THE INDIANS 215 
slight causes must serve to determine their course of 
migration, for no one can tell just where it will go. From 
Atlantic to Alaska, throughout the immense territory of 
the barrens, this is true; no race or tribe can foretell in 
this absolutely important matter. Some scattering deer 
are found over the country apart from the main herd; and 
the latter may break up into smaller bands. 
The shore people from Hopedale north formerly depended 
much on their deer supply. For some years this has failed. 
The southward movement was never much depended on 
at the coast, while recent fires have swept so much of the 
country south of Davis Inlet that the northward movement 
may be shunted off inland around the burnt district for 
a long time to come. 
So far as the caribou and the Indian are concerned, the 
loss of the shore people is quite their gain, for the latter 
are well armed, good shots, and have less restraint in killing 
than the Indians. An Eskimo family south of Nain told 
the writer that they ought to get one hundred deer in a good 
season, for themselves and dogs. North of Nain conditions 
are less changed. The Eskimo hunters from Nain and 
Okkak meet near the height of land west of Okkak late in 
the winter, and often get all the meat their dogs can haul 
out. Large wolves, varying from gray to black, accom- 
pany the herds. 
The northern Indians are still polygamous, though the 
limited number of women tends toward practical monogamy. 
The work about the lodge is done mainly by the women; 
what with dressing skins, making pemmican, and the 
ordinary housework, they are often overworked. In time 
of scarcity there is little for them to do, while the men, 
