128 ArrENDix.
and breakers, from which they would tumble themselves into the
sea, without regard to the cold, which is often intense, ajid showing
no fear of the noise and roaring of the surf."
" The water was at this time extremely cold, and when the divers
got into the boats, they seemed greatly benumbed; and it is usual
with them, after this exercise, if they are near enough to their wigwams,
to run to the fire, to which presenting one side, they rub and
chafe it for some tune; then turning the other, use it in the same
manner, till the circulation of the blood is restored. This practice,
if it has no worse effect, must occasion their being more susceptible
of the impressions of cold than if they waited the gradual advances
of their natm-al warmth in the open air. I leave it to the decision of
the gentlemen of the faculty, whether this too hasty approach to the
fire may not subject them to a disorder I observed among them,
called the elephantiasis, or swelUng of the legs. The divers having
returned to their boats, we continued to row till towards the evening,
when we landed upon a low point. As soon as the canoes were
hauled up, they employed themselves in erecting their wigwams,
which they despatch with great address and quickness. I still enjoyed
the protection of my two good Indian women, who made me
their guest here as before. They first regaled me with sea-eggs, and
then went out upon another kind of fishery, by the means of dogs
and nets. These dogs are a cur-like looking animal, but very
sagacious, and easily trained to this business. ITiough, in appearance,
an uncomfortable sort of sport, yet they engage in it readUy,
seem to enjoy it much, and express then- eagerness by barlcing
every time they raise their heads above the water to breathe. The
net is held by two Indians, who get into the water; then the dogs,
taking a large compass, dive after the fish, and drive them into the
net; but it is only in particular places that the fish are taken in this
" I now understood that the two Indian women with whom I
sojourned were wives to this chieftain, though one was young enough
to be his daughter; and as far as I could learn, did really stand in
the different relations to him both of daughter and wife. It was
easy to be perceived that all did not go well between them at this
time ; either that he was not satisfied with the answers they returned
appendix. 129
him to his questions, or that he suspected some misconduct on their
side; for, presently after, breaking out mto savage fury, he took the
young one up in his arms, and threw her with violence against the
stones ; but his brutal resentment did not stop here, he beat her
afterwards in a cruel manner. I could not see this treatment of my
benefactress without the highest concern for her, and rage agahist
the author of it; especially as the natural jealousy of these people
gave occasion to think that it was on my account she suffered. ^ I
could hardly suppress the first emotions of my resentment, which
prompted me to return him his barbarity in his own kind; but, besides
that this might have drawn upon her fresh marks of his severity, it
was neither politic, nor, indeed, in my power, to have done it to any
good pur|)ose at this time."
" Our untoward circumstances now found soine relief in the
arrival of the Indians we waited for ; who brought with them some
seal, a small portion of which fell to our share. A night or two after
they sent out some of their young men, who procured us a quantity,
of a very delicate kind of birds, called shags and cormorants. Their
manner of taldng these birds resembles something a sport called
•Bat-fowling.' They find out their haunts among the rocks and
cliffs m the night, when, taking with them torches made of the bark
of the birch tree, which is common here, and grows to a very large
size (tins bark has a very unctuous quality, and emits a bright and
clear hght, and in the northern parts of America is used frequently
instead of candle), they bring the boat's side as near as possible to
the rocks, under the roosting places of these birds ; then, waving
their lights backwards and forwards, the birds are dazzled and confounded
so as to fall into the canoe, where they are instantly knocked
on the head with a short stick the Indians take with them for that
purpose. Seals are taken in some less frequented parts of these
coasts with great ease ; but when their haunts have been two or
three times disturbed, they soon learn to provide for their safety, by
repairing to the water upon the first alarm. This is the case with
them hereabouts; but as they frequently raise their heads above
water, either to breathe or look about them, I have seen an Indian at
this interval throw his lance with such dexterity as to strike the
animal through both its eyes at a great distance; and it is very
seldom that they miss their aim."
It
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