THE WORLD'S WONDERS. 



733 



to the after end of each runner for standards, and l>:-;iced by 

 pieces of reindeer antlers secured across the top. Thus the whole 

 is so perfect and strong that such a sledge can stand enormous 

 strains, and may be tumbled recklessly over the roughest ice, 

 heavily loaded, without fear of breakage. 



The construction of an entire new sledge is a thing almost un- 

 known among the Esquimaux. Repairs are made when any part 

 becomes broken or decayed, but they are handed down from gen- 

 eration to generation, and the origin of some of them antedates 

 tradition. 



Upon such a vehicle an Esquimau trusts himself for long jour- 



AN ESQUIMAU SLEDGE. 



neys in quest of game, being drawn generally by seven dogs, 

 which receive their cue from his inspiriting words, " Ka! kaf 

 Ka! kaf" which sets them bounding over ice-fields. When he 

 gets among hummocks he lightens his load by walking, and 

 pushes to help the dogs tug their heavy burden up glacial heights ; 

 sometimes the sledge breaks away and tumbles pell-mell down 

 the ice crags, but it is rarely injured, and the load is so well 

 strapped on as to resist displacement even under the strongest 

 shocks. 



A LIVELY-SMELLING FEAST. 



Du. HAYES had a queer experience with a party of Esquimaux 

 while encamped at Netlik, which he describes in a facetious vein. 



