The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-10-27

uLU uuuU CShlulO III All III idLu, ouN
q thin, pale weakling of three.
Both had been condemned by the
Eskimo law of the survival of the fit
test, the first because Of insufficient
lenses and the second because it was
nnder 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 win
ter the old father, anxious to provide
warm b~earskins for the prolonged
night, had ventured alone far up into
the mountains. His gun went off acct
dentally, and he returned.
The executor of the brother Of Ma.
nee's former husband was kind to
her for the 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 seek the chilled heart of her
former husband, and we were per
forming the unpleasant mission of
taking her to him as wife No. 2.
When we later saw Ikwa he dol 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 squall
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 a 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
a e Of gold, strewn with ice islands
of ultramarine and alubaster, whales
shouted and walrus shouted. The
crampus was out early for a fight.
Large focks Of little auks rushed over
on hurried missions.
Entering Inslefield Gulf.
The wind was light, but the engines
pulled us along at q pace just fast
enough to allow Us to enjoy the superb
surroundings. In the afternoon we
were we'll into ~Inglefeld gulf, and near
Ittiblu there was q 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
Olrick's bay. While the yacht was
lacking for q favorable berth In the
drift off Kanga the launch was low
cred and we sought to interview the
Eskimos of Ittiblu. There were only
one woman. a few children and about
q score of dogs at the place. The wo.
man talked quickly and explained at
some length that her husband and
others were away on q caribou hunt,
and she told US without a leading ques'
ton the news Of the tribe for q year.
After gasping for breath like n smoth'
cred seal, she began with news of pre-
vious years and a history Of the for
gotten ages. We started back for tie
launch, and she invited herself to the
pleasure of our company to the beach
An Eskimo Trade.
We had only gone q few steps before
1t occurred to her that she was In need
Of something. Would we not give bel
a few boxes Of matches in exchange
for q narwhal tusk? We would be de-
lighted, said Mr.. Bradley. and a 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 a knife to spare? Yes, and
a tin spoon was also given just tc
show that we were liberal.
The yacht was headed northward
across Ingleheld gulf. 1t Is necessar!
for deep sea craft to give Karnah
wide berth. There were bergs enough
about to hold the water down. though
; an occasional sea rose with q 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 t
locate Ikwa, but there was not a NAL
in town. Five women, fifteen children
and forty-fve dogs came out to NEE
us. The men We're on a hunting cam
paign, and their location was not ex
actly known.
Attahtungwah, Manee's rival, a fat
unsociable creature, stood on a usefu
stone, where we chose to land, and die
not accommodate us with footing OF
the same platform.
A Thrifty Eskimo Camp.
There were five sealskin tents pitch
ed among the powders of q glacia
stream. An immense quantity of mar
whal meat was placed on the rock
and stones to dry. Skins were stretch
ed on the grass, and a general air o
thrift was shown about the place.
Bundles Of sealskins, packages o
pelts and much ivory were brought on
to trade and establish friendly inter
course. We gave them sugar, tobacco
and ammunition in quantities to sui
their own estimate Of value.
The fat woman entered her tent. ant
we say no more Of her during GU
stay, for she did not venture to trad
as cid the others. Nance was kind,
treated by the other village folk, and
pot steaming with oily meat was sool
served in her honor. We were col
daily invited to partake Of the feast
but had a convenient excuse, just hav