STORY OF A FUR COUNTRY NORTH OF CANADA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1858, 1 July 1887, Page 35

STORY OF A FUR COUNTRY NORTH OF CANADA.

By One of Our Little Folks.

On September 4, Hobson took his bearings as usual, but found that Victoria Island had not sensibly changed its position since the day before. The foundation of the island was, however, apparently breaking up. The island was stationary between two contrary currents. The preparations for winter were going on pretty fast. The dogs and reindeer were comfortably housed, with enough food to last them for a long time. All was now prepared for winter, and a few traps were set. Corporal and Mrs Joliffe had sown fresh seeds, as those sown the previous year had yielded a good crop.

During the next few days no change took place in the position of the island. The Bwans at this time began to desert the island for the South. Some of the birds were caught and stiff cloth tickets were tied round their necks, bearing the name of the inhabitants and the position of the island. The birds were then set free and' winged their way to the South. On the 10th September a slight displacement took place in a northerly direction. Hobson was dismayed when he found that the island was drifting to the unknown regions of the North. Had the boat been ready he would not have cared, but it was not nearly finished. At last the first ice appeared, but as soon as it joined together it was separated again by the motion of the waves. On the 21st September a rotatory motion was observable. Cape Bathurst no longer pointed to the north, but had veered round to the east. The sun, moon, and stars rose and set on a different horizon. It was impossible that the men, accustomed to note the signs of the heavens as they were, should not have noticed this. They, however, made no sign. The rotation oaused an increase of speed. Before long snow began to fall and soon the icefield was formed. Victoria Island halted 600 miles from land. The island was now as stationary as when it was connected with the mainland ; but 600 miles separated it from any land, and 600 miles had to be traversed on sledges in the middle of winter. They must leave the island before the lapse of three or four weeks at the latest. Meanwhile excursions were made on the ice to ascertain i ts thickness and suitability for the passage of sledges. Still, Hobson put off telling the others till the day of departure came. The men and women had assumed their winter clothes, with linen next the skin. The cold ■was not so intense as it was during the previous winter, although Victoria Island was two degrees farther north now than then. The sea froze all around the island, but not in a regular sheet of ice. Large blackish patches here and there indicated that the ice was not properly cemented together. Loud reports were constantly heard, caused by the breaking-up of the icefield. Had proof been needed to show that the icefield was impassable, a fact that they noticed would have sufficed to prove it. The animals would have left the island had it been possible, but none of them did so. The poor creatures continued to come nearer and nearer to the fort. A solitary bear wandered about among the trees, and. the ruminants proved that flight was impossible.

On the llfch November a fete was held at Fort Hope, as it was the anniversary of the birth of Michael Mac Nab, who was now one year old. The baby was weighed and it was found that he weighed 341b. The next day the polar night commenced, occurring nine days sooner than the previous year. On the 13th November it was decided to tell the rest of the party the true state of affairs. The men and women of the fort were called together in the large room, and Hobson standing in the middle of the group, said, " My friends, until to-day I felt it my duty to, conceal from you the position of our fort. An earthquake separates us from the mainland. Our peninsula is an island of ice." At this Marbre, stepping forward, said, " We knew it, sir !"

(To be continued.')