DUCK SHOOTING 371 



me to make an examination in this instance and pass 

 judgment, but I declined the honor, explaining that 

 I knew very little about any children, and nothing 

 whatever about children so very young as this one, 

 therefore my judgment would be valueless. I did not 

 know just what points to look for, the youngster did 

 not appear to me as one for the parents to be proud 

 of, but I had no desire to hurt their feelings by telling 

 them so. 



The mother had wrapped the baby in hareskin as 

 soon as it was born, and I was much interested in the 

 tiny fur clothing that she had prepared for its later 

 use. When Eskimos have no hareskin, grass is used 

 for wrapping new-born babies, to keep them warm 

 until they can be clothed. Tongwe seemed very well 

 indeed. Eskimo women suffer slight inconvenience 

 in bearing children, and two or three hours after the 

 birth are seen attending to their duties as usual. 



Our boat was heavily laden, and the cargo so bulky 

 that there was scarcely room to wield the oars, but a 

 light north wind was blowing to help us, and, once 

 away from land, sail was hoisted. Though a great 

 deal of small ice was scattered over the water and 

 had to be avoided, we averaged three and a half 

 miles an hour, enjoying a fine run down. 



Upon reaching McGary Island a small but high, 

 rock-bound island lying a few hundred yards outside 

 of Littleton Island Portlooner, who had brought his 

 kayak with him, decided to leave us and remain for 

 a little while on the island to hunt ducks and gather 

 ducks' eggs. The place was simply alive with eider 



