PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
569 
Others those of the natives near Prince William Sound ; but they all 
agree in being constructed with driftwood covered with peat, and in 
having the light admitted through a hole in the roof covered with the 
intestines of sea animals. The natives reside in these abodes during 
the winter, and when the season approaches at which they commence 
their wanderings, they launch their baidars, and taking their families 
with them, spread along the coast in quest of food and clothing for the 
ensuing winter. An experienced fisherman knows the places which 
are most abundant in fish and seals, and resorts thither in the hope of 
being the first occupier of the station. Thus almost every point of 
land and the mouths of all the rivers are taken possession of by the 
tribe. Here they remain, and pass their time, no doubt, very happily, 
in the constant occupation of taking salmon, seals, walrusses, and rein- 
deer, and collecting peltry, of which the beaver-skins are of very superior 
quality, or whatever else they can procure which may prove useful as 
winter store. 
During their absence the villages are left in charge of a few^ elderly 
women and children, with a youth or two to assist them, who, besides 
preventing depredations, are deputed to cleanse and prepare the yourts 
for the reception of the absentees at the approach of winter. As long 
as the fine weather lasts they live under tents made of deer-skins laced 
upon poles ; but about the middle of September, they break up these 
establishments, load their baidars with the produce of their labour, and 
track them along the coast with dogs towards their yourts, in which 
they take up their wfinter station as before, regaling themselves after 
their success by dancing, singing, and banqueting, as appears to be the 
custom with the Eastern Esquimaux, and from their having large rooms 
appropriated to such diversions. 
These winter stations may always be krlown at a distance by trunks 
of trees, and frames erected near them ; some supporting sledges and 
skins of oil, and others frames of boats, caiacs, fishing implements, &c. 
We had no opportunity of witnessing their occupations in the 
winter, which must consist in the constructing of implements for the 
forthcoming season of activity, in making clothes, and carving and orna- 
menting their property, for almost every article made of bone is covered 
4 D 
CHAP. 
XIX. 
Oct. 
1827. 
