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

tween the land ice and the sea offers
grasses, upon which feed ptarmigan, hare
and caribou.
Numerous cliffs and Islands afford a
resting place in summer for myriads OF
marine birds that seek the small life of
the icy waters. Blue and white fox wan
der everywhere. Seal, walruS, marvin Al
and white whale sport in the summer sun,
while the bear, king of the oo'ar wllds.
roams over the sea at all times.
Seeking abundant game this little tribe
of most primitive man does not feel his
hopeless isolation.
The yacht lodged the icebergs and dan
gerous rocks in the fog about Cape Athol,
hen turned eastward to cross WOlSte1-
holnle sound.
AS we neared Table mountain. which
guards North Star bay. many natives
came out in kayaks to meet u.s. Some
was Myah, he of many wives: Oobloiah.
who had executed Angcdgibsah, styled
the villain by Gibson. at Radcliffe House.
and Pincoota, husband Of the queen. IN
whose family are to be found the only
hybrid children of the tribe.
Later Knud Rasmussen. Danish
writer. living as a native among the ceo-
pie. came aboard. With him We get bet
ter acquainted during the winter.
Our engines were disabled by a loose
universal joint, 50 we lowered launch
and two dories to tow the yacht to safe
anchorage. At high tide the vessel was
grounded, propeller. which had been
bent, was Strengthened, and the universal
joint put to rights.
In the meantime the launch was ke2t
! rushing to and fro. with Mr.. Bradley and
the writer as passengers. On shore the
harpoon gun was tried, and around me
bay waters we bagged number OF eloer
duck.
Eskimo Town Visited.
Late at night visit was made to the
town of Oomanooi. There were seven
triangular sealskin tents. conveniently
placed on picturesque rocks. Gathered
about. these. in large numbers. were men,
women and children, shivering in the
midnight chill.
They were odd-looking specimens of
humanity. In height the men averaged
but five feet two inches and the women
four feet ten inches. All had broad, TAT
faces. heavy trunks and we'll rounded
limbs. Their skin was slightly bronzed
Men and women had coal-b1ack hair and
brown eyes. The nose was short, and the
hands and feet were short but thick.
genial woman was found at every
tent opening. ready to receive the visitors
In due form. We entered ana mad SNORT
chat with each family.
There was not much news to exchange.
After we had gone over the list of mar
riaEes and deaths, the luck OF the chase
became the topic of conversation.
It was a period of monogamy. MJah
had exchanged plurality of wives fbf a
Srger team Of dogs. and there was but
ne other man in the tribe with two
yves.
Women were rather scarce. Several
marriageabie men were forced to forego
tho advantages of married life because
there were not enough wives for all. BY
mutual agreement several men had ex-
changed wives: in other cases women had
chosen other partners. and the changes
were made seemingly to the advantage
of all. for no regrets were expressed.
With no law, no literature and no fixed
custom to fasten the matrimonial bond,
these simple but intelligent people con-
troll their destinies with remarkable sue
cess.
There was an average Of three fat
clever children for each family, the young