National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1868-02-28
Visit 10 an Indian Village in Alaska.

A correspondent OF the Boston
Journal gives the following account
offs visit to an Indian village in
Alaska:
The dwellings or s'lodges" are
about twenty five feet square, built
of logs, about ten feet posted, and
extended in line along the water
front. / cOulted over eighty dug
ont cedar canoes mOored in front
and fastened by ropes made out of
the wild nettle, which grows abund-
antly Oh the island and is covered
with a coating of the toughest fibre.
Around each cabin is pack of wolf
faced dogs, which lie torpidly du-
ring the day and howl dlsmally nj
night. Five or six slippery steps
lead up to hole not unlike The
opening III kennel--then there was
an equal desce down greasy steps
to what is called the floor. In the
center burns huge log firc--the
sticks laid crosswise, III dollhouse
fashion. The smoke works It's way
up through an opening in the root
Seated around the fire in abject lazi-
ness were all the occupants, old and
young, Of both sexes. They have
no tables, a few low stools, large
number Of wooden trays, copper
kettles, horn ladies', bowls and
spoons, and numerous variety Of
wooden spears, iarces and darts
pointed with bone and ivory.
The most curious articles OF work
manship are their ladies and dishes
wrought out of tie horns OF the wild
mountain sleep which live on III,
mountains Of the mainland. They
are fleet animal aud every travel.
er who has talrieG long about the
Cascade range Will well remember
how he has seen them leap down
from crag to clag. striking upon
their horns and bounding again up
on their feet with 1ieetness which
no other quadruped can equal. The
ladies have long handles fancifully
carved in imitation Ola goosc's he, X
and head, or the leg and hoof of the
deer. Some OF these ladies will hold
three quarts. The dart is a wooden
shaft five feet long, trimmed with a
bone socket at the end. In this
socket is inserted ali ivory point
sharply barbed. The point is de
tached and being fastened by q
string, the animal drags the wooden
missile, till wearied he falls an easy
prey.
In each Of these native lodges are
little coop-like apartments ranged
along the walls, which serve at night
for separate sleeping rooms, and in
which the respective owners store
their choice goods. Piled on the top
OF these rooms are heaps of smoked
salmon, game, skins, and a variety
of articles emitting Odors most an.
cient and fish like. Our entrance
into their cabins did not disturb or
surprise them IN the slightest de.
gree. They were ready, but not
anxious, 10 trade with us. Like 9th
er human beings, they are disposed
to treat every one well who treats
them well--at least haze invaria
bly, found this to be the case when
travelling among the aboriginal race
of this coast. Now and then we
saw an invalid in their lodges, vic
tins Of consumption, and showing
the same symptoms here rs in the
Eastern States. Flint lock muskets
are hung mp in every lodge, for the
Russians years ago furnished them
with firearms to kill the wild ,owl,
but never allowed them to shoot for
animals with the gun, as the noise
will lead them to seek new haunts.
The females are not abused so bad.
~ by their husbands as among the
tribes east of the Rocky Mountains.
They have less drudgery to perform,
and participate in all hunting and
fishing excursions. They have the
bidcous practice of streaking and
sometimes entirely covering their
faces with black paint. At frs,
was told it was badge of mourn.
ing, but its frequency led to sec
ond inquiry, when l found it was an
ancient custom. Their complexion
Is much fairer than in CALIFORNIA,
and is shade lighter than in Min.
nesofa. Still, unlike the Onalaskan
maidens, none OF them have .chub.
BY" pleasant faces. Some of them
have been married to Russian labor.
era, and proud of their association
with the Caucasian race. maintain a
strict fidelity. Yet these are exccp.
tiohal instances. In no native Ian.
guage on this coast is there amy word
to designate female virtue.