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THE ARCTIC SEA.

STRIKING illustration of what man is capable of accomplishing, is to be met with in the adventures and explorations of Mr. C. F. HALL among the Innuit or Esquimaux tribes on the verge of the Arctic regions. With an idea that he could accomplish what had not yet been completed in the search for positive tidings of the lost Franklin Expedition, he made himself acquainted with all that had been written and published on the subject, and starting from Cincinnati in the West, he gave up the previous occupations of his life, and determined to explore the icy seas. As might be well expected, many difficulties met him from want of funds, of personal experience on the sea, and of all such knowledge as is essential to the ex

Arctic Research Expedition, and Life Among the Esquimaux. A Narrative of an exploring Expedition in search of Sir John Franklin, in the years 1860, 61, 67. By C. F. HALL. With Maps, and numerous Illustrations. In Press by Harper & Brothers.

plorer. But undaunted by these he accepted a kind offer made from New London, by Williams and Haven, of a passage in one of their whaling ships, the George Henry, S. O. Buddington, Master; and prepared his slender outfit for the voyage. Outfit we term it; but of all the outfits yet known in Arctic exploration since the days of old, when brave hearts went forth, almost as fishermen now go along the coast, in their diminutive barks of thirty, twenty, and even ten tons each, this outfit of Hall's was the least entitled to the term. A boat, a few books, no proper instruments, a change or two of apparel, a small portion of provisions, some powder and shot, was about the sum total of what he was able to provide himself with to go and explore the icy regions of the North. Lessening even this slender equipment was, as we have already said, the disadvantage of his own want of any past experience or even common knowledge of the sea and aught belonging to it. A dweller in one of the Western cities, brought up to wholly different pursuits, the vast ocean and its marvels, the lands beyond and their wonders, were, to him, as a dream of fancy which he now sought to realize. And in good sooth did he speedily taste the reality, when, after bidding adieu to his kind friend and supporter, Henry Grinnell, of New York, he left the shores of America in May, 1860, and soon afterward felt the influence of a storm at sea. Up and down, to and fro, hither and thither, racking pains, disjointed bones, mental horror, agonies internal that none can comprehend but those who have to endure them, fell to his lot as the mighty waters of the deep carried him along on their bosom, while prostrated on his couch with the usual sickness of the sea. Oh, how pitiable, and yet how laughable afterward, his feelings at the time! Those who have gone through all this and tasted of such nautical enjoyments may commiserate one so situated. The writer, who has often passed scathless through such scenes,

can not.

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A few days, however, quickly put him to rights again. Once more himself, he speedily went to work trying to master his position. Alone in his undertaking, he set about to see how he could make the most of every thing, now that there was no one to depend upon but himself. Navigation, astronomy, seamanship, and the most ordinary requirements necessary for an explorer, he was utterly unacquainted with. Learn them, therefore, he must; and learn them, so far as he could, he did. During the passage to Greenland, whither the ship was first of all bound, he gathered such fragments of knowledge as laid the foundation for better understanding and mastering more thereafter. On every occasion where an opportunity presented itself, he made himself familiar with the wild, yet beautiful and wondrous scenes of the regions he wished to explore. During the early part of the voyage icebergs were met with, and

once he was able to visit one. A boat from the ship took him to the berg, and he availed himself of the opportunity to ascend it.

In this bold adventure Mr. Hall was entirely alone, except so far as the aid of an interpreter could be, for a brief period, of service to him. An Esquimaux, brought to the States the previous year, and now returning to his own wild home, was his companion. This man, by name Kudlago, was a famous hunter of the North, and a remarkably intelligent person. He was well known to American whalers in the Arctic seas, and had endeared himself to all by his kindly and genial disposition.

Mr. Hall had secured Kudlago for an interpreter, but unfortunately his death occurred at sea almost within sight of his own icy land. The account of this death, as narrated by Mr. Hall in his Journal, is very interesting. The dying exclamations of the departing spirit; his wishes as

regarded the wife and little ones whom he had hoped soon to see in their snowy home; his repeated and earnest longings to once more be near, even if he could not see, those frozen masses of ice so familiar to him, and yet so dreaded by others of a different race, are told with a touching simplicity of recital which at once wins upon the heart. Then, too, the last scene, when the earthly remains of this poor Esquimaux are lowered into the ocean, is peculiarly impressive.

Shortly afterward, and even within sight of where Kudlago's remains had been given to the

native tribes in that region. They are semicivilized, and also Christian-taught in more than the mere form of such a term. They are a cheerful, happy, and contented race; kind and affectionate among themselves and hospitable to strangers. This did our traveler find speedily after his arrival. No end of courtesies, kindnesses, good-will, and friendly acts, from the highest to the lowest, whether it was the white man in his official capacity, or the darker colored Esquimaux in his more subordinate position.

Frequent opportunities were presented for observing the manners and customs of these Greenland Esquimaux, and many singular feats of agility and skill were displayed before him. Among others mentioned in his narrative, is a feat which is considered remarkable. It is that of an Esquimaux turning a somersault in his kyack, so as to make a complete circuit in the course he takes while reversing his ordinary position. This feat is so difficult, that only thi most expert can accomplish it.

During the time it was necessary to stay at Holsteinborg Mr. Hall had several opportunities for visiting the locality and obtaining in