Quickened our efforts to exchange our shattered sails for
new ones that the ship might be got as speedily as possible near to the
land, which was but just in sight, and a careful search be made for her
along the coast. We were rejoiced to find that our leak did not increase
by carrying sail, and we ventured in the evening to remove the sail which
had been placed under the part where the injury had been received as it
greatly impeded our advance.
We passed many icebergs on the 10th and in the evening we tacked from a
level field of ice which extended northward as far as the eye could
reach. Our leak remained in the same state; the pumps discharged in three
minutes the quantity of water which had been received in fifteen.
LAND ON THE COAST OF LABRADOR.
The ship could not be got near to the land before the afternoon of the
11th. At four P.M. we hove to, opposite to and about five miles distant
from the spot on which we had first struck on Saturday. Every glass was
directed along the shore (as they had been throughout the day) to
discover any trace of our absent consort; but as none was seen our
solicitude respecting her was much increased, and we feared the crew
might be wrecked on this inhospitable shore. Guns were frequently fired
to apprise any who might be near of our approach; but as no one appeared
and no signal was returned and the loose ice was setting down towards the
ship we bore up to proceed to the next appointed rendezvous. At eight
P.M. we were abreast of the south-west end of the island called Cape
Resolution, which is a low point but indicated at a distance by a lofty
round-backed hill that rises above it. We entered Hudson's Straits soon
afterwards.
The coast of Resolution Island should be approached with caution as the
tides appear to be strong and uncertain in their course. Some dangerous
rocks lie above and below the water's edge at the distance of five or six
miles from East Bluff bearing South 32 degrees East.
August 12.
Having had a fresh gale through the night we reached Saddleback Island by
noon - the place of rendezvous; and looked anxiously but in vain for the
Wear. Several guns were fired, supposing she might be hid from our view
by the land; but as she did not appear Captain Davidson, having remained
two hours, deemed further delay inexpedient and bore up to keep the
advantage of the fair wind. The outline of this island is rugged; the
hummock on its northern extremity appeared to me to resemble a decayed
martello tower more than a saddle.
Azimuths were obtained this evening that gave the variation 58 degrees 45
minutes West, which is greater than is laid down in the charts, or than
the officers of Hudson's Bay ships have been accustomed to allow.
ESQUIMAUX OF SAVAGE ISLANDS.
We arrived abreast of the Upper Savage Island early in the morning and,
as the breeze was moderate, the ship was steered as near to the shore as
the wind would permit to give the Esquimaux inhabitants an opportunity of
coming off to barter, which they soon embraced.
Their shouts at a distance intimated their approach some time before we
descried the canoes paddling towards us; the headmost of them reached us
at eleven; these were quickly followed by others, and before noon about
forty canoes, each holding one man, were assembled around the two ships.
In the afternoon when we approached nearer to the shore five or six
larger ones containing the women and children came up.
The Esquimaux immediately evinced their desire to barter and displayed no
small cunning in making their bargains, taking care not to exhibit too
many articles at first. Their principal commodities were oil, sea-horse
teeth, whalebone, seal-skin dresses, caps and boots, deerskins and horns,
and models of their canoes; and they received in exchange small saws,
knives, nails, tin-kettles, and needles. It was pleasing to behold the
exultation and to hear the shouts of the whole party when an acquisition
was made by any one; and not a little ludicrous to behold the eagerness
with which the fortunate person licked each article with his tongue on
receiving it, as a finish to the bargain and an act of appropriation.
They in no instance omitted this strange practice, however small the
article; the needles even passed individually through the ceremony. The
women brought imitations of men, women, animals, and birds, carved with
labour and ingenuity out of sea-horse teeth. The dresses and the figures
of the animals were not badly executed, but there was no attempt at the
delineation of the countenances; and most of the figures were without
eyes, ears and fingers, the execution of which would perhaps have
required more delicate instruments than they possess. The men set most
value on saws; kutteeswabak, the name by which they distinguish them, was
a constant cry. Knives were held next in estimation. An old sword was
bartered from the Eddystone and I shall long remember the universal burst
of joy on the happy man's receiving it. It was delightful to witness the
general interest excited by individual acquisitions. There was no desire
shown by anyone to over-reach his neighbour, or to press towards any part
of the ship where a bargain was making until the person in possession of
the place had completed his exchange and removed; and if any article
happened to be demanded from the outer canoes the men nearest assisted
willingly in passing the thing across. Supposing the party to belong to
one tribe the total number of the tribe must exceed two hundred persons,
as there were probably one hundred and fifty around the ships, and few of
these were elderly persons or male children.
