First Night on Shore.--Sleeping in empty Casks.--Parties of
Exploration.--Dog Tracks.--Arrangements to leave the Wreck.
--Desire to reach East Cape.--Reflections upon our Condition.
--The dead Hog roasted.--The "pet Hog."--Company travel
toward the South and East.--Two Natives seen.--Parley.--
Directed to the Settlement.--The old Woman and her Ceremony.--
The second Settlement.--Head Man cordial.--Men distributed
among the Huts.--Not able to reach East Cape.--Company
entertained.--Motives for it.--Government should reward the
Natives.
The first night we spent on shore was a very stormy one. There were
rain, sleet, and high winds above and around us; below us, on the
ground, ice, snow, and water in abundance. Our tent, which was a
hasty and temporary construction, afforded us, after all, but little
permanent shelter. The water came through and under it in every
direction. Here we found an additional exposure, and the prospect of
increased suffering both from the cold and wet. Had it not been for
our oil, we could never have kindled a fire at first, nor continued it
afterwards.
But necessity gives origin to many inventions and improvements. It
suggests new plans, and urges to more favorable shifts and expedients.
If, therefore, our arrangements for the first night's lodging on land
should seem somewhat novel, or even unheard of before, let it be
remembered that sad necessity drove us to this device.
If our frail tent with a few yards of torn sails stretched over us
cannot shield us from the drenching rain, something else can. Most of
us, on that sad and sorrowful night, got into empty casks; some were
oil, others water or bread casks; it mattered not what, if we could
only be protected from the violence of the storm, or rest in some
place, instead of making the icy earth our bed.
With one head of the cask knocked out, and resting upon its bilge,
one or two would get into each cask, and find within it quite a dry
retreat. At the same time, a fire was kept burning not far from the
open heads of the several casks, placed in a circle around the fire,
and thus we were made as comfortable, perhaps, as our circumstances
would permit. This was our first night's experience on land.
The next day, arrangements were made to form parties of exploration. We
knew not where we were. Of this, however, we were quite certain--that
we were north of the straits; but upon what part of the arctic coast we
were cast away, we could not tell.
Therefore, our first object was, if possible, to ascertain our true
position. The thick, foggy, and stormy weather which had prevailed for
many days before the wreck, contributed greatly to mislead us. Neither
sun, moon, nor stars had appeared for some time, by which we might have
been guided in our course through the trackless deep. All above us
had been shrouded with dense clouds, while strong and variable winds,
approaching to the severity of tornadoes, and even hurricanes, had
carried our ship far out and beyond her true course.
The last, and not the least perhaps, of the causes which resulted in
our wreck, was the current, which appeared to change its course during
the storm, as it not unfrequently does. At this time, it set from
the eastern to the western shore of the Arctic. Under the combined
influence of the current coming from the north and east, and a severe
gale of wind, accompanied with hail, rain, and fog, our ship was
constantly pressed upon the western shore, until she struck and went to
pieces.
Two companies were now formed, one to take an easterly course, and the
other a westerly one. Those who were left behind were to be employed in
making sacks out of canvas, for the purpose of carrying bread and other
provisions in our anticipated travels. This expedition was intended
only as an introductory one to our final removal from the place, when
we should ascertain more particularly where we were.
It was the opinion of some that we were cast away upon an island; and
in so far as we could judge at this time, this opinion was rather
confirmed.
The captain with his party took their departure towards the east, and
Mr. Fisher and his party went towards the west.
Each man was armed with whatever defensive and offensive weapon he
could well carry along with him. These weapons were neither guns nor
swords, but a few knives, a hatchet, a broken whale lance, and a spade.
We knew not with what we should meet, whether savage beasts, or more
savage men.
The parties, as they traveled in opposite directions, soon found they
were not upon an island, as they at first imagined, but merely upon an
extended projection, as it appeared to be, from the main land.
The captain's party, after having traveled in an easterly direction
about ten miles, discovered tracks of dog teams, and the footmarks of
those who accompanied them. These facts assured the explorers that
human habitations of some sort were not probably far distant. They
therefore returned immediately to the tent to inform their companions,
and to make particular arrangements for more extended researches. The
western party also returned to the tent soon after the other, having
made no very definite discoveries.
We became satisfied at this time, from the direction of the coast, and
the general aspect of the country, that we were north of East Cape;
but how far distant from it, we had no means of determining. It was
likewise a matter of equal uncertainty whether we were east or west
of East River. If we were west of this river, the prospect of our
liberation the coming winter, or of meeting with any friendly sail, was
extremely small. If, however, we were east of the river, we had strong
hopes of deliverance before the winter should fairly set in, and that
we should be able to reach East Cape in season to intercept some ship
bound out of the ocean.
Thus we reasoned upon and discussed those matters which pertained
to our speedy deliverance, or our bondage for months to come in the
dreadful and merciless winter of the polar region; or it may be that no
one of our number would escape to tell the wreck of the ship, and the
catastrophe which would befall his fellow-companions.
Besides, considerations were urgent and pressing why we should make all
possible haste, either to find some suitable habitation for the winter,
or, perchance, fall in with some friendly vessel. With the advance
of the season, we were assured that traveling would become more and
more difficult, and that Borean storms would soon burst upon us with
resistless fury. And hence, to remain where we were first cast upon
the shore, without persevering efforts to save our lives, would be the
height of presumption. With nothing more to protect us than the frail
tent which we had erected, thinly clad, and all we had on our backs, a
limited supply of provisions from the wreck, if we should remain at our
first landing place until deliverance should come to us, then, indeed,
before the opening of another spring, all of us would have fallen
victims to inexorable death.
At this distance from the place where the scene of our sufferings
commenced, how little can our readers appreciate what were then our
condition, wants, and prospects! Indeed, ice and snow already began to
largely increase, though we were in the region of eternal frosts, where
they never wholly disappear. Both upon the shore, and as far as the
eye could reach in an inland direction, the ice and snow were perennial
occupants of the country. Neither the rains of spring nor the suns of
summer are able to melt away and dissolve the deep foundations of a
polar winter.
The surface of the country was much broken and uneven, and especially
in the interior, alternating in valleys, deep gorges, precipitous
cliffs, rugged and rocky eminences, one elevation rising above another,
until the remote horizon exhibited lofty mountain ranges. The entire
panoramic view presented an aspect at once sublime and frightful to
behold.
It should be remembered that, amid our hopes and fears, we stood
at this time on the borders of human habitations; and beyond this
locality, as we afterwards ascertained, especially on this coast, there
was but one known settlement of the natives to the north of us.
The dead hog that drifted ashore was skinned and roasted for supper
on the second night after the wreck, and for breakfast next morning.
Utensils for cooking were very scarce; only a few small articles had
come ashore. The hog was suspended over the fire, and turned over and
around when necessary, until it was baked suitable for eating.
Preparations were made on the coming day for another
traveling-exploring expedition, in which all were to be included as one
company. The grand purpose we now had in view was to find a passage to
East Cape, or to fall in with the huts or settlements of the natives.
Before leaving, however, a grave question arose as to what should
be done with the live hog, which had thus far shared with us in our
deliverance from the wreck, and from his general deportment seemed to
realize his forlorn condition.
This was a "pet hog" among the seamen; he knew his name, and appeared
to have more than ordinary intelligence; at least, this was his
reputation on board of the ship. His weight was not far from twelve
score. He was washed from the deck at the time it was broken up by
the sea, and discovered, by Mr. Fisher, floating about in the surf,
and supposed to be dead. He went to him, and struck a smart blow
upon his back, and said to him, "Jack, what are you doing here?" He
immediately gave a grunt or two, started upon his feet, and struggled
for the shore. He went with us to the tent, and made that his home. He
would frequently wander forth some distance from the tent, apparently
ruminating upon the sad state of things; and after a while he would
return and take up his position at the entrance of the tent. In the
estimation of the crew, he was indeed one of the "_learned_ hogs."
When the question came up, what should be done with "Jack," many at
once resolved they would never eat him, because he knew so much; and
being so strongly attached to him, he really seemed like one of our
number: "Old Jacky must not be eaten."
A different counsel finally prevailed. If we should leave him behind,
he would soon be destroyed by wild beasts, and especially bears, that
swarm the region; or he would perish with hunger. In view of these
considerations, it was decided to kill the favorite hog, more from
necessity than choice. He was accordingly killed and roasted, and a
division made of him, each man taking his proportionate share. A cheese
was also divided into as many parts as there were men, and distributed
to each. Each man carried a sack containing thirty biscuits, in
addition to other articles of provision just mentioned.
We were particular also before leaving, though it was quite uncertain
whether we should ever see the spot again, to save from the wreck and
stow away in the tent whatever we thought might be necessary for future
use. This was a judicious precaution. As a last resort, if all other
sources of deliverance should fail us, neither finding the settlements
of the natives, or being received by them, nor seeing any ship to take
us off, then we must return to the wreck, and make the best of what we
had, and live as long as we could.
We furthermore agreed to travel seven days from the wreck, and if we
found no help or deliverance from any quarter, then we would return,
which would require seven days more--about as long as we supposed our
provisions would last us.
The direction we took was towards the east and south, along shore,
which was less difficult to travel than farther back in the country;
besides, there were less snow and ice on the seaboard at that time.
We had traveled, as was supposed, about fifteen miles, when we saw two
natives, some little distance before us, in an inland direction. At
first they were unwilling to stop, probably aware from our appearance
that we were foreigners. While we all kept together the natives
continued on their way.
Captain Norton and two of his officers separated themselves from
the rest of the company, making signs, thus indicating peaceable
intentions, and advanced towards them. The natives then stopped. The
captain and those with him approached them and shook hands with them.
The natives appeared to understand the signals and signs, and at once
desired that all the company that was behind some distance would come
forward to them. This they did. The natives pointed in the direction
of their settlement, and furthermore desired all the company to follow
them. We followed them until we came in sight of their huts. Here the
whole company was requested to stop, with the exception of the captain
and two of his officers. We went with the natives into the settlement,
and were immediately conducted into the presence of a very old woman,
who marked one side of our faces with two lines, and our hands in the
same manner, with a burnt stick. After this singular manoeuvre was
over, she made signs to the captain to call all his men, and they also
were marked upon their faces and hands.
It is altogether probable that the marking of our faces and hands by
this old woman with a burnt stick was some sacred rite, and that she
might have been a sort of priestess or prophetess among the natives,
and that the ceremony was a mark of her approval, or that she secured
the protection of some divinity in our behalf.
It was ascertained afterwards, that this old woman was held in very
high repute among the natives, and that she was supposed to be a
personification of a certain deity which inhabited some remote mountain
in the interior of the country.
We also learned that the purpose she had in view in marking our faces
and hands, was, that we might not _poison_ those with whom we should
eat, or contaminate any thing we should take hold of with our hands.
We were distributed among the several huts, and remained there that
night. The natives set before us something to eat in the form of
whale and walrus blubber, and deer meat. This "bill of fare" had not
the recommendation of being cooked, but in its original state, with
no other condiment than what age imparted to it. But whether the
whole company found their appetites or necessities such as to pass
immediately into this new regimen, was quite, if not altogether,
improbable.
This settlement appeared to be of a temporary character; the natives
with their families having come from another region or section of the
country for the purpose of trading and hunting. There were but five
huts in all. Our company, therefore, of thirty-three persons, occupied
all the room they had to spare. It was close stowage but far better
for us than to be exposed and unprotected during a long and chilly
night.
After our arrival at this settlement, and some time during the night,
word was sent by the natives, as we afterwards learned, to another
and larger settlement, to inform the natives there that a company of
shipwrecked mariners (_raumkidlins_) had come, and wanted shelter.
Accordingly next morning, ten or fifteen dog teams, with their drivers,
made their appearance, having come from a settlement east of us for
the purpose of transporting us, with our effects, to new and larger
quarters. We arrived at this latter place about four o'clock in the
afternoon, distance about twenty miles.
The captain, with two others, went directly to the head man of the
settlement, whose name was _Taunty_, and made him understand, by signs
and gestures, that they wished him to take care of the whole company.
He readily assented to our request. He manifested a most kind and
obliging disposition. He showed a degree of sympathy for us in our
destitute and dependent condition wholly unlooked for, and altogether
unexpected. Such accommodations as he and his people had were promptly
offered to us.
[Illustration: NATIVE COSTUME.]
In this instance of cordial reception by the natives, the hand of a
good and merciful Providence can be easily discovered. What if, at this
time of our need, the natives had thrust us away from their dwellings,
and refused us shelter for the night, or a protection from the storm?
or if they had exhibited towards us the spirit of hostility and war?
Augmented sufferings would have been added to our otherwise unhappy
lot. There would have been no escape for us from the arctic region. But
we found friends when we most needed them.
We were distributed among the natives in the following manner: four men
and one officer were to constitute a company; and in this proportion we
occupied our respective huts, lived with the families, and shared in
their accommodations.
Compared with the first settlement, where we stopped for the first
night in our travel, this one was quite respectable, numbering twenty
or more huts.
We had no intention of making this settlement a permanent resting place
for the winter, if by any means we could find a more southern locality.
We cherished strong hope of being able to reach East Cape, and thus
being taken off by some ship passing through the straits, before
the approach of winter. Nor was there any time to be lost towards
completing such an arrangement as this.
One of the first things which we did, was to make known our wants to
the head man of the settlement. So far as we were able, we conversed
with him by signs, and thus endeavored to explain to him what we wished
to do. He gave us to understand that it was impossible for us to travel
down to East Cape this season of the year, and that the distance to the
cape was very great, and it was therefore impossible to get there.
Not knowing our precise locality upon the coast, we could not tell
whether the cape was three or five hundred miles from us. We concluded
it would be safer to remain where we were than to venture upon such an
uncertainty. It was afterwards ascertained that we were distant from
East Cape about two hundred and fifty miles.
The head man gave us to understand, in his way, that there was a very
great river to cross before we could get to East Cape, and that it
could not be crossed now; and still further, if we should perish on the
way, great ships (_laloutoutlines_) would come, kill him, and destroy
all their huts.
On the whole, we judged that it was the desire of the head man that
we should remain with him and his people, and live among them for the
present; and nothing occurred in all our subsequent acquaintance with
the natives in this settlement to remove this impression from our
minds. It may be, however, that they anticipated some remuneration for
their attention to us, which, by the way, they had a right to expect.
This was not unlikely a motive which induced them to desire that we
might live with them.
We sincerely hope the time may speedily come, when they shall be amply
recompensed by our government for their kindness towards _thirty-three
American seamen_, whom they protected, clothed, and fed, during three
quarters of a year.