Copper Eskimo Traditions 89 a 



93. Strange People 

 (Told by Ilatsiaq) 



Once there lived a man named Alguna, a native of Eqaluktok.^ Going out 

 one day to hunt musk-oxen he met some strange people with whom he stayed 

 for a time, living in a snow hut adjacent to them. These people never ate meat, 

 but merely sucked it, for their bodies were imperfect. After a time the Eskimo 

 went away and wandered about until he met two men wearing belts of a very 

 extraordinary nature. With them also he remained for some time, then resumed 

 his travels and came to the country of Saningaiyoq (Backs river). From the 

 top of a hill he saw two men, but even as he watched them a band of women 

 suddenly appeared and pursued them. One man succeeded in making his 

 escape, but the other was captured. The women fought for his possession and 

 in the struggle he was torn to pieces. Alguna himself escaped unseen, and after 

 wandering about for some time longer returned to his home. His people had 

 given him up for dead, as he had been absent several years. When he had left 

 his child was only about eight years old, but when he returned the boy was 

 almost grown up. 



Cf. Boas, Bulletin, A.M.N.H., Vol. XV, pt. I, pp. 171, 538; Joohelaon, p. 364 (2). 



94. The Sick Man 

 (Told by Ilatsiaq) 



A young man named Ilornaq was once very ill, and his leg came off about 

 the knee. He kept the severed limb near him in his hut, and whenever he looked 

 at it would sing a song. For a time he appeared to be recovering, but then 

 his malady increased and in the end he died. 



1 During his boyhood the narrator of the story had seen both Alguna and his son. 



