Sketches From Oldest America 



luminated. What could it mean? He knew that 

 the seal-oil lamp had not been lighted that day 

 and there was no other person within many 

 miles. 



The number four seems to be regarded among the 

 villagers with some degree of superstition, though 

 why it is hard to say. Perhaps it originated from 

 the idea that man ascends on the fourth day after 

 death, and the four raps with the hammer are given 

 on that day at the recent home of the deceased. 



Tungnaluke, on seeing the illumination, hastily 

 picked up four frozen fish and on entering the hut 

 he was delighted to see a woman. Here was some 

 body to talk to. To be sure, she had a deerskin 

 mask over her face, and he knew that was the way 

 the villagers dressed the dead, but he gave the sub 

 ject no heed. The place was nice and warm, and 

 he felt that his solitude was at an end. He could 

 now have a nice long conversation; so seating him 

 self on the floor he spoke to the visitor. But she 

 made no reply. He then pushed one of the frozen 

 fish toward her, but the fish came flapping back. 

 Then he offered the other fish one by one, telling her 

 to eat; but they came flapping back as did the first. 

 Thinking that the warmth of the room had brought 

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