IIRDI.H'KA] 



VTRITBB'S TKIP ON YUKON 43 



dian village everything is life and bustle and we soon are over. 

 Motor launches owned and operated by the Indians in the river; 

 dogs, scores of the big, half-wild, noisy sled dogs tied to stakes along 

 the slope of the bank, fighting stray ones, barking in whole out- 

 bursts, feeding on smelly fish, or digging cooling holes into the bank 

 in which they hide most of the body from the warm rays of the 

 sun; and many Indians, about 400 in all, in whole families, in houses, 

 large canvas tents, cooking, eating, visiting — a busy multitude, but 

 with white man's clothes, utensils, etc., not nearly so interesting 

 as a group of more primitive Indians would be. 



Walk, visit, talk, and observe. Note many mix-bloods, especially 

 among the younger ones and the children. Among the full bloods, 

 many, about one-half, with features reminding more or less of Eski- 

 moid; but a few typically Indian, i. e., like most of the States 

 Indians. 



Medium stature, substantial but not massive build, quite a few of 

 the older women stout. Color of full bloods generally near medium 

 brown, features regular Indian but not exaggerated, noses rather 

 low especially in upper half, eyes and hair Indian. Epicanthus 

 not excessive in children, absent in adults (traces in younger women), 

 eyes not markedly oblique. Behavior, Indian. 



The more pronounced Eskimoids have natter and longer faces, 

 more oblique eyes, and more marked epicanthus. They should come, 

 it would seem, from Eskimo admixture. The Tanana Indians 

 (Nenana) did not. so far as seen, show such physiognomies. 



Toward evening, and especially after supper, natives sing and 

 dance. Songs of Indian characteristics, and yet different from those 

 in south ; some more expressive. A song " for dead mother/' very 

 sad. affects some to crying aloud (a woman, a man). A wash song — a 

 row of women and even some men imitating, standing in a row, the 

 movements in washing, while others sing; humorous. A dance in a 

 line, curving to a circle, of a more typical Indian character. Late 

 at night, a war dance, with much supple contortion. Also other 

 songs and dances up to 2.30 a. in. — heard in bed. 



June 19. With dogs barking and whining and Indians singing, got 

 little rest. All Indians sleep until afternoon. No chance of doing 

 anything, so go down to town to get instruments and blanks. Find 

 that storekeeper has an old stone ax — sells it to me for $1. Also 

 tells of a farmer who* has one — go there with the boat and obtain 

 it as a gift : told of another one — a Finn — has two, sells them for $1. 

 Come from the gravelly bank of the river or are dug out in garden- 

 ing. There may well have been old settlements in this favorable 

 location. After return, visit some tents to see sick. Much sickness — 

 eyes, tuberculosis — now and then probably syphilis. 



