. Arctic researches, and life among the Esquimaux;. the wind should throw us down. That the tent stood was amarvel. But stand it did, and gave us shelter until Friday the14th, about 12 meridian, when we resumed our homeward route. Our journey was comparatively rapid. We arrived at SylviaIsland at 10 , without any obstacle save in rounding CapeDaly, though the seaward ice was any thing but safe; and afterresting and partaking of coffee prepared with a tent-pole for fuel,we made a direct course for the ship. Now came the where the ice was cracked, or moving, or gone! Wc care- OU
. Arctic researches, and life among the Esquimaux;. the wind should throw us down. That the tent stood was amarvel. But stand it did, and gave us shelter until Friday the14th, about 12 meridian, when we resumed our homeward route. Our journey was comparatively rapid. We arrived at SylviaIsland at 10 , without any obstacle save in rounding CapeDaly, though the seaward ice was any thing but safe; and afterresting and partaking of coffee prepared with a tent-pole for fuel,we made a direct course for the ship. Now came the where the ice was cracked, or moving, or gone! Wc care- OUR ESCAPE FROM THE DREADED LAND. 315 fully pursued our way, literally with fear and trembling. Notfor one moment was our footing safe. The thick-ribbed ice wasbroken into every conceivable form and size, and nothing butthe absolute necessity of avoiding detention on the islands wouldhave induced us to venture on the treacherous footing; but itwas our only hope under heaven—our only means of escape—andupon it, and across it, we pursued our HOMEWARD BOUND—ICE HBEAKIKQ Cr. To add to the dangers of our situation, a thick mist soon settledupon us; and there we were, three men, the dogs, and sledge, onthe broken ice, in the middle of a bay wide open to the the Innuits were more than usually alarmed, and finally be-came so confused that they wandered out of the proper course ;and it was only through my insisting that my compass was thebest guide that, after going three miles out of our way, we at lastarrived safely on board the ship at 10 87 on Saturday, the15th of June. Thankful was I that we met with no serious accident; and thiswas the more extraordinary considering our rate of traveling (wewere only twenty hours coming from near Dr. Kanes Channel)and the dangerous character of the ice over which we hadcome. As an instance of what can be accomplished in securing themeans of sustaining life in the arctic regions, I will here give afew particulars bearing upo
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1860, booksubjecteskimos, bookyear1865
