The New York herald., 1879-09-06

sensation in New York. though I do not believe it
would prove lasting attraction to cultivated audi
ences. frequently got very weary of it and often
slept during the performance without giving offence
to my hosts by my lack OF appreciation. One night
the entertainment was varied by a dramatic per-
were three players who walked about the and
conversed occasionally passing OFF the stage. not by
the right and left but STOPPING down and dart
ing out OF the door of the igloo,
an entrance two feet high and about the
same width. As nearly as could understand, while
outside in the dark the players saw some super
natural horror, which on entering they would
endeavor to explain to the audience. but words fail
ing to convey all they felt they resorted to panto
mime, until at last one who more affected than
the others came in and expired in the arms of his
comrades. l was intensely interested during this
novel performance, and imagined recognized con-
siderable hstrionc ability the part of the players
SOCIAL CUSTOMS.
During the daytime those men who were not out
hunting engaged in playing game somewhat allied
to gambling. which they call 'nu-gle,c-tar." small
piece of bone is suspended from the roof by q line
made Of walrus hide, and heavy weight bangles
below it to keep IL from swinging. The bone is
pierced with four small holes. and the players
many as choose to engage, stand around, armed
with sharp sticks, with which they jab at the bone,
endeavoring to pierce one of the holes Some one
him who pierces the bone and holds it with his
stick. The winner in turn offers some
thing for the others to try for. is
it costs him nothing They are very fond
of this game, and play almost ncessantly. Another
similar game is played by placing a prize in bowl
made out of musk skull, tue players standing
in circle around the bowl. which is then set
twirling rapidly. The one toward whom the handle
points when the bowl stops moving is the winner,
and replaces the prize with another This game,
like nugteac-tar has no end. and the players only
stop when they get hungry and adjourn to eat. The
men all dine together i'll one igloo. no women being
allowed to be present, and generally demolish the
whole OF carcass of reindeer at a meal. This may
be called their dinner. but when they have
plenty OF food on hand they eat nearly
all the time. In the morning before getting
out OF bed they eat and at night alter getting into
bed. 'sfn-Xek-pig as they call it. they eat few
whiffs from pipe are always i'll order. and espe-
cially after eating. The pipe is passed from
mouth to mouth, without regard to any foolish
ilzed notions of cleanliness. Eating frozen fish
meat always makes one cold at hrst. but presently
warm. So always after eating the midday repast
the men pull their hoods over their heads, draw
thoir out of their sleeves and cross them
their warm. naked breasts and wait patiently and in
silence for the heated term to ensue; but dur
ing the silent period they resemble q group
OF or mummies, anu are ABOUT as cheerIui. sr,.
rise. and they soon like parcel Of good
natured children. When their stonachs arc full
they are contented and happy. The principal diet
of the Kinnepatoos il deer meat, as that of the
Iwilliehe Is walrus and seal.
lett the Kinnepatoo village. returning to Marble
Island III two days journey, though it took mo four
days to go. returned by "A shorter route and trav
elled after the had gone down. the moon afford
ing sufficient light to way. On my return l
discovered another largo lake between the one,
which the Esquimaux village located and the
salt water ice. This smaller lake probably
twelve miles long and from two to four miles
wide. The larger one is about forty-hve miles
long and fourteen wide at the widest point.
1t is known among the natives "the Big Lake,
and with the approval of Lieutenant Schwatka I
named ii Brevoort Lake. after Mr. James Carson
Brevoort, OF Brooklyn. n. Y, whose deep interest
in Arctic research felt by this well as other
expeditions. The other lake named after General
Hiram Duryea. of Glen Cove. warm personal friend
aud comrade In arms. who was also contributor
toward the expedition. On my way back to Marble
Island. instead OF following the shore ice
along to the narrow place where the pack
Is ch,ked between Rabbit and Marble islands.
l struck of in nearly direct limo for
our destination, crossing most of tho distance
the thin. new ice lhe advantage in this route
WAS that, besides being much shorter. the ice
free from snow. and the uogs could run nearly at
fhll speed TO DO sure it open to the objection
OF being dangerous, but moving rapidly
did thcro was scarcely time for the sled to break
through, though tho water oozcd up along the track
of the sled sped swiftly over the surface OF
smooth. thin ice. IL was pretty venturesomc, per-
hups aud l might be excused n nervous, for twice
before had 6roKen through sled aud bathed in
the waters of Hudson's Bay. But was anxious to
reach tho ships aud finish what work had to do,
TO get back to Depot Island III time to have all
the dogs woll fed before starting upon our long