Sketches From Oldest America 



The summer season was approaching, a time 

 when all the villagers would be going on their 

 annual trips, some to the north in quest of deer, 

 while others would go to the east, down the 

 Kotzebue Sound, where they would meet natives of 

 other tribes, and do their trading. All would leave 

 the village; the place would be entirely abandoned. 

 Little Allugua's father and mother, in talking the 

 matter over with some of the neighbors, came to 

 the conclusion that the child was hopelessly blind 

 and would never be able to support himself. It was 

 therefore decided to leave him behind. The parents 

 placed him in their iglo, laying heavy whale jaws 

 over the window and blocking up the entrance, 

 thus leaving no way of escape. They then left 

 him without food, expecting him to starve to death 

 during their absence. 



The little fellow sat on the floor, with his head 

 bowed on his breast, feeling very bad at the fate 

 which awaited him. He was growing very hungry 

 and had apparently no means of relief. Everything 

 was dark to him. His hunger grew still worse, 

 with a terrible gnawing sensation in his stomach. 

 If he could only get something to eat! and his thirst 

 was terrible! He was beside himself with despair; 



