Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-09

told us the story of her life-a story which
offered peep into the comedy and tragedy
Of Eskimo existence. She had arranged
a den under shelter of sealskins among
the anchor chains. We had offered her d
large bed. with straw in it, and a place
between decks as a better nest for her
brood of youngsters. but she refused,
saying she preferred the open air on deck.
To my question as to how the world
had used her she buried her face in her
hands and began to mutter to her two
boys, the youngest just in pants. 1 knew
her early history, so could understand
her story without hearing all her words
between sobs.
She had come from American shores
and. as foreign belle, her hand was
sought early. At thirteen Ikwa introduced
her to welded life not strewn with
blubber. He was cruel and not always
truthful, sin for which his brother, the
angfkok. or doctor. was without his con-
sent put out Of harms way.
Two girls graced their home. One was
Aow married When the youngest was
out of her hood. Ikwa took the children
and invited her to leave. saying that he
had taken to wife Ahtah, plump maid
and a good seamstress.
Nance had neither advantage. but she
knew. something of human nature. and
soon found another husband. a good deal
older. but better than the first. Their life
was hard one. for Nordingwah was not
a good hunter. but their home was peace
livened it. Both were at her side on the
yacht. boy of eight. the only deaf and
dumb Eskimo In all the land, and a thin,
pale weakling of three.
A Tragedy of the Arctic.
Both had been condemned by the
Eskimo law of the survival of the tittest,
the first because Of insufficient senses
and the second because it was under
three and still on its mothers back when
the father passed away. They were not
to participate in the strife of life. But
an unusual mother loved them.
A few days before the previous winter
the old father, anxious to provide warm
bearskins for the prolonged night, had
ventured alone far up into the noun
tains. His gun went off accidentally
and he never returned.
The executor of the brother of Names
former husband was kind to her for the
long night and kept famine from her door.
In the summer day she had been able to
keep herself. but who could provide for
her for the night to come. Her only re-
source was to seek the chilled heart of
her former husband. and we were per-
forming the unpleasant mission of taking
her to him as wife No. ..
When the latter saw Ikwa he did not
thank us for the trouble we had taken,
but We had expected no reward.
The speed OF the yacht Increased as the
night advanced "A snow squat frosted
the decks. and to escape the icy air we
sought our warm berths early. At 4
O'Clock in the morning the gray gloom
separated and the warm sun poured forth
suitable wealth of August rays. In a
few moments the winter frost was
changed to summer glories..
At this time we passed. the ice-battered
and storm-swept cliff of Cape Peary. Be-
yond was Whale Sound. On a sea of
gold. strewn with ice islands Of ultra
marine and alabaster, whale spouted and
walrus shouted. The grampus was out
early for a fight. Large flocls Of little
auks rushed over on hurried missions.
~ Entering 1ngleaeld Gull.
The wind was light. but the engines
pulled US along at pace just fast
enough to allow us to enjoy the superb
s,rrroundinas. In the afternoon we