The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1909-11-18

EskImos must NOT only gather the
greatest number possible, but must
prepare the skins and make them into
! proDerlv fitting garments.
In other places reindeer were abun-
dant. This skin was very much in
| demand for sleeping bags. while the
| sinew was required for thread. in
still other places seal was the luck of
the chase, and its skin was one OF our
most important needs. or 1t boots
were ordered. and an immense amount
Of line and lashings was prepared.
Thus In one way or another every
man. woman and most of the children
of this tribe of go people were kept
busy in the service of The expedition.
The work was well done and with
much better knowledge of the fitness
Of things than could be done by any
possible gathering Of white men.
Use of tho NarwhaI.
The Quest of the walrus end the mar
whal came in our own immediate plan
of adventure. The unicorn. or mar
whal. does not often come under the
eye Of the white man. though one of
the first animals TO leave our shores.
1t gave for brief spell good results
IN sport and useful material. The
blubber is the pride of every house
keeper for 1t gives long, hot fame
to the lamp. with no smoke to spot
the igloo finerv. The skin is regarded
as quite delicacy. Cut into squares.
II looks and tastes like scallops, with
only slight aroma Of train oil.
The meat dries easily and is thus
priced as on appetizer or as a lunch
to he eaten en- route in sled or kayak.
In this shape It was an extremely use
full thing for US, for it took the place
OF pemmican for our less urgent jour
neys.
The narwhal which. apart from its
usefulness is most interesting TO den
liens of the arctic deep. played in
schools far of shore. usually along the |
edge OF large ice. Its long ivory tusks |
rose under spouts of breath and spray |
When this glad sight was noted every |
kayak about camp was manned, and /
the Eskimos' skin canoes went like
birds over the water. Some of the
Eskimos rose to the ice fields and de-
livered harpoons from a secure foot
Ing Others hid behind floating frag-
ments Of heavy ice and made a sudden
rush as the animals passed.
Still others came up in the rear, Tor
the narwhal cannot easily see back
ward and does not often turn to watch
It's enemies, its speed being so fast
creatures.
Hunting the NarwhaI.
The harpoon is always delivered at
lose range. When the dragging float
marked the end of the line In tow of
he frightened creature the line of
kin canoes followed The narwhal is
imid by nature, Fearing to rise for
,reath. he PLUNGED along until nearly
When it did come up
here were several Eskimos near with
Irawn lances, which inflicted deep
ashes.
Again the narwhal plunged deep
own with but one breath and hurried {
long as best II could But its speed :
lackened. and line of crimson mark
d its hidden path. Loss of blood and
want of air did not give it a chance
0 fight Again 1t came up with Z
pout: again the lances were hurled
The battle continued for several
ours. with many exciting adventures,
ut In the end the narwhal always sue Z
umbed. offering prize of several
pounds of meat and blubber. {
ictory, as rule. was not gained until {
he hunters were far from home. also Z
lr from the shore line. But the Es-
lmo is courageous hunter and an
ltelligent seaman.
Towing the Carcass.
To the huge carcass frail kayaks :
ere hitched in long line. Towing )
slow. wind and sea combining to
axe the task difficult and dangerous ! q