574 THE CENTRAL ESKIMO. 



second kiiKl of this game consists in two women holding a long rope by its ends 

 and whirling it round in such a manner over the heads of two others standing 

 close together near the middle of the liight, that each of these shall jump over it 

 alternately. The art therefore, which is indeed considerable, depends more on 

 those whirling the rope than on the jimipers, who are, however, obliged to keep 

 exact time in order to be ready for the rope passing under their feet. 



Of all these games I observed only the one called pitkusiraqpoq 

 by Parry, which I saw played several times at Cumberland Sound. 

 (See Appendix, Note 3.) 



While in times of plenty the home life is quite cheerful, the house 

 presents a sad and gloomy ajJiJearance if stormy weather prevents 

 the men from hunting. The stores are quickly consumed, one lamj) 

 after another is extinguished, and everybody sits motionless in the 

 dark hut. Nevertheless the women and men do not stop humming 

 their monotonous amna aya and their stoicism in enduring the pangs 

 of hunger is really wonderful. At last, when starvation is menacing 

 the sufferers, the most daring of tin- iiumi resolves to try his luck. 

 Though the storm may rage over tlir i(\- pL-iiti he sets out to go seal- 

 ing. For hours he braves the cold and slaiids waiting and watclnng 

 at the breathing hole until he hears the blowing of the seal and suc- 

 ceeds in killing it. 



When those who have remained at home hear the sound of the re- 

 turning sledge, they rush out of the houses to meet it. Quickly they 

 help the bold hunter to get on shore. The sledge is unloaded, the 

 seal dragged into the house, and every one joyfully awaits his share. 

 The animal is cut up, every household receiving a piece of meat and 

 blubber. The gloomy huts are again lighted iip and the pots, which 

 had been out of use for some days, are again hung up over the lam^DS. ■ 



If the hunter, however, has tried in vain to procure food, if the 

 storm does not subside, the terrors of famine visit the settlement. 

 The dogs are the first to fall victims to the pressing hunger, and if 

 the worst comes cannibalism is resorted to. But all these occurrences 

 are spoken of with the Utmost horror. In such cases children par- 

 ticularly are killed and eaten. Fortunately, however, such occur- 

 rences are very rare. 



VISITING. 



As soon as the ice has consolidated in winter a lively intercourse 

 springs up between the settlements. Friends visit one another, trad- 

 ing excursions are vmdertaken, and almost every few days visitors 

 arrive at the village. They are welcomed with great hospitality. 

 The sledge is unloaded and the dogs are fed by the host. The visitor 

 is led into the hut, served with the choicest pieces of meat, and the 

 hostess puts his clothing in order. In the winter these visits are 

 generally short, rarely lasting more than a few days. 



