Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-09-14

for constructing them in the frozen subso.
the venison might be kept sweet until the hard
frost sets 10, and so preserved throughout the
winter; but the Esquimaux takes little trou-
BILE 10 this matter. II more deer are killed in
summer than can be then consumed, part Of
the flesh is dried, but later 10 the season IL is
merely laid up in some cold cleft OF rock,
where wild animals cannot reach it and
should become considerably tainted before the
cold weather comes on, it is only The more
agreeable to the Esquimaux palate.
1n the autumn, also the migratory 1ocks Of
geese and other birds are laid under coDtrbu.
tion, and samon.trout and fish OF various
kinds are taken. In this way winter stock
of provisions is procured, and not little is re.
qnlred, as the Esquimaux being consumers OF
animal food only, get through surprising
quantity. In the autumn, the berries of the
arctic ruitbearing.plsnts are eaten, aud the
balf.digested lchens in the paunch of the
reindeer are considered to be treat but in
other seasons this people never tastes vegeta-
bles, and even in summer animal food is alone
deemed essential. Draughts of warm blood
from newly killed animal, are considered as
contributing greatly TO preserve the hunter in
health. No part OF the eptrais is rejected as
unfit for food little cleanliness is shown in
the preparation OF the intestines, and when
they are rendered crisp by frost, they are eat
en- as decacies without further cooking. On
parts Of the coast where whales are common,
August aId September are devoted TO the pur-
suit OF these animals, deer hunting being also
attended to at intervals. The killing Of
whale secures winter fessts and abundance OF
Of oil for the lamps OF whole village, and
there is great rejoicing. On the return Of
light, the winter houses are sbandoDed for the
sea hunt on the ice, sooner or later. according
to the stats Of the larder. The party then
moves of seaward, being guided in discover
ing the breathing holes of the seal or wslrus
by their dogs. At this time of the year huts
ore built Of snow for the residence of the band,
end in no season of the year is the hunters
skill more tested, the seal being very wary
animal, and with acute sight, smell end hear
ing. 1T is no match, however, for the Esqui-
Tnaux hunter, who, sheltered from the keen
| blast by semi circular wall of snow, will sit
motionless for hours, watching for the bubble
oil air that warns him Of the seal coming up to
breathe. And scarcely has the animal raised
its nostrils to the surface before the harpoou
enters in its body.
, This sport s not without the danger that
adds to the excitement of success. The line
attached to the point of the harpoon is passed
in loop round the hunters loins, and should
the animal be has struck be large seal or
/ "oiiuc, "ue UtlIue ulu u ut uOtS uOt iUStuut-
ly plant bis feet 10 the notch cut for the pur-
pose in the ice, and throw himself in euch q
| position that the strain on the line is as near
ly as possible brought into the direction of the
length of the spine Of bis back and axis of bis
lower limbs A transverse pull from one of
these powerful beasts would double him up
across the dir hole and perhaps break his
back; or, if the opening be large. as it often
is when the spring is advanced, he would be
dragged under water and drowned. Accidents
OF this kind are but too common. When the
seals come out on the ice to bask in the pow
erful rays Of a spring sun, the Esquimaux hun
ter knows how to approach them by initiating
their forms and motions so perfectly that the
poor animals take him for one Of their own
species, and are not undeceved until be comes
near enough to thrust bis lance into one. The
! principal seal.fshery ends by the disru ption Of
the ice, aud then the reindeer are again nu-
merous on the shores of the Arctic SEQ, the
birds are breeding in greet aocks, and the su-
uusl routine of occupation, which has been
BRIEFLY sketched, commences anew.