Page:Life with the Esquimaux - 1864 - Volume 2.djvu/91

72 more and more into the open bay. Once he so changed his course that by some dexterous movement of ours we succeeded in cutting across his wake, and this gave us an opportunity to fire. We did so, but only the ball of Koojesse's gun took effect. Ninoo was struck in the head, but the poor brute at first merely shook himself and turned his course from down the bay in a contrary direction. The shot, however, had told. In a moment or two we could see that Ninoo was getting enraged.

WOUNDED NINOO TOWS HIS OWN CARCASS FOR US. Every now and then he would take a look at us and shake his head. This made the Innuits very cautious about lessening the distance between him and the boat. Again we fired. One or more shots took effect. Ninoo's white coat was crimsoned with blood about his head, and he was getting desperate. His movements were erratic, but we finally drove him in the direction of Oopungnewing, our policy being to make him tow his own carcass as near the land as would be safe to prevent his escape, and then to end his life. This was