Page:Life with the Esquimaux - 1864 - Volume 2.djvu/50

Rh which he believed he had found there—I had my noon repast, my Innuit companion sharing it with me. Resting awhile, I forgot my youthful attendant, while contemplating the scene around me. Presently I rose to return, and missed "Captain." I called; no reply. Where had he gone? There was a steep precipice close by, and I became alarmed lest he had fallen over it. I therefore instantly sought for him, and after some moments found his tracks. He had left me without a word, intending to go by a more direct, but, as I thought, dangerous course to the dépôt. I followed him, and we returned together, arriving at the tents much fatigued. While I was stopping at Cape True the boats frequently went to get fuel from the scattered remains of the Traveller before mentioned. The shore was strewed with portions of the wreck, which would serve for many years for fuel for ships' companies occupied as the George Henry's was at the whaling dépôt. The crew of the George Henry were at that time living "in clover." They had plenty of ducks, duck-eggs, seal, walrus, &c., and whenever they wanted a supply they had only to go and take what Nature here so plentifully furnished. On one of these occasions (June 24th) I accompanied a party that went "duck-egging." It consisted of two whale-boats, manned by whites and Innuits, under command of Charles Keeney and A. Bailey. I went with the latter, leaving the whale dépôt early in the morning, and striking right across a little bight to the west entrance of Bear Sound.

On entering this sound I was surprised at the velocity and singular movements of the tides. As we advanced the tide was ebbing, and running swiftly up toward Field Bay. But when we had reached Ellis Island, the movement of the tidal waters appeared to be reversed, and they were throwing themselves furiously about. Eddies, and whirlpools, and mill-races