FOUR ESKIMO CHILDREN. 193 



the boy could easily fire it from his 

 shoulder. This, of course, increased its 

 accuracy of aim, as it could be held much 

 steadier. It held six cartridges, and 

 could, therefore, be fired six times with- 

 out reloading. As so wonderful a guri 

 in so young a person's possession was 

 never before known among these simple 

 people, Koomanah was greatly elevated 

 in their estimation, and felt very proud 

 and elated over his fine weapon. 



As I have said, the two boys seldom 

 interfered with the hunting of the men, 

 and when they took their guns (for Ah- 

 wanak had a musket that he greatly 

 prized) and went away from the sledges, 

 it was nearly always to get far to the 

 right or left and hide behind some ridge. 

 Here they would wait to see if the rein- 

 deer ran in that direction after the men 



