The Private Journal of Captain G. F. Lyon, of H. M. S. Hecla, During the Recent Voyage of Discovery Under Captain Parry

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J. Murray, 1824 - 468 pagina's
"Principally devoted to the narration of the peculiarities of the aborigines of the Arctic regions"--Sabin.
 

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Pagina 358 - ... entirely. His wife now, in answer to my queries, informed me very seriously, that he had dived, and that he would send up Tornga. Accordingly, in about half a minute, a distant blowing was heard very slowly approaching, and a voice, which differed from that we at first had heard, was at times mingled with the blowing, until at length both sounds became distinct, and the old woman informed me that Tornga was come to answer my questions. I accordingly asked several questions of the sagacious spirit,...
Pagina 334 - ... regions at the latter end of May or the early part of June, and remains until late in September. On his first arrival he is thin, and his flesh is tasteless, but the short summer is sufficient to fatten him to two or three inches on the haunches. When feeding on the level ground, an Esquimaux makes no attempt to approach him, but should a few rocks be near, the wary hunter feels secure of his prey. Behind one of these he cautiously creeps, and having laid himself very close, with his bow and...
Pagina 246 - My host and his wives having retired to another tent and my visitors taking compassion on me, I went comfortably to sleep ; but at midnight was awakened by a feeling of great warmth, and to my surprise found myself covered by a large deer-skin, under which lay my friend, his two wives, and .their favourite puppy, all fast asleep and stark naked. Supposing this was all according to rule, I left them to repose in peace and resigned myself to sleep.
Pagina 358 - ... chord of an Eolian harp; this was soon changed to a rapid hiss like that of a rocket, and Toolemak with a yell announced his return. I had held my breath at the first distant hissing, and twice exhausted myself, yet our conjuror did not once respire, and even his returning and powerful yell was uttered without a previous stop or inspiration of air.
Pagina 375 - ... from whence, by frequent short dives, he silently makes his approaches, and so arranges his distance, that, at the last dive, he comes to the spot where the seal is lying. If the poor animal attempts to escape by rolling into the water, he falls into the bear's clutches; if, on the contrary, he lies still, his destroyer makes a powerful spring, kills him on the ice, and devours him at leisure.
Pagina 357 - Toolemak. This personage was cunning and intelligent, and, whether professionally, or from his skill in the chase, but perhaps from both reasons, was considered by all the tribe as a man of importance. As I invariably paid great deference to his opinion on all subjects connected with his calling, he freely communicated to me his superior knowledge, and did not scruple to allow of my being present at his interview with Tornga, or his patron spirit.
Pagina 245 - The voice and long whip answer all the purposes of reins, and the dogs can be made to turn a corner as dexterously as horses, though not in such an orderly manner, since they are constantly fighting; and I do not recollect to have seen one receive a flogging without instantly wreaking his passion on the ears of his neighbours. The cries of the men are not more melodious than those of the animals ; and their wild looks and gestures when animated, give them an appearance of devils driving wolves before...
Pagina 359 - ... without a previous stop or inspiration of air. " Light being admitted, our wizard, as might be expected, was in a profuse perspiration, and certainly much exhausted by his exertions, which had continued for at least half an hour. We now observed a couple of bunches, each consisting of two...
Pagina 358 - The voice gradually sunk from our hearing, ,as at first, and a very indistinct hissing succeeded : in its advance, it sounded like the tone produced by the wind on the base chord of an Eolian harp ; this was soon changed to a rapid hiss like that of a rocket, and Toolemak, with a yell, announced his return.
Pagina 26 - Toward midnight all our men, except the watch on deck, turned in to their beds, and the fatigued and hungry Esquimaux returned to their boats to take their supper, which consisted of lumps of raw flesh and blubber of seals, birds, entrails, &c. ; licking their fingers with great zest, and with knives or fingers scraping the blood and grease which ran down their chins into their mouths.

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