INNUITS OF OUR AECTIC COAST. 119 



like a l)ir(l, and oven when completely buried among the waves he soon reappears skimming 

 over the surface ; if a lireaker threatens to capsize him, he supports himself in an upright 

 position with his paddle ; or if he is actually upset, he regains his ecpiililjrium with a single 

 swing of his paddle; should he lose the paddle it is, however, almost certain death unless 

 speedy succour is at iiand. 



Some Europeans have, after much effort, attained sufficient command of the kayack for 

 a calm weather voyage, but they seldom venture to fish in it, and are totally helpless in 

 dangerous situations. The Eskimo possess, in the management of this vessel, a dexterity 

 peculiar to themselves, which excites an interest, not unminglcd witli fear, in the spectator, 

 when he remembers that the exercise is connected with so much danger tliat tlic utmost 

 skill cannot always save them from perishing in the pursuit of their food. It will he worth 

 while to iu)tice a few of the methods by which the young Eskimo are trained to this remark- 

 able skill. Ten different exercises have been noticed, and there are probably several others 

 which have escaped observation. 



First, the paddlor lies alternately with both sides of his body on the water, preserving 

 his balance with his paddle to prevent a total upset, and again recovers his proper position ; 

 second, he overturns himself completely so that his head hangs perpendicularly downward 

 and by a swing of the paddle on either side regains his erect position. In capsizino- acci- 

 dents, which are the most common, and frequently occur in a stormy sea, the Eskimo is 

 supposed to have the free use of his paddle, but in seal catching it might easily get entangled 

 among the cordage, or even be entirely lost ; — it is needful, then, to prepare the neophyte 

 for these casualties ; third, they accordingly^ run one end of the paddle among the cross 

 straps of the kayack, upset it, and work themselves up with a quick motion of the other end ; 

 fourth, they take hold of one end in their mouths, moving the other with their hand, so as 

 to raise themselves ; fifth, they hold the paddle with both hands across the nape of the 

 neck; or sixth, they hold it fast behind the back, upset, and move it in that position with 

 both hands till they regain their balance ; seventh, they lay it over the shoulder, and by 

 working it with one hand before and the other behind, raise themselves from the water. 



These exercises have regard, of course, to the possible entanglement of the paddle ; 

 cases, however, occur when it is entirely lost, which is the greatest misfortune that can 

 befall the Eskimo in his kayack, so that eighth, another exercise, therefore, is to hold the 

 paddle under the bottom of the kayack with both hands, with face down on the deck ; havino- 

 thus fixed themselves they upset the boat, and again rise aloft by working the paddle, which 

 now lies on the surface, from beneath ; ninth, they upset the kayack, let go of the paddle, 

 and pull it down again from the surface ; tenth, if the paddle is lost beyond recovery they 

 attempt to jerk themselves upward by striking the water with the throwing-board of the 

 harpoon, or a knife, or even the palm of the hand, but this experiment rarely succeeds. 

 The youthful kayackers must also exercise their agility among the sunken clitfs and dashing 

 surges, now driven by a double wave upon the rocks, now whirled completely round, now 

 buried in the foam, and thus initiated into such perilous gymnastics in this rough school, 

 they early learn to bid defiance to the heaviest tempest, and generally navigate their frail 

 craft safely to land in the severest storms. 



When capsized at sea, the paddle lost, and destitute of all resource, they usually creep 

 out of their kayacks and call for assistance, and if no help arrives, lash themselves to their 

 boats that their bodies may be found and buried. 



