OCCUPATIONS OF THE ESKIMOS 



Trapping is not extensively followed, unless by the Eskimos 

 living V7itliin reach of the Hudson's Bay Company's posts, 

 perhaps because of the inefficiency of the native traps, but 

 also owing to the comparatively slight value to the Eskimos 

 of the animals which may be caught. For instance, the wolf 

 is an animal little sought for, because his flesh is not con- 

 sidered good food, and his skin is no better for clothing than 

 the skin of the deer, which is much more easily procured. 

 So also with the fox. Both wolves and foxes are, however, 

 caught to some extent by " dead fall " traps, built of stones, 

 or of snow, and so arranged that when the animal enters the 

 trap and touches the bait, a heavy stone is caused to fall and 

 kill or imprison him. 



Amusements. 



The Eskimo, or " Innuit," as he calls himself, being of a 

 jovial, merry disposition, has various forms of amusement. 

 A common one among the men is that of competing v/ith each 

 other in throwing the harpoon at a mark on the snow. With 

 such practice they become powerful and expert harpooners. 



A rather amusing incident happened in this connection at 

 one time during my Eskimo experiences. I, too, had been 

 exercising myself in the art of harpoon throwing, and one 

 day, having become somewhat expert, y^as thus amusing my- 

 self when a party of natives came along. One of their num- 

 ber, doubtless supposing me to be a novice, stood up at what 

 he thought a safe distance, and cried, " Atiay me-loo-e-ah 

 took!" (Go ahead', throw). Promptly accepting the challenge, 

 I hurled my harpoon, which made so straight for the aston- 

 ished man's breast that he did not know which way to jump, 

 and barely got out of the way in time to save himself. As 

 the shaft passed him and went crashing through a flour barrel 

 behind where he had stood, his companions had a great laugh 

 at his expense. 



Another source of much amusement is the game of foot- 



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