FROM ICY CAPE BACK TO CIVILIZATION 377 



to a certain extent, was owing to the principle of competition. 

 The two stores had combined and were fighting the missionary's 

 store, and reducing the prices as much as they possibly could. 



The mission, as the one at Keevalina, is said to be situated in 

 a very poor place, as the natives cannot support themselves 

 by hunting, but have to go either to Point Hope or to Candle 



THE "BLOSSOM" MISSION AND SCHOOL AT KEGERTAVROOK. 



to get means of livelihood. At Point Hope they go whaling, 

 and at Candle they work in the mines. The natives, upon the 

 whole, seem to like the mining work, but it may not be altogether 

 good for them, and Candle is a dangerous place for the natives to 

 live in, bad for the men, but worse still for the women, who flock 

 to places of that description and usually degenerate in astonish- 

 ingly short time. 



There was great excitement at Kegertavrook ; Christmas 

 was at the door, and presents had arrived for the natives, which 

 people who were interested in the Eskimos had sent up to 

 them. There were books and wearing apparel, tools, and all 

 sorts of sweets, etc. But most of the presents were on board 

 the supply ship, which had stranded, and seven sledges with 

 large teams had gone down to the wreck to get what belonged 

 to them. Mrs. Geary was walking about among the Eskimo 

 women and children, who were unpacking boxes and sorting 

 out things in preparation for the big feast, directing and advising 

 with a kind word or a smile to everybody. 



