Amador ledger., 1909-10-29

lbOi nNu DccH condemned by the
Eskimo law Of the survival Ct the ti.
test, the first BECAUSE Of insufficient
senses and the second because it was
under three aud still ON It's 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 win.
ter the old father. anxious to provide
warm lparskius for the prolonged
night had vcnurcd alone far up into
he mountains His gun went Oft acci
den;ally. aud hr never returned
Ihr cXprutur of the brother Of Nh
urp'S fnrurr husband was Kind to
her fer he long night and Kept fam
inc 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 resource
was to sock the chilled heart of nes
former husband. and we we're per.
forming the unpleasant mission of
taking her to him as wife No. .
Whesl we later saw Ikwn he did moi
thank us for the trouble we had takpp.
but we bad expected no reward.
The speed uf the yacht increased aS
the night advanced a snow squai
frosted the decks. and TO escape the
icy mir we sought our warm berthS
carly. At i o'clock in the morning
the gray gloom separated and the
warm sun poured forth suitable
wealth OF August rays.
At This time we passed the ice bat
tered and storm swept cliff of Cape
Parry. Beyond was Whale sound. on
Il sea of gold. strewn with ice islands
of ultramarine and ala baster, whales
spoutcd and walrus shouted. The
granpus was out early for fight,
Large flocks of little auks rushed over
on buried missions.
Entering lngefieId Gulf.
The wind was light. but the engines
pulled us along ut II pace just fast
enough to allow us to enjoy the superb
surroundings. In the afternoon we
were well into Inglefeld gulf. and near
Ittibu there was Il strong head wind
and enough ice about to engage the
eye Of the lookout.
We aimed here to secure Eskimo
guides and with them seek caribou in
Olricks bay. While the yacht was
tacking for favorable berth in the
drift off Kanga the launch was low
cred and we sought TO interview the
Eskimos Of lttiblu. There were only
one woman. few children and about
score of dogs ut the place. The wo-
man talked quickly and explained at
some length that her husband anG
Others were away on IL carbon hunt.
and she told us without a leading ques-
tion the news of the tribe for year
After gasnng FOR breath like smoth
cred seal. she began wit b news Of pre-
viOuS years and IL history of the for
gotten ages. We started back for the
launch. and she invited herself to the
pleasure of our company TO the beach.
An Eskimo Trade.
We had only gone II few steps before
it occurred TO her that she was in neeG
of something. Would we not give her
few boxes of matches in exchange
for a narwha tusk? We would be de-
lighted. said Mr.. Bradley. and hand
full Of sweets went with the bargain.
Her boy brought down two ivory
tusks. each eight feet in length. The
two were worth $3.50.
Had we knife to spare? Yes. and
tin spoon was also given just to
show that we were liberal.
The yacht was headed northward
across Inglefield gulf 1t is necessary
for deep sea craft 10 give Karnah a
wide berth. There we're bergs enough
about to hold the water down. though
an occasional sea rose with sicken
ing thump
The launch towed the dory, of which
Nance and her children were the only
occupants.
Karnah was to be her future home.
and as we neared the shore we tried to
locate Ikwa. but there was not man
in town. Five women. fifteen children
and forty-ive dogs came out to meet
us. The mon were on q hunting cam
paign. and their location was not ex-
actly known.
Attahtungwah. Manee's rival fat,
unsociable creature. stood on useful
stone. where we chose to land. and did
not accommodate US with footing OH
the same platform.
A Thrifty Eskimo Camp.
There were five seaskin tents pitch
ed among the powders OF IL glacial
stream. An immense quantity Of mar
whal meat was placed on the rocks
and stones to dry. Skins were stretch
ed on the grass. and general air OF
thrift was shown about the place.
Bundles of sealskns. packages OF