SKETCH OF THE BOOTHIANS. 27 



ALTCTU AND KANGUAGIU. 



Alictu and his wife are represented as clothed in seal-skins over 

 deer-skins, and a statT of bone in the hand of the former. This indi- 

 vidual was about seventy years of age, infirm, and bent so that his 

 stature did not exceed five feet ; he was remarkable for being the per- 

 son selected as a sacrifice on the first day of our communication, being 

 placed on a sledge about ten paces in front of the column con- 

 sisting of thirty men, three deep, who being armed with knives 

 were waiting in breathless anxiety to behold the manner in which 

 their aged companion would be treated, and on which depended 

 their conduct towards us. He remained on the sledge with his 

 arms folded, and with a countenance perfectly resigned to his 

 fate, until Commander Ross approached and caressed him: even 

 then he seemed to doubt that he was not destined to be the 

 first to receive the poniard; and it was not until unequivocal 

 proofs of friendship were interchanged with the whole party that 

 he appeared satisfied his last moments had not arrived. He 

 was much pleased to have his sledge drawn to the ship by 

 myself and the sailors, and he was one of those first brought on 

 board to see the wonders of the interior. He never visited the 

 ship after the first day, and his death was announced to us on the 

 second of March by an old woman and his eldest son Tiagashu, 

 who took particular care of him, and who abundantly shed tears 



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