The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-05-30
UP AMONG THE EsKIMOs.
BOXING is ONE OF THE NATIVES
FAvoRiTE GAMES.
Theirs IL Not so Much Test OF skin AZ
Of Physical Enduranoe-TheyL Lose
No Time la sparring. but
strike TO Hit.

they do come TO blows, the battle does
not end until one or the other Is
knocked out do not now allude 10
the Eskimo who have been employed
on board OF whaling shiTs, because
somp OF these have been taught by the
civilized shipmates TO spar quite clever
~. and they do not mind putting on
the gloves with anyone who asks them
10 do so. In fact they rather like to
entice one of their own people. ospe-
cially one who knows nothing about
IL, 10 indulge in little harmless sport,
and then amuse themselves pounding
him with the pillows.
One strapping big. powerful young
hunter. known among the whalers by
bis nickname OF Santa Anna, attained
considerable skill under the tuition OF
the boatswain OF the Abbie Bradford
when wintering Mt Marble Island, in
North Hudson's Bay, in 1889. A
great many Eskimo were encamped
in their snow houses around the ships,
and there was constant communication
between these people and their friends
on the mainland. Whenever there ar
rived during the day party of stran-
gers 10 pay visit TO the ships there
was sure 10 follow that same evening "A
grand entertainment on board one or
another OF the ships, nj which boxing
would comprise leading feature.
On one occasion Santa Anna put on
the gloves with a big Kinnepaytoo
Eskimo nicknamed Molasscs. who had
arrived during the day with a sled-load
OF reindeer meat. and knew nothing
whatever about boxing, except what he
saw that evening. Naturally, Santa
Anna had fun with him, much TO the
delight OF our Iwilik neighbors, who
did not like the Kinnepaytoos as
tribe, and Molasses least Of all. probably
because he was so big and aggressive.
This style OF boxing was not TO Mo
lasses' liking, and he was greatly cha
Prined that he had been taken at dis
advantage and cut such a ridiculous
figure, so he invited his victorious
antagonist TO combat as the Eskimo
conduct such affairs.
To this Santa Anna was not at all
averse for he had ever been able 10
cope with anyone he met at that mode
OF warfare, and he was the acknowl-
edged champion OF the lwilik tribe. IL
was known that Molasses held the belt,
so 10 speak among the Kinnepaytoos,
and the prospect OF noteworthy en-
counter was excellent The two cham
pions came out upon the stage from
opposite sides aud sat down upon the
n. 4, IL a ...
first time ! had ever seen a fight in
which the principals sat down; but
could easily see that the position had
It's advantages. especially 10 one who
should get 10 be little groggy.
Their feet were stretched out In
front OF them and past each other as
they sat within short arms length
Of one another's heads. The battle
commenced with Molasses touching
Santa Anna on the left side OF the head
with the tips OF the fingers OF his right
hand. The touch was SO light that IL
would scarcely have disturbed n mos
quito TO this Santa Anna replied
with similar blow. equally light.
Molasses then took his second inning
and smote Santa Anna AZ before, only
q shade more heavily. Santa Anna
replied, increasing the force of his
blow in the same ratio as Molasses had
done. Each whack grew In force, but
very gradually. until presently the
battle became exciting. and the voices
OF the spectators cheercd the COM
batants on with ordinations such AZ
Aztec! At-teel' Go on Go on!
.Mah-muk- pool Good! and the like.
With the combatants IL was give
and take. each in his turn, and finally
each was striking with such force as he
could give from sitting position.
which Is clearly not the position from
which 20 deliver blow that will best
illustrate ones powers Still there
were blows exchanged that must have
made the recipients ears Jingle. AS
beth we're powerful men. and though
the position OF sitting with the legs ex-
tended at right angles 20 the body is
one that would be- very difficult
for those unaccustomed thereto TO
maintain for any length OF time, yet IL
is neither difficult or awkward 10 the
Eskimo. who always sits that way
when on his kyack, and In his hut or
tent as well. for those people have no
chairs among their household effects.
n Is while thus seated upon the floor
of his lxyack that the hunter throws
his spear. driving Il through the thick
skin and blubbcr OF die whale and wal
rus.
Presently Santa Anna seemed TO
gather himself for supreme effort
and AS his right hand swung against
his opponents head that stalwart
savage was sent sprawling upon the
deck. amid shouts OF 'Ein-yah!" from
the Eskimo, and Bully boy. Santa
Anna, " from the sailors. Molasses lay