FROM THULE TO HUMBOLDT'S GLACIER 



house of the greatest hunter; but there was also the den of 

 old Simigaq, where the passage was so narrow that, in spite of 

 honest attempts, I did not succeed in squeezing myself through 

 to pay her a short call. 



Simigaq, "The Corked-up One," is the oldest woman of 

 the tribe. In a small way she still invokes the aid of the 

 " ministering spirits " when fate, or the camp, seems to oppose 

 her desires. Otherwise she is like a living book for all those 

 who like to listen to old stories and myths. And Simigaq is 

 never pressed in vain. 



THE MEAT IS GATHERED 



In Ulugssat the afternoon was passed in the buying in of 

 meat for men and dogs ; and we had a busy day of it as we 

 ourselves had to be present eve ry where. It is of importance to 

 select the best flensing parts of the meat, preferably pieces 

 where the skin is already separated from the flesh. 



Furthermore, dining the winter the women of the camp 

 had been given commissions to make a lot of kamiks (shoes) 

 and mittens, and these articles now had to be delivered, 

 criticized, and paid for. In the midst of all this business which 

 could not be delayed, we had to find time for all the unavoidable 

 meat feasts given to celebrate our departure. Well meant as 

 they were, we found them somewhat of a strain ; fourteen meals 

 of walrus meat in the course of one day is a considerable feat. 

 It certainly eased the strain that the meat was served in different 

 ways. Some of it was freshly boiled ; some newly killed but 

 frozen ; some, again, decayed but frozen. This last sounds 

 bad but tastes good. But this excessive hospitality made us 

 all so heavy with food that we looked forward with longing to 

 a night's rest. 



In Ilanguaq, " The Little Companion's," house drum-songs 

 were sung with great enthusiasm. I called, but I had to clear 

 out quickly again as the heat was so excessive as to wet one- 

 through. Nevertheless, I was told next morning that the 

 singers kept it up all night. As the population from the sur- 



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