Sketches Prom Oldest America 



The seal-gut window having been removed, the 

 people gathered there several rows deep, all desir 

 ous of witnessing the wonderful act. 



Our hero no doubt felt the importance of the 

 occasion and filled his pipe more times than his dis 

 cretion should have allowed; first came the stage of 

 exhilaration, the world looked beautiful, and he 

 spoke entertainingly of the traditions of the past, a 

 subject that is always interesting to an Inupash, 

 even if he has already heard them many times; 

 then came the well-known after effects, which 

 nearly all beginners with the weed experience. 



His transient indisposition served as no warning 

 to the people; neither did the odor of the smoke 

 that they had been forced to shield their noses from. 

 Had they not seen him swallow fire and belch forth 

 smoke ? Had they not seen him during the stage of 

 exhilaration ? They all wished to pass through a 

 similar experience, but tobacco was scarce and held 

 at a fabulous price. One pull at the pipe was worth 

 two dressed sealskins; or a pipeful of the weed, 

 affording two good swallows, cost two deer 

 skins. Only the wealthy could afford such a 

 luxury. 



&quot; Nanoona &quot; has long since gone to his rest, but his 

 125 



