396 



SECOND VOYAGE FOR THE DISCOVERY 



mound. I remarked that before our task was completed the man turned 

 and walked quietly to the ships. 



" During the two last days, I obtained some information with respect 

 to mourning ceremonies, or at all events such as related to the loss of a 

 mother of a family ; three days were to be passed by the survivors with- 

 out their walking out on the ice, performing any kind of work, or even 

 having any thing made for them. Washing is out of the question with 

 Esquimaux at most times, but now I was not allowed to perform the 

 necessary ablutions of their hands and faces, however greasy or dirty they 

 might be made by their food ; the girl's hair was not to be put in pig-tails, 

 and every thing was neglected ; Takkeelikkeeta was not to go sealing 

 until the summer. With the exception of an occasional sigh from the 

 man, there were no more signs of grief ; our mourners ate, drank, and 

 were merry, and no one would have supposed they ever had wife, mother, 

 or sister. When the three days, and it is singular that such should be the 

 time, were expired, the man was to visit the grave ; and having talked 

 with his wife, all duties were to be considered as over. The 28th was our 

 third day, but a heavy northerly gale and thick drift prevented our visiting 

 the grave. The 29th, although not fine, was more moderate and I accom- 

 panied him at an early hour. Arriving at the grave, he anxiously walked up 

 to it and carefully "sought for foot-tracks on the snow, but finding none 

 repeated to himself, " No wolves, no dogs, no foxes, thank ye, thank ye." 

 He now began a conversation which he directed entirely to the grave, as if 

 addressing his wife. He called her twice by name, and twice told her how 

 the wind was blowing, looking at the same time in the direction from 

 whence the drift was coming. He next broke forth into a low monotonous 

 chaunt and, keeping his eyes fixed on the grave, walked slowly round it in 

 the direction of the sun four or five times, and at each circuit he stopped 

 a few moments at the head. His song was, however, uninterrupted. At the 

 expiration of about eight minutes, he stopped, and turning suddenly round 

 to me, exclaimed " Tugwd," (that's enough) and began walking back to the 

 ship. In the song he chaunted I could frequently distinguish the word Koy- 

 enna, (thank you) and it was occasionally coupled with the Kabloonas. Two 

 other expressions, both the names of the spirits or familiars of the Annatko, 

 Toolemak, were used a few times ; but the whole of the other words were 

 perfectly unintelligible to me. 



" I now sent Shega and her father home, well clothed and in good case. 



