Across the sub-Arctics of Canada

by J. W. Tyrrell

Our own men, recalling to mind the stories of the “savage Eskimos who would undoubtedly eat them,” were scarcely less fearful than the solitary native, who, as we drew nearer, was observed through our glasses to be nervous and trembling. As soon as we had approached to within calling distance, I stood up in my canoe and shouted, “Chimo! chimo! cudloona uvagut peeaweunga tacko Enuit” (Halloo! halloo! we are white men, glad to see the Eskimos). Before my words were finished the doorway of the topick was torn open, and with great rejoicing and excited gestures all the inmates scrambled out to meet us at the shore as we landed.

The Eskimo himself was a tall, well-built, stalwart man, with a shrewd, intelligent face, and wore the pleasant characteristic grin of his race. With him were his two wives and six children, and all joined in extending to us a hearty welcome.

ESKIMO “TOPICK,” TELZOA RIVER.

Their lodge was a large well-formed, clean-looking one, made of deer-skin parchment, and supported by stout spruce poles, which must have been brought from some distant place. Into this dwelling we were cordially invited and most hospitably received. Seats of deer-skin were offered by the hostesses and venison was placed before us, while we in return handed around presents of beads, tobacco, matches, and such things. About us were to be seen evidences of communication with traders, such as a large tin kettle, two old guns, and a pair of moleskin trousers. Upon inquiry I was told they had received them in trade from other “Enuits” (Eskimos). We satisfied ourselves that this family were accustomed to meet with the Eskimos from Hudson Bay who trade at Fort Churchill or Marble Island, and for that reason the Telzoa must in all probability flow into the bay. We were, moreover, soon convinced of this by getting the Eskimo to draw us a sketch of the river’s course.

From the natives we also secured several articles, such as horn spoons, personal ornaments, and two or three deer-skin coats, to do us service, if necessary, later in the season. In exchange for these we were asked for powder, bullets and gun-caps, all of which they were badly in need of. About camp there appeared to be an abundance of venison for the present support of the family, but the hunt for musk oxen was what had brought this venturesome hunter far up the river in advance of his tribe.

As Eskimo interpreter I had little difficulty in conversing with the natives, though I found that many of my words as used by the Eskimos on the east coast of Hudson Bay and the north shore of the Straits were not understood. It was not so surprising that many of their words were not understood by me. In the main, however, I found the language to be the same as that spoken by the Eskimos of various other districts formerly visited.

Among those of us who for the time shared the hospitality of this native family was our worthy cook, John, who also laid claim to the distinction of being an Eskimo linguist. It was noticeable, however, at this time that John was unusually silent and backward, more so indeed than anyone in the party. After leaving the lodge I asked him if he had understood what the natives were saying, and was not a little amused when he replied, “Y-e-s, but,—b-u-t, t-h-e,—the trouble was I couldn’t get them to talk.” After a pleasant but brief visit of less than one hour, during which time we received some valuable information about our route, as well as much assurance and encouragement, with many hearty “tabowetings” (good-byes), we parted. As we did so Louis, my steersman, with an expression of pleasant disappointment on his face, exclaimed, “They are not savage, but real decent people.”

The current being strong, our friends at the topick were soon far behind. They had told us that from there to the sea (Hudson Bay) was about a twenty days’ journey, and though we thought we could likely make it in half that time, we were impressed and spurred on by the knowledge of the fact that we were now far into the interior of the country, and at the least eight hundred miles by our road from the nearest Hudson’s Bay Company’s post, Fort Churchill. This day and the next after visiting the Eskimos we had beautifully bright weather, but the enjoyment of it was marred by our encountering swarms of black flies.