'GANS ON ICE

by Lucille D'oobiecoupage

The wind whistled through the creaking hull of the ship. Our three friends slumber in the dim light of day. No progress has been made over the course of a few days and the ship's crew have taken this day as a day of rest. No one is on watch to witness a group of seven men, as they approach from the west. As they come closer, two of them would seem to be Innu hunters, dressed in traditional garb of fur and leather. They walk with a practiced gait on the snow, pressing it underfoot before putting their full weight upon it. The others, including Tarbin and the Whaler crash through the crust of snow, expending twice the energy in their hast to make it onboard. One of the hunters comments in his native language, "Big canoe."

The second nods his head, "Canoe? It blocks the reflection of the sun..." *

Together they climb the ladder onto the ship. The hunters are amazed at the size and complexity of the vessel. Tarbin leads them to the Captain's quarters, demonstrating along the way the workings of the ships wheel. The compass. The telescope.

"Come in, come in... Don't be afraid."

The others wake to the remarkable sight of the two Innu standing in their quarters. Tarbin and Larsfeldt grinning behind them.

"This is wood."

"This is big wood. Not like any wood I've seen before."

"Gentlemen please, enter, make yourselves at home." Farthing stood and offered his guests a bench to sit on. The two men sit awkwardly astride it, testing their weight on the floor. They continue talking to each other, out of nervousness as much as facination with their surroundings.

"We are on the ground?" He motions toward Farthing, "Are you from the moon or the sun?" **

"These are not clothes that they wear."

"They dress and still they are naked."

Farthing said as an aside to the Whaler, who was busying himself with a plate of gruel. "You have had experience with this tribe?"

"I may have, jah."

"What are they saying? I understand only the Coppermine..."

"Zey are wondering about ze hull."

"Yes, yes, I can see that!"

"They hardly got any meat on their bones." said the second hunter.

"They're hungry like us."

"They don't look like us."

Farthing motioned for the Whaler to put his plate down and try to communicate with them, "Tell our friends here that they are welcome aboard the Rotund..."

"Hello. You pleaze to maken happy bed-bed?"

"And that it is my hope that the future will be very beneficial for all of us..."

"Happy bed-bed for everybody!"

*Not entirely translatable.

**Either the meaning is too grandious, or my abilities as a translator are too limited. (Jack the Dog Barker, official translator).