182 B Canadian Arctic Expedition, 1913-18 



ever, and there is a strong probability that it was introduced by some western 

 natives within comparatively recent times. In Alaska, on the other hand, 

 many stories are told about this spirit of string figures, which could even become 

 the guardian spirit of a shaman. It was thought to reveal its presence by a 

 peculiar sound like the crackling of dry skins, and it made string figures with its 

 own intestines or with an invisible cord. At Cape Prince of Wales the Eskimos 

 believed that Opening A would drive it away, if the proper words were uttered; 

 but in other parts of Alaska there was a special figure for the purpose. ^ A mere 

 pretence at making the figure was enough, if no string were available; but if 

 the movements were not made every inmate of the house would be paralyzed 

 and die. 



The following story about this spirit was narrated by a woman of Cape 

 Prince of Wales: 



"On the site of Tin City (a deserted tin mine near Cape Prince of Wales) 

 there once lived a boy who spent all his evenings in making string figures. One 

 evening, as he was amusing himself with his usual pastime, the spirit of cat's 

 cradles entered the house, drew forth its own intestine and began to make the 

 figures also. The mother of the boy snatched the string from her soh's hands, 

 exclaiming, 'I told you not to be always playing that game.' Sitting down on 

 the floor opposite the spirit she made Opening A, unmade it, made it again, 

 again unmade it, then, with the exclamation 'I've raced you,' quickly made 

 the figure for the third time and flourished it in the intruder's face. The spirit 

 shuffled nearer the door, and the woman shuffled after it, each striving to outdo 

 the other in manipulating the string. At last the spirit vanished through the 

 door — the woman's presence of mind had saved both her son and herself." 



From Alak, a North Alaskan Eskimo who lived on the Noatak river during 

 his youth, came these two stories: 



"The Noatak river Eskimos once corstructed a dance-house and gathered 

 inside to practise their dances before sending out runners to invite their neigh- 

 bours to the festival. Another boy and myself were sent to bring in more food, 

 and while we were absent some of the children created a great uproar, despite 

 the warnings of the older people. Everything seemed normal when I returned, 

 but suddenly there was a sharp report outside the house, and a noise like the 

 crackling of dry skins. The sound travelled around the house until it reached 

 the door, which was merely an opening covered by a curtain of skin. Presently 

 a stream of mist began to pour in, and behind it, concealed by the mist, the 

 spirit of string figures entered the room. The lamps at first flared brightly, 

 then slowly grew dimmer and dimmer. We sat motionless, paralyzed with fear. 

 One by one the lamps expired and no one stirred, although now and then an old 

 man would cry, 'Will no one go out?' The house grew darker and darker, and 

 my grandfather, who was sitting on one of the benches, called me over to his 

 side. I ran quickly, for I was very frightened, and my grandfather placed me 

 on his knee. Nearly all the lamps had expired when an old man suddenly rushed 

 outside with one of them and raced around the house. The air outside extin- 

 guished his lamp, but the people re-lit it, and then lit all the other lamps that 

 had expired. The spirit disappeared, and everything seemed normal again; but 

 presently the old man's hands grew very cold and he sat dumb and motionless. 

 His brother asked him what was the matter, but he could not answer. Then 

 some shamans who were present invoked their magic powers, and in the morning 

 the old man was able to move about again, although his speech did not return 

 to him until some time afterwards. Had he not carried out one of the lamps 

 before they were all extinguished every one of us would have been paralyzed 

 and died. 



' See No. XXIII, Two Labrets. 



