tion exactly on the rock, so that, when the canoe should be entirely hid from sight, he could make certain of hitting any object directly in front of it. Then he ordered Moggy and his wife to keej) mov- ing about the cave, so that the howling of Chimo should be kept up continually, and thus not appear unusual when they should really forsake the cave and attempt their escape. In order to show that he was still on the alert, he shortly after aimed at the cjinoe, which was now quite invisible, and fired. The effect was more startling than had been ex- UNGAVA. 485 sun's last rays deepen around arties the sky gave promise 'liis was abso- s but to Maxi- n by which he dog to good ac- saving it from aping with the e began to put of the cave, he w of the canoe, '. Having ad- iiarked its posi- fhen the canoe le could make in front of it. 1 to keep mov- ding of Chimo lius not appear rsake the cave o show that he ifter aimed at sible, and fired. had been ex- pected. A death-ciy rent the air and mingled with the reverberations of the shot, proving that it had taken deadly effect on one of the Indians who, imder cover of the darkness, had ventured to ap- proach the coveted canoe. A volley was instantly fired in the direction of the cave from various parts of the bushes, but without effect. Maximus now kept up a continued fire, sometimes discharging a succession of rapid shots, at other times firing at irregular intervals of from three to ten minutes. This he did purposely, with a view to his future plans. In the meantime the dog was made to keep up a continuous howl. " Now, Aneetka," said Maximus, as the ring of his last shot died away, " go, and may the Great Spirit guide thee." Without a word of reply, the two women glided noiselessly like shadows into the thick darkness. About two minutes after they had disappeared, Maximus again fired, several shots, taking care, however, to point considerably to the right of the canoe. Then he ceased for three minutes, and again fired several shots in*egularly. At the last shot he passed from ' the cave so silently and quickly that even Chimo was deceived, and snuffed the air for a moment ere it re- newed its sad wailing. In less than twominuU^'^ the Esquimaux had glided, with the noiseless tread of a ^f t^i- 486 UNOAVA. panther, to the spot where the canoe lay. Here he found his wife and the old woman crouching beside it. The water's edge was about ten yards distant. A few seconds would suffice to lift the light bark in his powerful arms and launch it. Aneetka and the old woman, who had already received minute instruc- tions what to do, had glided quietly into the sea the instant Maximus touched tliem ; for, as we have said, it was intensely dark and they could not see a yard before them. The women now stood up to the knees in water with their paddles in their hands ready to embark. Stooping down, the Esquimaux seized the canoe ; but, just as he was about to lift it, he observed a tall dark object close to his side. " Wah ! " whispered the Indian, " you are before me. Quick ! the Esquimaux dog will fire again." The words of the Indian were cut short by the iron gripe of Maximus on his throat ; and, the next iristant, he was felled by a blow that would have stunned an ox. So decided and quick was the action that it was not accompanied by more noise than might have been caused bv the Indian endeavouring to lift the canoe ; so that his comrades were not alarmed. Next moment the canoe was in the water. But the long silence, which had now been unbroken for eight or ten minutes, except by the howling of ■■1' ' f Hi V-JJU UNGAVA. 487 ly. Here he •uching beside yards distant, light bark in eetka and the linute instruc- to the sea the we have said, ild not see a ' stood up to in their hands 3d the canoe ; le observed a ou are before fire again." short by the and, the next would have iras the action 'e noise than endeavouring des were not in the water. 3en unbroken le howling of Chimo in the cave, began to arouse the suspicion of the red men ; and no sooner was this the case than they glided from the bushes in all directions with noiseless tread. In a second or two the body of their fallen comrade was discovered, and a yell of fury rent the air (for concealment was now unnecessary), while they dashed into the water in pursuit. The darkness favoured the fugitives for a few seconds, and enabled the women to embark ; but just as Maximus was about to step iuto his place, Meestagoosh seized him by the throat ! Maximus was possessed of that ready presence of mind and prompt energy of character which are so necessary to a wamor, especially to him who wars with the prowling and stealthy savage. Almost in the same instant he gave the canoe a shove that sent it bounding out to sea, and raised his hand to catch the invisible arm which he knew must be descending with the deadly knife towards his heai*t. He suc- ceeded so far that, although he did not arrest it, he tm*ned the blow aside, receiving only a shght wound on the shoulder. Ere it could be r('j)eated, he dealt his adversary a blow on the forehead, and hurled him back insensible into the water. The Esquimaux immediately glided out into deep water ; and now, for the first time in his life, he felt keenly the disadvantage of not being able to swim. 488 UNGAVA. \H J This is an art which the inhabitants of the icy seas have never acquired ; owing probably to the shortness of the season of open water, and the intense cold of the ice-laden seas, even in summer. The Indians, on the contrary, who live beside the warm lakes and rivers of the interior, are many of them pretty expert swimmers. Thus it happened that Maximus was obliged to stand up to his neck in the water, not darincf to move or utter a sound, while his friends and foes alike sought in vain for him. in the darkness. While he stood thus, uncertain how to act, he heard the water rippling near to him, and distin- guished the hard breathing of a swimmer. Soon he observed a dark head making straight towards him. A sarcastic smile played for a moment on the face of the gigantic Esquimaux, as he thought of the ease with which he should crush his approaching foe ; and his hand was already raised to strike when it was arrested by a low whine, and the next moment Chimo was endeavouring to clamber upon his shoulder ! It instantly occurred to Maximus that he i."ight turn the dog's swimming powers to good account Seizing Chimo by the flanks with both hands, \ turned its head out to sea, and, keeping it in that position, was dragged into deep water. When he had been thus conveyed what appeared to be about fifty yards, he uttered a low cry. He was heard by 'H^r !! \ H UNGAVA. 489 )f the icy seas ) the shortness ntense cold of The Indians, arm lakes and I pretty expert Maximus was :he water, not lie his friends 1 the darkness. 3w to act, he n, and distin- ner. Soon he towards him. on the face of it of the ease ching foe ; and when it was aoment Chimo shoulder ! hat he i.^ight good account 3th hands, Y ing it in that r. When he d to be about was heard by the Indians as well as by those in the canoe, but the latter happened to be nearer to the spot, and a few strokes of the paddle sent them alongside of their comrade, who quickly caught the stern of the bark. The women plied their paddles, — the Esquimaux gave a shout of triumph ; and, half immersed iri the water, was dragged away from shore. A yell of anger, and, soon after, a desultory discharge of fire- arms, told that the Indians had given up the chase. But it was now a question how Maximus was to be got into the canoe. The frail bark was so crank that a much lighter weight than that of the burly Esquimaux would have upset it easily ; and, as the stern was sharp, there was no possibility of climbing over it. This was a matter of considerable anxiety, for the water was excessively cold, being laden with ice out at sea. While in this dilemma, the canoe grated on a rock, and it was discovered that in the dark they had well-nigh lun against a low cape that jutted far out from the land at this part of the coast. Here Maximus and the dog landed, and while the one shook its wet sides, the other wrung the moisture from his garments ; after which necessary operation he leaped, with his canine friend, into the canoe, and they pushed well out to sea. When daylight returned, they were far beyond the reach of their Indian enemies. 490 UNGAVA. I" ■!' ' II. ,1 t ' CHAPTER XXXVI. Happy meetings and joyous feastings— Love, marriage, deseitlon, desolation, and conciuHlon. After the escape narrated in the last chapter, the stout Esquimaux and his companions travelled in safety, for they had passed the country of the Indians, and were now near the lands of their own people. , But if Maximus had not now to fight with men, he was not exempted from doing fierce battle with the elements of these inhospitable climes. For hun- dreds of miles he travelled along the east coast of Hudson's Bay and the southern shores of the Straits, now driven ashore by the storm, anon interrupted by drift-ice, and obliged to carry his canoe for miles and miles on his shoulders, while the faithful Aneetka trudged by his side, happy as the day was long ; for, although her load was necessarily a heavy one, her love for Maximus made it rest lighter than the eider- down that floated from her fingers when she plucked the wild birds for their evening meal. Moggy, too, waddled along after her own fashion, with a resolu- tion and energy that said much for her strength and constitution. She only carried the light paddles and a few trifling articles that did not incommode her much. F i n, desolation, and chapter, the travelled in the Indians, n people, t with men, battle with For hun- iast coast of the Straits, interrupted oe for miles ful Aneetka s long ; for, .vy one, her n the eider- she plucked ^oggy, too, th a resolu- rength and paddles and )mmode her UNGAVA. 491 During the spring and summer and autumn, they pursued their arduous jom-ney, living from hand to mouth on the produce of their guns, nets, seal-spears, and fishing-lines ; which generally supplied them with enough for their daily wants, sometimes with abun- dance, but not unfrequently with just sufficient to keep them alive. Three or four times they met with Esquimaux, and rendered essential service to them, and to the fur traders, by telling them of the new fort at Ungava, recounting the wonders of the store there, and assuring them that the chief desire of the traders, afte^' getting their furs, was to do them good, and bring about friendly intercourse between them and the Indians. Late in the autumn the three voyageurs drew near to Ungava Bay ; and in passing along the coast opposite to the island on which Edith had spent the winter, they overtook Annatock and his whole tribe, with a flotilla of oomiaks and kayaks, on their way to the same place. At the mouth of the bay they were joined by the Esquimaux of False Riv';r, who were carrying supplies of seal-blubber to the fort for the une of the dogs in winter, and a few deer-skins to trade. It wavS a bright and beautiful autumn afternoon (a rare blessing in that dreary clime) when they passed the narrows of the river, and came in sight of Fort Chimo. 492 UNGAVA. On that day an unusually successful deer-hunt had taken place, and the fiddle had, as Bryan expressed it, been "sei-ved out" to the men, for the purpose of rejoicing their hearts with sweet sounds. On that day a small band of Indians had arrived with a rich and unusually large stock of furs, among which there were one or two silver foxes and a choice lot of superb martens. This tended to gladden the heart of Stanley; and, truly, he needed such encouragement. At one of the Company's inland trading posts such ft bundle of furs would have been received as a matter of common occurrence ; but it was otherwise with the poverty-stricken Ungava, from which so much had been expected before its drear}'^, barren character was known. On that day, too, a picturesque ice-berg Lad grounded near the fort at high water ; and Frank took Edith in the small canoe to paddle her among its peaked and fantastic fragments. " You will be steersman, and sit in the stern, Eda," said Frank, as they embarked. " I will stand in the bows and keep you clear of ice-tongues." " How beautiful ! " exclaimed the delighted child, as their light craft glided in and out among the icy pinnacles which overhung them in some places as they passed. " Don't you hear a strange noise, Frank?" eer-hunt bad an expressed le purpose of Is. On that i with a rich f which there choice lot of ien the heai-t icouragement. ig posts such ■eceived as a was otherwise ■om which so Irearj^ barren ice-berg had -; and Frank ile her among he stern, Eda," 11 stand in the >) iS. lelighted child, among the icy iome places as strange noise, • 'if% 5 n•^^^ ',, . fS^^i, VRANK AHD EDITH AMONG THE ICEBKR06. Fags 493. '. On tb.afc ihy an nna'maliy ai» taken rt'ace. ii^MIe 111 «leer-}iuiit lin. Bryan exprtsssi/. ' ill' pn)-pr)se oi #'■ UNGAVA. 493 Truly Fi'cank aid hear a stmnge noisft, and beheld a strange sight, for at that moment the Esquimaux flotilla jmssed the nan'ows and swept round the bay; while the natives, excited by their unusual numbers and the unexpected return of Maximus, yelled and screamed, and threw about their anus in a manner that defies description ! " There must be strangers among them," said Frank, as he paddled towards the shore ; " they are too numerous for our friends of False River." " That seems to be an Indian canoe coming on ahead," remarked Stanley, who, along with his wife and most of the men, had hurried to the beach on hearing the shouts of the approaching multitude. "Can it be possible?" exclaimed Frank, as the canoe drew near; "does it not look like Maximus — eh?" "Oh! o-o-o-oh ! there's Chimo I" screamed Edith, her eyes dancing with mingled amazement and de- light. The dog in his anxiety to reach the shore had leaped into the water ; but he had miscalculated his powers of swimming, for the canoe instantly darted ahead. However, he was close on the heels of Maxi- mus. " Give him a chare, boys," cried Bryan, as he ran down to the beach Avaving a large hammer round his head. "-Now thin, hooray!" i *aVl n - It- Ml ^1 ^ f^^} t " 494 UNGAVA. The ap^Cai was responded to with heartfelt enerjify by the whole party, as their old comrade sprang from the canoe, and, leaving his wife to look after herself, ran toward Stanley and Frank and grasped them warmly by the hands, while his huge face beamed with emotion. " I hope that's your wife you've brought with you, Maximus," said Stan " I can answer for that," said Frank ; " I know her pretty face well/' " Ah ! le poor chien," cried La Roche, " it vill eat Miss Edith, I ver' much b'lieve, voila!" This seemed not unlikely, for the joy manifested by poor Chimo at the sight of his young mistress was of a most outrageous character, insomuch that the child was nearly overturned by the dog's caresses. " Musha! what hav -"^e got there, Maximus?" said Bryan, who had beei dng for some time past in solemn wonder at the figure of Old Moggy, who, re- gardless of the noise and excitement around her, was quietly eariying the goods and chattels from the canoe to the beach. " Shure ye've found yer ould grandmother. She's the mortial parsonificatio' of my own mother. Faix if it wasn't that her pro- boscis is a taste longer, I'd swear it was herself." At this point Massan stepped forward and took Maximus by the rvi'iii. IJNOAVA. 495 artfelt enerpfy sprang from after herself, rasped them face beamed fht with you, j: ; " I know "it viU eat Y manifested ing mistress jomuch that 3g's caresses, dmus?" said -ime past in %y, who, re- md her, was Is from the id yer ould lificatio' of at her pro- berself." i and took ** Come along, lad ; there's too much row here lor a comfortable palaver; bring your wife wi' you. Ye've run out o' baccy, now ? Of coorse ye have. Come, then, to the house; I'll fill yer pipe and pouch too, boy. See after his canoe, La Roche ; and bring the old ooman, Brvan.'' " Mind yer own consarns an' let yer shupariors proceed ye," said Bryan, as he shoved past, and tuck- ing Old Moggy's arm within his own, marched off in triumph to the fort. Meanwhile, the main body of Esquimaux had landed, and the noise and confusion on the shore were so great that scarcely an intelligible sound could be heard. In the midst of all this, and while yet en- gaged in caressing Chimo, Edith felt some one pluck her by the sleeve, and on looking round, she beheld the smiling faces of her old friends Arnalooa and Okatook. Scarcely had she bestowed a hearty wel- co 'e on them, when she was startled by an ecstatic yell 'f treble laughter close to her ear, and turning quickly round, she beheld the oily visage of Kaga with the baby — the baby — in her hood, stark naked, and revelling in mirth as if that emotion of the mind were its native element — as indeed it was, if taken in connection with seal-fat. Scarcely had she recovered from her delight at this meeting, when she was again startled by a terrific 406 UNGaVA. M shout, and immediately after, Peetoot performed a violent dance aroxmd her, expressive of unutterable joy, and finished off by suddenly seizing her in his arms, after which he fled, — horrified at his own pre- sumption. To escape from this scene of confusion the traders returned to the fort, having directed the Esquimaux to pitch their camp on the point below ; after which they were to assemble in the yard, for the double pmpose of palavering and receiving a present of to- bacco. That night was spent by the inhabitants of Fort Chimo in rejoicing. In her own little room Edith entertained a select tea party, composed of Arnalooa, Okatook, Peetoot, Chimo, and the baby; and really, it would be difficult to say which of them made most noise or which behaved most obstreperously. Upon mature considerationwethink that Chimo behaved best — but that, all things considered, is not saying much for him. We rather think the baby behaved worst. Its oily visage shone again like a lustrous blob of fat, and its dimples glided about the surface in an endless game of hide-and-seek ! As for Peetoot, he laughed and yelled until the tears ran over his cheeks, and more than once, in the excess of his glee, he rubbed noses with Chimo — a piece of familiarity which that sagacious animal was at length induced to resent and >' 11 UNGAVA. 497 performed a • unutterable g her in his his own pre- n the traders e Esquimaux ; after which >r the double :)resent of to- L tants of Fort 3 room Edith I of Arnalooa, T) and really, m made most »usly. Upon > behaved best saying much ehaved worst. us blob of fat, in an endless t, he laughed is cheeks, and ie, he rubbed ty which that to resent and put a stop to by a gentle and partial aisplay of two tremendous rows of white ivory. In the hall, Stanley held a levee that lasted the greater part of the evening ; and in the men's house a ball was got up in honour of the giant's return with his long lost Aneetka. Ah ! reader, although th'e countenances of the men assembled there were sun-burnt and rough, and their garments weather-worn and coarse, and their language and tones unpolished, think not that their hearts were less tender or sympathetic than the hearts of those who are nurtured in softer scenes than the wilds of Ungava. Their laugh was loud and uproarious, it is true ; but there was genuine, heart-felt reality in ^*. Their sjrmpatliy was boisterously expressed, mayhap, if expi'essed at all ; but it was truly and deeply felt, — and many an unbidden tear glanced from the bronzed cheeks of these stalwart men of the north, as they shook their gigantic comrade by the hand and wished him joy, and kissed his blooming bride. Aneetka had long since laid aside her native garb, and wore the more graceful and womanly costume of the Indian women; and Maximus wore the capote and and leggins of the voyageur; — but there were not wanting gentlemen from the camp at the point, whose hairy garments and hoods, long hair and beards, did honour to the race of the Esquimaux ; and there wei-e 21 498 UNGAVA. \' li-3 present ladies from the same place, each of whom could a tail unfold that would have been the admiration and envy of tadpoles, had any such creatures been there to see them. They wore boots too, to which, in width at least, those worn by fishermen are nothing. Some of them carried babies in their hoods — little naked imps — whose bodies and heads were dumplings (suet dumplings, we may add, for the information of the curious), and whose arms and legs were sausages. Bryan was great that night — he was majestic! The fiddle all but spoke, and produced a sensation of dancing in the toes of even those who happened to be seated. Bryan was great as a linguist, too, and exhibited his powers in this respect with singular felicity in the vocal entertainment that followed the dancing. The Esquimaux language seemed a mere trifle to him, and he conversed, while playing the violin, with several " purty craytures," in their native tongue, with an amount of volubility quite surpris- ing. Certainly it cannot be said that those whom he addressed expressed much intelligence — but Es- quimaux are not usually found to be quick in their perceptions. Perchance Bryan was metaphysical! Mirth, hearty, real mirth, reigned at the fort, not only that day, but for many a day afterwards; — for the dangers, and troubles, and anxieties, of the first year were past ; hope in the future was strong, despite 14 UNGAVA. 409 of whom could admiration and ires been there •, to which, in n are nothing. ir hoods — little yere dumplings information of were sausages. was majestic ! 1 a sensation of 10 happened to iguist, too, and with singular lat followed the seemed a mere ile playing the in their native y quite surpris- at those whom jence — but Es- B quick in their Qetaphysical ! at the fort, not fterwards ; — for lies, of the first -s strong, despite the partial failures that had been experienced ; and, through the goodness of God, all those who com- posed the original band of the " forlorn-hope " were re-united, after many weary months of travel, danger, and anxiety, during part of which a dark and dreary cloud (now happily dispelled) had settled down on Fort Chimo. « « * « ♦ Years have rolled away since the song and shout of the fur trader first awakened the echoes of Un- gava. Its general aspect is still the same, for there is no change in the everlasting hills. In summer the deer still wander down the dark ravines and lave their flanks in the river's swelling tide; and in winter the frost-smoke still darkens the air and broods above the open water of the sea; but Fort Chimo, — the joy and wonder of the Esquimaux and the hope of the fur trader, — is gone, and a green patch of herbage, near the flat rock beside the spring, alone remains to mark the spot where once it stood. In the course of time, the changes that took place in the arrangements of the Fur Company required the presence of Stanley at another station, and he left Ungava with his wife and child. The gentle- man who succeeded hiui was a bold, enterprising Scotch Highlander, whose experience in the fur trade 500 UNGAVA. I % III > r: : and energy of character were a sufficient guarantee that the best and the utmost would be done for the interests of the Company in that quarter. But, how- ever resolute a man may be, he cannot make furs of hard rocks, nor convert a scene of desolation into a source of wealth. Vigorously he wrought and long he suffered ; but at length he was compelled to ad- vise the abandonment of the station. The Governor of the Company, — a man of extraordinary energy &nd success in developing the resources of the sterile domains over which he ruled, — was fain to admit at last that the trade of Ungava would not pay. The order to retreat was as prompt and decisive as the command to advance, A vessel was sent out to re- move the goods ; and in a brief space of time Fort Chimo was dismantled and deserted. Th*^ Esquimaux and Indians soon tore down and appropriated to their own use the frames of the build- ings, and such of the materials of the fort as had been left standing ; and the few remnants that were deemed worthless were finally swept away, and every trace of them obliterated, by the howling storms that rage almost continually around these desolate mountains. And now, reader, it remains for me to dismiss the characters who have played their part in this brief tale. Of most of them, however, I have but little to say, for they are still alive, scattered far and wide UNO A VI. 501 jnt guarantee done for the sr. But, how- make furs of olation into a ight and long ipelled to ad- The Governor iinary energy I of the sterile in to admit at ot pay. The ecisive as the ent out to re- of time Fort ^re down and s of the build- •t as had been t were deemed id every trace rms that rage •e mountains, bo dismiss the I in this brief e but little to far and wide throughout the vast wilderness of Hupert's Land, each acting his busy part in a new scene ; for it is frequently the fate of those who enter this wild and stirring service to be associated for a brief season imder one roof, and then broken up and scattered over the land, never again to be re-united. George Stanley, after a long sojorjn in the back- woods, retired from the service, and, with his family, proceeded to Canada, where he purchased a small farm. Here Edith waxed strong and beautiful, and committed appalling havoc among the hearts of the young men for thirty miles around her father's farm. But she favoured no one, and at the aoe of seventeen acquired the name of being the coldest as well as the most beautiful and modest girl in the far west. There was a thin young man, with weak limbs and a tendency to fall into a desponding state of mind, who lived about three miles from Mr. Stanley's farm. This young man's feelings had been so often lacerated by hopes and fears in reference to the fair Edith, that he mounted his pony one evening in desperation, and galloped away in hot haste to de- clare his passion, and realize or blast his hopes for ever. As he approached the villa, however, he expe- rienced a sensation of emptiness about the region of the stomach, and regretted that he had not taken more food at dinner. Having passed the garden 502 UNGAVA. gate, he dismounted, fastened his pony to a tree, and struck across the shrubbery towards the house with trembling steps. As he proceeded, he received a ter- rific shock by observing the flutter of a scarf, which he knew intuitively belonged to Edith. The scaif disappeared within a bower which stood not more than twenty yards distant from him, close beside the avenue that led to the house. By taking two steps forward, he could have seen Edith, as she sat in the bower, gazing with a pensive look at the distant prospect of hill and dale, river and lake, in the midst of which she dwelt ; but the young man could as easily have leaped over Stanley's villa, farm and all, as have taken these two steps. He assayed to do so ; but he was rooted to the ground as firmly as the noble trees under which he stood. At length, by a great effort, he managed to crawl — if we may so express it — to within a few yards of the bower, from which he was now concealed only by a few bushes ; but just as he had screwed up his soul to the sticking point, and had shut his eyes preparatory to making a rush and flinging himself on his knees at Edith's feet, he was struck powerless by the sound of a deep sigh, and, a moment after, was all but annihilated by a cough ! Suddenly the sound of horse-hoofs was heard clattering up the avenue. On came the rider, as UNGAVA. 508 10 a tree, and e house with jceived a ter- , scarf, which . The scaif od not more •se beside the Lng two steps ihe sat in the J the distant in the midst nan could as farm and all, issayed to do firmly as the length, by a f we may so e bower, from , few bushes ; ,0 the sticking ry to making 3es at Edith's und of a deep mnihilated by fs was heard the rider, as if in urgent haste. In a few seconds a curve in the avenue brought him into view. He was a man of handsome and massive proportions, and be- strode a black charger that might have carried a heavy dragoon like a feather. A wheel-barrow had been left across the track, over which the steed went with an easy yet heavy bound, betokening well- balanced strength and weight ; and a bright smile lighted up the rider's bronzed face for an instant, as his straw-hat blew off in the leap, and permitted his curling hair to stream out in the wind. As he passed the bower at a swinging gallop, an exclamation of surprise from Edith attracted his attention. The charger's hoofs spurned the gravel whUe he was reined up so violently that he was tin-own on his haunches, and, almost before the thin young man could wink in order to clear his vision, this slashing cavalier sprang to the ground and entered the bower. There was a faint scream, which was instantly followed by a sound so peculiar that it sent a thrill of dismay to the cavity in which the heart of the weak young man had once lodged. Stretching out his hand, he turned aside the branches, and was brought to the climax of consternation by beholding Edith in the arms of the tall stranger ! Bewildered in the in- tellect, and effectually crippled about the knees and ankles, he could only gaze and listen. 504 UNGAVA. " So you have come — at last ! " whispered Edith, while a brilliant blush overspread her fair cheek. " Oh, Edith ! " murnuu'ed the stalwart cavalier, in a deep musical voice, " how my heart has yearned for this day ! How I have longed to hear your sweet and well remembered voice ! In the desolate soli- tudes of the far north I have thought of you. Amid the silent glades of the forest, when alone and asleep on my mossy couch, or upon my bed of snow, I have dreamed of you, — dreamed of you as you were, a fair, sweet, happy child, when we wandered together among the mountains of Ungava, — and dreamed of you as I fancied you must have become, and as I now find you to be. Yes, beloved girl, my heart has owned but one image since we parted, years ago, on the banks of the Caneapusca River. Your letters have been my bosom friends in ill my long, long wanderings through the wilderness ; and the hope of seeing you has gladdened my heart and nerved my arm. I have heard your sighs in every gentle air that stirred the trees, and your merry laugh in the rippling waters. Even in the tempest's roar and the thundering cataract I have fancied that I heard you calling for assistance ; and many a time and oft I have leaped from my couch to find that I did but dream. But they were pleasant and very precious dreams to me. Oh. Edith ! I have remembered you, ispered Edith, lir cheek, rt cavalier, in IS yearned for r your sweet desolate soli- •f you. Amid ne and asleep ' snow, I have you were, a lered together d dreamed of and as I now ny heart has years ago, on Your letters ny long, long id the hope of d nerved my 3ry gentle air laugh in the roar and the > I heard you ae and oft I lat I did but very precious embered you, UNGAVA. 505 f and thought of you, and loved you, through months and years of banishment ! And now — " Again was heard the peculiar sound that had thrilled with dismay the bosom of the weak young man. "Hallo! whence came this charger?" shouted a hale, hearty voice, as Stanley walked towards the bower. " Eh ! what have we here ? " he exclaimed, rushing forward and seizing the stranger in his arms, — " Frank — Frank Morton ! " This was too much. The weak young man sud- denly became strong as Hercules. He turned and fled down the avenue like a deer. The pony, having managed to unfasten its bridle, stood in the centre of the way, gazing down the avenue with its back toward its master. Unwonted fire nerved the youth's limbs ; with one bound he vaulted leap-frog over the limal's back into the saddle, dashed his spurs into its sides, and fled like a whirlwind from the scene of his despair. Frank Morton and George Stanley, being both men of promptitude and decision, resolved that one month was long enough to make preparations for the marriage ; and Edith, being the most dutiful daughter that ever lived, did what she was bid. That beautiful cottage which stands in the midst of most exquisite scenery, about two miles from 506 L'NOAVA. Stanley's villa, is inhabited by Frank Morton and his family. That crow which you have just heard proceed from the nursery was uttered by the youngest of five ; and yonder little boy with broad shoulders, who thrusts his hands into his pockets in a decided manner, and whistles vociferously as he swaggers down the avenue, is Master George F. Morton, on his way to school. La Roche and Bryan were so fortunate as to be appointed to the same establishment after leaving Ungava, — somewhere near the mouth of the Mac- kenzie River, and within the region of all but per- petual frost and snow. They are sometimes visited by Esquimaux ; which is fortunate, for, as Bryan says, " it guves him an opportunity o' studyin' the pee- coolier dialects o' their lingo." Dick Prince was the only one who lost his life in the " forlorn-hope." He was drowned while out shooting in the bay alone in his canoe. A sudden storm upset his frail bark, and left him struggling in the water. Prince was a strong swimmer, and he battled long for his life ; but the ice-laden sea benumbed his hardy limbs, and he sank at last, with- out a cry, to rise no more. He was a noble specimen of his class, — a brave, modest, unobtrusive son of the forest, beloved and respected by his companions ; and when his warm heart ceased to beat, it was felt by TTNOAVA. 607 Morton and 3 just heard the youngest id shoulders, in a decided he swaggers Morton, on ate as to be ifter leaving of the Mac- all but per- times visited s Bryan says, f^in' the pee- st his life in id while out I. A sudden m struggling w^immer, and ice-laden sea at last, with- )ble specimen ve son of the panions; and was felt by all that a bright star of tlje wilderness had been quenched for ever. His body was found next day on the beach, and was interred by hia mourning comrades in a little spot of ground behind the fort. It was many a long day after this melancholy event ere Ma.ssan could smile; and when the fort was finally deserted, he put in practice his long-meditated intention of becoming a hunter and taking to the Rocky Mountains; where he wanders now, if he has escaped the claws of the dreaded grisly bear, and the scalping-knife of the Red Indian. Moses, finding the life of a fur trader not quite to his taste, rejoined his countrymen, and reverted to killing seals and eating raw blubber. The two Indians also returned to a purely savage life; which, indeed, they had only forsaken for a time. Augustus and Oolibuck died ; and the latter left a son who has already rendered good service as interpreter to the arctic expeditions, as his worthy father did before him. Fran9ois and Gaspard are still together at one of the posts of the interior. They are now fast friends, and have many a talk over the days when they quarrelled and messed together at Fort Chimo. As for the poor Esquimaux, they were for a time quite inconsolable at the departure of the fur traders, and, with a species of child-like simplicity, hung about the bay, in the hope that they might, after all, I I' 508 UNOAVA. return. Then they went off in a body to the west- ward ; and the region of Ungava, to which they had never been partial, was left in its. original dreary solitude. It may be that some good had been done to the souls of these poor natives during their brief intercourse with the traders. We cannot tell; and we refrain from guessing or speculating on a subject so serious. But of this we are assured, — if one grain of the good seed has been sown, it may lonj lie dor- mant, but it cannot die. Maximus accompanied his countrymen, along with Aneetka and Old Moggy, who soon assumed the native costume, and completely identified herself with the Esquimaux. Maximus was now a gi'eat man among his people, who regarded with deep respect the man who had travelled through the lands of the Indians, had fought with the red men single-handed, and had visited the fur ti'aders of the south. But the travelled Esquimaux was in reality a greater man than his fellows supposed him to be. He fully appreciated the advantages to be derived from a trading-post near their ice-girt lands, and resolved, when oppor- tunity should offer, to do all in his power to strengthen the friendship now subsisting between the Indians and the Esquimaux of Ungu\a, and to induce his countrymen, if possib^»* to travel south towards the establishment -n .^ y. UNGAVA. 509 Y to the west- hich they had riginal dreary lad been done ng their brief mot tell; and on a subject -if one grain lonj lie dor- en, along with Qed the native rself with the bt man among pect the man [" the Indians, aded, and had ) the travelled nan than his y appreciated trading-post when oppor- to strengthen the Indians io induce his . towards the He still retains, however, a lingering affection for the spot where he had spent so many happy days, and at least once a-year he undertakes a solitary journey to the rugged mountains that encircled Fort Chimo. As in days of yore, with wallet on shoulder and seal-spear in hand, the giant strides from rock to rock along the now silent banks of the CaneapiLSca River. Once again he seats himself on the flat rock beside the spring, and gazes round in sadness on those wild, majestic hills, or bends his eye upon the bright green spot that indicates the ancient site of the trad- ing-post, not a vestige of which is now visible, save the little wooden cross that marks the lonely grave of Dick Prince; and the broad chest of the giant heaves with emotion as he views these records of the past, and calls to mind the merry shouts and joyous songs that used to gladden that dreary spot, the warm hearth at which he was wont to fina. a hearty wel- come, and the kind comrades who are now gone for ever. Ungava spreads, in all its dark sterility, around him, as it did in the days before the traders landed there ; and that bright interval of busy life, in which he had acted so prominent a part, seems now but the fleeting fancy of a bright and pleasant dream.