18 NATURAL HISTORY OF ARCTIC AMERICA. 



to shut tor themselves. 'They eke out a scanty subsistence by making 

 good use of their time at low tide, Cottus scorpim constituting the greater 

 part of their food at this season. 



There are at present so many whaleboats owned by these Eskimo, 

 that they experience little difficulty in making quite extensive cruises, 

 three or four families constituting a boat's crew. They will load a whale- 

 boat to within an inch or two of the gunwale, and then set out for a few 

 weeks of enjoyment and abundance. The squaws do the rowing and the 

 " captain" stands majestically in the stern with the steering oar, while 

 the rest of the men are either asleep or on the lookout for game. The 

 cargo consists of their tent-poles, the skin-tents, pots, and lamps, with 

 sundry skin-bags containing the women's sewing and skinning utensils. 

 Their hunting-gear, of course, forms a quite conspicuous portion of the 

 contents of the boat. Very few there are at present who have not be- 

 come the possessors of a half-barrel, and this vessel occupies a conspic- 

 uous place in the boat, and is almost constantly receiving additions of 

 animal matter in some shape ; a few young eiders or gulls will soon be 

 covered up with the intestines of a seal and its flesh. From this recep- 

 tacle all obtain a piece of meat whenever they feel hungry. This ves- 

 sel is never emptied of its contents, except by accident or when scarcity 

 of material forbids its repletion ; and, as the temperature at this season 

 is well up in .the " sixties " during the day, this garbage heap becomes 

 so offensive as to be unbearable to any one but an Eskimo. 



They proceed at a very leisurely rate, rowing for a few minutes and 

 then stopping for a time, chatting, smoking, or eating. When they feel 

 fired they haul up on the rocks and have a sleep, and then resume the 

 journey in the same vagabond manner. If, while thus cruising, any live 

 creature that they think there is any possibility they can capture comes 

 in sight, all hands become animated, the oars are plied with redoubled 

 energy, guns and spears are in readiness, and every one is eager for the 

 sport. Hours are often consumed in chasing half-grown duck or young 

 loon, which when procured is but a bite ; but the fun of the chase seems to 

 be the principal object, and they enjoy it hugely. Thus they journey till 

 they reach some suitable locality, when the boat is unloaded, the toopiks 

 raised, the lamps put in their places, and all is ready for a grand hunt. 

 The men divide and scatter over the mountains, leaving the camp in 

 charge of the women and children ; these busy themselves by hunting 

 for and destroying every living creature that they can find. 



On the return of the hunters, who perchance have brought some skins 

 and a hunk of venison, there are joyous times in camp; the meat is dis- 



