OF THE POLAR SEA. 4j 



Two great Chiefs, or AchJuwjoot, have complete 

 authority in directing the movements of the party, 

 and in distributing provisions. The Attoogaw- 

 nceuck, or lesser Chiefs, are respected principaUy 

 as senior men. The tribe seldom suffers from 

 want of food, if the Chief moves to the different 

 stations at the proper season. They seem to fol- 

 low the eastern custom respecting marriage. As 

 soon as a girl is born, the young lad who wishes 

 to have her for a wife goes to her father's tent, 

 and proffers himself. If accepted, a promise is' 

 given which is considered binding, and the girl is 

 delivered to her betrothed husband at the proper 

 age. 



They consider their progenitors to have come 

 from the moon. Augustus has no other idea of 

 a Deity than some confused notions which he has 

 obtained at Churchill. 



When any of the tribe are dangerously ill, a con- 

 jurer is sent for, and the bearer of the message 

 carries a suitable present to induce his attend- 

 ance. Upon his arrival he encloses himself in 

 the tent with the sick man, and sings over him 

 for days together without tasting food ; but Au- 

 gustus, as well as the rest of the uninitiated, are 

 ignorant of the pi^rport of his songs, and of the 

 nature of the Being to whom they are addressed. 

 The conjurers practise a good deal of jugglery in 



