The Ordway new era., 1914-03-06


Eskimo country. Few are its
flowers. OF trees there are
W none. Illimitable are its sum-
mer muskegs and Its eight
month winter SHOWS. Yet the Eski-
mo is as jovial soul as any that ever
came from southern lands where life
is a Joy. He is humorist. although
he feeds on blubber and rotten fish: a
sportsman. although he knows not
soap and water, and a good fellow. al
though the shiftless Cree despises him
and calls him in insult husky"
Scattered over a wide area of the
north, living in tribes distinguishable
to the traveller by slight linguistic
difference and local habits and Gus
toms, the Eskimo from Greenland to
the west coast Of Hudson bay. are
one and the same people. They have
the same physical characteristics. live
In much the same way and think
much the same thoughts on hunting
and life as their visitors. the white
men. Even the fierce Nechilliks and
Igluliks OF the far, far north with
whom the various trading companies
deal as a rule through other tribes
acting as middlemen). have the same
taboos and angekoks Tor witch doc
tors) and quaint legends.
People Of Dirt.
Stunted, squat men seldom averag-
ing over Ave feet and half. they are
muscular and strongly built. but slow
of limb and mind. With their curious
Chinese slanted eyes and inflated nos
trils. they are a people of dirt and
laughter. Their heavy black hair is
worn by the males over the shoulders
to protect their large ears. Across
their thick lips comes the flash. as
rule. of perfect but discolored teeth.
Such is the Eskimo gentleman-the
real lord OF the north.
As for the Eskimo bellies. they, too.
have their virtues. Beauty is a ques-
ton of taste and probably the Eskimo
would not exchange his fat-faced.
strong and sturdy mate with dark
brown eyes and natural bust. for the
fairest chorus girl. Very often. too.
when these girls have European blood
In them their looks are far from un-
comely.
But to arrive at a real understand
ing of tho Eskimo you must spend
year at least among them. Thus only
can you arrive at a complete picture
OF their strange life wherein trains
and banks and Offices and telephones
have no part. For they, like all primi-
tive races. are a nomadic people liv-
ing under the bright stars. So we
may see an Eskimo's health. wealth
and content. SO. too, you may face
starvation and hardship with him.
And again you may watch the wages
Of the civilization that leave him
robbed of furs, pillaged Of livelihood
and branded with disease.
The Eskimo lives by the chase for
he neither ploughs nor farms. By
means of the chase come his food and
raiment and the fuel that is to warm
him through the long northern winter.
His winter mansion Is the igloo or
snow house, his summer home a tupik
or tent of seal and deer skins.
When the days of the north begin
to spread out in January comes the
Eskimo's hard times. For two months
or more life is burden, intolerable
and bitter, yet fercely clutched at.for
all its uncertainty. The Ice is storm
seized and the seal on which the Eski
mo depends keep out in the open wa
ter. And 1t is in this season the
southern Eskimo strikes his annual
trail for the trade post. where he will
barter a winters pelts for ammuni-
tion, tobacco and white mems baubles.
First provisions for the way must be
found and at no other time are they
SO hard to obtain. So 1t comes to
pass that with a little deer meat re-
served over from the fall and with a
scant stock of seal, the company sets
forth. The long narrow komatiks
are lashed. the dogs harnessed to
them and the trail goes on In stages.
Generally two or three families make
them together. An old woman leads
the way Then come the dogs and
the aleds while scouting on each side
wander the men in search of seal
holes on the ice. The short day wanes
and q small snowhouse has to be built
from a convenient hummock.
Building q House.
First q veteran tests the snow Of
~ .oI~hhorhOoh With hia kuifo Tho