170 The Kipe-kut-ta [may, ises. 



the koo-mucks (worms picked from the reindeer-carcasses), the soup 

 from which the Innuits had been enjoying. They eat these even 

 when their wings begin to form. 



For Hall's fatm-e success in sealing, Ow-e-/amade him a kipe-kut-ta, 

 a little rod of whalebone, about the size of a common knitting-needle, 

 about 30 inches long, and pointed with a small sewing-needle, the other 

 end liaving a thin string, 2 feet in length, to which is attached a peg. 

 This was for a seal-signal, particularly to be used in windy weather 

 when it is difficult to hear the breathing of the seal, or when the snow- 

 covering of its hole is ver}^ deep. When the animal approaches its 

 hole to blow or breathe, it will strike its head or neck against the 

 needle-point and lift the slender and light kipe-kut-ta, slackening the 

 .'String; this is the signal for the huntsman to deal his blow. This nee- 

 dle is used only when really necessary ; for if the seal strike its nose 

 or any tender part of its face against the point, it may become 

 alarmed; or if the instrument should happen to chafe against the snow 

 so as to produce a noise, the wary animal will at once become sus- 

 picious and retreat. Sometimes the sealer has an advantage in its use 

 when the seal, almost exhausted, is forced to gain access to the air 

 even at the expense of its fears. Hall afterward used his signal-rod 

 twice, ))ut without any good fortune. 



Before the middle of the month success in the hunt had so in- 

 creased that ten seals were caught on a single da)^ At this time, as fast 

 us ])n»u;ilit in. tliey were devoured, save the ook-sook (blubber). " It is 

 a.stouishing, even to me, to see the vast amount of meat that a company 

 <.f Tiiimits can consume. They can live on little if little is all they 

 have; they do live on a great deal if abundance is obtained." 



Hall rclisliccl venison even when much tainted, though bread and 



