Now look out of my window. High hills close in the bay where the
"Harmony" lies at anchor some distance from the shore. Yesterday a
strong wind made her roll even in the harbour. The mission premises
stand within a few yards of the beach and the little pier runs out
into the water just in front of the gate. The tide is out now, and the
lighter which is bringing the stores from the ship has got aground.
The mate and some Eskimoes are trying to push it off, and among the
rest two women are standing in the water and pushing manfully. Their
position and occupation illustrate the utility of their national
female costume of trousers and boots. Skirts would be impracticable
when they go out boating and fishing with their husbands or trudge
through the deep snow, which lies on the ground more than half a year.
Nevertheless they look odd to an unaccustomed eye. The children are
comical miniatures of their fathers and mothers, and sometimes it is
difficult to tell whether they are boys or girls.
Do you see the station boat lying a little way from the end of the
pier? She is named the "Kitty," and has an interesting history. Many
years ago she brought to Okak the five survivors of the ship "Kitty"
lost in the ice of Hudson's Bay.
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