INTKODUCTION OF DOMESTIC REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 231 



A braided cord with tassels, which I had fastened in lieu of a belt 

 around my fur blouse, attracted general attention from the natives. 

 Observed old men and boys gathering seaweed. Many dog teams and 

 sleds were collected at one place on the shore of the bay, while their 

 masters concealed themselves behind rocks or in "blinds" constructed 

 of driftwood and bone from the skeletons of whales, read}^ to dispatch 

 any unwary seal that showed its head above the water. 



November 6: At Sunday school, spoke of the "Fatherhood of God 

 and the Brotherhood of Man." 



November 8: A company of Southwest Cape natives visited our vil- 

 lage, arriving in the afternoon. I happened to be at the lower end of 

 the lake with a sled party, and altogether it was a fine spectacle to 

 witness the native procession, including 15 or 20 people on sleds, 

 drawn in all by about 80 dogs. They were ceremoniously received 

 at the village, notably by a sham fight, or something that looked like 

 that, on the part of a Massinga native and a Southwest Cape repre- 

 sentative. They backed each other alternately at the point of their 

 spears. Both men had festive decorations on their garments. Later, 

 Abrahamsen and I attended the dance at Pazzuk's house, in connection 

 with the trading between the people of the two communities. Even 

 very little girls participated at times. This dance was held in the 

 living apartments of the house, and was in contrast with that observed 

 in connection with the " ola hola." In the latter the large or unheated 

 room of the house was used. Therefore modesty was not violated in 

 a single instance. On this occasion, when the inner heated room was 

 used, men and women were almost in a nude condition, while small 

 children had absolutely no apparel on their persons. I may add, how- 

 ever, that this was no unusual display of the person, as in the living 

 room, all the occupants, as a rule, lay aside their clothing. No 

 indecency seemed to be intended by anyone, nor was the modesty of 

 any one of them shocked. 



In contradistinction from other tribes of Eskimos, these Massinga 

 people do not appear to be grossly licentious. 



November 9 : The carcass of a whale killed probably many months 

 ago in the whaling season went ashore on the rocks down the coast at 

 a place about 5 miles distant from the village. Abrahamsen and I 

 accompanied some of the boys thither, following in the wake of many 

 people who had their dogs draw their canoes on runners. Nearly 

 decomposed as it was, the carcass was welcomed by the people as a 

 great find. 



November 10: I was asked to see a vevy sick school girl named 

 "Poppy," a very nice child, suffering from a fever. I gave her some 

 medicine and some food, such as her stomach might retain. 



Had to treat a little baby for "sore mouth." This taxed my powers, 

 for, as a bachelor, I scarcely knew how to diagnose a baby's symptoms. 



