The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-11-11
uxN AND WOVEN IN HARNESS.

And the drivers will sit on the sled and
smoke with the utmost composure. while
their wives and daughters are tugging In
the harness. The women do not mind this
treatment, for they arc accustomed 10 1t and
look upon it as the proper thing.
"PAcKING."
In the summer the EsquimauX use their
dogs while travelling as pack-anlmals, and
stranger would be astoDished to see what
loads these dogs will carry. | have seen a
tine. large dog that would carry two saddles
OF reindeer meat or the entire fore-quarters
of two reindeer. His back would be bent
low beneath the burden he bore, but still
he would struggle along, painting the while
and regarding his master with look OF the
deepest affection whenever he came near
him. vet ever ready to fight any other dog that
got in his way. The Esqulmaux also carry
very heavy loads upon their own backs
during summer travel and the women have
the additional burden OF their young child
rem. While depending upon game for SUBJ
sistence it IS necessary 10 keep moving
through the game country; summer life Is
consequently bore to them.
THa FIRST SNOW.
No wonder, then, that they hail the first
snow-storm with equal pleasure TO that with
which those IN the temperate zone regard
the first daisies Of spring. To them it
means no more tedious travelling under
heavy loads, but instead the merry rush OF
dogs, and rest upon the sled as it skins over
the smooth snow or the frozen surface OF
the water. Such was the feeling we had
when the autumn SHOWS began 10 fall last
wear: and though we had no sled at hand,
o;lo oil Our affacfs On n rpindpnr
skin and use that as sled whenever we
moved camp. The weather was sufficiently
cold TO make life in a tent exceedingly un-
comfortable, and we longed for the shelter
Of a snow-hOuse. Summer saunterings in
the frigid zone are not pleasure-trips by any
means, and in no way compare with the
comfort OF winter travel when once one is
acclimated.
ICE-WATER AND HAPPINESS.
The most unpleasant feature of winter
travelling is the waiting for an igloo 70 be
built. To those at work even this time can
be made to pass pleasantly, and there Is
plenty that even the white men OF party
can do that would keep them busy. and,
consequently, comfortable. When travel
ling overland the halt is made, IL possible,
on some lake where water-hole may be
about six or seven feet-wil take about an
hour and bali, though an expert native will
do it In perhaps half the time. 1t is a blessing g
to get water at this time, and great shout
goes up from the well-digger, as the deli
cious fluid comes bubbling up through the
narrow well, that is echoed by the igloo
builders, and spreads throughout the camp.
Then the women repair with tin dippers
ottf from m and
after refreshing themselves carry drink to
their husbands. One can drink enormously
al this time. especially after working, but ii
will be well TO keep up pretty violent exer-
else for some time aiterward, or filing the
stomach with such a quantity OF ice-cold
water will soon produce shiver.
BED.CLolHEs AND ICE.
Another task that the white men can in.
terest themselves in is the unloading CT the
sled and beating the snow and ice out Of the
fur bed. clothing. The Esquimaux do not
use sleeping-bags for themselves, but in
stead have blanket which they spread over
them, while under them are several skins,
not only to keep the body away from the
snow but also TO prevent the body from
ibawing the snow couch and thus making a
hole that would soon wet the skins. While
on the march the skins for the bed are usual
ly spread over the top OF the loaded sledge
and then the whole is securely lashed down
with sealskin thongs. 1t Is the inyariable
custom TO turn the fur side OF the skins up,
because it is easy enough TO beat the snow
from the hair, while il might tbaw and make
the skin side wet. You often, therefore.
find that water has fallen upon the skin that
makes your bed and formed great patch
Of ice, which has TO be beaten OF with q
wooden club.
COMFORT IN A BEDBAG.
Until experience has taught you it makes
you shudder to think that soon your naked
body is to rest upon the place where now
you see that patch OF ice. But continued
pounding will remove every vestige Of it
without disturbing the fur II the weather
is sufficiently cold. Therefore exposure is
the best treatment for bedding, though it
certainly gives the skins a degree OF cold
that can scarcely be appreciated until expe-
rienced. IL is astonishing, however, how
soon the bed becomes warm from the heat
Of the body. For, perhaps, from five TO ten
minutes you may lie there and shiyer, when
gradually genial warmth begins to per-
wade the whole body, the shiver subsidies,
and you are as comfortable, as far as cold is
concerned. In bed in an igloo in the Arctic
as YOU would be in q civilized mansion In
the temperate zone.
HOW EsQUIMAUX FIND THEIR WAY.
The Esquimaux are not acquainted with
the qualities OF the magnetic needle, and, II
Is needless TO say, do not travel by the COM
pass. Like all savage tribes, they have,
however, methods for keeping their direc-
tion while making long voyages. These are
usually made on the saltwater ice, and they
follow the land, but when travelling over
land, either in summer or winter, they can
generally distinguish north from south, at
least approximately. In summer the rum
ming vines point to the salt water, they say,
which, In going around Hudson's bay,
would indicate the south. And then there
are certain species Of moss that are only
found In the vicinity OF salt water. In
winter they notice the ridges OF snow along
the ice or the land spots on the highlands,
and can keep their course by them with
surprising accuracy.
TRAVELLERS But NOT EXPLORERS.
The Esqulmaux, however, are not peo-
pie given to exploration. They are not Gu
rious concerning unknown territory. What
they are chiefly interested in is "What they
shall eat and drink and wherewthal they
shall be clothed.'' Certain districts within
their knowledge furnish the different kinds
OF game, and these they visit at the accus-
toned seasons. Occasionally they will visit
neighboripg tribes, and sometimes settle
down In the new country, depending upon
their skill In the chase for the support Of
their families. But this country. new TO
thar. Il uefi HnaWn IN fhnsa ~ hou, they