244 INTRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 



unsatisfactory, and trying to excuse the children as far as possible. 

 He hoped that the time would never come when the United States 

 Government would withdraw from the village the privilege of the 

 school and the oversight of the connnunity by the teacher. He greatly 

 feared evil consequences if there were no officials here, as the Indian 

 Point natives would then harass the Massinga people as of old. I 

 set his mind at ease by assuring him that he need have no fear that 

 the Government would desert the people, while at the same time 1 

 hoped that hereafter the community would endeavor to patronize the 

 school and thereby show their interest and appreciation. I admitted 

 that no doubt many of the children, especially at this time, could not 

 well attend, and yet I believed that a sufficient number could be pres- 

 ent to warrant me in holding a school session every day. I stood pre- 

 pared to do my part if 15 scholars assembled. Abrahamsen traded 

 for a dog. 



April 11: School. 12^, 10-; foggy; northeast wind, light. More 

 than 25 scholars presented themselves for instruction. I believe it is 

 best to hold up a high standard, making all possible allowance, of 

 course, for necessary absences. 



April 12: No school. 5^, 16^; northeast wind strong in morning, 

 light in afternoon; snow and fog. '"Captain Jack" came to interview 

 me about some things which another person alleged I had said to his 

 detriment. 1 asked him to produce the witness and then we would be 

 able to come to a better understanding. Only 4 boys were readj^ for 

 school. 



April 13: School. 5°, 16*^; snow and northeast wind strong in 

 morning; cloudy and light wind in afternoon. The children disap- 

 peared at recess, going to the mountain for a slide. Play is more 

 attractive for them, as for some of their white cousins, than study. 

 Have been holding school only during three hours lately in order to 

 allow the scholars to do their tasks about their houses, such as shovel- 

 ing snow, and fishing near the shore for craljs through holes in the ice. 

 Warned the scholars later that I believed I should have to close school 

 in the near future. 



April 14: School. 10°, 18°; east wind, light; clear in afternoon. 

 Had a trial trip in my new kayak which Elanga has just finished for 

 me. Found the ballast too light; nearly upset several times. 



April 15: Saturday. 10°, 16°; northeast wind, strong; snowed morn- 

 ing and evening. Abrahamsen carried my kayak to the shore and 1 

 made a second trial, finding it more steady than on the previous occa- 

 sion. '"Fram," Abrahamsen's Eskimo pup, perished on his first 

 exploring trip. 



April 16: Sunday school. lO-'; northeast wind strong, then light; 

 very clear. Treated some sick persons. The natives suflfer severely 

 from inflamed eyes, due to the bitter blasts and the glare of the snow. 

 Only a very f cav wear snow glasses. I have suggested that they blacken 



