44 THE LIFE OF E. J. PECK 



nection, " a sick man who was scarce able to crawl, 

 and who had no angakok at hand, managed to load 

 his gun and with great difficulty shoot his dog, 

 hoping to recover by merit of his sacrifice, though 

 the sequel to his act was not a cure, for he died 

 of the malady of which he was suffering." 



Again, the Eskimo has a tradition of the flood. 

 According to Dr. Boas, in his work on The Central 

 Eskimos, the following account is given of their 

 tradition of the Deluge : 



" A long time ago the ocean suddenly began to 

 rise until it covered the whole land. When the 

 flood had subsided the ice stranded, and ever since 

 has formed a cap upon the mountain summits. 

 Many shellfish, fish, seals and whales were left 

 high and dry, and their shells and bones may be 

 seen to this day. A great number of Eskimos died 

 during this period, but many others who, when the 

 waters rose, had taken to their kayaks were 

 saved." 



There is also a remarkable story of the creation 

 of the first woman, which may be some hazy relic 

 of the Biblical record. Though worthy of insertion, 

 it must be stated that it seems to be a somewhat 

 local tradition, and possibly it is not accepted by all 

 Eskimos. 



" The man (no tradition is given of how man was 

 created), feeling very lonely, went out one day when 

 the sun was shining, and when the earth was in 



