Page:Life with the Esquimaux - 1864 - Volume 1.djvu/313

292 some twenty from the village—we arrived at Twerpukjua at 9 so thoroughly fatigued as to be right glad of the friendly beds immediately offered us. Next morning I arose much refreshed, and took a walk on the neighbouring hill. The ice had before parted and left the bay almost free, but I was greatly astonished at the immense number of ducks I saw swimming about. For miles and miles around the waters were literally covered and black with them, making such a thundering, indescribable medley of sounds as quite startled me. Talk about the "absence of life" in these regions of ice and snow! Why, before my eyes were countless numbers of animated creatures, from the winged fowl of the sea to the seal and walrus! What do all these creatures live upon? Why are they here? The waters must be alive with other innumerable creatures! Soon "great whales " will be here, and for what? Is there food for them here too? At 9 I left Twerpukjua, and directed my way to Annawa's, at the island of Oopungnewing, where I arrived in due course, and was kindly welcomed as usual. Noodleyong was busy sewing skins together for making the summer tupic or tent, and Annawa, with other men, were out sealing. In the afternoon these latter returned, and we had the customary feast in the open air. It was Sunday, and I could not help thoughtfully looking upon the scene before me. There was the snow village of pure white igloos, with their wad-lings and took-soos embellished by trophies of the walrus hunts. A score of laughing, happy, untutored, uncivilized, and "unchristianized" sons and daughters of the North were around or near me. There was a group on my right commencing the feast; three women, that had been out gathering kelp (seaweed) as an article of food, coming up from the beach; Annawa and his sealing company drawing up their kias on the floe-ice seaward; open water near by covered with ducks: Blind George standing in front of Bob's igloo, facing and welcoming the sun's warm rays; a number of boys drawing another captured seal across the