STORY OF A FUR COUNTRY NORTH OF CANADA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1861, 22 July 1887, Page 34

STORY OF A FUR COUNTRY NORTH OF CANADA.

■By One of Our Little Folks.

All were again soon settled at their usual tasks. Kalumah had become a favourite with everybody. On the 3rd January Kalumah walked to Cape Bathurst'to examine the state of the ice. Although she saw no rents or crevasses she, noticed many circular holes ,gut in the ice by seals. She hastened back to the fort and informed Hobson, also describing the way in which the natives captured the animals. Hobson sent for the hunters who, providing themselves 'with ropes, hurried to Cape Bathurst. The hole Marbre chose soon began to bubble, and a head with long tusks appeared. Marbre flung his running noose skilfully and pulled it tight over the animal's neck. His comrades rushed to his assistance and they pulled it up on the ice. Others were taken in this manner.

Only one incident worth mentioning occurred in January. Michael M'Nab was taken very ill. No , one knew what was the matter, but Madge kept her senses' abput her, and advised cooling drinks and poultices. The boy was well nursed, and 12 days after he became ill he was pronounced to be out of danger. If he had died, Kalumah, who was passionately attached to him, would not have survived him ; but, he slowly recovered and was thus restored to the little circle. On the 27th the bear visited the fort. The colonists returned to the large room and closed the windows but not the shutters. The animal, finding the postern unfastened, pushed it open and examined the premises. He listened to the howl of the dogs and lowing of the reindeer, and at last came and leant his head against a window. Kalumah came forward and looked at him. The bear growled and turned away,, leaving the fort as he had entered it.

On the 3rd of February a faint glimmer of light appeared on the northern horizon, and the disc of ;the sun was observable for the first time since the beginning of the polar night. Early in March the boat was finished. Hobson then determined to go to the south of the island and examine the state o£ the ice. Hobson, Mrs Barnett, Kalumah, and the two hunters comprise dthe exploring party, and about noon the ice wall was reached. An iceberg fell over but no one was hurt. The party camped on the ice in a grotto which the hunters dug out. They found out that the barrier was thin enough to melt away quickly and decided to return at once. It was about 10 o'clock when Marbre, and Sabine, who were in front, stopped suddenly. When the others came up Sabine was holding out his compass to Marbre, who was staring at it in astonishment. The island was on the west and the compass showed them that they were going east. When they stepped out of the valley no sign of the island was seen. Kalumah told them that they went wrong in the valley. All were exhausted when they found themselves on the other side of the ice wall. At about 100 paces off torches were seen moving about and shouts were heard. They replied, and were soon joined by Sergeant Long and the rest of the party. The island and icefield had turned round 24 hours before. This showed that the ice was not connected with the mainland. (To be continued.)