Daily Kennebec journal., 1877-03-09
NO. SO.
Calls aud Sketehes.
An ESQUIMAuI WEDDING.


The lookout on board the Clytemnestra,
cruising in the northern regions in search
OF furs and adventures, one evening re-
ported land right ahead.
Our anchor down and all things pre-
pared for trade, we received the chief OF
the island and his officers on the quarter
deck, who made known to us, through the
interpreter, that he would be glad TO have
us come on shore to witness marriage
ceremony between his daughter and one
OF the tribe, to take place next day.
While shown over the vessel we had an
opportunity to judge Of the islanders.
BY the aid OF the glass we could dis
cern the snow-capped peak of Wat-wak,
small island in the westernmost group of
the Aleution or Fox Islands. As it was
broken weather, we concluded to make
all sail and stand in to small, almost cir
cular. cove. described in the English Ad-
mralty chart as containing good shelter
and "holdng ground" Imagine our sur
prise when some II miles off land to find
ourselves beseiged by hundreds of canoes.
each containing but one occupant, and
riding upon the " ater as easily and dry
as so many gulls. Our mate, who speaks
'ho I~4uih"uA iahSuaso hucutiy, soou
struck bargain for a pilot, and in an in
slant the pilot, by desirous Jump landed
in the "chains' and was on deck, still
holding the painter of his canoe.
The chief was of Herculean build,
broad and we'll knit frame, and CON-
plexion far more fair than the bronzed
and weather-beaten faces of our people.
His features were OF the Indian type, but
also had certain light of intelligence
which naturally enough, accounted for the
almost abject manner in which his follow
ers obeyed his slightest behest. He was
dressed in fur, completely encased, leav-
ing no part exposed but the face. The
chief was widower, and solemnly kept,
his faith to the peculiar vows uttered at
his wedding, which ceremony l will de-
scribe further on; as a consequence, the
only lady present was the bride elect, his
daughter, comely woman of some eigh-
teen summers, or more properly. winters.
She was clothed in dress of the same
description as that of her father, and was
OF goodly stature-above the medium
height OF American women--and was pos
sessed of wonderfully small feet. encased
in moccasins of rare and curious work
manship, which would excite the envy of
some OF our belles-the feet, not the moe
casins. Her features were of the Indian,
oval cast. prominent cheek bones; small,
firm, well-defined chin, and most be.
witching mouth, containing display Of
teeth OF unusual whiteness and uniformity;
but, alas for the weakness of the hnman
family, to what base uses were these same
teeth put at the wedding feast.
We were rowed ashore the following
day, we'll provided with presents for the
chief and the happy pair, which consisted
of rum. blankets. flaming calicoes. plug
hat of wonderful dimensions and large,
cheap looking-glass, also large jar of
common lard, which had been cleverly
scented with otto of roses, by the mate.
We landed amid the acclamations of the
multitudes and incessant clatter of
species of drum made OF seal skin and
whalebone, the sound of which Is ear
splitting to degree.
An informal procession was formed, the
chief and Captain at the head. and flanked
by the music we started for the village.
AS in all these small islands, the huts are
some distance from the landing. and seem
to be reached from any and every direc-
tion. There being nothing resembling q
road anywhere discernible. we were most
numerically bumped and thumped about
upon the ice in numerous falls, while our
1.-THE and nimble-tooted companions. who
never missed their footing, heartily en-
loyed our discontinue. nevertheless CON-
ing to our aid, raising US TO standing
posture with a jerk that Yves something
more energetic than pleasant. On round
ing high bluff we descended into val
ley, completely incased in snow, through
which carefully prepared road had been
run, leading into the centre of the village.
On all sides blazing fires of refuse blub-
ber, intermingled with the stunted under.
| growth of the island, were scattered,
dealing forth anything but savory odor,
and so deaiening was the din of drums
| and shouts that one could well imagine
himself in pandemonium. We were in
| formed that the salute was intended for
the chief, and hence we were expected to
join in it. Accordingly our men started a
stanza of Shenandoah. Love Your
Daughter !" Ten Thousand Miles Away
The Louisiana Lowlands;" )" "Old Dog
Tray" ETC., to the intense delight of the
people, who capered around us after the
approved scalp-dance Of the North Amer
lean Indians.
When the tumult had subsidized we were
ushered into the chiefs private residence,
consisting of a square hole in the ground.
some 80 feet each way, from the sides of
which were built up walls of mud and
stone to the height of four feet, on which
rested the roof, network of whale-bone
interlaced by strings OF hide from non-fur
bearing seals forming light, yet per-
fectly dry covering. In the centre. was
a square aperture for the exit of smoke.
aud the thousand and one nauseating
smells incident to an Esquimaux resi-
dence. In the centre of the floor, and
directly under the aperture in the roof,
was a blazing fire of the same material
rs those outside, but on raised hearth
of stone, serving alike the purposes of
light and heat. Around the sides were
arranged the banks or sleeping places of
the chief, his daughter. and body guard
of 10 picked men. A screen or curtain
made from what thought had once been
ship's-table-cloth denoted the lady's
quarters. while the others were simply
rude shake-downs on whale-bone frames
being used as chairs, tables. or beds, as