ACKOSS THE SUB-ARCTICS OF CANADA 



we went ashore. The river bank here was abrupt and high, 

 in the neighborhood of one hundred feet, and on the side of 

 this steep bank several new species of plants were collected. 

 Marine shells and marl were also found thirty feet above the 

 river, while on the top of the bank some Eskimo graves were 

 discovered. Out of consideration for our native escorts, the 

 graves, already broken by bears or wolves, were not molested. 

 When lunch was announced, and we, seating ourselves, pro- 

 ceeded to eat with the customary plates, knives and forks, 

 the Eskimos were very much amused, and stood watching our 

 operations with great interest. Some refreshments were 

 offered them, but to our surprise they declined, informing us 

 that they had plenty of meat. Eor their own lunch they each 

 took a lump of raw venison and a drink of water from the 

 river, a very simple but no doubt wholesome meal. 



Before re-embarking I secured several good photographs of 

 the Eskimos. At first they were not prepared to be " shot " 

 by the camera, but after explaining what I wished to do, they 

 were pleased and amused to have their pictures taken, and 

 changed their positions when I asked them to do so. By the 

 time we had descended eight or ten miles farther down the 

 river, our native escorts commenced cheering, hallooing and 

 acting in a most hilarious manner. At first we wondered 

 what had possessed them, but the cause of their strange actions 

 was soon disclosed as we switched around a bend in the river 

 and found ourselves close upon a large Eskimo village. As 

 we pulled ashore this time there was no need of introducing 

 ourselves. Our coming and our character had already been 

 lustily proclaimed from half a mile or so up the river until 

 the time of landing, so that we were received with great 

 demonstrations. 



Upon going ashore one of the first objects which attracted 

 my attention was a small topick, or lodge, constructed of 

 beautiful musk-ox robes. I felt inclined to doubt my own 

 eyes, for it seemed such a strange waste of luxury. I pro- 



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