Page:Life with the Esquimaux - 1864 - Volume 1.djvu/308

Rh therefore a remedy must be found, and this was by cutting "pigeon-holes" in the snow-bank for our feet. This answered, and soon we were fast asleep, though upon a bed of snow, and at my back a snow-bank. Toward morning I felt myself getting very cold, and, to warm us up, it was judged wise for all to smoke, which was done most agreeably. I then cut a doorway, and crawled out of the igloo on all-fours. The wind was fresh and piercing from the east, and, to get some circulation in our veins, Sterry and I made a run to the top of a hill. There we had a good look around, and then descended, but on arriving at the igloo we found Kokerjabin and her son gone. We therefore followed in their tracks, and soon overtook them on the highest point of the island. Presently Kokerjabin discovered, through the glass, some igloos on an island farther on. To these we immediately determined to bend our steps, more especially as Kokerjabin said she knew the island well, and had often resided there. It was called Ak-koo-wie-shut-too-ping. One hour's walk across the ice brought us close to it. Ice boulders, however, always between the sea-ice and the "ice-foot," gave us the usual trouble in getting on shore; but, this over, we soon found ourselves, to my great joy, among familiar faces. The first I saw was Sampson, who, taking me kindly by the hand, squeezed it, hugged it, patted it, and then led me into his igloo.

It was an early hour for them, and his family were still in bed, yet they all arose and heartily welcomed me. Food, and especially water, was plentifully put before me, and I need not say how gratefully I partook of both. Four large igloos were there, each occupied by two families. The bay being partially frozen over, the men were preparing to start on a grand sealing excursion toward Kingaite, which here seemed to be only about twenty-five miles off. Two of the women accompanied this party, and before they left I arranged with Sampson to stay in his igloo until he returned. His wife was sick, and with her two daughters she remained to "keep house."