Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-07
AMONG THE ALEUTS
Life on the Chain of Islands Between
Alaska and Asia.
NATIVES HAVE MANY GOOD TRAITS
As Rule They Are Honest and
Remarkably Generous.
ALL ARE BORN HUNTERS

From the st. Louis Globe Democrat.
1t was 4 O'Clock a June morning when
the United States steamship Thetis trpped
anchor in Sitka harbor and steamed away
ON her maiden voyage to the arctic circle
Throughout the four days which ensued
the Alaskan shore not once revealed
above the northern horizon.
During this period l took occasion to en-
tighten myself as To the cause of the re-
markable course steered by the vessel,
which - degrees south of west In
Cidcntally I learned. much to my surprise,
that the extremity of the Alaska peninsula,
Loco miles distant by sea from Sitka, was
situated upward of 100 miles further south
than the latter point Upon awakening on
the morning of the fifth day l was con-
scious. from the silence Of The engines and
absence Of any motion on the vessels part,
that at anchor. Hastily turning
OUT | hurried into my sea toys. and mo-
ment later stood on deck gazing about me
in speechless wonderment.
Had l awakened to find the vessel at an
Choir in San Francisco harbor my surprise
could scarcely have been greater; for, what
was little less marvellous, she appeared to
be riding in the midst of limpid Alpine
lake. From the waters edge on every side
arose. not the barren, scarifled crasS l had
foothills. clad from base to summit in deli
cate heather-like vegetation. Approaching
the officer of the deck, l inquired the name
of the locality, and informed that it
was Unalaska, the third island from the
eastern extremity of the Aleutian chain.
The land-locked harbor in which we were
anchored. he moreover explained. was con-
nected with the sea by means of narrow
passage hidden from view behind a high.
projecting point of land. Along the distant
shore. in the opposite direction. | discerned
a collection of low-lying, odd-looking habi-
tations which l was informed the vii
lage of Cnalaska.
Visit to Inniaska.
Later in the day l awaited myself of an
opportunity to visit this settlement. and
found that it numbered about $50 dwell
ings and other buildings, including a Gus
tom house, Greek church, mission school
and one general store. The population rep
resented about d" in all, the greater por-
ton of whom were Aleuts and Russian
CrepleS- The American colony was linn
tied To three families, namely those of the
local missionary, the inspector of customs
and deputy United States marshal.
The Aleuts. or native islanders, naturally
form the major proportion Of the p0puiace.
Their race is entirely distinct from the
tribes of the mainland. and, whie ranking
rather low in the general scale Of human
lty, they are in every respect superior to
the average run of Alaskan natives. The
adult Aleut is invariably d born hunter.
and from the time he Is old enough to
WELD spear and paddle. spends little of
his time ashore. His quarry consists prin-
cipaily of the fur seal and seal otter. IN
pursuit of which he plies the waters of
Boring sea and the North Pacific in his
frail boat for leagues around his island
domain. The highest standard to which
the Aleut aspires is prowess as hunter.
With him skill and daring invariably take
precedence over all else, and his reDuta-
ton as a nimrod. rather than the number
of his boats or other kindred evidences of
wealth, regulates his social status among
his fellows.
Bad and Good Points.
In disposition he is extremely peaceable,
even when under the influence of intoxi-
eating liquor to which habit ne is. unfor-
tunately, much addicted. In lieu of other
intoxicants. which in those parts are gen
orally difficult to obtain. he has com
pounded a beverage of his own called
squosh. the fundamental ingredient OF
which is potato yeast As to the probable
taste of this liquor, / only judge from
a vivid recollection of its smell. However,
Its ultimate effects are eminently satisfac-
tory to the bibulous Aleut and the length
of his occasional sojourn in the bosom of
his family is generally limited to the supply
of sluOsh in store.
on the other hand, this inebriously in
clned mortal possesses many good quail
ties. For example, his veracty, unlike that
of other aborigines is rated as unimpeach-
violated. UnSelfishness is likewise one Of
his shining virtues, and he is extremely
fond IF making gifts. To refuse a gift thus
profered is one of the gravest insults that
can he offered one of his race. Moreover
he expects no return of a favor thus be-
slowed. being amply recompensed by the
utterance of the simple word 'Akh!" mean
ing thanks. The following Instance will
illustrate the Aleuts fondness for confer
ring gifts and his regard for anothers
property in the face of temptation:
A sample of Their generosity.
A Traveller upon visiting one of the Aleu-
tan Islands was presented by a native with
pair Of dried founders Although there
was no need of these provisions to avoid
giving otfense, they were accepted. How
ever. upon entering his boat the traveller
forgot his gift. After his departure his
late host discovered the fish. and laid them
away, in order that he might return Them
should ne meet his visitor again. Several
months passed by without bringing the de-
sired opportunity, and meanwhile, it being
winter a severe food famine had rayaged
the island. But throughout the entire or
deal and nOtwiths landing that the Alcut
had large family to support, and often
suffered the pangs Of hunger he steadfastly
refused To eat the forgotten fish. and soon
after took advantage Of opportunity to
send them To his erStwh!le guest Such
common among the Aleuts, while on the
contrary. an opposite Instance would be
diilicult To cite.
Obedience and Devotion
Another trait Of these simpe natives is
their superiors. In 1913 a Russian captain
of a bidarra, fishing sloop, had been
hunting sea lions among the Eastern Aleu-
I ti,,iSJ,