Page:Life with the Esquimaux - 1864 - Volume 1.djvu/94

Rh now was the time for trial of the will and arm of man against winds and waves. Brave souls were in that boat, and Mate Rogers proved himself fully equal to the occasion. The boat was cleared, and stern, bold hearts defiantly pulled her onward to the ship, which they finally reached, utterly worn out by their fearful exertions. Now that they were safe, all their power was gone. A child could have overpowered the whole together. Wet, cold, and enfeebled—their case required immediate attention. Dry clothing, warm drinks, and stimulants were at once supplied; and thus, with careful treatment, they soon recovered.

At 10 the gale had died away to a calm, and we all retired to sleep, completely exhausted with our bodily and mental labours of the past few hours.

About this time I enjoyed a rare sight. One of the Esquimaux turned summersets in the water seated in his kyack!



Over and over he and his kyack went, till we cried "Enough!" and yet he wet only his hands and face! This is a feat performed only by a few. It requires great skill and strength to do it. One miss in the stroke of the oar as they pass from the centre (when their head and body are under water) to the