IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

I.I

1.25

■ so "^^

lAO

25
[2.2

1.8

lA. IIIIII.6

'«3

J-J^

^;;

Hiotographic

Sciences

Corporation

■iP

^<b

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, NY. 14S80

(716) 873-4503

CIHM/ICMH

Microfiche

Series.

CIHM/ICMH
Coliection de
microfiches.

Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions Institut Canadian da microraproductions historiquas

1980

Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques

The Institute has attempted to obtain the best
original copy available for filming. Features of this
copy which may be bibliographically unique,
which may alter any of the images in the
reproduction, or which may significantly change
the usual method of filming, are checked below.

D
D

Coloured covers/
Couverture de couleur

I I Covers damaged/

Couverture endommagde

Covers restored and/or laminated/
Couverture restaurde et/ou pellicul^e

Cover title missing/

Le titre de couverture manque

Coloured maps/

Cartes g^ographiques en couleur

Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/
Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire)

I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/

Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur

Bound with other material/
f\e\\i avec d'autres documents

Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion
along interior margin/

La reliure serr^e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la
distortion le long de la marge int6rieure

Blank leaves added during restoration may
appear within the text. Whenever possible, these
have been omitted from filming/
II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutdes
lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte,
mais, lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont
pas 6ti film^es.

Additional comments:/
Commentaires suppl6mentaires;

L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire
qu'il lui a 6ti possible de se procurer. Les details
de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du
point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier
une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une
modification dans la methods normale de filmage
sont indiqu6s ci-dessous.

I I Coloured pages/

Pages de couleur

Pages danaged/
Pages endommag^es

Pages restored and/oi

Pages restauries et/ou pelliculies

Pages discoloured, stained or foxei
Pages ddcolordes, tachet^es ou piqu^es

Pages detached/
Pages d^tachdes

Showthrough/
Transparence

Quality of prir

Qualiti in^gale de I'impression

Includes supplementary materi{
Comprend du materiel suppldmentaire

Only edition available/
Seule Edition disponible

I I Pages danaged/

I I Pages restored and/or laminated/

I I Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/

I I Pages detached/

rn Showthrough/

I I Quality of print varies/

I I Includes supplementary material/

I I Only edition available/

Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata
slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to
ensure the best possible image/
Les pages totalement ou partiellement
obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure,
etc., ont 6t6 filmies d nouveau de faqon d
obtenir la meilleure image possible.

Th
pc
of
fill

Or
be
thi
sic
oti
fir
sic
or

Th
sh
Til

Mt
dif
eni
bet

rig
rec
me

This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/

Ce document est film6 au taux de reduction indiqu^ ci-dessous.

10X 14X 18X 22X

12X

16X

20X

26X

30X

24X

28X

32X

The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks
to the generosity of:

National Library of Canada

L'exemplaire filmd fut reproduit grAce A la
g6n6ro8itA de:

Bibliothdque nationale du Canada

The images appearing here are the best quality
possible considering the condition and legibility
of the original copy and in keeping with the
filming contract specifications.

Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed
beginning with the front cover and ending on
the last page with a printed or illustrated impres-
sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All
other original copies are filmed beginning on the
first page with a printed or ilhjstrated impres-
sion, and ending on the last page with a printed
or illustrated impression.

The last recorded frame on each microfiche
shall contain the symbol —^' (meaning "CON-
TINUED"), or the symbol y (meaning "END"),
whichever applies.

Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at
different reduction ratios. Those too large to be
entirely included in one exposure are filmed
beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to
right and top to bottom, as many frames as
required. The following diagrams illustrate the
method:

Les images suivantes ont 6tA reproduites avec le
plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et
de la nettet« de l'exemplaire film6, et en
conformit6 avec les conditions du contrat de
filmage.

Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en
papier est imprimie sont filmis en commenpant
par le premier plat et en terminant &oit par la
derniire page qui comporte une empreinte
d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second
plat, salon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires
originaux sont film^s en commen^ant par la
premiere page qui comporte une empreinte
d'impressioii ou d'illustration et en terminant par
la derniire page qui comporte une telle
empreinte.

Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la
dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le
cas: le symbols — •► signifie "A SiJIVRE ", le
symbols V signifie "FIN".

Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent 6tre
film6s A des taux de reduction diff^rents.
Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre
reproduit en un seul clich6, il est film6 A partir
de i'angle sup^rieur gauche, de gauche A droite,
et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre
d'images n6cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants
illustrent la mdthode.

ESKIMO OF HUDSON'S STRAIT.

BY F. F. PAYNF:.

Much Huh been written of the Eskirao hv iiavigutors and travellers
in Arctic and Huh-Arctic Regions, and yet we find in almost every
writing at joast soiuething new to inteivst uh. In a short paper Huch
as this it would be useless attempting to describe all the customs and
habits common to the whole race that have so often been descril>ed
before, I shall, therefore, endeavour to confine myself as much as
possible to a description of the more interesting parts «)f the mod»'s of
life of those met with on the shores of Hudson's Htrait, and more
e8i)ecially those at Cape Prince of Wales, many of whom had not met
white men before, and with whom I lived during a period of thirteen
months.

During the winter months the Eskimo, or Inuite as then- call them-
selves, are found occupying the ground at prouiinent points along the
the coast. Here the ever changing tides flowing and returning break
up the ice and here the seals, on which they mainly subsist, are found.
The prevailing winds during these months bein-^ from the north-we.st,
snow is drifted to a great depth oi> the south-eastern sides of the hills.
This they take advantage of and .soon after building their igloos many
of them are completely hurried and are thereby well protected from
the wind. On visiting a village after a snowstorm I was struck with
its resemblance to a lot of mole hills. Nothing could be .seen but a
little snow thrown up on each side of a hole l)y which a passage led to
the igloo ; on a near approach, howeve •, windows were seen a little
below the surface from which the snow had been removed. Upon
entering some of those igloos, pas.sage ways were found cut through
the drifted srow thereby connecting several of them, making it ap-
pear much like an underground village.

In these villages they live as long as possible, ami will not leave
until they are compelled to do so through scarcity of food, but at this
time, when a report comes in from another part of the coast that seals
are plentful they will sometimes leave in a body, and where an hour

ESKIMO DF HUnSON's STRAIT.

ago merry laughter could be heard, now you are only greeted with the
snarl of a stray dog that keepH well out of your way, or the caw of a
raven as it sits on a neighbouring rock watching you suspiciously.

Aliout the month of March, moHt of the seals leaving the coast,
food becomes very ccarce and many shifts are made. Hurried ex-
peditions are taken by the men with their dogs along the shore, their
family sometimes accompanying them, but ai e oftener left behind, and
the unhappy look of a father as he returns without success tells
plainly how much he feels for those depeudunt upon him.

As this month advanced at Ca|)e Prince of Wale.s food became
scarcer and now, though at other tiuies helping one another, it was a
matter with many of life and death and every man looked out for
himself and his family. If he secured a seal it was hidden as quickly
as possible. At this tiino the ohl and those weakened by starvation
and unable to move fi<»m place to i)lace were left to their fate, though
should a party be so successful as to capture more than would sup|)ly
their immediate wants they returned at once with food to those they
had left behind.

Early in April, the weather becoming milder and the snow well
packed sleigh journeys are made to distant parts of the coast and
seldom before this t'unf* do they undertake long trips. At this time
too tlie deer c )Uie from inland to the coast and expeditions are made
to meet theui though few deer aie taken until the end of the month.

The latter part of April, May, and June may be considered the
Eskimo's hai'vost time, for besides the deer large numbers of seals are
taken as they appear along the wide cracks that now form in the ice.

Towards the end of May, snow igloos melting away, the women may
be seen busily engaged in repairing the seal skin covering of their
tupeys which have been cached since the previous summer, and now,
while some are inland hunting deer, single fsimilies pitch their tuip<'ys 7/
at favourable places along the coast where the men spend most of the
time watching the ice for seals.

On May 23rd, four families left Cape Prince of Wales for a large
lake about one hundred and sixty miles to the southward. Here I
was informed they would remain throughout the summer living upon
deer, fish, and a kind of berry not found 00 the coast. This lake, by

ESKIMO OF Hudson's strait.

their own description, must be about one hundred and fifty miles in
length, and twenty-five miles broad, and apparently has never been
visited by civilized being.

Early in June all the hunters returned to the coast and immediately
commenced laying in a stock of walrus and seal meat which was cut
into strips, sewn up in bags made of the whole skin of a seal and
cached.

On June 10th the first kyaks of the season were launched at Cape
Prince of Wales, and from this time until the end of August a sharp
lookout was kept for the white whale which gives a large supply of
food.

For the second time in the year the deer season commences about
August 20th and lasts a month, during which time some exceedingly
hard work is done to secure enough skins for clothing and bedding
for the winter.

During the latter part of September and until the sea is once more
covered with ice, about the end of November, walruses are hunted.
After this date the kyaks are put away, and until the ice is firm the
times are very hard ; and now the caclies are o{)ened and a large hole
is soon made in their small winters stock of provisions. With empty
stomachs and leaky wigwams they exist until the end of December
wheTi, once more they build snow igloos and winter life begins again
in earnest.

Besides the walrus, deer, seal and whale we might include all mam-
mals and birds found in this region as comprising the Eskimos food sup-
ply, but as several are only eaten when they are starving we may con-
sider the following as a complete list of articles of food upon which
they subsist : — Beai', rabbit, fox, dog and lemming, duck, goose, loon,
young birds of all kinds, eggs, three or four species of fish, clams,
mussels, shrimps, crayfish, one species of algae, the flowers of two, the
roots of two and the berries of three different plants, besides the bark
of the willow, large quantities of which are eaten in tha spring. The
fox, dog, and lemming are only eaten in cases of extreme hunger, and
the hardest to swallow seems to be the former, which even the Eskimo
dog would not touch while scraps of diy seal skin were to be found.
In eating any vegetable food they usually preferred to dip it into oil
before swallowing. Quantities of seaweed are eaten especially during

B8KIM0 OF HUDSON'S STRAIT.

the winter months when other food is scarce, and this I am inclined
to think was the cause of the illness of several children, all of whom
were suffering great pain when little else wiis being eaten.

Cooked food is only partaken of as a change, though it might
bee >me more generally used if fuel was plentiful. It was very
amusing to see them with old fruit cans boiling small pieces of seal
or other meat over a Hre of small weeds. It was usually eaten half
cooked and thickly coated with ashes.

Apparently only two regular meals are eaten, one upon first rising
in the morning and one just before retiring. At these meals they
might be seen each with a knife of some kind sitting around a seal
with their share, taking first a piece of lean and then a piece of fat as
we would eat bread and chee.^e, and, as might be suppose<l, their faces
did not present a very pretty appearance after these meals.

Much has been said of the Eskimo's improvidence and undoubtedly,

«w / like mode civilized beings, when food is plentiful they do eat more

/ than usual thereby becoming lazier and less inclined to hunt ; but it

may be said for the credit of those in Hudson's Strait, excepting a

few, they would hunt and kill at almost any time, and not so much as

a handful of food was ever wasted.

Of orginal genius they seemed to ])ossess little for although many
of their appliances for hunting and trapping are ingeniously made,
these have all been copied from those used by the same race, we may
say, centuries ago, and in proof of this statement it may be added that
where simple repairs were needed in traps and other implements, and
where parts of these had been lost they were quite incapable of em-
ploying other means tc make them of service until shown by my men
or myself.

A marked difference is noticed in the quality of all mechanical
work done by the Eskimo of the north and south shores of the Strait,
especially in clothes by the women, and hunting implements and
carved work made by the men, those on the north shore doing far the
neatest and best work. This may be owing to the great demand for
these articles by the men of the whalers who are constantly bartering
with them ; while those to the southward never have a chance of do-
ing so, and are content with more roughly made articles for their own
use.

K8KIMO OF HUDSON8 8TRAIT.

OccAHionally one would l>e found who Nliowed a far groator <renins
than hiHfellowR, and here we might inHtancna inuii named Cowktooiun,
who, by the way, had lived many years on the north shore. With
the roughest tools he was seen to make s me Imautiful joints in witotl
work, and on ont» occasion undertook to make the nipple of a gun, his
only tool being a file. He fii-st tiled a piece of steel to the re(]iiisite
shape, and then grinding one point of tiie tile to die proper size for a
drill made a very neat hole through it. Now, however, he was tpiite
unable to tile a rough thread for the nocessjtry scn'W and was obliged
to appeal to one of my men for aid.

The Eskimo cannot be said to excel in the tiner arts, and yet we
find in them the inborn love of sketching and carving, only in the
latter, however, are they at all proficient. Good models of kyaks,
animals and birds in ivory are made es|)ecially on the north side of
the strait, whei*e they stem to delight iti vyin\j with one another in
trying to make the smallest models. The art drawing is c«)ntined
almost altogether to describing figures on the level surface of the snow
either with a piece of stick, or, in larger figures, with their ft^ft, and
in seveml instances most correct drawings of their own poople were
made by slowly moving along with feet close together, raising a low
ridge of snow as an outline, and afterwards adding details most dex-
terously with one foot.

Perepective in drawing was a gr^eat mystery, and even those who
had been able to look at pictures upon the wail of my house every
day for a year could not understand it. Involuntarily their hands
would steal up to the picture and slowly fiassing t\\nx\ ovei- they would
feel for the objects that stood out from the background, while others
would shift their heads to look Iwhind screens or doors in the picture.

Soon after our arrival at the Obsfervato: y a coloured life sized
picture of a child was put up just over my V)ed, directly facing the
window. It had not been there long when hearing a great commotion
I went to see what was the matter and found half a dozen faces
pressed against the window and all were calling " chimo, chirao,"
which is a kind of welcome, and nothing would {persuade them it was
not I'eal life until they had been allowed to examine it closely.

I am now reminded of a similar incident with a crying doll,
several of which I had brought up as presents for the children. A.

ESKIMO OF HUD80N 8 STRAIT.

few days after my arrival, and while a woman and her child were
looking in at the window I brought out one of these dolls, for the
Hrst time, and, unseen, dresHed it in a towel, and slowly brought it
towards the window. At first sight of it the woman's eyes o|)ened
very widely as she stood wondering, but when I suddenly made it
squeak she did not wonder any more, but turned and fled.

Besides the means commonly employed in the chase by the Eskimo
in all parts of the Arctic Regions there are doubtless others only
known or practiced by those living in certain localities. At Cape
Prince of Wales the seals were seldom captured at their holes in the
ice, but invariably along wide cracks, or in the wat<*r beyond the ice
where one man might be often seen Hcraping with his spear and
whistling in a low note while his companion lay at the edge of the
ice, and if there were any seals within hearing distance they were
always attracted to the s|>ot, when rising quickly the Eskimo would
throw his s|>ear with line attached and if quick enoi. |h would seldom
miss. The seal, however, is very active and often escapes by diving
before the harpoon reaches it.

The gun, with which many are supplied, has almost taken the
place of the bow and arrow, nevertheless they are still used by a few
in deer hunting, and while one takes up a position behind some stones
in one of the narrow passes of the hills others drive the deer towards
him. By this means a very close shot is obtained and I was informed
that often half the length of the arrow is hurried in the deers side.

The fish spear used in Greenland is also found here though seldom
used, the most common implement employed being a long handle
with an ordinary knife firmly tied near one end making a fork, one
prong of which is the end of the rod, the other the blade of the
knife its shar()ened edge turned inward. With this ugly weapon the
salmon are speared or, more properly s{>eaking, are slashed and are
often found nearly cut in halves.

The net is also used here in catching fish in the smaller streams
though the most common mode of trapping is by building walls of
stones shaped like a bag about six inches above the surface, and then
with sticks and stones splashing the water higher up the stream and
driving the fish into the trap.

ESKIMO OF Hudson's strait.

SoiiiH ingenuity in Hhown in setting the common steel fox-trap in
winter. A wall of snow alioiit eighteen inches high is built in the
shape of half a circle the diameter of which is about two and a half
feet. Near the centre from which the arc is drawn, the snow is first
well presHed. A hole the hIihik) of the tmp is then dug with a knife
and the trap Iniing let into it, it is can^fully covered with a thin crust
of snow so that (>ven if the fox does not actually tread upon the small
pan, part of the crust when broken will start the trap. In front, and
just under the wall snuill pieces of bait are placed ho that in shifting
its position t«^ titke each piece of bait the fox is certain to tread upon
the trap.

The Kskimos amusements are few, and only in one or two do they
seem to take much interest. Throwing the har[)oon had the greatest
attraction for the men, and often they might be seen taking their
turns at a mark in the snow. Wrestling and running ai-e occa-
sionally indulgrtl in, but the weaker side soon loses interest and gives
in. Mr. Stupart informs nte that while he was stationed here a large
snow pleasure house was built, supported in its centre by a pillar of
snow. The only ganw n :)ticed, in which they took part in this house,
was a kind of tilting, an ivory ring iMnng suspendr'd from the criling
throtigh which the men tried to put their spears as they walked
quickly round th(f pillar.

During njy stay here football was introduced, and in this they
appear to take more interest than in any other game. The bladder
of a walrus was well blown and then covered with leather making
an excellent football, and it wa.s a novel sight to see them playing.
Men, women, and children all took ))art in it, and no quarter was
allowed. Here a woman carrying her child on her back might be
seen running at full speed after the ball, and the next moment she
might be seen lying at full length with her naked child floundering
in the snow a few feet beyond her. A minute later the child would
be again in its place and nearly choking with laughter she would
be seen elbowing her way after the ball again.

Catching trout in the summer in the manner described affords
great amusement to the children and wild with excitement they
were often seen pursuing a poor unfortunate fish in a shallow stream.
The boys also spend a great deal of time in making small si>ears

ESKIMO OF Hudson's strait.

and other implements of the chase, and practice with one another in
throwing di a mark. Girls have their dolls and as with girls of
civilized parents they delight in playing house ; nor do they tire of
this until they are married, for often groups of girls of all ages might
be seen sitting in son«e sheltered spot in summer each having a house
formed only of a ring of stones a few inches in diameter in which
some short pieces of stick were laying while other pieces were propped
upright. These pieces of stick represented people, and they were
made to visit one another's houses while t'le owner kept up a con-
tinous flow of conversation for them.

Unlike the Indian the Eskimo is nearly always laughing, and even
in times of great distress it is not hai"d to make them smile. On one
occasion, with the intention of building a beacon iu the sha[)e of a
man, I procured the assistance of an Eskimo, and cutting out the
shape of a large head in wood I got my assistant to carry it to the
hill upon which I proposed to build the beacon. Without asking a
question he assisted me to build the man and place head and arms
upon it, nor did he underatand its meaning when a model of a gun
was placed between the arms. Finished it stood about nine feet high
and when the last stone was put up I led my assistant about a
hundred yards away and then turned him round to look at it.
Slowly his eyes opened widely, and then suddenly he burst into such a
fit of laughter I was almost afraid of him for he rolled upon the
ground. This beacon was built for the guidance of the relief ship.

As we find among civilized beings men much more conversant with
nature than their fellows so we find it with the Eskimo, and while
some know many of the stars, and other objects in the heavens by
name, others can hardly tell one from the another. On the whole,
however they may be said to be keen observers of nature, for in
making collections of the birds, insects, and plants they were of great
assistance, and if an insect was shown them they could usually take
me where more of the same species might be found.

On the approach of summer they watched with interest its signs,
and often would bring to me insects which they believed were the
first of the season. The first snow bunting that appeared in the
Bpring was hailed with great joy, and in great haste they came to in-
form me of its anival.

ESKIMO OF HUDSON 8 STRAIT. 9

Trading with one another and with those at distant parts of the
coast is a common practice, the money standard used being a white
fox skin. Most of their furs however are sent by one or two trusted
traders to Captuin Spicer's post on the north side of the strait and to
the Hudson's Buy Company's post at Fort Chimo, Ungava Bay, and
it in remarkable that, although these traders carry as many as thirty
or forty parcels of furs owned by diflferent families, they seemed quite
able to remember on their return, to whom the goods they obtained in
exchange belonged, apparently the only note made being a few marks
with their teeth upon some of the articles.

It is generally supposed that the Indians and tlie Hlskimo are conti-
nually at enmity with one another. This may be the case on the niost
northern coast of America, but it is certainly not so with those living
on either the Labrador coast or Hudson's Strait all of whom
spoke in the highest terms of the Indian, or Udler, as they call them,
and several Eskimo were wearing articles they had purchased from
them when visiting Fort Chimo.

As it is the case with all, or most uncivilized races, many of the
senses are not well develoi)ed in the Eskimo. Pain, for instance,
under which we would groan is borne without flinching and in this
we had ample means of judging as I was called in to dress several
painful wounds. Deep cuts, too, made by the accidental slip of a
knife were simply bound up with a piece of sinew and no further
notice taken of them.

Their power of hearing is tery good and it was often noticed that
sounds at a distance unheard by ourselveaj could be distinctly heard
by them.

Although many suffer with weak eyes their sight is wonderfully
keen, e8{)ecially at long distances as was often noticed by their being
able to count the seals upon the ice that appeared to us as small
specks seen very indistinctly. As the winter advanced many of them
became snow blind and all were affected more or less with the glitter
of the sun upon the snow. In one house visited three children were
found perfeetly blind, and although we did all we could for them,
they did not recover their sight for nearly twenty days.

Regarding their sense of taste we need only remark, there was
nothing we would eat that they could not relish, and much moi-e we

ESKIMO OF HUDSONS STRAIT.

would not eat they almost wholly subsisted upon. Smoking they
dearly love, and the smallest scrap of tobacco is never wasted, even
the ash from their pipes is used as snuff, and the idea of expectorat-
ing when chewing tobacco is never thought of; and further, disgusting
though it is, the straw used in cleaning their pipe is always passed
between their lips after each cleaning.

Although the Eskimos are cool under ordinary circumstances they
become extremely nervous under excitement, and at times were seen
trembling violently. This was noticed more especially when a walrus
had been killed, and others were in sight, when playing a game of
cards, and when leaving hurriedly for another part of the coast where
seals had been reported.

Cleanliness it may be said is hai'dly known to the Eskimo uninflu-
enced by civilization, for to them apparently everything on earth is
clean ; nevertheless they would undoubtedly be glad to keep the dirt
or dust off their bodies if they possessed such things as soap, towels,
and water at a temperature rather higher than the freezing point, or
we might say water at any tejnperature during the winter, for then it
is as much as they can do to melt enough snow for drinking. During
the warmest weather there was nothing they delighted in more than
washing their faces when we would give them soap, and it was
amusing to see them returning from a neighbouring stream laugh-
ing as they showed their faces to one another.

It is needless to repeat that the Eskimo will steal, for it is a
well established fact, yet it is interesting to note some of its effects.
Generally speaking all excepting the thief seemed to look upon the
act as a great joke when it did not effect themselves, and as far as
could be seen it is only fear that keeps them from stealing more
from one another. Repeatedly we were asked to guard tl r goods
while they made a journey, and every means possible are used to
hide their caches. If during hard times an Eskimo discovers a
cache his friends think it a great joke and all join in helping him
devour its contents. At the same time the thief stands a chance
of being punished by the owner.

During times when food was scarce they seemed to become care-
less and would then steal anything, and at one time some daring

ESKIMO OF Hudson's strait.

attempts at a raid upon my storehouse were made. In spite of a
watch being kept, and a warning issued to them that those attetnpt-
ing to force an entrance would stand a chance of being shot, while
going my rounds about midnight I was startled to see a number
rush out of the building with their hands full of provisions. They
had pried the door off the hinges as noiselessly as any professional
housebreaker, and now they made off as hard as possible. Deter-
mined to frighten them I started in hot pursuit, and when a short
distance from them fired several shots over their heads. For some
time after this they prowled about at nijTht, and Ugaluk my favourite
Eskimo strongly advised us to always go out armed as several threats
had been made by his people to fire upon us if we thwarted them
again. No further attempts, however, were made and I feel con-
fident it was the bold front we showed that induced them to recon-
sider their threats.

Amonf]f those living at Cape Prince of Wales were three des-
perate characters who, some years ago, attacked p irt of the ship-
wrecked crew of a whaler named " Kitty " while they slept in a
tent on the shore not far from the observatory. At first they
treated tliem well often bringing them food, but their blunkets and
guns weie too great a temptation, and with knives they despatched
them all, excepting one poor fellow whose feet had been badly frozen.
This man, strange to say, they took care of and Ugaluk my in-
formant said he lived with him in his fathera igloo during the
winter, that both his feet came off, and he died in the following
spring. In the fray one Eskimo was shot dead the rest escajung
without a wound.

Either from fear or seeking favour several Eskimo returned stolen
goods, but in each case they requested payment and were mo.st indig-
nant when we refused to give them anything, Our best friend in
tills way was a good looking girl name Checkooaloo who acted as our
detective and very often brought back articles stolen by her people.

Physically the Eskimo do not seem as strong as civilized beings for
in many trials of strength with my men who were not above the
average in muscle development they were quite unable to cope with
them.

ESKIMO OF HUDSON S STKAIT.

In speaking of the moral side of the Eskimo's character it is need-
less to repeat the many disgusting stories that have been told so often.
It is sufficient to know that according to our standard of moi-ality
they are immoral, but from what we know of other races we must
admit that they at least are comparatively virtuous savages. Even
our morality in which we boast seems to have the effect of corrupting
what little virtue the savage possesses when it comes in contact with
him and we may say, nowhere is this so distinctly seen as among the
Eskimo. On the north side of the strait where vessels often call on
their way to and from Hudson's Bay exchange of wives is sometimes
practiced, while on the south side where there is little or no inter-
course with these vessels such a thing was never heard of, and it ia
well known to those interested that sailors who were allowed to act
much as they liked on the north side were met with virtuous scorn by
those living on the south shore.

At cape Prince of Wales a few Eskimo had three wives, several
had two, but the greater number by far had only one, and there weie
seveml old bachelors.

In nearly all cases the best hunters have the most wives, and a
widow who is the strongest and best worker stands the best chance
of marrying again if she is so disposed, especially if she has sons, for
they are considered a soui'ce of strength to a household while
daughters are looked upon as a weakness.

Although in most cases a second wife is taken through affection for
her in many instances it is undoubtedly done in charity and their is
one peculiar law or custom among those met with in the Strait that
may be worth relating. If a married Eskimo has been considered
only worthy of death for some offence the man who undertakes to
execute him becomes responsible for his wife and children The
woman becomes the wife of the murderer, and her children are treated
with kindness by him. Two instances of this strange custom came
under my notice, one of which was that of my favourite Ugaluk who
informed me that some years ago there lived a bad Eskimo who would
not work, but stole from everybody, and he undertook to do away
with him. While in friendly conversation he stabbed him and
carrying his body out on his kyak dropped it into the sea. His wife
and three children now live with Ugaluk, and although she stands in

ESKIMO OF Hudson's strait.

Lis estimation as second to his first wife she appears to be quite
happy, and during our stay here gave birth to her third child. A.
similar instance was met with at Cape Chudleigh, and in each case it
seemed to be undei*8tood that those who were benefited by the death
of these woi'thless fellows should give the executioner some assistance
in supporting his family.

One man who had three wives, I was informed by Ugaluk, would
have been content with one, but having no family he had married
a second and a third, and now poor miserable wretch he was hardly
able to support one, and all were childless.

Undoubtedly some of the matches between the sexes are arranged
by the parents when their children are very young nevertheless there
was a good deal of love making. This was especially noticable in
the early summer when they were often seen together and apparently
without asking leave of anybody several started their own igloos.
Much, however, as we dislike to think of it, it nnist be said, their love
is little more than that of the birds of the air, excepting in constancy.
Affection for one another they have, but such a thing as secrecy in
any of the many phases of love is hardly thought of.

As far as could be seen no such thing as a marriage ceremony is
performed. Girls marry at sixteen and even earlier, and when two
are agreed they can be happy together they either start their own
igloo or the bride is received into the house of her husband's family
and there they might be seen, husbands and wives, brothers and
sisters all living happily together in one room or igloo.

The affection existing between parent and child is of the roughest
kind, and is very interesting to watch. Little display is noticeable,
and yet there appears to be intense earnestness in looking after the
child's welfare, while the child is a pattern of obed''»nce to its parents.
The affection between husband and wife is much the same, but
rapidly wanes if one becomes useless in the support of the other.

Partly in natural affection and partly from selfish motives all help
one another, but it is a mistake to suppose that when a hunter
returns with success he immediately shares his catch with his neigh-
bours, for some were always found richer in food und household goods

ESKIMO OF HUDBONS STRAIT.

than others. The men in these wealthy families, as might be supposed^
were either physically stronger or better hunters than their fellows.

Very few Eskimo who had become useless by age or accident were
met with and those that were seen appeared to be a great burden
upon their people, and although they were treated with great kind-
ness while food was plentiful it required no great prophet to predict
their death by starvation at any time when food was scarce.

Early in spring, when for many days we had not been visited by
an Eskimo, and supposing they had left this part of the coast, I
wandered over to a deserted village and entering an igloo was sur-
prised to find an old woman and her son apparently dying from starva-
tion, and from them learned that a crippled man and his child were
in the same condition in another igloo near by. Here was a worse
case than the first, for with a little strengthening food we were en-
abled to move the woman and her son to an igloo near the station^
but the man was too far gone, nor would he allow his child to be
taken from him. Each day food, and'a /arge piece of snow was put
by his side, and although unable to use his arms, his child, a little
girl three years old, fed him. Days went by and little improvement,
could be noticed in his condition, and one afternoon when it had
been thawing I walked over to the igloo. Calling as usual as I ap-
proached, I received no answer and coming nearer found the roof of
the igloo had fallen in, and there he lay with marbled face, his eyes
now fixed and turned to space, and his child lay sleeping by him.
Wrapped in his bedding we placed the body between a crevice in the
rock and covered it with stones, this being the usual mode of burial
with the Eskimo. The child was given in charge of the woman and
son, and for some time all were dependent upon us for food. Through
neglect the child soon died, and this recalls to my mind a sad scene^
but it is needless to relate it here.

Eskimo opinions upon theological questions are not easily obtained
and undoubtedly their faith in all their beliefs is extremely weak, for
when asked to explain they would laugh and would tell you they
only performed any of their rites because other Eskimo did so
Another difficulty to contend with is their extreme shyness or fear of
being laughed at, for on this point they are most sensitive.

ESKIMO OF HUDSON 8 STRAIT.

1»

As far as could be learned they believe in a supreme spirit who
rules over the earth and sky, and some minor spirits who rule the
tides and other changes in nature, with whom their Angekok has
power to converse.

Of a future life they believed in a heaven and a hell, the former to
be a place where those go who do not lie and are good. This place is
southward where the sky and earth meet, where there is no snow,
plenty to eat, and no work to be done. Hell is a place where the
wicked go especially those who have told lies and have done wrong to
their fellows. Here it is always snowing, is very cold, and those that
go there have to work as they did upon this earth.

The Angekok is only a man or woman rather shrewder than their
fellows who exhorts the spirits to do whatever the people want, for
which service they are paid. They are treated with little or no
deference by th'nr people excepting at times when they are employed.
An Angekok, who often tried to make me believe he was better than
his people, was entrapped by the rising tide one day while gathering
seaweed, and in S[)ite of his intlnence with the spirits the tide con-
tinued to rise driving him back under a steep ice cliff, and being un-
able to scale it he perished miserably.

During my stay in the Strait they were never seen praying but
[Jgaluk who often saw us at our prayers when told to whom we were
praying said his people did the same.

One of their most interesting and peculiar religious customs is the
offering of food and other things to the spirits. By the graves of
many of their dead were found scraps of food, tobacco, powder, shot
and other articles and at first it was supposed that these were offered
only to those who had died. To my surprise, however, a number of
like articles were found upon the beacon we had built in the shape of
a man. Still more sui-prising was the fact that when we found two
cannons upon the shore near Cape Prince of Wales, that had un-
doubtedly been left by some of the early explorers, and standing
them on end a quantity of bullets, shot, and other rubbish rolled
out. On enquiry as to how this had got there I was informed it
had been given as an offering to the spirits.

ESKIMO OF HUDSON S STRAIT.

- )

Amulets though believed in are not much used, and only one
Inuit was seen wearing one. This was Cheokooaloo a sister of
Ugaluk who had a small piece of carved wood firmly sewn to her
dresR, and the only answer we could get from her as to its use
was : she would " be no good " if she lost it. A. similar piece of
wood was found carefully protected with stones by the side of
a gmve.

Here, as elsewhere, the Eskimo take two days rest after killing
a walrus, and become very indignant if asked to do work during
this time.

During the walrus season they will not put needle into deer skin
and, although often pressed, nothing would induce them to do so.
Nor will they sew anything when one of the family is ill.

When a seal is killed a little fresh water is sprinkled over it
before it is cut up, this custom, hovever, they would not always
carry out, and if done in oxit presence would explain with a look
of bashfulness that other Inuite always did so.

Walking along the shore near low tide mark with some young .
Eskimo who were gathering shellfish, I was sj|lr)n'ised to find onejl^
of the young women would not pick any of them up although 1 /
had often seen her do so before. Nothing would induce her to touch'
them for she said she would be "no good" if siie did so for a
few days. «

The graves of tlie Eskimo are found everywhere along the coast,
some well built over with stones while others only show where
the body was laid, the bones being scattered in every direction.
The favorite place of burial is an island where the foxes and wolves
cannot get at the bodies, and near Cape Prince of Wales an island
about ten acres in area was seen literally covered with graves ;
and monuments ten feet high were erected here and there through-
out it. These were evidently built for service in common, and
like our beacon were covered with scraps of food.

ESKIMO OF Hudson's strait.

Many other religious customs common to the race were noticed,
but as nothing diseimilar was seen in them it is needless to relate
them as they have often been told before.

Although Mr. Rink has shewn the Eskimo are rich in legendry,
only one legend that was at all comiected could be understood by our-
selves. This was told by Ugaluk, and mn as follows : Not many
yeara ago there lived a Cubloonack, or whiteman, on the eastern
shore of Hudson's Bay where there were lots of Inuite and a few
Udlera, or Indians. This Cubloonack was a very bad man, and
used to speak to a lot of them, and taught them to sing different
songs. One day an Udler dime into the village and the Cubloonack
caught him and calling all the Inuite about him he tied the Udler
to a stake, and piling weeds and brush about it burned him alive.
Nearly every day he used to walk up a hill by a circuitous path
and as he walked he sang songs, all the Eskimos following in pro-
cession and when they reached the top of the hill he would talk
to them about the sky. One day when the procession had gone
up half way the Inuite refused to go any further so the Cu-
. bloonack went on alone, and he was never seen again, but tliey
were sure he went up to the sky.

It is to be regretted that owing to our time being taken up
with other matters while in the Strait little can be added to our
present knowledge of the language ; it may be worth noting, how-
ever, that although there is so little communication between the
north and south shore of the Strait there is greater similarity in
the pronunciation than there is between those living at Cape Prince
of Wales and Cape Chudleigh. The chief difference in all cases
being the use or disuse of the final sound of k which is one of
the main characteristics of the Eskimo language. As for instance
at North Bluff the Eskimo say nannoo (bear) whilst at Cape Prince
of Wales it is pronunced nannook.

Wonderful though it is that the langunge remains so intact, it
does not seem to be generally known what communication there is
between the Eskimo at one place and those at a distant part of the
coast. Regarding this I can only instance the case of one man
who, with his family, I met at Cape Prince of Wales. This man,

ESKIMO OK Hudson's strait.

not long ago, had live! f,ir up Fox Channel and had crossed the
Strait with a number of others in an oniiak or largo seal skin
boat. Another man who lived nearly two hundi-ed miles to the
westward made the journey four times in the spring of 1886 t.avel-
ling nearly eight hundred mik-s with his wife and child, It is a
common thing to run down to Fort Chimo a distance, there and
return, of six hundred miles and a brother of my favorite Eskimo
Ugaluk returned in ten days as T received a dated letter written
on the day he started.

In conclusion wo may add that in spite of many revolting cus-
toms of the Eskimo, after living with them for some time we are
forced to conclude that a civilized being transported to these regions
and living under the same circumstances would soon adopt much the
same mode of life. Remembering this and considering .uany fi.ie
traits in their character, savages though they are, wo cannot help' look-
ing upon them as fellow beings in the same race for life, and
consequently loving them.